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Nanodiamonds have been studied for several biomedical applications due to their inherent biocompatibility and low cytotoxicity. Recent investigations have shown perspectives in using fluorescent nanodiamonds as nanothermometers because of their optical properties’ dependence on temperature. Easy and accurate localized temperature sensing is essential in a wide variety of scientific fields. Our work demonstrated how the fluorescence spectrum of high-pressure high-temperature fluorescent nanodiamonds of three different sizes: 35 nm, 70 nm and 100 nm, changes with temperature within an important biological temperature range (25 °C to 60 °C). Taking advantage of this phenomenon, we obtained nanothermic scales (NS) from the zero phonon lines (ZPL) of the NV0 and NV− colour centres. In particular, the 100 nm-sized features the more intense fluorescence spectra whose linear dependence with temperature achieved 0.98 R2 data representation values for both NV0 and NV−. This model predicts temperature for all used nanodiamonds with sensitivities ranging from 5.73% °C−1 to 6.994% °C−1 (NV0) and from 4.14% °C−1 to 6.475% °C−1 (NV−). Furthermore, the non-cytotoxic interaction with HeLa cells tested in our study enables the potential use of fluorescence nanodiamonds to measure temperatures in similar nano and microcellular aqueous environments with a simple spectroscopic setup.

The adjustment of the DC-link voltage in proportion to the speed, except at very-low frequencies, can potentially overcome torque limitations in MMC-based AC motor drives. However, the grid- and motor-side converter require be equipped with FB cells. To reduce this requirement, this work proposes the use of Hybrid MMC converters. To further improve performance at very-low frequencies, it is proposed that the intermediate link, between the grid- and motor-side converter, be operated as AC link, instead of DC-link, but only at low speed. An AC link voltage having a relatively small amplitude and frequency, compared to nominal values of the motor, is sufficient to maintain the ripple as low as that of the nominal speed. Results shows that 50% and 25%, of the total number of cells in the grid- and motor-side converter, respectively, are required to be of the FB type. This may be a practical solution for medium power drives that require to operate at very-low frequencies without torque restrictions.

Different fractions of Ni, Zn, Cu and Pb were determined in metal-spiked forest soils derived from four parent materials using three extractants (H2O, CaCl2 and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)). It is important to determine how parent materials and soil properties affect the retention of these metals in order to predict their behavior and act accordingly in the event of accidental spillage, for example. The extraction of fractions was not sequential (before carrying out the extractions, the soil samples were divided into three parts), so the CaCl2 fraction also included the H2O one, and the DTPA fraction contained the other two. With the results, we developed models to predict the extraction of each fraction employing the physicochemical characteristics of the soil (e.g., pH, organic matter content and texture values) and the amount of metal added. The objective of this work was to determine how the properties of the soil would influence the fractioning of the metals considered, and through these characteristics create models to predict the behavior of each metal fraction. We found correlations between the different fractions of Ni and Zn, suggesting that there are soil properties that condition the retention of both metals. Pb and Cu showed different behavior than Zn or Ni, since the proportions extracted by H2O and CaCl2 were much lower. Regarding the DTPA fraction, unlike the case of Ni or Zn, the extraction of Cu and Pb was more homogeneous, they did not show great variation in different soils, even when considering the results of extraction in limestone soils. This may be due to the fact that the soil properties do not exert an important effect on their availability, or these two metals are considerably sensitive to the effect of pH, and no differences were observed because the extraction of the DTPA fraction was conducted with a buffered solution. For each fraction of metal used, we obtained a model with R2 always greater than 0.65. Considering these results, we can conclude that it is possible to predict Zn, Ni, Cu and Pb availability in soils developed on different parent materials. This can be achieved by identifying some basic soil characteristics and applying the developed equations.

Background: Reports in a northwestern Mexico state linked arsenic (As) in drinking water to DNA damage in people from indigenous communities. However, this correlation remains under discussion due to unknown variables related to nutrition, customs, and the potential presence of other metal(oid)s. Methods: To determine this association, we sampled water from three Yaqui towns (C&oacute, corit, V&iacute, cam, and P&oacute, tam), and analyzed the metals by ICP-OES. We exposed four separate groups, with five male CD-1 mice each, to provide further insight into the potential effects of untreated drinking water. Results: The maximum concentrations of each metal(oid) in &micro, g&middot, L&minus, 1 were Sr(819) &gt, Zn(135) &gt, As(75) &gt, Ba(57) &gt, Mo(56) &gt, Cu(17) &gt, Al(14) &gt, Mn(12) &gt, Se(19). Histological studies revealed brain cells with angulation, satellitosis, and reactive gliosis with significant statistical correlation with Mn and As. Furthermore, the liver cells presented hepatocellular degeneration. Despite the early response, there is no occurrence of both statistical and significative changes in hematological parameters. Conclusions: The obtained results provide experimental insights to understand the potential effects of untreated water with low As and Mn contents in murine models. This fact is noteworthy because of the development of histological changes on both the brain and liver at subchronic exposure.

This research aims at studying the effect of comparative feedback on psychological variables (competence valuation, perceived competence, autonomous motivation, amotivation, subjective well-being) and performance (throwing speed and accuracy). A total of 73 handball players from the highest Spanish handball (Iberdrola League) category participated in this study. After previously rating satisfaction with their head coach, they were indiscriminately assigned to one of three different experimental conditions measuring feedback, positive, negative, and none. There were significant differences in competence valuation, perceived competence, autonomous motivation, and throwing speed in the three feedback groups, more concretely, low satisfaction with the head coach. Positive effects were found when there was low satisfaction with the coach and positive feedback on the competence valuation, autonomous motivation, and throwing speed compared to negative or no feedback. These results have important implications for optimizing coaches’ behaviors in relation to athlete well-being and performance.

Este artículo propone la lectura de las concepciones ontológicas como una forma de acercamiento y acceso a las distancias y discrepancias de las diversas perspectivas de las ciencias sociales. El objetivo es identificar cómo las distancias epistemológicas y metodológicas pueden ser entendidas desde la noción de realidad en la que se sustentan las propuestas de conocimiento. La reflexión incluye un diálogo con dos perspectivas metodológicas de las ciencias sociales, esto con el objetivo de ejemplificar cómo los fundamentos ontológicos permiten comprender afirmaciones o posturas en niveles reflexivos más abstractos, que acá llamaremos: niveles superiores. Para este ejercicio demostrativo se toma en cuenta al estructuralismo constructivista y posestructuralismo This article proposes the reading of ontological conceptions as a way of approaching and accessing the distances and discrepancies of the different perspectives of the social sciences. The objective is to identify how epistemological and methodological distances can be understood from the notion of reality on which knowledge proposals are based. The reflection includes a dialogue with two methodological perspectives of the social sciences, this to exemplify how the ontological foundations allow us to understand affirmations or positions in more abstract reflective levels, which we will call here: higher levels. For this demonstrative exercise, constructivist and post-structuralism structuralism are considered. Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica Escuela de Sociología

This research aims at studying the effect of feedback on well-being (vitality, and positive and negative affect), competence valuation, perceived competence, motivation, and performance (throwing speed and accuracy) in a throwing task. Thirty nine expert women handball players, with experience in international handball competitions, participated in this study. They were indiscriminately ascribed to one of three different experimental conditions measuring feedback: (positive, negative, and none). Significant differences in well-being (positive affect) and throwing speed were found among the three feedback groups. More concretely, higher levels of positive affect and throwing speed were found in the negative feedback group in comparison with the other two groups (positive and no-feedback). These results have important implications for athletes&rsquo, well-being and performance, and for coaches&rsquo, training programs.

We present a method to identify the characteristics of pressure jumps in repeated pump-driven saturation and drainage cycles in packed sand columns, i.e., pore pressure from zero to -80 hPa. This method is based on the registration of pore pressure oscillations using high sensitivity and rapid response tensiometers. The pressure signals were processed to identify and extract the pressure waveforms read by two tensiometers simultaneously. Then, the waveforms were classified by k-means clustering algorithms and principal component analysis. We obtained a classification of different types of pressure waveforms that are consistent throughout successive cycles of wetting and drainage cycles. This consistency can be associated with patterns of fast capillary displacements in macropores, and ultimately, to hydrodynamic features of the structure.

This work aims at optimizing the converter design of the double-T MMC DC–DC converter in terms of transmitted power per submodule and also in terms of transmitted power per silicon area, while, at the same time, providing the capability to block dc faults. Firstly, the converter operation is described and the optimal values of the inner ac and dc voltages that minimize device power rating are derived. Next, the submodule topology is analyzed and a thorough study on the converter capability for blocking fault currents is carried out, showing that the converter is able to isolate dc faults both at the input and at the output of the converter. Finally, the previous analytical study is verified by means of detailed PSCAD simulations.

espanolEste texto tiene como proposito mostrar los antecedentes historicos de lo que era un juego y como se ha convertido en la actualidad en un deporte. Este estudio identificara la trascendencia de la lucha leonesa en la sociedad leonesa hasta ser declarado como el unico deporte Bien de Interes Cultural. Describiremos como se lucha en la actualidad. Haremos una referencia al ambito normativo que protege esta actividad deportiva. Ensenaremos las posibilidades que ofrece el ambito educativo para su implementacion. Realizaremos propuestas para preservar la practica en las edades escolares. EnglishThe purpose of this text is to show the historical background of what a game was and how it has become a sport today. This study will identify the transcendence of Leon’s struggle in Leon’s society until it is declared as the only sport of Cultural Interest. We will describe how it is wrestling today. We will make a reference to the normative scope that protects this sport activity. We will teach the possibilities offered by the educational field for its implementation. We will make proposals to preserve the practice at school ages.

Multifractal analysis of pore images obtained from X-ray computed tomography (CT) was used to characterize the scaling properties of macropores in soils with different managements and their correspondence with macroscopic physical properties related with the soil functions. We used CT images of twenty undisturbed soil columns to examine the multifractal properties of the pores identified by X-ray computed tomography (CT-Porosity). Multifractal spectra successfully describe the scaling of the pore network in all soil columns. The dimensions and scaling parameters of these spectra correlate with macroscopic magnitudes, namely, CT-Porosity, surface area of the pore walls, tortuosity, and bulk density. We also found strong correlations between the singularity spectra and the topological descriptors of the pore network skeleton: total slab voxels, number of branches per path, number of endpoints and sum of branch length, among others. These correlations show that the complexity of the CT-Porosity can be related quantitatively with physical properties, the organization of the pore skeleton and solute transport.

Grain crops are an important part of the human diet, accounting for a third of the consumed calories. Throughout human history, annual grain crops with high yields have been obtained through domestication. However, the “annual” characteristic brings associated a series of economic and environmental disadvantages, such as soil erosion or low soil resources use, that can be solved if the agriculture of annual varieties evolves towards perenniality. For this reason, there are numerous research groups dedicated to study and obtain perennial varieties of the most cultivated grain crops. In this review article, we have summarized the most important advances related to the subject, focusing on the domestication and hybridization of the most productive grains globally: wheat, rice, maize, rye and sorghum. We highlight their benefits for sustainable agriculture worldwide due to perennial grains may contribute to reducing erosion, acting avoiding carbon losses, reducing nutrient losses to waters or capturing nutrients deeper in soil when they are scarce, reducing farm costs and thus, increasing the effectiveness of agricultural grain crops. Despite perennial grain crops having disadvantages, they possess outstanding characteristics which make them resilient crops to deal with the imminent climate change. However, maintaining the perenniality trait without reducing genetic biodiversity is a great challenge of current scientific importance that must be deeply considered. Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade de Vigo/CISUG Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación | Ref. FJC2019-039176-I Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED481D-2021/016

Tunable Resistive Pulse Sensing, TRPS, is an emerging technique used in quantification and measuring the size (particle-by-particle) of viruses, exosomes and engineered colloidal spheres in biological fluids. We study the features of TRPS to enhance size characterization and quantification of submicron-sized microplastics, also called plastic microparticles, MP, in freshwater environments. We report alterations on the detection of the resistive pulses in the TRPS caused by humic acids, HA, during the size measurement of polystyrene microspheres used as MP surrogate. We discuss the alteration of the electric field in the measuring channel of the TRPS apparatus induced by the passage of HA. TRPS is a fast and precise technique for counting and size determination of MP but needs the evaluation of the influence of the organic matter on the current blockades. We show that statistical clustering models of the magnitude distribution of the resistive pulses can help to detect and quantify changes in the pulse size distributions induced by flocculation of humic acids. Conclusions of this study indicate that TRPS can be a valuable tool to improve the knowledge of the MP fate in surface waters, in the vadose zone and groundwater.

The Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) has become one of the most practical topologies for integration of renewable energy power plants into the grid, through submarine HVDC cables and HVDC lines. Nonetheless, the MMC requires significant large DC storage capacitors to mitigate for large power, low frequency pulsations due to the single-phase like AC to DC conversion process in their arms. This work addresses the recently introduced Asymmetric Alternate Arm Converter, a hybride MMC topology which uses modular converter arms only on the lower side of the main converter whereas the upper side uses only standard ON-OFF valves topology. This converter is similar to the Alternate Arm Converter (AAC) but dispenses of the modules on the upper side and of the director switch on the lower side. Like the AAC, the Asymmetric AAC offers a significant reduction in DC energy storage requirements and in the number of modules. In addition, the Asymmetric AAC offers a less restricted operation than the AAC, in terms of operating over a wide range of AC to DC voltage ratio, and the possibility of achieving both distortion-free AC current and ripple-free DC current. The principle of operation of the Asymmetric AAC is revisited here and a suitable control strategy to demonstrate its operation is developed. In addition, requirements for energy storage, voltage and current rating of converter modules and converter losses are examined by means of simplified analyses. Proposals are verified through simulation studies and experiments conducted on a low power prototype having three H-bridge modules per arm. Results confirm good operation of the proposed converter and control scheme.

La hemorragia obstétrica representa un desafío para el equipo médico, aportando con importante morbilidad y mortalidad a las pacientes embarazadas.El manejo adecuado, precoz y expedito beneficia el logro de resultados favorables para la madre e hijo; es por esto que debemos reconocer activamente aquellas pacientes en riesgo de presentar un sangrado obstétrico significativo.Presentamos el primer caso reportado en Chile de una paciente embarazada con mala inserción placentaria, sometida a cesárea y de cómo se realizó el manejo del sangrado intraoperatorio, con énfasis en el uso de Cell Saver como técnica ahorradora de sangre.

Introduction and objective: The ototoxic damage goes unnoticed to disabling levels, being justified to apply control for its early detection procedures, make it possible to a therapeutic change and if necessary, a speech and auditory rehabilitation. The objective of this study will consist to present Protocol we did at the Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid for the follow-up of the patients treated with cisplatin. Method: Ototoxicity monitoring means serially collect hearing thresholds. It is identified on a visit if hearing has worsened in some ear. The comparison allows to detect the change and indicate if it is significant or not in relation to some criteria. We will also evaluate the occurrence of vestibular damage. As auditory monitoring procedures, we will use high frequency audiometry and acoustic oto-emissions. Results: After giving informed consent and a brief medical history we started with baseline assessment of hearing, prior to treatment, continuing with periodic reviews before each cycle. If any change is detected it is reported to the physician and the patient. To grade the ototoxicity, we apply the Brock and Chang criteria. We maintain post-treatment control. Discussion and conclusion: The incidence of ototoxicity of cisplatin is unknown in our country and it is not possible to predict which patients will experience. The increase in the survival rate for cancer involves improving comorbidity, which in the case of its early ototoxicity supposed to find the best solutions to restore the quality of life of patient’s detection.

Laser processing is a promising technique for graphene modification and patterning, with applications in the development of several electronic devices. In-situ Raman spectroscopy allows monitoring laser processing, providing information on numerous perturbations of the graphene lattice, such as disorder, strain, and doping, among others. This work focuses on the study of a graphene layer under prolonged irradiation with a femtosecond near-infrared laser at different average powers below the ablation threshold. The temporal evolution of the spectral parameters is analyzed, including the central position, width, and area of the main Raman bands attributed to graphene and silicon substrate, as well as the background signal. In addition, we present the correlation curves between most of these parameters. Our results show an initial instantaneous effect, linear with irradiation power, in which mainly p-type doping occurs. With prolonged fs-laser irradiation, the evolution of the spectral parameters can be divided into several intervals associated with different doping and strain stages. At each stage, the parameters present multiple time dependencies, nevertheless, several correlations between them are revealed. This work highlights the complexity of the evolution of the complete Raman spectrum of graphene and the relevance of a comprehensive multiparametric analysis.

In this work, we study the existence of the Brewster angle for thermal diffusivity waves. We analyze the propagation of plane thermal waves impinging upon an interface between two media. The condition of zero-reflection defines the Brewster angle. We demonstrate that the Brewster angle only exists for specific combinations of diffusivity and thermal conductivity of the incidence and transmission media.

This study aims to address the characteristics presented by the co-educational models that have been put into practice in school handball, showing a general overview, after providing a systematic review of the literature on the topic published over the last ten years on co-educational paradigms in the practice of handball as a school sport. For the description and recording of the process of selection and filtering of documentary sources to be analyzed, use was made of the PRISMA flowchart. After the elimination of duplicates and entries not compliant with the criteria for time limits and type of document, the final sample surveyed was composed of thirty academic articles. The results considered (n = 26) showed a presentational pattern divisible into three segments or groups. These were: technical and sporting aspects of handball, highlighting the benefits of this sport in schools relative to other options (n = 7), co-education (n = 8), and results based on differences between the sexes (n = 11). Co-education stresses significant improvements in skills, together with perceived effort, enjoyment, and participation. These lead to improvements in the social climate and group cohesion, thanks to the practice of sports. Handball within schools, seen from a co-educational angle, should be approached with an eye to its predisposition for the development of social and civic skills. These include respect for the rules of a game, teamwork and solidarity, fair play, commitment, and responsibility. This paper lays out precisely and exhaustively the lines of investigation undertaken in the area of co-education, and, more specifically, how this is handled within the practicing of a confrontational team sport like handball.

Storage and ionizing radiation of human red blood cells (RBC) produce alterations on RBC membranes and modify their normal shape and functionality. We investigated early morphological and biochemical changes in RBC due to those stressing agents at the nanoscale level and their impact on blood quality.Whole blood samples from healthy donors were γ-irradiated with 15, 25, 35, and 50 Gy. Non-irradiated and non-stored RBC were used as control samples. Irradiated blood samples were stored separately at 4 °C and analyzed immediately and after 5 and 13 d. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), osmotic fragility and Raman spectroscopy were used to detect morphological and biochemical changes.RBC function is challenged by both irradiation and storage. The storage procedure caused nanometric variations over the surface of RBC membrane for both irradiated and non-irradiated cells. The membrane of RBC became more fragile, while the biochemical fingerprint of hemoglobin (Hb) remained unaltered.Our work shows that the irradiation procedure leads to an increase in the number and size of nanovesicles along with the dose. The functionality of RBC can be affected from changes in the roughness, becoming more fragile and susceptible to breakage.

Some evidence shows that Cu-based fungicides used on vines increase the levels of copper in soil and sediments. The rainfall induced foliar wash-off is the most complex pathway of contaminants in the environment. Since the Cu wash-off occurs during rain episodes, Cu can be transported in streams along considerable distances as particulate forms. The colloidal properties of Cu suspended in runoff are related to its mobility in the environment. Asymmetrical-flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) performs colloid separation based on hydrodynamic properties and can contribute as a useful tool to understand the environmental fate of colloidal contaminants. In this work, we studied the Cu-bearing micro- and nanoparticles (NPs) in throughfall samples containing fungicide residues of vines previously sprayed with copper oxychloride. Suspended particles in the throughfall were characterized by Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and AF4 coupled to multi-angle laser light scattering and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (AF4-MALLS-ICP-MS). Then, single-particle ICP-MS analysis (SP-ICP-MS) was performed to evaluate the presence of Cu NPs. AF4 allowed particle fractionation and detection in throughfall waters coupled AF4-MALLS-ICP-MS demonstrating that Cu was bound to a well-defined fraction of small particles clearly separated from a broad size distribution of organic colloids that did not contain Cu. SP-ICP-MS supported the evidence that throughfall contained Cu bound to organo-mineral particles of much smaller size than the powder formulation sprayed on vines, which favors their mobility in natural waters. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Background High-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) has been studied in several clinical scenarios in advanced germ cell cancer (GCC). Objective To establish a clinical practice guideline for HDCT use in the treatment of GCC patients. Design, setting, and participants An expert panel reviewed information available from the literature. The panel addressed relevant issues concerning and related to HDCT. The guideline was externally reviewed by two international experts. Results and limitations The efficacy of HDCT has been demonstrated in selected GCC patients. The most conclusive evidence comes from retrospective analyses that need to be interpreted with caution. HDCT can cure a significant proportion of heavily treated GCC patients. When indicated, sequential HDCT with regimens containing carboplatin and etoposide, as well as peripheral stem-cell support, is recommended. There is no conclusive evidence to recommend HDCT as first-line therapy. According to a multinational retrospective pooled analysis, HDCT might be superior to conventional CT as first salvage treatment in selected patients. There is an urgent need for prospective clinical trials addressing the value of HDCT in GCC patients who experience failure on first-line cisplatin-based CT. In patients who progress on conventional-dose salvage CT, HDCT should be considered. Treatment of these patients at experienced centers is strongly recommended. Conclusions It has been demonstrated that HDCT cures selected GCC patients who experience disease progression on conventional rescue regimens. The panel recommends the inclusion of GCC patients in randomized clinical trials including HDCT. Patient summary This consensus establishes clinical practice guidelines for the use and study of high-dose chemotherapy in patients with germ cell cancer.

Este trabajo pretende determinar si existe un mayor riesgo de desarrollar cáncer de pulmón en función de las diferentes variantes del polimorfismo del codón 72 del gen TP53, el Intrón 3 de TP53, A19886G (Thr 75) de XRCC1 y Arg194Trp de ERCC1.

This article reflects the different uses of the word innovation, in the Costa Rican written press, the emphasis is onits association with a specific context, seeking to identify legitimizing and delegitimizing uses. The discussion it isbased on the collection of news in two media (digital version), namely the newspapers: La Nación y El Financiero,during the first three months of 2015, 2016 and 2017. This reflection is positioned from the Critical DiscourseAnalysis approach, specifically, it is a pragmatic analysis of the various news, because the interest of knowledge is inthe relationship between innovation and context, within the text. The document presents that strategic, tendentiousand polysemic use with which the word innovation is used in the different news, showing that more than a perspectiveof innovation that is to be promoted, this is the concept that allows supporting proposals or concerns about thenational reality. El presente artículo reflexiona sobre los distintos usos de la palabra innovación en la prensa costarricense, el énfasisestá en la asociación de esta a un contexto específico, identificar usos legitimadores y deslegitimadores.El trabajo se sustenta en la recolección de noticias en dos medios de comunicación (en su versión digital), a saber,los periódicos: La Nación y El Financiero, durante los primeros tres meses de los años 2015, 2016 y 2017.La reflexión se posiciona desde el enfoque de Análisis Crítico del Discurso, de manera específica, se trata de unanálisis pragmático de las diversas publicaciones de los medios, ya que el interés de conocimiento está enfocado enla relación entre innovación y el contexto que se demarca a lo interno del texto. En el documento se presenta eseuso estratégico, tendencioso y polisémico con el que se emplea la palabra innovación en las diversas publicaciones,que más que una perspectiva de innovación que se quiere promover, esta es la figura que permite sustentar, desdediversos sectores y agentes, propuestas o inquietudes sobre la realidad nacional.

Addressing the presence of rutile nanoparticles (NPs) in the air is a work in progress, and the development of methodologies for the identification of NPs in atmospheric dust is essential for the assessment of its toxicological effects. To address this issue, we selected the fast growing desertic city of Hermosillo in northern Mexico. Road dust (n = 266) and soils (n = 10) were sampled and bulk Ti-contents were tested by portable X-ray fluorescence. NPs were extracted from atmospheric dust by PM1.0-PTFE filters and further characterized by Confocal Raman Microscopy, Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) coupled to Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Results showed (i) the average concentration of Ti in road dust (3447 mg kg−1) was similar to natural values and worldwide urban dusts; (ii) the bulk geochemistry was not satisfactory for Ti-NPs identification; (iii) 76% of the total extracted PM1.0 sample corresponded to NPs; (iv) mono-microaggregates of rutile NPs were identified; (v) ubiquitous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were linked to NPs. The genotoxicity of rutile and PAHs, in connection with NPs content, make us aware of a crucial emerging environmental issue of significant health concern, justifying further research in this field.

Background Pertuzumab combined with trastuzumab and docetaxel is the standard first-line therapy for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, based on results from the phase III CLEOPATRA trial. PERUSE was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of investigator-selected taxane with pertuzumab and trastuzumab in this setting. Patients and methods In the ongoing multicentre single-arm phase IIIb PERUSE study, patients with inoperable HER2-positive advanced breast cancer (locally recurrent/metastatic) (LR/MBC) and no prior systemic therapy for LR/MBC (except endocrine therapy) received docetaxel, paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel with trastuzumab [8mg/kg loading dose, then 6mg/kg every 3weeks (q3w)] and pertuzumab (840mg loading dose, then 420mg q3w) until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary end point was safety. Secondary end points included overall response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS). Results Overall, 1436 patients received at least one treatment dose (initially docetaxel in 775 patients, paclitaxel in 589, nab-paclitaxel in 65; 7 discontinued before starting taxane). Median age was 54years; 29% had received prior trastuzumab. Median treatment duration was 16months for pertuzumab and trastuzumab and 4months for taxane. Compared with docetaxel-containing therapy, paclitaxel-containing therapy was associated with more neuropathy (all-grade peripheral neuropathy 31% versus 16%) but less febrile neutropenia (1% versus 11%) and mucositis (14% versus 25%). At this preliminary analysis (52 months' median follow-up), median PFS was 20.6 [95% confidence interval (CI) 18.9–22.7] months overall (19.6, 23.0 and 18.1months with docetaxel, paclitaxel and nab-paclitaxel, respectively). ORR was 80% (95% CI 78%–82%) overall (docetaxel 79%, paclitaxel 83%, nab-paclitaxel 77%). Conclusions Preliminary findings from PERUSE suggest that the safety and efficacy of first-line pertuzumab, trastuzumab and taxane for HER2-positive LR/MBC are consistent with results from CLEOPATRA. Paclitaxel appears to be a valid alternative taxane backbone to docetaxel, offering similar PFS and ORR with a predictable safety profile. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01572038.

Tres cuentos titulados: 1. El Seminario 2. Cuando hice magia negra 3. Las trece palabras

[ES] La figura del entrenador es considerada el eje sobre el que se articulan muchas de las relaciones deportivas.Diferentes estudios constatan que la mayoría de los entrenadores poseen los conocimientos técnico-tácticos básicos de la modalidad deportiva que entrenan, pero no suelen tener formación específica respecto a las variables que modulan su liderazgo con sus equipos (Cruz, 1994; Smith, Smoll & Cumming, 2007; Sousa, Smith & Cruz, 2008). En esta investigación realizaremos una aproximación a la Teoría de la Autodeterminación que, actualmente, es uno de los marcos teóricos más utilizados en el ámbito deportivo, para situar e interpretar los resultados obtenidos en el estudio. Trataremos de mostrar una aproximación teórica del concepto de liderazgo y de las variables que intervienen de forma prevalente en los diferentes estilos. Además, realizaremos una revisión de aquellos que en el ámbito deportivo han cobrado mayor relevancia. Este estudio se aborda desde una perspectiva multidimensional, y para ello, entre otros, hemos tenido presente el análisis del estilo de liderazgo, la justicia, la competencia y la eficacia percibidas por los propios entrenadores y por sus jugadores. Analizaremos las diferentes vías formativas conducentes a la habilitación profesional como entrenador de máximo nivel en las dos modalidades deportivas, fútbol y balonmano. Relacionaremos los contenidos abordados en las formaciones con el desarrollo de las capacidades de liderazgo, y estudiaremos el peso que la Administración Pública y federaciones conceden a esta disciplina. Describiremos el programa de intervención desarrollado para incrementar las habilidades de liderazgo en los entrenadores y mostraremos los resultados que la misma ha producido tanto sobre los entrenadores como sobre sus deportistas. Para finalizar realizaremos la discusión sobre los mismos, identificando las principales conclusiones a las que conducen los resultados obtenidos y abordaremos las limitaciones y las futuras líneas de investigación sobre este asunto.

Background: The aim of the present study was to determine the association between the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with sociodemographic parameters and lifestyle during COVID-19 confinement in Mexico, Chile, and Spain. Methods: A cross-sectional pilot study, with 742 observations of online surveys in 422, 190, and 130 individuals from Mexico, Chile, and Spain, respectively. Sociodemographic data, presence of comorbidities, food habits, and physical activity (PA) patterns were evaluated. The HRQoL was evaluated according to the SF-36 Health Survey. The multilinear regression analysis was developed to determine the association of variables with HRQoL and its physical and mental health dimensions. Results: The female sex in the three countries reported negative association with HRQoL (Mexico: β −4.45, p = 0.004; Chile: β −8.48, p < 0.001; Spain: β −6.22, p = 0.009). Similarly, bad eating habits were associated negatively with HRQoL (Mexico: β −6.64, p < 0.001; Chile: β −6.66, p = 0.005; Spain: β −5.8, p = 0.032). In Mexico, PA limitations presented a negative association with HRQoL (β −4.71, p = 0.011). In Chile, a sedentary lifestyle (h/day) was linked negatively with HRQoL (β −0.64, p = 0.005). In Spain, the highest associations with HRQoL were the presence of comorbidity (β −11.03, p < 0.001) and smoking (β −6.72, p = 0.02). Moreover, the PA limitation in Mexico (β −5.67, p = 0.023) and Chile (β −9.26, p = 0.035) was linked negatively with mental health. Conclusions: The bad eating habits, PA limitations, female sex, comorbidity presence, and smoking were parameters linked negatively with HRQoL.

PICT (Pollution Induced Community Tolerance) to Cu is a useful and sensitive tool to assess the effects of Cu pollution in soils under laboratory conditions. However, in field situations, the absence of reference values, i.e. bacterial community tolerance to Cu baseline from non-polluted soils, make the method uncertain when we want to know if a soil is or is not polluted from a microbiological point of view. In order to shed some light on this topic, the PICT (Pollution Induced Community Tolerance) concept was used to determine the bacterial community tolerance to Cu in uncontaminated soils developed on five different parent materials, using log IC50 as a tolerance index. IC50 was calculated as the amount of Cu that inhibit 50% of bacterial growth (estimated via the leucine incorporation method) in a bacterial suspension extracted from soil. With physico-chemical soil characteristics and type of parent material, a linear multiple regression equation was fitted explaining 80% of the variance in log IC50 values. This equation provides a useful tool to estimate the bacterial community tolerance to Cu baseline in a soil using the general soil characteristics, allowing for the more general use of PICT without the need of reference soils. Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade de Vigo/CISUG Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad | Ref. CTM2015-73422-JIN Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431F 2018/06

Resumen: El artículo analiza las alocuciones del expresidente de Costa Rica José María Figueres Olsen en sus discursos de 1 de mayo ante la Asamblea Legislativa, con la finalidad de conocer la concepción de gobernabilidad que se propone en estos. Se expone la relación que existe entre el discurso de gobernabilidad y las políticas orientadas a la transformación del Estado y la institucionalidad pública en Costa Rica. Concomitantemente, exhibe el sentido y la forma en la que el presidente entiende este fenómeno en la realidad nacional. Abstract: This paper analyses the speeches given by former president of Costa Rica José María Figueres Olsen on May 1st in front of the Legislative Assembly, in order to know the concept of governability proposed in these. The article focuses on the relationship between the discourse of governability and the policy oriented to the transformation of state and public institutions in Costa Rica, while exposing the sense and the way in which the president understands the phenomenon in the national reality.

In this work, the thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) and persistent luminescence (PLUM) properties of praseodymium doped yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG:Pr 3+ ) exposed to β-irradiation are reported. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirms a single phase of YAG obtained by the combustion method. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows that powder particles appear to be irregular crystals with an average size of 67 nm. TSL glow-curve deconvolution of YAG:Pr 3+ after β-irradiation consist in six peaks centered at 394, 450, 467, 543, 637 and 705 K. The TSL fading and PLUM signals were found to be associated with at least with two different kinds of traps, corresponding to the peaks located at 394, 450 and 467 K. YAG:Pr 3+ nanophosphors analyzed in this work showed interesting features about the dosimetric sensitivity as well as the reproducibility for both TSL/PLUM techniques, with good linearity dose response. These results indicate that nanocrystalline YAG:Pr3 + is a good candidate for dosimetric applications in the range of 80 mGy-20 Gy.

The continuous use of copper against fungal diseases and off-target effects causes major environmental and agronomic problems. However, the rain-induced removal of Cu-based residues is known only for a limited number of crops. We present the results of rain-induced removal of fungicides from two monitored vineyard plots which were sprayed with two widely used Cu-based formulations: copper-oxychloride (CO) and Bordeaux mixture (BM), respectively. Cu removal per growing season was 0.60±0.12kgha(-1) (30% of the applied fungicide) for CO and 0.80±0.10kgha(-1) for BM (70% of the applied fungicide). Fractioning the Cu in soluble (CuS) and particulate fractions (CuP) showed that most of the Cu was removed as CuP, but CuS concentrations found in throughfall collectors exceeded the regulatory threshold for toxicity in surface waters. The first few millimeters of rain caused most of the Cu removal. Our findings agreed with the data reported in the scientific literature, in which a significant fraction of the Cu-based formulation is loosely attached to the plant surfaces. In addition, we found that rainfall energy had a minor influence on the removal.

We present the case of a patient with a locally advanced synovial sarcoma treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and subsequent surgery who presented an early metastatic relapse, wherein a rapid and significant response was achieved with trabectedin, and in whom maintenance of the drug until clinical progression of the disease allowed 27 cycles of treatment to be administered despite the patient presenting radiological progression according to Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria 15 cycles earlier.

Introduction: Iatrogenic retroperitoneal haematoma is an infrequent but serious complication of certain surgical procedures. Case presentation: We present the case of a female who developed retroperitoneal haemorrhage after an intradural lumbar puncture, resulting in multiple-organ failure. The diagnosis and treatment of this complication was more difficult than usual because of the presence of bilateral subclavian artery stenosis. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and prompt treatment with either conservative or interventional management is essential in order to decrease associated morbidity. Bilateral non-invasive arterial pressure measurements should be routinely performed in all cases, especially in patients with peripheral artery disease. Introducción: El hematoma retroperitoneal iatrogénico es una complicación infrecuente pero, en ocasiones, de consecuencias fatales. Presentación del caso: En este artículo describimos el caso de una mujer que sufrió una hemorragia retroperitoneal secundaria a una punción lumbar intradural con evolución hacia el fallo multiorgánico, agravado en su manejo por la presencia de estenosis bilateral de arterias subclavias que dificultó el diagnóstico y el tratamiento. Conclusión: Un diagnóstico precoz y certero del hematoma retroperitoneal, unido a las medidas de soporte necesarias y a un abordaje quirúrgico eficiente cuando se requiera, se antojan fundamentales para evitar un desenlace mortal. Por otro lado, la medición de la presión arterial de forma bilateral debe ser una medida rutinaria en todos los pacientes, pero más aún en aquellos casos con enfermedad arterial periférica.

This study provides insights on the significance of network features of soil macropores on the transport of solutes and colloids, and in the filtrating capacity of the soil. We applied percolation theory and network analysis to the pore network extracted from X-ray computed tomography (imaged porosity) in intact columns sampled from topsoils with different tillage treatments. Moreover, we developed a procedure to extract the backbone, which is the part of the percolation cluster that controls the direct flow between two boundaries in near saturated conditions, using the ImageJ open source imaging software. We also calculated the percolation threshold of each soil, the probability at which the soil starts to percolate (for the resolution considered). Some backbone characteristics (pore volume, wall surface, circularity, fractal dimension, number of loops and tortuosity) showed significant differences between the treatments. Tilled conventional and organic with high earthworm activity exhibited more complex backbones than no-till soil. Backbone volume, surface, fractal dimension and number of loops are correlated with the surface area of pore walls stained by fluorescent microspheres (MS) used as a colloidal tracer. We also found significant correlations between the tortuosity and the number of end-points of the backbone and the transport model parameters for the microspheres and bromide. These findings reinforce the phenomenology between transport in porous media and percolation theory. Moreover, the properties based on percolation theory allow a complete characterization of the complex soil structure and the development of more accurate transport models.

Ponencia

The Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) is the choice topology for integration of renewable energy power plants into the grid, through submarine HVDC cables and HVDC lines. Notwithstanding, the MMC requires significant large DC storage capacitors to mitigate for the large power pulsations that result from the single-phase AC to DC conversion process in their arms. The Alternate Arm Converter (AAC), which combines MMC arms with conventional valves (Director Switch), has the potential to cut the number of modules to half of that of the conventional MMC. Further, it is capable of blocking DC faults, an appealing feature for future DC networks. However, the AAC incurs higher power losses than conventional MMC. This work proposes the use of thyristors, instead of IGBTs, to implement the DSs of the AAC. This reduces conduction losses in DSs by approximately a half and makes the AAC more comparable to the conventional MMC, in terms of power losses, but with the advantage of reduced DC energy storage requirements. The principle of operation of the AAC, considering thyristor based DSs, is revisited here and a suitable control strategy to demonstrate its basic operation is developed. Proposals are verified through simulation studies using a switching converter model. Results confirm feasibility of proposed thyristor based DS and good performance of the proposed AAC.

The alternate arm converter (AAC) was one of the first modular converter topologies to feature dc-side fault ride-through capability with only a small penalty in power efficiency. However, the simple alternation of its arm conduction periods (with an additional short overlap period) resulted in 1) substantial six-pulse ripples in the dc current waveform, 2) large dc-side filter requirements, and 3) limited operating area close to an energy sweet spot. This paper presents a new mode of operation called extended overlap (EO) based on the extension of the overlap period to $60^{\circ }$ , which facilitates a fundamental redefinition of the working principles of the AAC. The EO-AAC has its dc current path decoupled from the ac current paths, a fact allowing 1) smooth dc current waveforms, 2) elimination of dc filters, and 3) restriction lifting on the feasible operating point. Analysis of this new mode and EO-AAC design criteria are presented and subsequently verified with tests on an experimental prototype. Finally, a comparison with other modular converters demonstrates that the EO-AAC is at least as power efficient as a hybrid modular multilevel converter (MMC) (i.e., a dc fault ride-through-capable MMC), while offering a smaller converter footprint because of a reduced requirement for energy storage in the submodules and a reduced inductor volume.

The understanding of relations between quantitative information of soil structure from X-ray computed tomography (CT) and soil functions is an important topic in agronomy and soil science. The influence of tillage on macroporosity (i.e., pores measured by CT >240 μm in all directions) could be manifested in their effects on solute and colloid transport properties. Tillage will also have crucial importance on preferential flow; i.e., a direct flow through root and earthworm channels. Increasing knowledge of the relationships between soil tillage, structure, and transport contributes to a deeper insight into the key factors of soil management influencing productivity, environmental quality and crop health. The aim of this work is the identification of relationships between soil management of the pore network and the influence of the characteristics of the paths identified by CT on the transport of solute and colloidal tracers. In this work, we used CT to characterize the macropore network ( >0.24 mm) of sixteen columns (100 height × 84 diameter, mm) of adjacent plots under different soil management as follows: conventional management with shallow tillage after sowing (4 samples), conventional management with no tillage after sowing (4 samples), and organic vegetables (8 samples). The soil samples were installed in columns under a dripper, and the transport behavior was examined during breakthrough of Br− and 1-μm latex microspheres in samples near saturation. Transport of Br− and latex microspheres was modeled using a two-region physical non-equilibrium model (dual porosity). Preferential flow was higher under organic management, although the pore water velocities were, in general, lower. The preferential flow of Br− was correlated with the total volume of macropores extracted from each tomography, and the local increase in the Hounsfield value (i.e., CT matrix density, CTMatrix) surrounding the macropores. The denser lining, produced by the earthworms in the inner walls of the pores, was inversely correlated with the kinetic exchange coefficient between mobile and immobile zones of the dual-porosity model. The macropore roughness indicated by the CT-macropore surface area was correlated with the solute dispersion coefficient and with the solute travel time. Finally, we found that the overall CTMatrix density is inversely related to the preferential flow. The importance of this work lies in the improvement of the accuracy of predictions related to flow and transport through soils, especially those processes that include particles traveling through the soil.

The Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) is a promising topology for high power drive applications. However, large voltage fluctuations are produced in the floating capacitors when the machine is operating with high stator currents at low rotational speed. To compensate these oscillations, relatively large mitigation currents are required to keep the capacitor voltages within an acceptable range. In this paper, a new integrated control scheme is discussed to regulate the voltage fluctuations. The strategy is based on closed-loop vector-control of the voltage fluctuations, maintaining them inside a pre-defined threshold. The proposed control system is also augmented using flux weakening operation of the machine at low rotational speeds. An experimental prototype composed of eighteen power cells, feeding a vector-controlled induction machine in the whole speed range, is used to validate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed control strategies.