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Urban trees are generally considered to be a public asset and are an important part of a city’s heritage. The aim of this work is to analyse the influence of season on the economic appraisal of various trees in Madrid. Photographs were taken of 43 individual tree specimens in summer and winter. The survey was designed to compare differences of opinion in the economic assessment of trees. The trees were assessed by eight valuation methods used worldwide. A total of 78 agroforestry engineering students answered a written survey, and the variables considered were: percentage of students who always evaluated the tree equally (%0), percentage of students who assigned more value to the summer photograph (%S), and percentage of students who assigned more value to the winter photograph (%W). The results were analysed by the statistical test of equal proportions and ANOVA to detect differences according to tree type (evergreen or deciduous), species, and other groupings made by the authors in previous works. W and S percentages are similar. The ANOVA analysis rejects the equality of percentages of S and W between groups. The Welch test rejects the equality of the percentage of S, W, and O between species.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is associated with different pulmonary diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Whether GERD is contributory to COPD severity remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the contribution of GERD to the clinical manifestation of COPD based on ventilatory parameters and yearly clinical exacerbations. We studied 48 patients (56% females, age 66 years) with COPD. All patients underwent high-resolution manometry and esophageal pH monitoring. The patients were separated into two groups according to the presence of GERD. GERD was present in 21 (44%) patients. GERD + and GERD - groups did not differ in regard to gender, age, and body mass index. Pulmonary parameters were not different in the absence or presence of GERD. The number of yearly exacerbations was higher in patients GERD+. The severity of GERD (as measured by DeMeester score) correlated with the number of exacerbations. Our results show the following: 1) GERD does not influence pulmonary parameters and 2) GERD is associated with a higher number of annual clinical exacerbations. We believe GERD must be objectively tested in patients with COPD because the prevalence of GERD in these patients is underestimated when only symptoms are considered. GERD treatment might decrease the frequency of episodes of exacerbation.

The aim of this study was to describe 2 process indicators related to taking blood cultures (BC) in an Adult Emergency Department of a tertiary university hospital in Buenos Aires,and to describe the changes after a series of educational activities for health professionals was implemented during May 2016 as regards the appropriate indication of BC and the proper collection technique.A retrospective cohort study was designed to assess its effectiveness, which consecutively included all patients admitted during 2015-2016. The BC request rate was used as a process indicator, and the percentage of contaminated BCs and the true positives rate were used as quality indicators. Both were measured monthly and prospectively during the period of study.The annual adjusted rate of BC requests was 4.9% (95% CI 4.8-5) in 2015 and 2.9% (95% CI 2.8-2.9) in 2016. The rate of false positive (contaminated) BCs was 4.5% in 2015 and 4.3% after the educational intervention. The true positive BCs were 8.3% in 2015 and 12% post-intervention.These findings prove how important and effective the educational interventions are.

The search for novel therapies for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease is an urgent need, due to the current paucity of available pharmacological tools and the recent failures obtained in clinical trials. Among other strategies, the modulation of amyloid-triggered neuroinflammation by the endocannabinoid system seems of relevance. Previous data indicate that the enhancement of the endocannabinoid tone through the inhibition of the enzymes responsible for the degradation of their main endogenous ligands may render beneficial effects. Based on previously reported data, in which we described a paradoxical effect of the genetic deletion of the fatty acid amide hydrolase, we here aimed to expand our knowledge on the role of the endocannabinoid system in the context of Alzheimer’s disease. To that end, we inhibited the production of interleukin-1, one of the main inflammatory cytokines involved in the neuroinflammation triggered by amyloid peptides, in a transgenic mouse model of this disease by using minocycline, a drug known to impair the synthesis of this cytokine. Our data suggest that interleukin-1 may be instrumental in order to achieve the beneficial effects derived of fatty acid amide hydrolase genetic inactivation. This could be appreciated at the molecular (cytokine expression, amyloid production, plaque deposition) as well as behavioral levels (memory impairment). We here describe a previously unknown link between the endocannabinoid system and interleukin-1 in the context of Alzheimer’s disease that open new possibilities for the development of novel therapeutics. pre-print 646 KB

Background There is limited European literature on nursing and sustainability; nursing students are poorly prepared on the connections between resources, climate change, sustainability, and health, so they must acquire knowledge and develop skills and competencies in this field. The use of digital technologies and teaching via E-learning has grown, and has been widely adopted as a learning method for nursing. Objectives The aim of the current study was to test and evaluate digital educational materials on environmental sustainability and health, in the context of university nursing education in different European countries. Design An observational cross-sectional design. Settings University of Plymouth, University of Jaen, and University of Esslingen for Nursing Degree Studies. Participants 299 nursing students: 161 students from University of Jaen; 106 from Plymouth; and 32 from Esslingen. 22 professional evaluators with different profiles were recruited: Teachers, Clinical professionals, Delphi Experts, and Technical Experts. Methods We conducted a piloting and validation process. The materials were designed and adapted to the NurSusTOOLKIT Sustainability Literacy and Competency framework. Evaluation was developed by professionals and students. We used the Spanish Standard for the assessment of Digital Educational Material Quality at University level questionnaire. All students provided informed consent prior to taking part in the learning and evaluation. Results The overall evaluations of materials by students and professionals were 7.98 ± 1.28 and 8.50 ± 1.17, respectively. The Ability to generate learning was scored higher among students (mean difference: 0.84; 0.22–1.47; p = 0.008). In the overall assessment by students, statistically significant differences were found between the three universities (Welch: 11.69, p Conclusions Students, professionals, and technical experts considered the materials to be very good quality, especially regarding the quality of contents, format, and design. For students, these materials can generate reflection and learning regarding environmental and health issues during nursing training.

Goal of the present paper is the analysis of the interparticle neck connections in a system made of insulated iron powder compounds with different additions of an Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloy (0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 wt%). The introduction of the aluminium alloy powder has been made in order to improve the mechanical properties, evaluated as the transverse rupture strength, without decreasing the agnetic properties (evaluated in terms of iron loss and coercivity force). The fracture analysis of investigated systems puts into evidence the breaking of interparticle neck connections. Heat treatment (at the temperature of 500C) contributes to the early stages of interparticle neck developments. The chosen aluminium alloy presents a sort of pre-sintering behaviour at 500C, with the possibility of mass-transport processes around the insulated iron powder compounds. The air heat treatment applied aims at providing an increase in the mechanical behaviour of the material, with a final good rigidity after the cooling process. Fracture surfaces and transverse rupture strength values show that, at 500 MPa, the strength and the area related to the inter-particle necks can be correlated to the occasional broken insulated point-to-point surfaces that hinder the development of inter-particles necks.

Resumen Las ulceras de Lipschutz son aquellas ulceras vulvares que aparecen en ninas, adolescentes o mujeres jovenes, la mayoria sin relaciones sexuales, de etiologia desconocida, motivo por el cual, probablemente son infradiagnosticadas. Se presenta a continuacion el caso clinico de una paciente con ulceras genitales de probable origen infeccioso y catalogadas como ulceras de Lipschutz.

It is important today to take account of the opinions of both experts and stakeholders in the sustainable management of forests. SILVANET (Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain) is a software package that offers a useful methodology for assessing the preferences of individuals or groups, and applying them to the design of a sustainable forest management plan. The program starts by identifying the personal preferences of the evaluators based on information provided individually when comparing and selecting sustainability options from a series of site pairs. The evaluator is given information on certain sustainability indicators obtained in the area to be assessed. The scope of the evaluator’s knowledge of sustainable forest management and the consistency of his/her decisions is assessed, and he/she is then included in a group of people with similar systems of preferences to encourage interaction between evaluators in the same group. The preferences are characterized by matrices that encode individual assessments, the maximization of their utility and the analysis of past decisions. Finally, by identifying preferences, we are able to design the forest management system that maximizes the concept of sustainability for each individual or group of individuals. In this paper, we present the results of its application to mono-specific conifer forest stands, although it can be adapted to other forest types. The forestry management experts classify its usability as good, although non-expert users give it a lower rating.

The methods for appraising urban trees and municipal inventories in use today are expensive and require quantitative and qualitative variables with a high measurement cost. They are mathematically formulated from at least one tree-size variable to define a tree-size value. Researchers present a statistical methodology to analyze tree-size variables applied in appraisal methods for urban trees. A multivariate analysis method was carried out in order to obtain the lowest number of variables that explain the greatest variability of urban trees with no multicollinearity problems. The study was applied to urban trees in the City of Santiago del Estero, Argentina. The variables that showed the lowest collinearity were age and canopy area. The work includes a discussion of the use of correlated variables in appraisal methods for urban trees.

Rationale There is growing recognition that in addition to universally recognised domains and indicators of wellbeing (such as population health and life expectancy), additional frameworks are required to fully explain and measure Indigenous wellbeing. In particular, Indigenous Australian wellbeing is largely determined by colonisation, historical trauma, grief, loss, and ongoing social marginalisation. Dominant mainstream indicators of wellbeing based on the biomedical model may therefore be inadequate and not entirely relevant in the Indigenous context. It is possible that “standard” wellbeing instruments fail to adequately assess indicators of health and wellbeing within societies that have a more holistic view of health. Objective The aim of this critical review was to identify, document, and evaluate the use of social and emotional wellbeing measures within the Australian Indigenous community. Method The instruments were systematically described regarding their intrinsic properties (e.g., generic v. disease-specific, domains assessed, extent of cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric characteristics) and their purpose of utilisation in studies (e.g., study setting, intervention, clinical purpose or survey). We included 33 studies, in which 22 distinct instruments were used. Results Three major categories of social and emotional wellb eing instruments were identified: unmodified standard instruments (10), cross-culturally adapted standard instruments (6), and Indigenous developed measures (6). Recommendations are made for researchers and practitioners who assess social and emotional wellbeing in Indigenous Australians, which may also be applicable to other minority groups where a more holistic framework of wellbeing is applied. Conclusion It is advised that standard instruments only be used if they have been subject to a formal cross-cultural adaptation process, and Indigenous developed measures continue to be developed, refined, and validated within a diverse range of research and clinical settings. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Objetivo El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar las Etapas del cambio en relacion con la actividad fisica y el estado de salud general entre personas que participaron en un Programa de promocion de la actividad fisica (PPAF) de 12 semanas frente a un grupo control. Diseno : Ensayo clinico aleatorizado. Participantes Noventa y ocho personas inactivas de ambos sexos con una edad media de 62,82 anos procedentes de 2 centros de Atencion Primaria del Distrito Sanitario Costa del Sol. Intervencion Un PPAF organizado en grupos y siguiendo los criterios del Colegio Americano de Medicina del Deporte, 2 sesiones semanales de 60 min durante 12 semanas. Mediciones principales La variable principal de resultado fue resistencia al cambio en relacion con la actividad fisica. La variable secundaria fue el estado de salud general (componentes fisicos y mentales), determinado con el cuestionario de salud general SF12. Resultados Se encontraron diferencias significativas en las etapas del cambio a favor del grupo experimental (p < 0,05). No se encontraron diferencias estadisticamente significativas entre grupos despues de la intervencion en el estado general de salud. Conclusion Las etapas del cambio se modificaron en las personas inactivas que realizaron el PPAF en Atencion Primaria. Futuros estudios son necesarios para identificar que factores del entorno de los participantes influyen en la resistencia al cambio de la actividad fisica. Objective This study has aimed to evaluate the stages of change in relation to physical activity and overall health status among persons who participated in a 12-week Physical activity promotion program (PAPP) compared to a control group. Design Randomized clinical trial. Participants The study included 98 inactive persons of both sexes with a mean age of 62.82 years from 2 of Primary Care Centers of the Malaga Health Care District. Interventions A PAPP organized in groups according to the American College of Sports Medicine criteria including two weekly sessions of 60 minutes each for 3 months. Main measures The primary outcome was to assess resistance to change in relation to physical activity. The secondary variable was overall health (physical and mental components) determined with the SF12 general health questionnaire. Results Significant differences were found in the stages of change (P

The paper is focused on the role of the pressing pressure on the densification behaviour of PM aluminium alloys. Commercially aluminium based powders Al-Mg-Si-Cu-Fe and Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Sn were used as materials to be investigated. The apparent density of the powder mixes was determined according to MPIF St. 04. A set of cylinder test specimen 55x10x10 mm3 was uniaxially pressed in a floating hardened steel die. Compaction pressures ranged from 50 MPa up to 700 MPa. Considering the densification of metal powders in uniaxial compaction, quantification of aluminium compaction behaviour was performed. The compressibility behaviour was evaluated, considering the effect on specimens, as well as on their microstructure. The development of compressibility values with pressing pressure enables to characterize the effect of particles geometry and matrix plasticity on the compaction process.

The visual landscape is a part of the total landscape related to the aesthetics of the observed environment and the personal preferences of the observer. The visual landscape must be considered in landscape management and planning processes, in impact assessments and other activities such as biodiversity conservation and implementation of best practices in forestry. There are criteria that can be applied to avoid impacts and contribute to the conservation at the landscape scale for a given forest type. Mature and virgin boreal forests have characteristics that make them very important for the landscape quality, and they are necessary elements to preserve biodiversity. These forests are the type of forest that is most often destroyed and even today, their area in the boreal biome is shrinking due to clear cuts and forest fires. Preserving and managing these forests in a sustainable way is urgent as they are key elements in the landscape of boreal areas. Fortunately, there is knowledge and previous experiences that make it possible to create and manage complex forest environments from simplified forest structures, and that are economically profitable and present attributes of old-growth forest.

Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents are considered to be a major source for the release in the aquatic environment of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs). Ozone has proved to be a suitable solution for polishing secondary domestic effluents. In this work, the performance of a full-scale ozonation plant was investigated in order to assess the removal efficiency of four target EDCs: nonylphenol, nonylphenol monoethoxylate, nonylphenol diethoxylate and bisphenol A. The studied system was the tertiary treatment stage of a municipal WWTP which receives an important industrial (textile) load. Chemical analyses showed that the considered substances occurred with a significant variability, typical of real wastewaters; based on this, ozonation performance was carefully evaluated and it appeared to be negatively affected by flow-rate increase (during rainy days, with consequent contact time reduction). Moreover, EDCs' measured removal efficiency was lower than what could be predicted based on literature data, because of the relatively high residual content of biorefractory compounds still present after biological treatment.

The main aim of this paper is to investigate, by means of comparison of experimental studies and mathematical models, the evolution of porosity as consequence of pressing, sintering and ECAPping an aluminium based powder (6xxx). After applying the compacting pressure, specimens were dewaxed in a ventilated furnace at 400º for 60 min. Sintering was carried out in a vacuum furnace at 610ºC for 30 min. The specimens were then ECAPed for 1 pass. The 2-dimensional quantitative image analysis was carried out by means of SEM and OM for the evaluation of the aforementioned characteristics. Results show the effect of processing parameters on the fracture/microstructure behaviour of the studied aluminium PM alloy. Quantitative image analysis, as well as fractographic interpretation and microstructure identification of weak sites in the studied aluminium PM alloy, provide a reliable and reproducible statistical procedure for the identification of the critical pore sizes.

The paper is focused on the processing of aluminum alloy chips using powder metallurgy. Chips obtained from recycled AlSi5Cu2 alloy were ball milled with the addition of silicon carbide powder with an average size of 2μm. Mechanical alloying process was employed to obtain homogeneous composite powder. The effect of processing time (0 - 40h) on the homogeneity of the system was evaluated, as well as a detailed study of the microstructure of AlSi5Cu2 aluminum chips and SiC particles during MA was carried out. Addition of silicon carbide (10, 20wt%) to recycled aluminium chips and application of MA lead to fragmentation of the homogeneous composite powder down to particle size of about 3μm and spheroidization. The addition of hard SiC particles caused reinforcement and reduced the milling time. Higher content of silicon carbide and longer processing time allowed to obtain AlSi5Cu2/SiC powders with microhardness ∽500HV0,025. The results of MA were investigated with SEM, EDS, LOM, XRD and showed that relatively homogeneous distribution of SiC reinforcements in the matrix as well as grain refinement of aluminum solid solution down to 50nm can be obtained after 40h of processing.

A new technology may be proposed for the realization of the magnetic parts of electromechanical devices, mainly for small electric machines. Such a technology provides the substitution of the traditional magnetic sheets with parts obtained by molding special magnetic powders (Soft Magnetic Composites or SMC). The advantages may be constituted not only by economical reasons but mostly by the possibility to realize parts having shapes otherwise impossible with the traditional lamination. Some commercial products are available in the market as “ready to press” powders, but their mechanical properties are in general not sufficient. To investigate the possibility to obtain good mechanical properties maintaining the magnetic characteristics of a selected commercial Insulated Iron Powder Compound (I.I.P.C.), the authors have conducted a research activity based on the use of special iron powders and a selected Epoxy resin as binder. The paper describes the activity carried out for the realization of SMC, by mixing iron powders and Epoxy resin with different binder percentages and molding pressures. The obtained results have to be considered very satisfactory, and suggest to continue the research argument to explore the possibilities of further improvements.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients have a high incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) whose pathophysiology seems to be linked to an increased trans-diaphragmatic pressure gradient and not to a defective esophagogastric barrier. Inhaled beta agonist bronchodilators are a common therapy used by patients with COPD. This drug knowingly not only leads to a decrease in the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) resting pressure, favoring GERD, but also may improve ventilatory parameters, therefore preventing GERD.This study aims to evaluate the effect of inhaled beta agonist bronchodilators on the trans-diaphragmatic pressure gradient and the esophagogastric barrier.We studied 21 patients (mean age 67 years, 57 % males) with COPD and GERD. All patients underwent high-resolution manometry and esophageal pH monitoring. Abdominal and thoracic pressure, trans-diaphragmatic pressure gradient (abdominal-thoracic pressure), and the LES retention pressure (LES basal pressure-transdiaphragmatic gradient) were measured before and 5 min after inhaling beta agonist bronchodilators.The administration of inhaled beta agonist bronchodilators leads to the following: (a) a simultaneous increase in abdominal and thoracic pressure not affecting the trans-diaphragmatic pressure gradient and (b) a decrease in the LES resting pressure with a reduction of the LES retention pressure.In conclusion, inhaled beta agonist bronchodilators not only increase the thoracic pressure but also lead to an increased abdominal pressure favoring GERD by affecting the esophagogastric barrier.

This work presents a tool for assessing urban trees which allows getting two basic requirements in public management: reduction of costs and simplicity. For this purpose, a methodology based on a multivariate statistical analysis is presented. It allows establishing type-trees in urban trees areas representing and grouping homogenous species and dasometric characteristics simultaneously. Field work was carried out in two different locations: the city of Santiago del Estero (Argentina) and the Arboretum of Madrid Forestry Engineering School (Spain). The methodology groups the trees together in tree groups through the discriminant analysis technique. For each group, the most frequent species in Santiago del Estero were: Citrus auriantum, Tabebuia impetiginosa and Tipuana tipu. In Madrid they were the Ligustrum japonicum, Platanus x hybrida and Populus alba var. bolleana. One type-tree per group was determined, which was representative of all urban trees of that group. The economic value of each type-tree was calculated for each area by the capitalization method. Their unit value is the appraised value of the specimen per unit size. The price per unit of size can be applied to any urban tree in its group, allowing a quick calculation of its basic economic value, low cost and applicable to most valuation formulas. The methodology described allows simplifying the calculation of the economic value of urban trees located in different locations. ----------RESUMEN---------- Este trabajo ofrece una herramienta para valorar el arbolado urbano, cumpliendo dos requisitos básicos de gestión pública: reducción de costes y sencillez de aplicación. Para ello se presenta una metodología basada en técnicas de análisis estadístico multivariante que permite determinar árboles-tipo en zonas con arbolado urbano que representen y agrupen simultáneamente especies y características dasométricas homogéneas. Se han analizado dos poblaciones diferentes: el centro urbano de Santiago del Estero (Argentina) y el Arboreto de la Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Montes, de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, campus Moncloa (España). La metodología clasificó de forma automática los árboles en tres grupos mediante análisis discriminante. En cada grupo se selecciona la especie más frecuente, que para el caso de Santiago del Estero, fueron Citrus auriantum, Tabebuia impetiginosa y Tipuana tipu, mientras que en Madrid fueron el Ligustrum japonicum, Platanus x hybrida y Populus alba var. bolleana. Se determinaron los árboles-tipo, uno de cada grupo, para cada espacio verde, representativos del conjunto de árboles urbanos. Se calculó el valor económico de los tres árboles tipo, para cada zona, mediante el método de capitalización. Su valor unitario corresponde al valor de tasación de dicho ejemplar por unidad de tamaño. El precio por unidad de tamaño se puede aplicar a cualquier árbol urbano de su mismo grupo, permitiendo un cálculo rápido de su valor económico básico, con bajo coste y aplicable a la mayoría de fórmulas de valoración. La metodología descrita permite simplificar el cálculo del valor económico del arbolado urbano situado en distintas localizaciones.

Introduction The idea of establishing an examination that accredits the training of the specialists in orthopaedic surgery at the end of their educational period as residents is subject to controversy. With the aim of encouraging the development of this examination, the present members of the National Commission of the Specialty of Orthopaedics (CNE) have reviewed the results obtained in previous examination. Materials and methods The results of the voluntary final exam for Orthopaedics residents, and of the surveys of participant opinions for the years 2006–2011 are presented. Results The total number of participants was 231, growing from 19 in 2005 to 71 in 2011. The overall mean score in the period reviewed (2006–2011) was 6.72 out of 10 points. In these 6 years, 9 participants failed (4.25%). The mean score for the test was 7.57. The overall mean score of the oral exam was 6.57. The worst results were obtained in the general knowledge section of the oral examination. Nobody has ever failed the section on reconstruction of the lower extremity. The upper extremity section in the oral examination achieves the best average results. Discussion The examination has established its place in the structure of orthopaedic resident training in our country, even without making it official by the Administration. We must positively acknowledge those candidates who chose to take the examination and be evaluated by their peers in order to prove their qualification and distinction. This recognition will be the best encouragement for future generations.

Resumen Introduccion La conveniencia de establecer una prueba que acredite la formacion de los especialistas en Cirugia Ortopedica y Traumatologia (COT) al termino de su periodo de formacion como medicos internos residentes es objeto de controversia. Con la intencion de favorecer y estimular el desarrollo de esta prueba, los actuales vocales de la Comision Nacional de la Especialidad (CNE) han realizado una revision de los datos obtenidos en las pasadas ediciones. Material y metodos Resultados de las pruebas de evaluacion voluntaria de final de residencia y de las encuestas de valoracion rellenadas por los participantes de la prueba entre los anos 2006 y 2011. Resultados En total han intervenido 231 personas en la evaluacion, incrementandose el numero de participantes desde 19 en 2005, hasta 71 en 2011. La media de puntuacion global a lo largo del periodo analizado (2006-2011) es de 6,72 puntos. Los no aptos en estos 6 anos han sido 9 participantes (4,25%). La media de puntuacion en el test es de 7,57 puntos. La puntuacion global media de las mesas es de 6,57. Generalidades es la mesa que obtiene peores resultados. La mesa de miembro inferior reconstructivo no ha sido suspendida nunca. La mesa de miembro superior es la que obtiene los mejores resultados medios. Discusion La prueba esta arraigada en la estructura de la formacion especializada de la COT en nuestro pais. Debemos reconocer favorablemente a aquellos candidatos que optan por presentarse. Este reconocimiento sera el mejor estimulo para las futuras promociones.

Municipal sewage and WWTP effluents are considered to be a major source of pollution, regarding the occurrence of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in the environment. Although removal potential of many EDCs by conventional WWTPs is recognised, literature data are not easily comparable. Besides, in order to reach very low concentrations, a further treatment might be sometimes required. Positive results can be achieved by tertiary chemical oxidation; nevertheless, technical-economic suitability is still to be fully demonstrated. In this work, two estrogen-like susbstances were considered: nonylphenol (NP) (and its parent compounds) and bisphenol A (BPA). The experimental work was conducted at Verona (Northern Italy) WWTP (370,000 p.e.): after a 15 days sampling campaign, which was carried out in order to calculate mass balance of target compounds, chemical oxidation tests were performed on effluent by means of UV/H2O2 process and ozonation. Technical-economic feasibility of these solutions is discussed.

The paper is focused on the wear mechanism of orbital forged and equal-channel angular extruded Cu OFHC (oxygen-free high thermal conductivity) material. The wear behaviour of the Cu OFHC material is investigated through pin-on-disc tests. Two different processing conditions have been used, equal-channel angular processing (ECAP) and orbital (radial) forging. The wear investigations in this orbital formed material are unique; additionally wear properties show interesting wear characteristics. Particular attention has also been paid to the friction coefficient and to the role of the wear rate.

La enseñanza de la cinemática presenta algunas dificultades significativas. Además de la complejidad conceptual de la disciplina, la comprensión de situaciones que implican movimiento presenta tal nivel de abstracción que impide a los alumnos alcanzar un nivel adecuado de entendimiento. Con objeto de superar esta situación se ha diseñado un conjunto de applets, integrados en el programa docente de la asignatura Mecánica y Mecanismos (2º curso de Ingeniero de Montes, U.P.M.). Los applets están programados en Java, bien directamente o bien utilizando un interface que simplifica su obtención. Entre los conceptos que se han trabajado se incluyen: el análisis de velocidades y aceleraciones, la obtención de la polar fija y la polar móvil, la circunferencia estacionaria y de inflexiones, etc. El uso de este sistema en la enseñanza mejora la motivación de los alumnos, facilita su participación en las clases ya que permite interactuar según las preguntas planteadas y les permite una mayor profundización en los conceptos.

Spain is one of the main truffle‐producing countries in the world, and truffle (Tuber spp.) cultivation in this country is currently undergoing a considerable surge. This work describes the Spanish research history and we list the Spanish references. Until 1993 the Spanish bibliography on truffles was very limited (28 references). However in the last 12 years, Spanish research has produced 200 references on truffles, developed in 13 centres (6 doctoral theses, 67 papers in international scientific congresses, 49 papers in Spanish scientific congresses, 7 documents on websites, 51 published Spanish papers, 12 published articles, and 8 papers submitted to international journals listed in the Journal Citation Report). Moreover, a comparative analysis of truffle research production in Spain, France, and Italy has shown how truffle research in Spain is now on a par with that of France, although it is still lower than Italian truffle research.

Progressive kidney fibrosis contributes greatly to end-stage renal failure, and no specific treatment is available to preserve organ function. During renal fibrosis, myofibroblasts accumulate in the interstitium of the kidney, leading to massive deposition of extracellular matrix and organ dysfunction. The origin of myofibroblasts is manifold, but the contribution of an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) undergone by renal epithelial cells during kidney fibrosis is still debated. We show that the reactivation of Snai1 (encoding snail family zinc finger 1, known as Snail1) in mouse renal epithelial cells is required for the development of fibrosis in the kidney. Damage-mediated Snail1 reactivation induces a partial EMT in tubular epithelial cells that, without directly contributing to the myofibroblast population, relays signals to the interstitium to promote myofibroblast differentiation and fibrogenesis and to sustain inflammation. We also show that Snail1-induced fibrosis can be reversed in vivo and that obstructive nephropathy can be therapeutically ameliorated in mice by targeting Snail1 expression. These results reconcile conflicting data on the role of the EMT in renal fibrosis and provide avenues for the design of novel anti-fibrotic therapies., This work was supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (BFU2008-01042 and CONSOLIDER-INGENIO 2010 CSD2007-00023 and CDS2007-00017), the Generalitat Valenciana (Prometeo 2008/049 and PROMETEOII/2013/002) and the European Research Council (ERC AdG 322694) to M.A.N. The Instituto de Neurociencias is a Centre of Excellence Severo Ochoa. M.T.G. was a recipient of a contract from the Junta de Ampliación de Estudios program at the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas European Social Fund.

Mesoporous materials with Si/Al ratio 7, 19 and 23 have been synthesized from ZSM-5 zeolite precursors prepared from tetrapropylammonium cations-containing clear aluminosilicate solutions, in the presence of the surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, and by employing different precursors of secondary mesoporosity or mesoporogen agents, such as nanometric carbon particles (BP700 and BP2000) and the biopolymer chitosan. The synthesized materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, FT infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, electron microscopy, chemical analysis and nitrogen adsorption. It has been found that the effect of the pore-forming agents depends on the Si/Al ratio of the material, it is very small for Si/Al = 7, while for Si/Al above 19, there is a substantial increase of the secondary mesoporosity due to the mesoporogen agent, being this effect more evident for the sample with Si/Al = 23. For this material, in addition to the porosity associated to pores with a narrow size distribution centered at 3.7 nm due to the surfactant, secondary mesopores with a size distribution centered at 20–30 nm for carbon nanoparticles and in the range 4–10 nm for chitosan, are also detected. The acidity of the samples increases with their Si/Al ratio, and no significant effect of the porogen agent on the acidity has been found. The catalytic properties of these materials were tested in the conversion of m-xylene and in the cracking of low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Noticeable differences in the activity and selectivity of the gas/liquid products obtained in the catalytic cracking of LDPE were observed., Authors are grateful to the bilateral CONACYT (México)/CSIC (Spain) collaboration project 2008MX0051 and to Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO, Spain) for financial funding through the MAT2012-31127 projects.

The modulation of endocannabinoid (EC) levels and the activation of cannabinoid receptors are seen as promising therapeutic strategies in a variety of diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We aimed to evaluate the effect of the pharmacological and genetic inhibiton of anandamide (AEA)-degrading enzyme in a mouse model of AD (5xFAD). Pharmacological inhibition of the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) had little impact on the expression of key enzymes and cytokines as well as on the cognitive impairment and plaque deposition and gliosis in 5xFAD mice. CB1 blockade exacerbated inflammation in this transgenic mouse model of AD. The genetic inactivation of FAAH led to increases in the expression of inflammatory cytokines. At the same time, FAAH-null 5xFAD mice exhibited a behavioral improvement in spatial memory that was independent of the level of anxiety and was not CB1-mediated. Finally, mice lacking FAAH showed diminished soluble amyloid levels, neuritic plaques and gliosis. These data reinforce the notion of a role for the endocannabinoid system in neuroinflammation and open new perspectives on the relevance of modulating endocannabinoid levels in the inflammed brain. pre-print 687 KB

The present work investigates the possibility of using powder metallurgy processing for producing a metal matrix composite. Materials were prepared from AlSi5Cu2 chips with reinforcement of 10, 15, 20 wt. % silicon carbide. Aluminum alloy chips were milled with SiC powder in a high-energy ball mill by 40 hours. Mechanical alloying process lead to obtain an uniform distribution of hard SiC particles in the metallic matrix and refine the grain size. The consolidation of composite powders was performed by vacuum hot pressing at 450°C, under pressure of 600 MPa by 10 min. The results shows that the addition of SiC particles has a substantial influence on the microstructure and mechanical properties of composite powder as well as consolidated material. Hot pressing is an effective consolidation method which leads to obtain dense AlSi5Cu2/SiC composite with homogeneous structure and advanced mechanical properties.

There is currently little information available on calcium-soil-ectomycorrhizal (ECM) interactions. However, for decades calcareous amendments have been made in forest soils subject to acid rain in Europe without any clear knowledge of their impact on ECMs and the roots of their host plants. We have therefore performed a review to assess the impact of Ca associated tocalcareous amendments in the soil-ECM-host plant system, which has highlighted: (1) the influence of Ca and its salts (carbonates and oxalates) of biological origin in ECM fungal communities; (2) the impact of Ca on the growth patterns of the host tree roots; (3) the importance for the plants of the rock-eating processes associated to ECMs; and (4) the impact on ECMs of the soil Ca cycle (associated to the litterfall). A greater knowledge of the cause-effect relations between Ca and the soil-ECM-plant system in Mediterranean and temperate forests could have positive repercussions on reforestation projects, actions associated to soil management, the commercial production of ECMs, and the economy of different rural zones in these forest areas.

Precious metals are widely used for a variety of applications, among which are luxury goods, biomedical devices, and electronic components. Requiring precise components, those sectors are usually looking into lost-wax casting, machining, and, more recently, metal injection moulding. Material or (thermal) energy consumption and demand for the aforementioned processes are mainly suitable for stable crystalline structures. The applicability of a field-assisted sintering technique (FAST)—Electro-Sinter-Forging (ESF)—to a high-karatage gold powder is explored in the present research work. FAST is characterized by extremely rapid processing times, also enabling the production of metastable phases. Different powders with different features (as atomized, ball-milled, and admixed with nanodiamonds) were taken into account and fast-sintered; and the resulting samples were analyzed in terms of final density, microstructure, and hardness.

This paper reports on the effect that chemical modification of the aluminum sec-butoxide precursor with several chelating ligands has on the structure and textural properties of nanoporous aluminas obtained via a non-ionic surfactant templating approach. Characterization of the samples is carried out by elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis coupled to mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption–desorption, X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and 27Al magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance. The catalytic activity in the hydroisomerization of hexane is evaluated for platinum-containing fluorided samples. Chemical modification of the aluminum sec-butoxide promotes the formation of penta- and tetracoordinated aluminum and modifies the alumina porous structure. Higher intrinsic activity is exhibited by catalysts based on these aluminas as compared to those prepared from the unmodified alkoxide, indicating an enhanced acidity of the support.

Fundamento Normalmente la presion arterial (PA) desciende durante la noche de forma fisiologica en todos los sujetos, tanto hipertensos como normotensos. La ausencia de descenso nocturno (condicion no dipper) puede asociarse con el riesgo de desarrollar complicaciones cardiovasculares en pacientes hipertensos. Estudiamos en sujetos mayores de 55 anos, los mas expuestos a estas complicaciones, los factores cardiovasculares y hormonales asociados a la falta de descenso de la presion arterial nocturna. Metodos Se seleccionaron 108 sujetos mayores de 55 anos y con amplio rango de PA (59 normotensos y 49 hipertensos ligeros-moderados sin tratamiento previo). Se establecieron dos grupos: dipper y no dipper, segun hubiera descenso superior al 10% de PA sistolica y PA diastolica nocturna o no. A los pacientes incluidos en el estudio se les realizo determinaciones hormonales en sangre (renina, aldosterona, endotelina-1, peptido natriuretico atrial, adrenalina y noradrenalina libres), monitorizacion continua de la presion arterial durante 24 horas (MAPA) y ecografia cardiaca con determinacion del indice de la masa ventricular izquierda (IMVI), gasto cardiaco y resistencias vasculares perifericas (RVP) (determinadas en funcion de la presion arterial media y el gasto cardiaco). Resultados En la muestra a estudio 51 sujetos fueron dipper y 57 no dipper. Se apreciaron unos niveles de colesterol (p Conclusiones Los sujetos mayores de 55 anos no dipper presentan menores valores de noradrenalina libre circulante y mayores resistencias vasculares perifericas que los dipper, independientemente de los valores diurnos de presion arterial. La masa ventricular izquierda no varia significativamente entre los dos grupos.

Patients with AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) may have rheumatic complaints such as arthritis and arthralgia, dry eyes, increased salivary glands, lower back pain, enthesitis etc. Autoantibodies like ANA (antinuclear antibody) and RF (rheumatoid factor) may also be present.To study the prevalence of rheumatic complaints in AIDS patients and correlate them with the presence of ANA and RF.We studied 69 patients with AIDS (28.9% women and 71.0% men) with a mean age of 40.8 ± 8.9 years, median disease duration of 60 months, for rheumatic complaints, ANA, ENA-6 (anti-Ro, anti-La, anti-Sm, anti-RNP, anti-Scl70 and anti-Jo1) and RF. We collected demographic data, CD4+ and CD8+ cell count and values of viral load.Arthralgia was present in 39.1%, sicca symptoms in 21.7%, inflammatory lumbar pain in 13.4%, enthesopathy in 6.6%, parotid enlargement in 1.4%, RF in 10.1% and ANA in 8.6%. All patients were negative for ENA-6. ANA was more common in older patients (p = 0.03) and in those with higher viral load (p = 0.006). No association was found with the presence of RF.The most common manifestation in this context was arthralgia. ANA presence was associated with age of the patients and viral load.

We present our experience in the management and treatment of chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) of the legs in 23 adolescents. Twenty-one patients were affected in the anteroexternal compartment, one in the deep posterior compartment, and one in both. Seventeen of the patients were in-line competitive skaters; the rest practiced soccer or athletics. Mean age at the time of diagnosis was 16 (range, 14-18) years, and the age at the onset of symptoms was 15 (range, 13-17) years. After a careful differential diagnosis, the diagnosis was established on the basis of clinical signs and symptoms and confirmed by intracompartmental pressure (ICP) measurements. Based on our results, the following criteria are considered to be adequate: baseline ICP (at rest)10 mm Hg,20 mm Hg 1 minute after stopping exercise,20 mm Hg 5 minutes later, and15 minutes to achieve ICP normalization. All patients but one accepted surgical treatment (complete subcutaneous fasciotomy). No major complication was observed and only one minor complication occurred. All patients returned to the practice of their sports without any symptomatology 6 weeks after the surgery (mean follow-up, 4.8 years). To date there have been no relapses.

We carried out a case-control study with 90 patients with Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (LCPD) and 183 normal children, as controls, selected at random to determine whether the condition of passive smoking is related to the disease. Seventy-one of 90 of the LCPD group (78.9%) were passive smokers. Only 79 of 183 (43.2%) in the control group were passive smokers (p = 0.00000). We did not find any statistical relationship between passive smoking and evolution of the condition (p = 0.42883), Catterall extension (p = 0.60544), final Stulberg result (p = 0.53201), or presence of sequelae (p = 0.53256). We also could not find any statistical difference between ages (p = 0.18). The odds ratio was 5.3203 (95% confidence interval 2.92-9.69). The association between LCPD and passive smoking, after controlling for age and gender, became significant (p = 0.0000). Thus the risk of LCPD in passive smoking children is more than five times higher than in children who are not exposed to smoke. It seems that passive smoking is a factor directly or indirectly associated with LCPD.