Response of cardiac autonomic modulation after a single exposure to musical auditory stimulation

The acute effects after exposure to different styles of music on cardiac autonomic modulation assessed through heart rate variability (HRV) analysis have not yet been well elucidated. We aimed to investigate the recovery response of cardiac autonomic modulation in women after exposure to musical auditory stimulation of different styles. The study was conducted on 30 healthy women aged between 18 years and 30 years. We did not include subjects having previous experience with musical instruments and those who had an affinity for music styles. The volunteers remained at rest for 10 min and were exposed to classical baroque (64-84 dB) and heavy metal (75-84 dB) music for 10 min, and their HRV was evaluated for 30 min after music cessation. We analyzed the following HRV indices: Standard deviation of normal-to-normal (SDNN) intervals, root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), percentage of normal-to-normal 50 (pNN50), low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), and LF/HF ratio. SDNN, LF in absolute units (ms (2) ) and normalized (nu), and LF/HF ratio increased while HF index (nu) decreased after exposure to classical baroque music. Regarding the heavy metal music style, it was observed that there were increases in SDNN, RMSSD, pNN50, and LF (ms (2) ) after the musical stimulation. In conclusion, the recovery response of cardiac autonomic modulation after exposure to auditory stimulation with music featured an increased global activity of both systems for the two musical styles, with a cardiac sympathetic modulation for classical baroque music and a cardiac vagal tone for the heavy metal style.

Effects of the extract and glycoalkaloids of Solanum lycocarpum St. Hill on Giardia lamblia trophozoites

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Onset of quadriceps and torque variation in individuals with patellofemoral pain during stair ascent

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Late clinical outcomes after implantation of drug-eluting stents coated with biodegradable polymers: 3-year follow-up of the PAINT randomised trial

Aims: The long-term clinical performance of drug-eluting stents (DES) coated with biodegradable polymers is poorly known. Methods and results: A total of 274 coronary patients were randomly allocated to paclitaxel-eluting stents, sirolimus-eluting stents, or bare metal stems (2:2:1 ratio). The two DES used the same biodegradable polymers and were identical except for the drug. At three years, the pooled DES population had similar rates of cardiac death or myocardial infarction (9.0% vs. 7.1; p=0.6), but lower risk of repeat interventions (10.0% vs. 29.9%; p<0.01) than controls with bare stents. The cumulative 3-year incidence of definite or probable stent thrombosis in the pooled DES group was 2.3% (first year: 1.8%; second year: 0.4%; third year: zero). There were no significant differences in outcomes between paclitaxel- and sirolimus-eluting stents. Conclusions: The biodegradable-polymer coated DES releasing either paclitaxel or sirolimus were effective in reducing the 3-year rate of re-interventions.

Numerical optimization,modeling and system evaluation of a thermophotovoltaic hybrid panel

Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels generally produce electricity in the 6% to 16% efficiency range, the rest being dissipated in thermal losses. To recover this amount, hybrid photovoltaic thermal systems (PVT) have been devised. These are devices that simultaneously convert solar energy into electricity and heat. It is thus interesting to study the PVT system globally from different point of views in order to evaluate advantages and disadvantages of this technology and its possible uses. In particular in Chapter II, the development of the PVT absorber numerical optimization by a genetic algorithm has been carried out analyzing different internal channel profiles in order to find a right compromise between performance and technical and economical feasibility. Therefore in Chapter III ,thanks to a mobile structure built into the university lab, it has been compared experimentally electrical and thermal output power from PVT panels with separated photovoltaic and solar thermal productions. Collecting a lot of experimental data based on different seasonal conditions (ambient temperature,irradiation, wind...),the aim of this mobile structure has been to evaluate average both thermal and electrical increasing and decreasing efficiency values obtained respect to separate productions through the year. In Chapter IV , new PVT and solar thermal equation based models in steady state conditions have been developed by software Dymola that uses Modelica language. This permits ,in a simplified way respect to previous system modelling softwares, to model and evaluate different concepts about PVT panel regarding its structure before prototyping and measuring it. Chapter V concerns instead the definition of PVT boundary conditions into a HVAC system . This was made trough year simulations by software Polysun in order to finally assess the best solar assisted integrated structure thanks to F_save(solar saving energy)factor. Finally, Chapter VI presents the conclusion and the perspectives of this PhD work.

Terapie sistemiche dell'epatocarcinoma (HCC): dalla preclinica alla clinica

Introduzione Attualmente i principali punti critici del trattamento dell’HCC avanzato sono: 1) la mancanza di predittori di risposta alla terapia con sorafenib, 2) lo sviluppo resistenze al sorafenib, 3) la mancanza di terapie di seconda linea codificate. Scopo della tesi 1) ricerca di predittori clinico-laboratoristici di risposta al sorafenib in pazienti ambulatoriali con HCC; 2) valutazione dell’impatto della sospensione temporanea-definitiva del sorafenib in un modello murino di HCC mediante tecniche ecografiche; 3) valutazione dell’efficacia della capecitabina metronomica come seconda linea dell’HCC non responsivo a sorafenib. Risultati Studio-1: 94 pazienti con HCC trattato con sorafenib: a presenza di metastasi e PVT-neoplastica non sembra inficiare l’efficacia del sorafenib. AFP basale <19 ng/ml è risultata predittrice di maggiore sopravvivenza, mentre lo sviluppo di nausea di una peggiore sopravvivenza. Studio -2: 14 topi con xenografts di HCC: gruppo-1 trattato con placebo, gruppo-2 trattato con sorafenib con interruzione temporanea del farmaco e gruppo-3 trattato con sorafenib con sospensione definitiva del sorafenib. La CEUS targettata per il VEGFR2 ha mostrato al giorno 13 valori maggiori di dTE nel gruppo-3 confermato da un aumento del VEGFR2 al Western-Blot. I tumori del gruppo-2 dopo 2 giorni di ritrattamento, hanno mostrato un aumento dell’elasticità tissutale all’elastonografia. Studio-3:19 pazienti trattati con capecitabina metronomica dopo sorafenib. Il TTP è stato di 5 mesi (95% CI 0-10), la PFS di 3,6 mesi (95% CI 2,8-4,3) ed la OS di 6,3 mesi (95% CI 4-8,6). Conclusioni Lo sviluppo di nausea ed astenia ed AFP basale >19, sono risultati predittivi di una minore risposta al sorafenib. La sospensione temporanea del sorafenib in un modello murino di HCC non impedisce il ripristino della risposta tumorale, mentre una interruzione definitiva tende a stimolare un “effetto rebound” dell’angiogenesi. La capecitabina metronomica dopo sorafenib ha mostrato una discreta attività anti-neoplastica ed una sicurezza accettabile.

Structure, Dynamics and Reactivity in the Organic Solid State: Anthracene Derivatives and Charge Transfer Crystals

The work presented in this thesis tackles some important points concerning the collective properties of two typical categories of molecular crystals, i.e., anthracene derivatives and charge transfer crystals. Anthracene derivatives have constituted the class of materials from which systematical investigations of crystal-to-crystal photodimerization reactions started, developed and have been the subject of a new awakening in the recent years. In this work some of these compounds, namely, 9-cyanoanthacene, 9-anthacenecarboxylic acid and 9-methylanthracene, have been selected as model systems for a phenomenological approach to some key properties of the solid state, investigated by spectroscopic methods. The present results show that, on the basis of the solid state organization and the chemical nature of each compound, photo-reaction dynamics and kinetics display distinctive behaviors, which allows for a classification of the various processes in topochemical, non topochemical, reversible or topophysical. The second part of the thesis was focused on charge transfer crystals, binary systems formed by stoichiometric combinations of the charge donating perylene (D) and the charge accepting tetracyano-quinodimethane (A), this latter also in its fluorinated derivatives. The work was focused on the growth of single crystals, some of which not yet reported in the literature, by PVT technique. Structural and spectroscopic characterizations have been performed, with the aim of determining the degree of charge transfer between donor and acceptor in the co-crystals. An interesting outcome of the systematic search performed in this work is the definition of the experimental conditions which drive the crystal growth of the binary systems either towards the low (1:1) or the high ratio (3:1 or 3:2) stoichiometries.

Seawater carbonate chemistry, community calcification and photosynthesis during experiments with coral reefs at Shiraho reef, Ishigaki Island, southwest Japan, 2009

Seven coral reef communities were defined on Shiraho fringing reef, Ishigaki Island, Japan. Net photosynthesis and calcification rates were measured by in situ incubations at 10 sites that included six of the defined communities, and which occupied most of the area on the reef flat and slope. Net photosynthesis on the reef flat was positive overall, but the reef flat acts as a source for atmospheric CO2, because the measured calcification/photosynthesis ratio of 2.5 is greater than the critical ratio of 1.67. Net photosynthesis on the reef slope was negative. Almost all excess organic production from the reef flat is expected to be effused to the outer reef and consumed by the communities there. Therefore, the total net organic production of the whole reef system is probably almost zero and the whole reef system also acts as a source for atmospheric CO2. Net calcification rates of the reef slope corals were much lower than those of the branching corals. The accumulation rate of the former was approximately 0.5 m kyr?1 and of the latter was ~0.7-5 m kyr?1. Consequently, reef slope corals could not grow fast enough to keep up with or catch up to rising sea levels during the Holocene. On the other hand, the branching corals grow fast enough to keep up with this rising sea level. Therefore, a transition between early Holocene and present-day reef communities is expected. Branching coral communities would have dominated while reef growth kept pace with sea level rise, and the reef was constructed with a branching coral framework. Then, the outside of this framework was covered and built up by reef slope corals and present-day reefs were constructed.

Geochemistry and kinetic models od Cretaceous samples

The source rock potential of Cretaceous organic rich whole rock samples from deep sea drilling project (DSDP) wells offshore southwestern Africa was investigated using bulk and quantitative pyrolysis techniques. The sample material was taken from organic rich intervals of Aptian, Albian and Turonian aged core samples from DSDP site 364 offshore Angola, DSDP well 530A north of the Walvis Ridge offshore Namibia, and DSDP well 361 offshore South Africa. The analytical program included TOC, Rock-Eval, pyrolysis GC, bulk kinetics and micro-scale sealed vessel pyrolysis (MSSV) experiments. The results were used to determine differences in the source rock petroleum type organofacies, petroleum composition, gas/oil ratio (GOR) and pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) behavior of hydrocarbons generated from these black shales for petroleum system modeling purposes. The investigated Aptian and Albian organic rich shales proved to contain excellent quality marine kerogens. The highest source rock potential was identified in sapropelic shales in DSDP well 364, containing very homogeneous Type II and organic sulfur rich Type IIS kerogen. They generate P-N-A low wax oils and low GOR sulfur rich oils, whereas Type III kerogen rich silty sandstones of DSDP well 361 show a potential for gas/condensate generation. Bulk kinetic experiments on these samples indicate that the organic sulfur contents influence kerogen transformation rates, Type IIS kerogen being the least stable. South of the Walvis Ridge, the Turonian contains predominantly a Type III kerogen. North of the Walvis Ridge, the Turonian black shales contain Type II kerogen and have the potential to generate P-N-A low and high wax oils, the latter with a high GOR at high maturity. Our results provide the first compositional kinetic description of Cretaceous organic rich black shales, and demonstrate the excellent source rock potential, especially of the Aptian-aged source rock, that has been recognized in a number of the South Atlantic offshore basins.

A CAD framework for the characterization and use of Memristor models

In the recent years the missing fourth component, the memristor, was successfully synthesized. However, the mathematical complexity and variety of the models behind this component, in addition to the existence of convergence problems in the simulations, make the design of memristor-based applications long and difficult. In this work we present a memristor model characterization framework which supports the automated generation of subcircuit files. The proposed environment allows the designer to choose and parameterize the memristor model that best suits for a given application. The framework carries out characterizing simulations in order to study the possible non-convergence problems, solving the dependence on the simulation conditions and guaranteeing the functionality and performance of the design. Additionally, the occurrence of undesirable effects related to PVT variations is also taken into account. By performing a Monte Carlo or a corner analysis, the designer is aware of the safety margins which assure the correct device operation.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation activates specific regions in rat brain

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive technique to induce electric currents in the brain. Although rTMS is being evaluated as a possible alternative to electroconvulsive therapy for the treatment of refractory depression, little is known about the pattern of activation induced in the brain by rTMS. We have compared immediate early gene expression in rat brain after rTMS and electroconvulsive stimulation, a well-established animal model for electroconvulsive therapy. Our result shows that rTMS applied in conditions effective in animal models of depression induces different patterns of immediate-early gene expression than does electroconvulsive stimulation. In particular, rTMS evokes strong neural responses in the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) and in other regions involved in the regulation of circadian rhythms. The response in PVT is independent of the orientation of the stimulation probe relative to the head. Part of this response is likely because of direct activation, as repetitive magnetic stimulation also activates PVT neurons in brain slices.

Comparison of Lattice-Fluid Binary Parameters For Mixtures and Block Copolymers

The aim of this report is to discuss the method of determination of lattice-fluid binary interaction parameters by comparing well characterized immiscible blends and block copolymers of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(ϵ−caprolactone) (PCL). Experimental pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) data in the liquid state were correlated with the Sanchez—Lacombe (SL) equation of state with the scaling parameters for mixtures and copolymers obtained through combination rules of the characteristic parameters for the pure homopolymers. The lattice-fluid binary parameters for energy and volume were higher than those of block copolymers implying that the copolymers were more compatible due to the chemical links between the blocks. Therefore, a common parameter cannot account for both homopolymer blend and block copolymer phase behaviors based on current theory. As we were able to adjust all data of the mixtures with a single set of lattice-binary parameters and all data of the block copolymers with another single set we can conclude that both parameters did not depend on the composition for this system. This characteristic, plus the fact that the additivity law of specific volumes can be suitably applied for this system, allowed us to model the behavior of the immiscible blend with the SL equation of state. In addition, a discussion on the relationship between lattice-fluid binary parameters and the Flory–Huggins interaction parameter obtained from Leibler's theory is presented.

The Modelling of Photovoltaic, Solar Thermal, and Photovoltaic/Thermal Domestic Hot Water Systems

Solar heating of potable water has traditionally been accomplished through the use of solar thermal (ST) collectors. With the recent increases in availability and lower cost of photovoltaic (PV) panels, the potential of coupling PV solar arrays to electrically heated domestic hot water (DHW) tanks has been considered. Additionally, innovations in the SDHW industry have led to the creation of photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) collectors, which heat water using both electrical and thermal energy. The current work compared the performance and cost-effectiveness of a traditional solar thermal (ST) DHW system to PV-solar-electric DHW systems and a PV/T DHW system. To accomplish this, a detailed TRNSYS model of the solar hot water systems was created and annual simulations were performed for 250 L/day and 325 L/day loads in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Halifax, and Calgary. It was shown that when considering thermal performance, PV-DHW systems were not competitive when compared to ST-DHW and PVT-DHW systems. As an example, for Toronto the simulated annual solar fractions of PV-DHW systems were approximately 30%, while the ST-DHW and PVT-DHW systems achieved 65% and 71% respectively. With current manufacturing and system costs, the PV-DHW system was the most cost-effective system for domestic purposes. The capital cost of the PV-DHW systems were approximately $1,923-$2,178 depending on the system configuration, and the ST-DHW and PVT system were estimated to have a capital cost of $2,288 and $2,373 respectively. Although the capital cost of the PVT-DHW system was higher than the other systems, a Present Worth analysis for a 20-year period showed that for a 250 L/day load in Toronto the Present Worth of the PV/T system was approximately $4,597, with PV-DHW systems costing approximately $7,683-$7,816 and the ST-DHW system costing $5,238.

Portal cavernoma cholangiopathy : case report and systematic review

Trabalho Final do Curso de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 2014