Consensus recommendations on training and competing in the heat.

Exercising in the heat induces thermoregulatory and other physiological strain that can lead to impairments in endurance exercise capacity. The purpose of this consensus statement is to provide up-to-date recommendations to optimize performance during sporting activities undertaken in hot ambient conditions. The most important intervention one can adopt to reduce physiological strain and optimize performance is to heat acclimatize. Heat acclimatization should comprise repeated exercise-heat exposures over 1-2 weeks. In addition, athletes should initiate competition and training in a euhydrated state and minimize dehydration during exercise. Following the development of commercial cooling systems (e.g., cooling vest), athletes can implement cooling strategies to facilitate heat loss or increase heat storage capacity before training or competing in the heat. Moreover, event organizers should plan for large shaded areas, along with cooling and rehydration facilities, and schedule events in accordance with minimizing the health risks of athletes, especially in mass participation events and during the first hot days of the year. Following the recent examples of the 2008 Olympics and the 2014 FIFA World Cup, sport governing bodies should consider allowing additional (or longer) recovery periods between and during events for hydration and body cooling opportunities when competitions are held in the heat.

Euskofarma : Aplicación Android para búsqueda de farmacias en el País Vasco

EuskoFarma es una aplicación Android para buscar las farmacias en el País Vasco. Se pueden seleccionar farmacias por provincia o localidad. La aplicación permite filtrar por un radio de búsqueda, marcar/desmarcar farmacias como favoritas, realizar llamadas a las farmacias y ver la ruta a seguir desde la posición del usuario hasta la farmacia seleccionada.

La percusión corporal como estímulo para alumnos con déficit de atención y concentración

El objetivo de este estudio es desarrollar un protocolo de actividades a través del Método BAPNE con alumnos con dificultades de aprendizaje para la estimulación de la atención, concentración y memoria. Con ello queremos demostrar los beneficios que posee la percusión corporal a través de esta metodología y su relación con la creatividad y aprendizaje por proyectos. Con actividades muy específicas elaboradas por un grupo de investigación organizado por neurólogos y docentes ofrecemos nuevas vías de innovación docente para aplicar a diferentes colectivos educativos. El estudio se articula bajo unos objetivos centrados en la mejora de la capacidad de abstracción, percepción, atención, observación, concentración y aprendizaje. De forma paralela realizamos especial énfasis en la estimulación de la memoria sensorial (a través de los sentidos), memoria a cortoplazo (inmediata y de trabajo) y en la memoria a largo plazo (episódica, semántica y procedimental). La batería de actividades sugeridas se combina para trabajar asociaciones, secuencias, actividades sensomotrices, repeticiones y descripciones corporales, combinaciones motoras a nivel biomecánico, capacidad de atención y de observación, lenguaje, relajaciones, visualizaciones y percepciones espacio - temporales. Así , sugerimos un modo de trabajo lo más holístico posible para ayudar a personas con problemas de atención y memoria.

Task-induced deactivation from rest extends beyond the default mode brain network

Activity decreases, or deactivations, of midline and parietal cortical brain regions are routinely observed in human functional neuroimaging studies that compare periods of task-based cognitive performance with passive states, such as rest. It is now widely held that such task-induced deactivations index a highly organized"default-mode network" (DMN): a large-scale brain system whose discovery has had broad implications in the study of human brain function and behavior. In this work, we show that common task-induced deactivations from rest also occur outside of the DMN as a function of increased task demand. Fifty healthy adult subjects performed two distinct functional magnetic resonance imaging tasks that were designed to reliably map deactivations from a resting baseline. As primary findings, increases in task demand consistently modulated the regional anatomy of DMN deactivation. At high levels of task demand, robust deactivation was observed in non-DMN regions, most notably, the posterior insular cortex. Deactivation of this region was directly implicated in a performance-based analysis of experienced task difficulty. Together, these findings suggest that task-induced deactivations from rest are not limited to the DMN and extend to brain regions typically associated with integrative sensory and interoceptive processes.

Effects of CPAP on oxidative stress and nitrate efficiency in sleep apnoea: a randomised trial.

Background: Previous studies have presented contradictory data concerning obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS), lipid oxidation and nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. This study was undertaken to (1) compare the concentration of 8-isoprostane and total nitrate and nitrite (NOx) in plasma of middle-aged men with OSAS and no other known co-morbidity and healthy controls of the same age, gender and body mass index; and (2) test the hypothesis that nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy attenuates oxidative stress and nitrate deficiency. Methods: A prospective, randomised, placebo controlled, double-blind, crossover study was performed in 31 consecutive middle-aged men with newly diagnosed OSAS and 15 healthy control subjects. Patients with OSAS were randomised to receive sham CPAP or effective CPAP for 12 weeks. Blood pressure, urinary catecholamine levels and plasma 8-isoprostane and NOx concentrations were obtained before and after both treatment modalities. Results: Patients with OSAS had significantly higher 8-isoprostane levels (median (IQR) 42.5 (29.2-78.2) vs 20.0 (12.5-52.5) pg/ml, p = 0.041, Mann-Whitney test) and lower NOx levels (264 (165-650) vs 590 (251- 1465) mmol/l, p = 0.022) than healthy subjects. Body mass index, blood pressure and urinary catecholamines were unchanged by CPAP therapy, but 8-isoprostane concentrations decreased (38.5 (24.2-58.7) pg/ml at baseline vs 22.5 (16.2-35.3) pg/ml on CPAP, p = 0.0001) and NOx levels increased (280 (177-707) vs 1373 (981-1517) mmol/l, p = 0.0001) after CPAP. Conclusions: OSAS is associated with an increase in oxidative stress and a decrease in NOx that is normalised

Seroprevalence of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in wild rodents from the Canary Islands

Background: Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a lungworm of rats (Muridae) that is the causative agent of human cerebral angiostrongyliasis. The life cycle of A. cantonensis involves rats and mollusks as the definitive and intermediate hosts, respectively. This study was designed to increase the knowledge about the occurrence and distribution of A. cantonensis in its definitive host in the Canary Islands, using parasitological and serological analysis in different areas and age groups.Methodology/Principal Findings: Between 2009 and 2010, 54 black rats (Rattus rattus) from Tenerife were captured from six human-inhabited areas and sera samples were obtained. The lung nematodes were identified by morphological and molecular tools as A. cantonensis. The 31-kDa glycoprotein antigen was purified from A. cantonensis adult worms by electrophoresis and electroelution. Of the 54 tested rodents, 30 showed IgG antibodies against A. cantonensis 31-kDa antigen by ELISA. Therefore, the overall seroprevalence was 55.6% (95% CI: 42.4-68). Seroprevalent rodents were found in all the 6 areas. This 31-kDa antigen was not recognized by some sera of rats infected by other helminth species (but not A. cantonensis). Seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against A. cantonensis and prevalence based on the presence of adult worms showed significant correlation (R2 = 0.954, p,0.05). Conclusions/Significance: The present results could indicate a high prevalence of A. cantonensisin Tenerife and suggest the inclusion of two new zones in the distribution area of the parasite. The commonness and wide distribution of A. cantonensis in rats implies the presence of intermediate hosts, indicating that humans may be at risk of getting infected.

Salvador Espriu i la Universitat de Barcelona. D'arqueòleg frustrat a Doctor honoris causa.

Parlar de la relació de Salvador Espriu amb la Universitat de Barcelona és donar a aquesta institució l"autèntic paper d"Alma Mater, de mare nutrícia, que tantes vegades se li atribueix i que en tan poques s"acompleix. Lluny del senil desencís que traspua la seva carta d"acceptació del doctorat honoris causa que li va ser concedit l"any 1980, d"altra banda lúcid testimoni i testament de la seva experiència acadèmica estroncada, hem de baixar als seus anys juvenils, universitaris, per retrobar un Salvador Espriu optimista, alegre, vital, enginyós i punyent, ple d"il·lusions.

Influencia de la atmosfera de sinterizacion en la estabilidad termica de ceramicas de hidroxiapatita reforzadas con circona

En este trabajo se estudia la influencia de la atmósfera de sinterización sobre la estabilidad térmica de cerámicas de hidroxiapatita (HA) reforzadas con partículas de circona parcialmente estabilizada con magnesia (Mg-PSZ). Los cuerpos verdes fueron obtenidos por prensado uniaxial y las sinterizaciones se realizaron en aire y en oxígeno húmedo. El estudio por difracción de rayos-X y espectroscopía infrarroja permitió comprobar que la atmósfera húmeda evita la descomposición de la hidroxiapatita, todo lo contrario a lo que sucede en aire donde es evidente la presencia del zirconato cálcico (CZ) en la interfaz entre la partícula de circona y la matriz de HA. La caracterización microestructural de los materiales por Microscopía Electrónica de Barrido permitió apreciar el desarrollo de tamaño de grano de los materiales sinterizados. El estudio del comportamiento mecánico mediante ensayos de indentación reveló un aumento de la tenacidad a la fractura en el caso de los materiales que presentaban Mg-PSZ con respecto a la HA pura.

Demand-based structural change and balanced economic growth

[eng] We analyze the equilibrium of a multi-sector exogenous growth model where the introduction of minimum consumption requirements drives structural change. We show that equilibrium dynamics simultaneously exhibt structural change and balanced growth of aggregate variables as is observed in US when the initial intensity of minimum consumption requirements is sufficiently small. This intensity is measured by the ratio between the aggregate value of the minimum consumption requirements and GDP and, therefore, it is inversely related with the level of economic development. Initially rich economies benefit from an initially low intensity of the minimum consumption requirements and, as a consequence, these economies end up exhibiting balanced growth of aggregate variables, while there is structural change. In contrast, initially poor economies suffer from an initially large intensity of the minimum consumption requirements, which makes the growth of the aggregate variables unbalanced during a very large period. These economies may never exhibit simultaneously balanced growth of aggregate variables and structural change.

Demand-based structural change and balanced economic growth

[eng] We analyze the equilibrium of a multi-sector exogenous growth model where the introduction of minimum consumption requirements drives structural change. We show that equilibrium dynamics simultaneously exhibt structural change and balanced growth of aggregate variables as is observed in US when the initial intensity of minimum consumption requirements is sufficiently small. This intensity is measured by the ratio between the aggregate value of the minimum consumption requirements and GDP and, therefore, it is inversely related with the level of economic development. Initially rich economies benefit from an initially low intensity of the minimum consumption requirements and, as a consequence, these economies end up exhibiting balanced growth of aggregate variables, while there is structural change. In contrast, initially poor economies suffer from an initially large intensity of the minimum consumption requirements, which makes the growth of the aggregate variables unbalanced during a very large period. These economies may never exhibit simultaneously balanced growth of aggregate variables and structural change.

Building Partnerships and Fostering Activities to Promote English Outside the Classroom

Becoming proficient in at least one foreign language is a target for educational authorities throughout Europe. The question is how we can improve our students’ command of English without increasing the workload on teachers and without much funding. In El Prat de Llobregat, a city located in the vicinity of Barcelona, we have addressed that issue by creating a group of teachers, educational advisors and city council administrators, who have been acting in a coordinated way to enhance English language exposure beyond the classroom. Our interest in promoting English stems from our location: our municipality is situated next to an international airport where finding a job is bound to be dependent on English fluency. We aim to show that, through a network of members at school and administrative levels, an array of meaningful and empowering initiatives can be implemented in a city where resources are scarce and cultural backgrounds diverse.

Reducción del vector de características de reconocimiento facial

In this present work, we are proposing a characteristics reduction system for a facial biometric identification system, using transformed domains such as discrete cosine transformed (DCT) and discrete wavelets transformed (DWT) as parameterization; and Support Vector Machines (SVM) and Neural Network (NN) as classifiers. The size reduction has been done with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and with Independent Component Analysis (ICA). This system presents a similar success results for both DWT-SVM system and DWT-PCA-SVM system, about 98%. The computational load is improved on training mode due to the decreasing of input’s size and less complexity of the classifier.

Alzheimer Disease Diagnosis based on Automatic Spontaneous Speech Analysis

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of progressive degenerative dementia and it has a high socio-economic impact in Western countries, therefore is one of the most active research areas today. Its diagnosis is sometimes made by excluding other dementias, and definitive confirmation must be done trough a post-mortem study of the brain tissue of the patient. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to improvement of early diagnosis of AD and its degree of severity, from an automatic analysis performed by non-invasive intelligent methods. The methods selected in this case are Automatic Spontaneous Speech Analysis (ASSA) and Emotional Temperature (ET), that have the great advantage of being non invasive, low cost and without any side effects.

Spontaneous Speech and Emotional Response modeling based on One-class classifier oriented to Alzheimer Disease diagnosis

The purpose of our project is to contribute to earlier diagnosis of AD and better estimates of its severity by using automatic analysis performed through new biomarkers extracted from non-invasive intelligent methods. The methods selected in this case are speech biomarkers oriented to Sponta-neous Speech and Emotional Response Analysis. Thus the main goal of the present work is feature search in Spontaneous Speech oriented to pre-clinical evaluation for the definition of test for AD diagnosis by One-class classifier. One-class classifi-cation problem differs from multi-class classifier in one essen-tial aspect. In one-class classification it is assumed that only information of one of the classes, the target class, is available. In this work we explore the problem of imbalanced datasets that is particularly crucial in applications where the goal is to maximize recognition of the minority class as in medical diag-nosis. The use of information about outlier and Fractal Dimen-sion features improves the system performance.