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Qu, C, Wu, Z, Xu, M, Lorenzo, S, Dong, Y, Wang, Z, Qin, F, and Zhao, J. Cryotherapy on subjective sleep quality, muscle, and inflammatory response in Chinese middle- and long-distance runners after muscle damage. J Strength Cond Res 36(10): 2883-2890, 2022-The purpose of this investigation was to explore the effects of cold-water immersion (CWI), contrast-water therapy (CWT), and whole-body cryotherapy (CRY) on subjective sleep quality, muscle damage markers, and inflammatory markers in middle- and long-distance runners after muscle damage. Twelve male runners from Beijing Sport University completed a muscle damage exercise protocol and were treated with different recovery methods (CWI, CWT, CRY, or control [CON]) immediately after exercise and at 24-, 48-, and 72-h postexercise. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire score, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, myoglobin (Mb) activity, interleukin-6 (IL-6) activity, and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) activity were measured at 7 time points (preexercise; immediately postexercise; and at 1-, 24-, 48-, 72-, and 96-h postexercise). Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores indicated that the CRY condition had improved sleep quality compared with the CON and CWI conditions (p0.05). In terms of LDH activity, the CRY and CWT conditions had improved recovery compared with the CON and CWI conditions (p0.05). In terms of Mb activity, the CRY condition exhibited improved recovery compared with that of the CON and CWI conditions (p0.05), and the CWT condition showed better recovery than that of the CON condition (p0.05). In terms of IL-6 activity, the CRY condition showed improved recovery compared with the CWI condition (p0.05). Finally, in terms of sICAM-1 activity, the CRY condition had enhanced recovery compared with the other 3 conditions (p0.05). The results from this study suggest that CRY improves subjective sleep quality and reduces muscle damage and inflammatory responses in middle- and long-distance runners. In addition, CWT reduced muscle damage and inflammatory responses, but its effects on the other parameters were inconclusive.

A wide variety of Aprotic N‑Heterocyclic Anion-based Ionic Liquids (AHA-ILs) were designed using DFT/COSMO-RS quantum chemical calculations to optimize their performance as chemical absorbents on industrial-scale CO2 capture processes by tailoring the enthalpy of reaction. Five different substituents located at multiple positions on eight different heterocyclic rings were considered to cover a wide range of CO2-IL reaction enthalpies. Twelve representative AHA-ILs based on [P66614] cation with an enthalpy of reaction from -30 to -64 kJ/mol were evaluated on post-combustion, biogas and pre-combustion CO2 chemical capture processes through Aspen Plus Rate-based simulations. AHA-ILs presenting a CO2 reaction enthalpy between -43 and -54 kJ/mol were found to minimize both solvent and energy consumptions and thus equipment and operating costs in all studied CO2 capture systems, since cyclic capacity is successfully optimized by a correct selection of the reaction enthalpy. Some non-synthesized AHA-ILs, as [P66614][4-BrPyra] (-49.3 kJ/mol), are proposed as promising CO2 chemical absorbents based on their enhanced performance in post-combustion, biogas and pre-combustion capture processes from current techno-economic analysis

This work systematically monitors the keys to understand the applicability of two close-cycle processes recently proposed that enable the regeneration of homogeneous catalysts based on ionic liquids by liquid-liquid extraction. It aims at looking for more efficient CO2 conversion platforms to prevent global warming. The universal character of these two platforms is here demonstrated for a substrate scope that accounts the 7 most representative cyclic carbonates of the literature and 17 ionic liquids that play the role of efficient homogeneous catalysts. Water-based platform proves to be more appropriate for separating hydrophilic IL catalysts from less polar and hydrophobic carbonates, improving the energy consumption when compared with distillation as benchmark separation approach in the literature. On the contrary, hydrophobic ionic liquids enhance the process combined with fatty alcohols to produce hydrophilic cyclic carbonates and drastically reduce energy consumption at reasonable lower product specifications when compared with benchmark process. Overall, liquid-liquid extraction stands out as a more efficient process scheme to separate cyclic carbonates from homogeneous catalysts based on ionic liquids, The authors are very grateful to Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad of Spain (project PID 2020-118259RB-I00) and Comunidad de Madrid (P2018/EMT4348) for financial support. We also thank Centro de Computacion ´ Científica de la Universidad Autonoma ´ de Madrid for computational facilities. Rub´en Santiago thanks Spanish Ministerio Universidades for his Margarita Salas contract (CA1/RSUE/ 2021–00585). E. Hernandez ´ also thanks Ministerio de Universidades for awarding an FPU grant FPU20/03198

Background: It is well documented that stress poses a serious challenge to students’ health in medical school. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is the most widely used psychological instrument for measuring the perception of stress. Heart rate variability (HRV) may provide an objective measure of the physiologic index of stress in medical students. This study investigated the impact of one semester of medical school on HRV and PSS in first-year medical students. Methods: Forty-eight first-year medical students at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton campus were recruited for a prospective observational study from January through December of 2021. HRV analysis via electrocardiogram was performed alongside PSS administration at the beginning, as well as at the end of a medical school semester. Paired t-tests were performed to assess HRV via SDNN, RMSSD, and PSS scores. Pearson Correlation analysis was performed to investigate correlations between HRV indices and PSS results. Results: By the end of the academic semester, students presented with increased PSS scores compared to the beginning of the academic semester (12.674 ± 0.750 vs 20.587 ± 1.004, P < 0.001). There were also statistically significant decreases in HRV post semester as measured by SDNN (108.16 ± 13.86 vs 56.36 ± 4.07, P < 0.001) as well as RMSSD (127.43 ± 21.71 vs. 61.55 ± 34.92, P < 0.001). Pearson Product Moment Correlation was performed and revealed a statistically significant inverse relationship between percent changes in PSS compared to percent changes in SDNN (R-value -0.334, P = 0.0287) as well as percent changes in RMSSD (R-value -0.369, P = 0.0149). Conclusion: These results demonstrate that first-year medical students are experiencing significant levels of stress after an entire academic semester. This study demonstrates that HRV may provide a reliable way to assess a student's level of stress that is objective and does not rely on subjective measures such as the PSS questionnaire. This study highlights the importance for medical schools to improve their student wellness initiatives and mental health monitoring.

El objetivo de la presente investigación fue determinar si existe relación entre el liderazgo del director y la gestión educativa en la Escuela Militar de Chorrillos (EMCH) - 2017, bajo la visión de los instructores. El enfoque fue de una investigación cuantitativa, de tipo descriptivo correlacional, de diseño no experimental. La población estuvo compuesta por 60 instructores, de los cuales se tomó una muestra de 52, obtenidos por muestreo aleatorio, a quienes se les aplicó una encuesta de 20 preguntas con una escala de cinco categorías de respuestas referida a ambas variables. Este instrumento tuvo una alta confiabilidad de 0.903. Se realizó el análisis correspondiente a los resultados de la encuesta llegando a la demostración empírica de que la mayoría apoya o considera positivamente los requerimientos de los indicadores y las dimensiones propuestas en el instrumento; esto fue ampliamente corroborado y contrastado empleando el chi cuadrado. Se concluyó que existe relación entre el liderazgo del director y la gestión educativa en la I.E. Emilio Soyer - 2017. The objective of the present investigation was to determine if there is a relationship between the leadership of the director and the educational management in the Military School of Chorrillos (EMCH) - 2017, under the vision of the instructors. The focus was on quantitative research, of a correlational descriptive type, of non-experimental design. The population consisted of 60 instructors, of whom a sample of 52 was taken, obtained by random sampling, to whom a questionnaire of 20 questions was applied with a scale of five categories of responses referring to both variables. This instrument had a high reliability of 0.903. The analysis corresponding to the results of the survey was made, arriving at the empirical demonstration that the majority supports or positively considers the requirements of the indicators and the dimensions proposed in the instrument; this was widely corroborated and contrasted using the chi square. It was concluded that there is a relationship between the leadership of the director and the educational management in the I.E. Emilio Soyer - 2017.

Ionic liquids (ILs) have been extensively proposed as efficient catalysts to promote CO2 cycloaddition reaction to epoxides for producing cyclic carbonates. Recently, liquid-liquid extraction with water as an enhancer approach to regenerate ILs and to purify the product was proposed, since it reduces energy consumption and enhances the neat catalytic activity of the IL due to hydroxyl groups of water. In this work, a comprehensive sample of homogeneous IL catalysts proposed in the literature is experimentally evaluated both in the catalytic step and in its separation by liquid-liquid extraction with water, to demonstrate the universality of the proposed reaction-separation proposal for hydrophilic ILs. Then the complete processes for CO2 conversion to propylene carbonate were modelled using Aspen Plus to compare the catalyst/product separation efficiency and the specific energy consumption using liquid-liquid extraction and distillation-based platforms. The energy consumption is significantly lower using liquid-liquid platform (1.1–1.3 kWh/kgPC) than distillation one (2.4–3.1 kWh/kgPC). It is concluded that hydrophilic ionic liquids, as those formed by [EtOHmim] cation and halide anions, are promising catalysts since they allow: (i) reducing the process energy consumption due to their high catalytic activity and (ii) full catalyst recovering, even at high catalyst loadings, by improving the water extractive properties for IL separation from PC., The authors are very grateful to Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) of Spain (project PID2020-118259RB-I00) and Comunidad de Madrid (P2018/EMT4348) for financial support. We also thank Centro de Computacion ´ Científica de la Universidad Autonoma ´ de Madrid for computational facilities. E. Hernandez ´ thanks Spanish Ministerio de Universidades for awarding an FPU grant FPU20/03198. R. Santiago thanks Spanish Ministerio Universidades for his Margarita Salas contract (CA1/RSUE/2021-00585)

RESUMEN Según la Ley N° 3728/09 todo paraguayo natural, mayor de 65 años de edad y en situación de pobreza, residente en el territorio nacional, recibirá del Estado una pensión mensual no menor a la cuarta parte del salario mínimo vigente. El objetivo general de la es Conocer el mejoramiento de la Calidad de vida de los beneficiarios del Programa de Pensión Alimentaria para Adultos Mayores en situación de pobreza en la Colonia Indígena La Promesa en el Departamento de Presidente Hayes constituye una información relevante para medir el impacto de este tipo de programas en comunidades indígenas aisladas. La investigación es del tipo cualitativa no experimental descriptiva, utiliza la modalidad bibliográfica documental y de campo, con los métodos de entrevista y registros de observación. Los resultados obtenidos presentan las características de los beneficiarios del Programa de Pensión Alimentaria para Adultos Mayores en situación de pobreza, así como aspectos relacionados al mejoramiento de la calidad de vida de los beneficiarios del Programa. ABSTRACT According to Law No. 3728/09, all natural Paraguayan, over 65 years of age and living in poverty, residing in the national territory, will receive from the State a monthly pension not less than a quarter of the current minimum wage. The general objective of the program is to know the improvement of the quality of life of the beneficiaries of the Alimony Pension Program for the elderly living in poverty in the Indigenous Colony La Promesa in the Department of Presidente Hayes is a relevant information to measure the impact of this type of programs in isolated indigenous communities. The research is of the qualitative non-experimental descriptive type, it uses the documentary and field bibliographic modality, with the interview methods and observation records. The results obtained present the characteristics of the beneficiaries of the Alimony Pension Program for the Elderly in a situation of poverty, as well as aspects related to the improvement of the quality of life of the beneficiaries of the Program.

Our understanding of the mechanisms routing precipitation inputs to evapotranspiration and streamflow in catchments is still very fragmented, particularly in the case of saturated flows. Here we explore five mechanisms by which plants and streams compete with each other for water, based on multiple scales of observations in a flat semiarid sedimentary catchment of central Argentina subject to abrupt hydrological transformations. Since the 80s, the “El Morro” catchment (1334 km2, -33.64°, -65.36°) experienced a fast expansion of crops over native forests and grasslands, rapid water table level rises (~0.3 m y-1), spontaneous expansion of wetlands and permanent streams by groundwater sapping. Based on episodic and continuous groundwater level, stream flow, and remote sensing data we show that plants not only take away water from streams by drying the unsaturated zone (mechanism 1), but by tapping the saturated zone in the expanding waterlogged environments (mechanism 2) and in the upland environments that remain uncultivated and display increasing tree cover (mechanism 3). Conversely, streams take away water from plants through pulsed bed-deepening and water table depression (mechanism 4), and riparian and wetland zones burying with fresh sediments (mechanism 5). While earlier work established widespread support for mechanisms 1 preventing stream formation, diurnal and seasonal fluctuations of water table levels and base streamflow records in this study proved the importance of mechanisms 2 and 3 under the current high-water table conditions. These data together with remotely-sensed greenness showed a growing but localized relevance of mechanism 4 and 5 as the stream network developed. The distinction of recharge- vs. topography-controlled groundwater systems is useful to organize the interplay of these concurrent mechanisms. Findings point to the unsaturated-saturated contact zone as a crucial and dynamic hub for water partition and for ecological, geomorphological, and hydrological knowledge integration.

Humans interact permanently. These interactions are transient and vary across situations. One characteristic of interactions is their social interdependence—the relationship between individuals’ goals. Social interdependence can take different forms: cooperative, competitive, or solitary. This dissertation investigated the influence of these forms of social interdependence on children’s sharing and social inclusion. Past research suggests that cooperative interdependence promotes and competitive interdependence lowers the willingness to act prosocially as compared to solitary contexts. These effects occur within and after respective interactions. Further, previous studies indicate that cooperation and competition affect prosociality toward third-parties who were not part of the interaction. However, many of these studies have low experimental rigor since the comparability between the experimental conditions is relatively low. For example, researchers compared cooperative games that cannot be lost with competitive games in which one party necessarily loses. This and other substantial differences between the experimental conditions do not allow for robust conclusions about the effects of cooperation and competition since alternative explanations might elicit these (e.g., fear of losing). Also, past research did not consider important variables, such as success or failure during the cooperation or competition, as predictors for children’s prosociality. Finally, most studies investigated children’s sharing behavior and neglected other prosocial behaviors, such as social inclusion. Thus, we conducted three studies with high internal validity (i.e., high comparability between conditions) to examine the effect of cooperation and competition on preschoolers’ sharing and social inclusion while considering children’s success and engagement in these interactions as potential predictors. In all studies, participants were from Leipzig and had mixed socio-economic backgrounds. In Study 1, dyads of 4- to 5-year-old children played a coordinative game in either a cooperative, competitive, or solitary context. Hereafter, we assessed three prosocial measures: sharing, social inclusion, and prosocial acts in free play. Children shared an endowment of stickers with a third-party peer. We measured children’s social inclusion behavior in a newly developed paradigm. In this social inclusion task, children play a ball-tossing game with a puppet while a second puppet approaches the interaction asking to join the game. We observed whether and how often children included the approaching puppet. Finally, dyads engaged in a free play, in which prosocial acts have been coded. Results revealed that children shared more stickers after playing in a cooperative as compared to a competitive context. The contexts of the game did not influence children’s social inclusion or prosocial acts in free play. In the social inclusion paradigm, children were highly inclusive, which raises the question of whether a ceiling effect has diminished the potential effect of cooperation and competition. In Study 2, we tested 3- to 6-year-olds’ social inclusion behavior with a modified version of Study 1’s task. The modified version aimed to overcome the detected ceiling effect. Study 2 investigated how social inclusion behavior develops throughout preschool age and how different inter-group scenarios influence this behavior. We found children’s social inclusion to increase from age 3 to 6. Children’s willingness to include an approaching puppet was lower when this puppet was an out-group member joining an in-group interaction as compared to a control condition without groups. Study 3 conceptually replicated Study 1’s procedure in an intergroup context. Similar to Study 1, dyads of 4- to 6-year-olds played a game in a cooperative, competitive, or solitary context. Here, the game was not coordinative, and we controlled wins and losses in the game to increase internal validity and to isolate the effect of mere goal relations as the cause for Study 1’s effect. After playing the game, children shared stickers with a third-party in-group and out-group member. Also, we assessed children’s social inclusion behavior in an intergroup context with Study 2’s modified version of the task. The cooperative, competitive, and solitary context of the game did not influence children’s sharing and social inclusion. In a merged analysis and a general discussion, the results of all three studies are combined and interpreted. In total, our results suggest that cooperative and competitive relations of goals only influence children’s prosocial behavior toward third-parties if interactions are highly coordinated.:1. General Introduction 2. Study 1: Cooperative Games and Preschoolers’ Prosociality 3. Study 2: Social Inclusion in Preschooler 4. Study 3: Cooperation, Competition, and In-Group Bias in Preschoolers 5. Merged Analyses 6. General Discussion References Curriculum Vitae Scientific Publications and Conference Contributions Declaration of Authorship Contributions of Authors

Context Lower back pain (LBP) is prevalent and is a leading contributor to disease burden worldwide. Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) can alleviate alterations in the body that leads to musculoskeletal disorders such as LBP. Bio-electromagnetic Energy Regulation (BEMER; BEMER International AG), which has also been shown to relieve musculoskeletal pain, is a therapeutic modality that deploys a biorhythmically defined stimulus through a pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF). Therefore, it is possible that combined OMT and BEMER therapy could reduce low back pain in adults more than the effect of either treatment modality alone. Objectives To investigate the individual and combined effects of OMT and BEMER therapy on LBP in adults. Methods Employees and students at a medical college were recruited to this study by email. Participants were included if they self-reported chronic LBP of 3 months’ duration or longer; participants were excluded if they were experiencing acute LBP of 2 weeks’ duration or less, were currently being treated for LBP, were pregnant, or had a known medical history of several conditions. Ultimately, 40 participants were randomly assigned to four treatment groups: an OMT only, BEMER only, OMT+BEMER, or control (light touch and sham). Treatments were given regularly over a 3 week period. Data on LBP and quality of life were gathered through the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Short Form 12 item (SF-12) health survey, and Oswestry Low Back Pain Questionnaire/Oswestry Disability Index prior to treatment and immediately after the 3 week intervention protocol. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed retrospectively and absolute changes for each participant were calculated. Normal distribution and equal variances were confirmed by Shapiro–Wilk test (p>0.05) and Brown-Forsythe, respectively. Significance was set at p Results Despite a lack of statistical significance between groups, subjective reports of pain reported on the VAS showed a substantial mean percentage decrease (50.8%) from baseline in the OMT+BEMER group, compared with a 10.2% decrease in the OMT-only and 9.8% in BEMER-only groups when comparing the difference in VAS ratings from preintervention to postintervention. Participants also reported in quality of life assessed on the Oswestry Low Back Pain Questionnaire/Oswestry Disability Index, with the OMT+BEMER group showing a decrease of 30.3% in score, the most among all groups. The OMT+BEMER group also reported the greatest improvement in score in the physical component of the SF-12, with an increase of 21.8%. Conclusions The initial data from this study shows a potential additive effect of combination therapy (OMT and BEMER) for management of LBP, though the results did not achieve statistical significance.

Tesis Doctoral inédita leída en la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Ingeniería Química. Fecha de lectura: 25-10-2019, La realización de este trabajo ha sido posible gracias al apoyo económico del Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) a través de los proyectos CTQ2014-52288-R y CTQ2017-89441-R, de la Comunidad de Madrid (Referencia P2013/MAE-2800 y P2018/EMT4348)

La calidad nutritiva del nopal verdura, está relacionada con su composición mineral y es variable debido a varios factores, uno de ellos es fertilización. En nopal verdura (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.) la respuesta a la aplicación de fertilizantes orgánicos e inorgánicos se ha enfocado principalmente al rendimiento y en menor proporción con la calidad nutricional. El objetivo fue conocer el efecto de la fertilización mineral y orgánica incluyendo el uso de compost y la inoculación con micorriza en la composición mineral de cladodios jóvenes para consumo humano al momento de cosecha. Los tratamientos estudiados fueron: 1) Estiércol bovino más fertilizante 17N-17P-17K (E + T 17); 2) Compost más inoculación con el hongo micorrícico Glomus mosseae (C + M); 3) Fertilizantes minerales (FM), aplicados por fertirriego; y 4) Testigo, sin aplicación de fertilizante y sin micorriza. El riego por goteo fue aplicado una vez por semana o cuando la tensión de humedad en el suelo llegaba a 35 cbar. El tratamiento de fertilización tuvo un efecto significativo en las concentraciones de Mn, Zn y B, no así en N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe y Cu en el cladodio joven o nopalito. La más alta concentración de Mn (81.38 mg kg-1) se alcanzó con el tratamiento FM, la de Zn cuando se aplicó E + T 17 (44.11 mg kg-1), y en el caso de B con la fertilización de FM y E + T 17 (156.09 y 151.77 mg kg-1), respectivamente.

Context Standard pulmonary rehabilitation (SPR) does not use osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), but OMT has potential to improve lung function and patient perception of breathing. Objective To analyze the immediate effects of OMT and SPR techniques on pulmonary function using spirometry and subjective ratings in young, healthy persons. Methods Participants were healthy students recruited from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine-Bradenton and were randomly assigned to either the OMT or SPR group. During the first 4 weeks, each participant in the OMT group received 1 OMT technique (rib raising, doming of the diaphragm, thoracic lymphatic pump, and thoracic high velocity, low amplitude), and each participant in the SPR group received 1 SPR treatment (tapotement, pursed lip breathing, saline nebulizer, and rest) per week. Treatments were then ranked based on positive change in pulmonary function as measured by forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). During the fifth week, the OMT group received the 2 highest-ranked OMT techniques, and the SPR group received the 2 highest-ranked SPR treatments. During the sixth week, the OMT group received the highest-ranked OMT and SPR treatment, while the SPR group received the same treatment combination but in the reverse order. Pulmonary function, as measured through FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC, were collected before and after each treatment or treatment combination. Participants subjectively rated change in breathing after each treatment. Results A total of 53 students participated in the study, with 28 in the OMT group and 25 in the SPR group. In the OMT group, rib raising yielded the highest positive mean (SD) change of 0.001 (0.136) L in FEV1 and 0.052 (0.183) L in FVC, followed by lymphatic pump, with a change of 0.080 (0.169) L in FEV1 and −0.031 (0.229) L in FVC. In the SPR group, pursed lip breathing yielded the highest positive mean (SD) change of 0.101 (0.278) L in FEV1 and 0.031 (0.179) L in FVC, followed by tapotement, with a change of 0.045 (0.229) L in FEV1 and 0.061 (0.239) L in FVC. Saline treatment significantly decreased lung function. All other treatments did not result in any significant changes in lung function. Overall, SPR subjective ratings were significantly lower than ratings for both OMT and combination (OMT+SPR) treatments. Conclusions Saline significantly reduced lung function and had low subjective posttreatment ratings in young healthy adults. Additionally, OMT and combination OMT and SPR significantly improved subjective breathing more than SPR alone. Future applications of this study include evaluating OMT and SPR effects on lung function in patients with various pulmonary conditions.

This study aimed to test the hypothesis that different neurotransmitters and hormones are presented at exercise fatigue in hot temperatures with differing relative humidities (RH).Eight trained male athletes performed a graded maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) test in five different environmental conditions, namely, 21°C/20% RH (Normal), 33°C/20% RH (Hot 20%), 33°C/40% RH (Hot 40%), 33°C/60% RH (Hot 60%), and 33°C/80% RH (Hot 80%). Blood samples were taken pre- and post-exercise and analyzed for noradrenaline (NA), adrenaline (ADR), dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), and prolactin (PRL). Weight and oral and skin temperatures were recorded pre- and post-exercise. Heart rate was continuously monitored throughout the exercise.Hot 20%, Hot 40%, and Hot 80% had lower VO2max levels compared with Normal (P0.05). The data pooled from all five conditions indicated that the NA (P0.0001), PRL (P0.0001), 5-HT (P=0.002), 5-HIAA (P=0.029), and DA (P=0.016) levels were affected by exercise. Accordingly, NA level was significantly associated with performance time. However, ADR did not show any significant effect between pre- and post-exercise (P=0.187).The maximal aerobic capacity was impaired in high temperature and most humidity conditions. NA was strongly associated with exercise time, which suggested that exercise duration and intensity had an important influence on NA neurotransmitter level irrespective of the environmental conditions.

The aim of the present study was to determine whether 10 days of repeated local heating could induce peripheral adaptations in the cutaneous vasculature and to investigate potential mechanisms of adaptation. We also assessed maximal forearm blood flow to determine whether repeated local heating affects maximal dilator capacity. Before and after 10 days of heat training consisting of 1-h exposures of the forearm to 42°C water or 32°C water (control) in the contralateral arm (randomized and counterbalanced), we assessed hyperemia to rapid local heating of the skin ( n = 14 recreationally active young subjects). In addition, sequential doses of acetylcholine (ACh, 1 and 10 mM) were infused in a subset of subjects ( n = 7) via microdialysis to study potential nonthermal microvascular adaptations following 10 days of repeated forearm heat training. Skin blood flow was assessed using laser-Doppler flowmetry, and cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) was calculated as laser-Doppler red blood cell flux divided by mean arterial pressure. Maximal cutaneous vasodilation was achieved by heating the arm in a water-spray device for 45 min and assessed using venous occlusion plethysmography. Forearm vascular conductance (FVC) was calculated as forearm blood flow divided by mean arterial pressure. Repeated forearm heating did not increase plateau percent maximal CVC (CVCmax) responses to local heating (89 ± 3 vs. 89 ± 2% CVCmax, P = 0.19), 1 mM ACh (43 ± 9 vs. 53 ± 7% CVCmax, P = 0.76), or 10 mM ACh (61 ± 9 vs. 85 ± 7% CVCmax, P = 0.37, by 2-way repeated-measures ANOVA). There was a main effect of time at 10 mM ACh ( P = 0.03). Maximal FVC remained unchanged (0.12 ± 0.02 vs. 0.14 ± 0.02 FVC, P = 0.30). No differences were observed in the control arm. Ten days of repeated forearm heating in recreationally active young adults did not improve the microvascular responsiveness to ACh or local heating. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We show for the first time that 10 days of repeated forearm heating is not sufficient to improve cutaneous vascular responsiveness in recreationally active young adults. In addition, this is the first study to investigate cutaneous cholinergic sensitivity and forearm blood flow following repeated local heat exposure. Our data add to the limited studies regarding repeated local heating of the cutaneous vasculature.

The quantification and interpretation of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in obesity is important for adequately assessing cardiovascular conditioning, underlying comorbidities, and properly evaluating disease risk. We retrospectively compared peak oxygen uptake (VO(2)peak) (ie, CRF) in absolute terms, and relative terms (% predicted) using three currently suggested prediction equations (Equations R, W, and G).There were 19 nonobese and 66 obese participants. Subjects underwent hydrostatic weighing and incremental cycling to exhaustion. Subject characteristics were analyzed by independent t test, and % predicted VO(2)peak by a two-way analysis of variance (group and equation) with repeated measures on one factor (equation).VO(2)peak (L/min) was not different between nonobese and obese adults (2.35 ± 0.80 [SD] vs 2.39 ± 0.68 L/min). VO(2)peak was higher (P.02) relative to body mass and lean body mass in the nonobese (34 ± 8 mL/min/kg vs 22 ± 5 mL/min/kg, 42 ± 9 mL/min/lean body mass vs 37 ± 6 mL/min/lean body mass). Cardiorespiratory fitness assessed as % predicted was not different in the nonobese and obese (91% ± 17% predicted vs 95% ± 15% predicted) using Equation R, while using Equation W and G, CRF was lower (P.05) but within normal limits in the obese (94 ± 15 vs 87 ± 11; 101% ± 17% predicted vs 90% ± 12% predicted, respectively), depending somewhat on sex.Traditional methods of reporting VO(2)peak do not allow adequate assessment and quantification of CRF in obese adults. Predicted VO(2)peak does allow a normalized evaluation of CRF in the obese, although care must be taken in selecting the most appropriate prediction equation, especially in women. In general, otherwise healthy obese are not grossly deconditioned as is commonly believed, although CRF may be slightly higher in nonobese subjects depending on the uniqueness of the prediction equation.

The relationship between exercise performance and lactate and ventilatory thresholds under two distinct environmental conditions is unknown. We examined the relationships between six lactate threshold methods (blood- and ventilation-based) and exercise performance in cyclists in hot and cool environments. Twelve cyclists performed a lactate threshold test, a maximal O2 uptake (V̇o2max) test, and a 1-h time trial in hot (38°C) and cool (13°C) conditions, before and after heat acclimation. Eight control subjects completed the same tests before and after 10 days of identical exercise in a cool environment. The highest correlations were observed with the blood-based lactate indexes; however, even the indirect ventilation-based indexes were well correlated with mean power during the time trial. Averaged bias was 15.4 ± 3.6 W higher for the ventilation- than the blood-based measures ( P < 0.05). The bias of blood-based measures in the hot condition was increased: the time trial was overestimated by 37.7 ± 3.6 W compared with only 24.1 ± 3.2 W in the cool condition ( P < 0.05). Acclimation had no effect on the bias of the blood-based indexes ( P = 0.51) but exacerbated the overestimation by some ventilation-based indexes by an additional 34.5 ± 14.1 W ( P < 0.05). Blood-based methods to determine lactate threshold show less bias and smaller variance than ventilation-based methods when predicting time-trial performance in cool environments. Of the blood-based methods, the inflection point between steady-state lactate and rising lactate (INFL) was the best method to predict time-trial performance. Lastly, in the hot condition, ventilation-based predictions are less accurate after heat acclimation, while blood-based predictions remain valid in both environments after heat acclimation.

The aim of this study was to explore heat acclimation effects on cutaneous vascular responses and sweating to local ACh infusions and local heating. We also sought to examine whether heat acclimation altered maximal skin blood flow. ACh (1, 10, and 100 mM) was infused in 20 highly trained cyclists via microdialysis before and after a 10-day heat acclimation program [two 45-min exercise bouts at 50% maximal O2 uptake (V̇o2max) in 40°C ( n = 12)] or control conditions [two 45-min exercise bouts at 50% V̇o2max in 13°C ( n = 8)]. Skin blood flow was monitored via laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF), and cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) was calculated as LDF ÷ mean arterial pressure. Sweat rate was measured by resistance hygrometry. Maximal brachial artery blood flow (forearm blood flow) was obtained by heating the contralateral forearm in a water spray device and measured by Doppler ultrasound. Heat acclimation increased %CVCmax responses to 1, 10, and 100 mM ACh (43.5 ± 3.4 vs. 52.6 ± 2.6% CVCmax, 67.7 ± 3.4 vs. 78.0 ± 3.0% CVCmax, and 81.0 ± 3.8 vs. 88.5 ± 1.1% CVCmax, respectively, all P < 0.05). Maximal forearm blood flow remained unchanged after heat acclimation (290.9 ± 12.7 vs. 269.9 ± 23.6 ml/min). The experimental group showed significant increases in sweating responses to 10 and 100 mM ACh (0.21 ± 0.03 vs. 0.31 ± 0.03 mg·cm−2·min−1 and 0.45 ± 0.05 vs. 0.67 ± 0.06 mg·cm−2·min−1, respectively, all P < 0.05), but not to 1 mM ACh (0.13 ± 0.02 vs. 0.18 ± 0.02 mg·cm−2·min−1, P = 0.147). No differences in any of the variables were found in the control group. Heat acclimation in highly trained subjects induced local adaptations within the skin microcirculation and sweat gland apparatus. Furthermore, maximal skin blood flow was not altered by heat acclimation, demonstrating that the observed changes were attributable to improvement in cutaneous vascular function and not to structural changes that limit maximal vasodilator capacity.

Attenuation correction (AC) for myocardial perfusion SPECT (MPS) had not been evaluated separately in women despite specific considerations in this group because of breast photon attenuation. We aimed to evaluate the performance of AC in women by using automated quantitative analysis of MPS to avoid any bias. Methods: Consecutive female patients—134 with a low likelihood (LLk) of coronary artery disease (CAD) and 114 with coronary angiography performed within less than 3 mo of MPS—who were referred for rest–stress electrocardiography-gated 99mTc-sestamibi MPS with AC were considered. Imaging data were evaluated for contour quality control. An additional 50 LLk studies in women were used to create equivalent normal limits for studies with AC and with no correction (NC). An experienced technologist unaware of the angiography and other results performed the contour quality control. All other processing was performed in a fully automated manner. Quantitative analysis was performed with the Cedars-Sinai myocardial perfusion analysis package. All automated segmental analyses were performed with the 17-segment, 5-point American Heart Association model. Summed stress scores (SSS) of ≥3 were considered abnormal. Results: CAD (≥70% stenosis) was present in 69 of 114 patients (60%). The normalcy rates were 93% for both NC and AC studies. The SSS for patients with CAD and without CAD for NC versus AC were 10.0 ± 9.0 (mean ± SD) versus 10.2 ± 8.5 and 1.6 ± 2.3 versus 1.8 ± 2.5, respectively; P was not significant (NS) for all comparisons of NC versus AC. The SSS for LLk patients for NC versus AC were 0.51 ± 1.0 versus 0.6 ± 1.1, respectively; P was NS. The specificity for both NC and AC was 73%. The sensitivities for NC and AC were 80% and 81%, respectively, and the accuracies for NC and AC were 77% and 78%, respectively; P was NS for both comparisons. Conclusion: There are no significant diagnostic differences between automated quantitative MPS analyses performed in studies processed with and without AC in women.

Reactive hyperaemia is the increase in blood flow following arterial occlusion. The exact mechanisms mediating this response in skin are not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the individual and combined contributions of (1) sensory nerves and large-conductance calcium activated potassium (BKCa) channels, and (2) nitric oxide (NO) and prostanoids to cutaneous reactive hyperaemia. Laser-Doppler flowmetry was used to measure skin blood flow in a total of 18 subjects. Peak blood flow (BF) was defined as the highest blood flow value after release of the pressure cuff. Total hyperaemic response was calculated by taking the area under the curve (AUC) of the hyperaemic response minus baseline. Infusates were perfused through forearm skin using microdialysis in four sites. In the sensory nerve/BKCa protocol: (1) EMLA cream (EMLA, applied topically to skin surface), (2) tetraethylammonium (TEA), (3) EMLA + TEA (Combo), and (4) Ringer solution (Control). In the prostanoid/NO protocol: (1) ketorolac (Keto), (2) NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), (3) Keto + l-NAME (Combo), and (4) Ringer solution (Control). CVC was calculated as flux/mean arterial pressure and normalized to maximal flow. Hyperaemic responses in Control (1389 +/- 794%CVC max s) were significantly greater compared to TEA, EMLA and Combo sites (TEA, 630 +/- 512, P = 0.003; EMLA, 421 +/- 216, P < 0.001; Combo, 201 +/- 200, P < 0.001%CVC max s). Furthermore, AUC in Combo (Keto + l-NAME) site was significantly greater than Control (4109 +/- 2777 versus 1295 +/- 368%CVC max s). These data suggest (1) sensory nerves and BKCa channels play major roles in the EDHF component of reactive hyperaemia and appear to work partly independent of each other, and (2) the COX pathway does not appear to have a vasodilatory role in cutaneous reactive hyperaemia.

Post-occlusive and local thermal hyperemia are currently used as integrated tests to study microvascular function in microvascular diseases. However, further pathophysiological insight would require its association with microdialysis. The major limitation remains the microinvasive approach as local anaesthesia prior to fiber insertion could lead to confounding effects. The objective of our study was to determine whether EMLA® cream treatment, applied for 20 min, 40 or 60 min, significantly decreases the pain related to intradermal needle insertions, while not decreasing the microvascular response to post-occlusive and thermal hyperemia 2 h after cream removal. EMLA® cream, when applied during 40 min, induces a significant 75% decrease in the pain following intradermal needle insertion, while not modifying skin post-occlusive and thermal hyperemia 2 h after cream removal. Therefore, we recommend its use in such conditions before performing microdialysis coupled with laser Doppler flowmetry in cohort studies aimed at studying microvascular dysfunction in patients with microvascular diseases.

Cambio 16 fue uno de los muchos semanarios y diarios que ayudaron a crear una opinión pública democrática. Se analiza la influencia que tuvo la revista en la opinión pública de la población española

In this paper we expose a new strategy to deliver the power of a Photovoltaic (or any other energy source of small power) System attached to the main. The object of the implementation of a battery of ultracapacitors in the photovoltaic system is to convert a variable power delivery to constant power. This will improve the energy efficiency by two ways. One is to take advantage of the time in which the system does not work because the power flow is too low (irradiation). Another advantage is that the output power is lower than input power. The last affirmation is obvious showing the next figure 1

Background Alterations in respiratory mechanics predispose healthy obese individuals to low lung volume breathing, which places them at risk of developing expiratory flow limitation (EFL). The high ventilatory demand in endurance-trained obese adults further increases their risk of developing EFL and increases their work of breathing. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and magnitude of EFL in fit obese (FO) adults via measurements of breathing mechanics and ventilatory dynamics during exercise. Methods Ten (seven women and three men) FO (mean ± SD, 38 ± 5 years, 38% ± 5% body fat) and 10 (seven women and three men) control obese (CO) (38 ± 5 years, 39% ± 5% body fat) subjects underwent hydrostatic weighing, pulmonary function testing, cycle exercise testing, and the determination of the oxygen cost of breathing during eucapnic voluntary hyperpnea. Results There were no differences in functional residual capacity (43% ± 6% vs 40% ± 9% total lung capacity [TLC]), residual volume (21% ± 4% vs 21% ± 4% TLC), or FVC (111% ± 13% vs 104% ± 15% predicted) between FO and CO subjects, respectively. FO subjects had higher FEV 1 (111% ± 13% vs 99% ± 11% predicted), TLC (106% ± 14% vs 94% ± 7% predicted), peak expiratory flow (123% ± 14% vs 106% ± 13% predicted), and maximal voluntary ventilation (128% ± 15% vs 106% ± 13% predicted) than did CO subjects. Peak oxygen uptake (129% ± 16% vs 86% ± 15% predicted), minute ventilation (128 ± 35 L/min vs 92 ± 25 L/min), and work rate (229 ± 54 W vs 166 ± 55 W) were higher in FO subjects. Mean inspiratory (4.65 ± 1.09 L/s vs 3.06 ± 1.21 L/s) and expiratory (4.15 ± 0.95 L/s vs 2.98 ± 0.76L/s) flows were greater in FO subjects, which yielded a greater breathing frequency (51 ± 8 breaths/min vs 41 ± 10 breaths/min) at peak exercise in FO subjects. Mechanical ventilatory constraints in FO subjects were similar to those in CO subjects despite the greater ventilatory demand in FO subjects. Conclusion FO individuals achieve high ventilations by increasing breathing frequency, matching the elevated metabolic demand associated with high fitness. They do this without developing meaningful ventilatory constraints. Therefore, endurance-trained obese individuals with higher lung function are not limited by breathing mechanics during peak exercise, which may allow healthy obese adults to participate in vigorous exercise training.