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Background: Burning mouth syndrome is an idiopathic condition characterized by burning pain in a normalappearing oral mucosa lasting at least four to six months. In the case of secondary burning mouth syndrome is associated with local or systemic factors (such as thyroid disorders) that can cause these symptoms. The aim of this review was to study the relationship between thyroid disorders and burning mouth syndrome. Material and Methods: The present study followed the PRISMA guidelines. An electronic search strategy was developed for PubMed/Medline, Scopus and Cochrane. The following combination of keywords and Boolean operators were used: Thyroid AND burning mouth; Thyroid AND burning mouth syndrome; Hypothyroidism AND burning mouth; Hypothyroidism AND burning mouth syndrome; Hyperthyroidism AND burning mouth; Hyperthyroidism AND burning mouth syndrome. The results were processed by existing free software in https:// www.graphpad.com/. To evaluate the association of the categorical variables we used the Fisher test at a level of significance of p-value ≤ 0,05. As a primary summary measure the Odds Ratio (OR) has been used. To analyze the risk of bias the guidelines of the GRADE guide were used and the grade of evidence was analyzed by the guide of Joanna Briggs Institute: Levels of Evidence and Grades of Recommendations. Results: After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 5 studies were selected for review. The Chi-square was 10.92 and the Odds Ratio was 3.31 with respect to TSH values with p

This research study presents the experimental assessment of two sensible heat materials originating from the State of Yucatan, Mexico, which were incorporated into three compartments within an indirect type solar dryer with a storage system (ITSD-TSS). The experimental tests were carried out under different environmental conditions and were compared with the results obtained from a conventional solar dryer without thermal storage. Temperature and humidity were measured during the different tests and various indicators were used to compare both drying systems. The results revealed that the solar dryer that used limestone as storage material indicated better performance than the dryer that utilized beach sand, since the drying efficiency with limestone was higher by 1.55% and allowed to extract 0.0257 kg more water per unit kWh. Similarly, beach sand stored 1.5 times more energy than limestone, however, this material is very susceptible to variations of solar radiation, so it is not recommended to implement it in areas with high cloudiness. Finally, the implementation of the three storage compartments in the ITSD-TSS allowed an increase between 3 and 4% of the drying efficiency as compared to the conventional solar dryer. The findings of the work can contribute to sustainable development in the agricultural drying process in rural communities.

We tested 294 domestic pet dogs in Mexico for neutralizing antibodies for mosquito-borne flaviviruses. We found high (42.6%) exposure to West Nile virus in Reynosa (northern Mexico) and low (1.2%) exposure in Tuxtla Gutierrez (southern Mexico) but very limited exposure to Aedes-borne flaviviruses. Domestic dogs may be useful sentinels for West Nile virus.

Idiopathic toe walking (ITW) is a heterogeneous disorder, which is associated with muscle shortening in lower limbs, pain and neurodevelopmental disorders. We try to study the frequency of clinical features in patients with ITW.Out of 100 patients evaluated with toe walking in a pediatric rehabilitation clinic, 77 (24,7% women) patients were diagnosed with ITW by means of TWT questionnaire. Achilles' tendon shortening with Silfverskiold manoeuvre, pain and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were studied. In the group of patients with pain (n = 30), we studied pain evolution by means of a telephonic interview which assessed intensity, location, school absenteeism and used therapies.Out of 77 patients, 44.2% had family history of toe walking. 37.7% and 9.1% showed Achilles' tendon shortening and Knee flexor shortening, respectively. Confirmed diagnosed of ADHD was present in 9.1% and was suspected in 20.8%. The older the patient was, the higher frequency of pain and the lower passive ankle dorsiflexion. Pain has a moderate-severe intensity, was related with school absenteeism in 42.3% of the patients with pain. Pain was located mainly on the calf, the ankle and the foot. It was treated with physiotherapy, oral pain relievers, orthosis and botulinum toxin type A (BTxA).Pain in ITW is frequent, have a moderate-severe intensity, interferes in normal life and is referred in older children with lower ankle dorsiflexion. We found a common association between ITW and ADHD which points out ITW as alarm sign of learning problems.Dolor y acortamiento aquíleo en pacientes con marcha de puntillas idiopática.Introducción. La marcha de puntillas idiopática (MPI) es una entidad heterogénea que asocia acortamientos musculares en las extremidades inferiores, dolor y trastornos del neurodesarrollo. Pretendemos estudiar la frecuencia de ciertas características clínicas en pacientes diagnosticados de MPI. Pacientes y métodos. De un total de 100 pacientes evaluados por marcha de puntillas en una consulta de rehabilitación infantil, se diagnosticó a 77 pacientes (24,7% mujeres) como con MPI con ayuda del cuestionario Toe Walking Tool. Mediante la maniobra de Silfverskiöld pudo determinarse el acortamiento aquíleo y mediante test adaptados también el dolor y la asociación con el trastorno por déficit de atención/hiperactividad (TDAH). En el grupo con dolor (n = 30), estudiamos su evolución mediante encuesta telefónica evaluando la intensidad, la localización, el absentismo escolar asociado y el tratamiento utilizado. Resultados. De los 77 pacientes, el 44,2% presentó antecedentes familiares de marcha de puntillas, el 37,7% tuvo acortamiento aquíleo y el 9,1%, de los flexores de la rodilla. El 9,1% de ellos tuvo TDAH confirmado y el 20,8%, sólo sospecha. A mayor edad, encontramos mayor frecuencia de dolor y menor ángulo de dorsiflexión pasiva del tobillo. El dolor fue de moderada-alta intensidad, produjo un 42,3% de absentismo escolar y se localizó predominantemente en la pantorrilla, el tobillo y el pie, y se prescribió fisioterapia, analgesia oral, ortesis y/o toxina botulínica principalmente. Conclusiones. El dolor en la MPI es frecuente, de intensidad moderada-alta, interfiere en la vida diaria y es más referido en niños más mayores que asocian menor dorsiflexión del tobillo. Encontramos asociación de la MPI y el TDAH con frecuencia, lo que anima a profundizar más su estudio como signo de alerta.

This paper deals with the problem of finding the optimal location and sizing of Energy Storage Systems in DC-electrified railway lines. These devices increment the use of the regenerated energy produced by the trains in the braking phases, as they store the energy to later provide to the catenary the excess of regenerated energy, that otherwise would be lost in the rheostats. However, these infrastructures require a high initial investment that, in some cases, may question their profitability. We propose a multi-method ensemble meta-heuristic to obtain the optimal solution to the problem, with a high level of accuracy. Specifically, the Coral Reefs Optimization with Substrate Layers (CRO-SL) is proposed, an evolutionary-type approach able to run different search procedures within the same population. We will evaluate the performance of the CRO-SL in the problem, and we will show that it performs better than the best known existing meta-heuristics for this problem.

espanolUno de los retos mas importantes, hoy en dia, en implantologia oral es evitar la perdida osea alrededor de los implantes oseointegrados y funcionales con el paso del tiempo. Una de las superficies que se ha desarrollado en los ultimos anos es la resultante de la microtexturacion mediante laser. Diversos estudios han demostrado la adhesion del tejido conectivo a las superficies tratadas con laser en la zona cervical de los implantes oseointegrados, consiguiendo de este modo un sellado biologico a este nivel. Revisamos lo publicado sobre este tema y presentamos un caso clinico de insercion de un implante unitario con tratamiento laser en su zona cervical desde su colocacion hasta la restauracion final, donde se observa la buena integracion de los tejidos y el exito del caso a largo plazo. EnglishThere are certainly situations where the standard implants can not be placed or suppose a risk for the crestal bone maintenance. The narrow implants have been used for a wide variety of indications, stablishing scientifically-based treatment protocols with excellent long-term results.In the present study we present a narrative review of narrow implants highlighting their indications and limitations, and a case report where narrow implants have been sh it is evident that narrow implants are an alternative when rehabilitate edentulous spaces with low available bone in the horizontal direction or reduced mesio-distal spaces in aesthetic areas.

espanolExisten determinadas situaciones donde los implantes, considerados estandar, no se pueden colocar o suponen un riesgo para el mantenimiento de la cresta marginal. Los implantes de diametro estrecho se han empleado para numerosas indicaciones, estableciendose protocolos de tratamiento, cientificamente fundamentados, con excelentes resultados a largo plazo. En el presente trabajo presentamos una revision historica de los implantes estrechos, destacando sus indicaciones y limitaciones y presentamos un caso clinico en el que se han mostrado utiles. CASO CLINICO. Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 59 anos de edad, con antecedentes de cancer de mama en el 2008, que precisa la extraccion de los cuatro incisivos supriores. El caso se resuelve con dos implantes estrechos postextraccion y protesis inmediata para preservar el aspecto estetico. Conclusiones. En el caso que presentamos se evidencia que los implantes estrechos son una alternativa cuando rehabilitamos espacios edentulos con poca disponibilidad osea en el sentido horizontal o espacios mesio-distales reducidos en zonas esteticas. EnglishThere are certainly situations where the standard implants can not be placed or suppose a risk for the cres-tal bone maintenance. The narrow implants have been used for a wide variety of indications, stablishing scientifically-based treatment protocols with excellent long-term results.In the present study we present a narrative review of narrow implants highlighting their indications and limitations, and a case report where narrow implants have been shown useful. CASE REPORT. A 59-year-old woman case report is presented, with a breast cancer history in 2008, who required the extraction of the four upper incisors. The case is solved with two post-extraction narrow im plants and an immediate prosthesis to preserve aesthetics.

Narrow-diameter implants (NDIs) traditionally have been associated to higher rates of failure in comparison with regular-diameter implants (RDIs) and wide-diameter implants (WDIs), since they generate a more unfavorable stress distribution in peri-implant bone. However, it is well known that the load sharing effect associated with prostheses supported by multiple implants (also called splinted prostheses) affords mechanical benefits. The present study involves finite element analysis (FEA) to determine whether the risks linked to NDIs could be mitigated by the mechanical advantages afforded by the splinting concept. For this purpose, a three-dimensional (3D) model of a real maxilla was reconstructed from computed tomography (CT) images, and different implants (NDIs, RDIs and WDIs) and prostheses were created using computer-aided design (CAD) tools. Biting forces were simulated on the prostheses corresponding to three different rehabilitation solutions: single-implant restoration, three-unit bridge and all-on-four treatment. Stress distribution around the implants was calculated, and overloading in bone was quantified within peri-implant volumes enclosed by cylinders with a diameter 0.1 mm greater than that of each implant. The mechanical benefits of the splinting concept were confirmed: the peri-implant overloaded volume around NDIs splinted by means of the three-unit bridge was significantly reduced in comparison with the nonsplinted condition and, most importantly, proved even smaller than that around nonsplinted implants with a larger diameter (RDIs). However, splinted NDIs supporting the all-on-four prosthesis led to the highest risk of overloading found in the study, due to the increase in compressive stress generated around the tilted implant when loading the cantilevered molar.

Nowadays, one of the strategies that are being applied in DC railway networks to improve energy efficiency is the installation of Reversible Substations or Energy Storage Systems. The assessment of their impact on the network consumption is typically based on simulation. The accuracy of the results provided by the simulations relies on the accuracy of the models used. This paper focuses on the traffic model used in electric railway simulators. A preliminary literature review has shown that, in most cases, the traffic models of electric railway simulators involve too many simplifications that can lead to non-accurate results. This lack of accuracy can have a great impact in the assessment of the infrastructure improvements, reason why a more accurate traffic model is proposed. The proposed traffic model includes different headways, different time shifts at terminal stations, non-constant dwell times, different train speed profiles and a specific module of the traffic regulation system in real time. The energy saving resulting from the installation of a Reversible Substation obtained with both models –the one used in the literature and the one proposed in this paper– has been compared to illustrate the risk of using a too simplified traffic model. The comparison shows that the simplified model used in the literature produces non-accurate enough estimations of the energy saving.

What is known and objective This study developed a population pharmacokinetic (PK) model of levetiracetam (LEV) for treating neonatal seizures (NS) and determined the influence of clinically relevant covariates to explain the interindividual variability and residual error. Methods Twenty newborns admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Hospital Central "Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto" were included. LEV doses were administered by intermittent infusion. Blood samples were drawn 3 times post-infusion. Levetiracetam was quantified by a chromatographic technique. NONMEM software was used to determine the population PK model of LEV in neonates and the influence of clinical covariates on drug disposition. Results and discussion The LEV PK in neonates is described by a one-compartment open model with first-order elimination. The influence of creatinine clearance (CRCL) and body weight (BW) on clearance (CL[L/h] = 0.47*CRCL), as well as the volume of the distribution (Vd[L] = 0.65*BW) of LEV, were confirmed, considering interindividual variabilities of 36% and 22%, respectively, and a residual error of 13%. What is new and conclusion Based on the PK of LEV in neonates and the influence of the final PK model, a priori dosing guidelines are proposed considering CRCL, BW and LEV plasma concentrations between 6 and 20 mg/L for NS treatment.

Installing Energy Storage Systems (ESSs) to improve electrical infrastructures of Direct-current (DC) railway systems implies considerable investments that must be assessed carefully. Therefore, it is often necessary to combine detailed railway simulations and decision support mechanisms. Unfortunately, most examples in the literature deal with this topic applying only a single-stage optimization approach: the whole installation is undertaken in a single step, assuming the total budget is available. This paper presents a comprehensive methodology to assess the gradual deployment of the installations when the budget is split into different time periods. This approach is a common situation in real projects and has not been studied yet in the literature. Most often, this type of multi-stage problem is tackled by optimizing each stage independently. On the contrary, this paper proposes to take decisions considering the global impact of each stage optimization, rendering a more efficient solution. This paper proposes a multi-stage formulation of two nature-inspired optimization algorithms (Genetic and Fireworks) to address the installation of ESSs in a realistic railway line. Results demonstrate the excellent behavior of the proposed multi-stage optimization.

Osteomyelitis is an infection and inflammation associated with the bone structures: bone marrow, cortical bone, periosteum, blood vessels and nerves. Although it does not have a frequent presentation, it can sometimes lead to complications such as pathological fractures or even septicemia. We present a clinical case study, to assess the relationship between osteomyelitis of the jaw and pathological fractures, after the extraction of an impacted wisdom tooth. This case highlights a rare complication following the surgical removal of mandibular third molar; a slow evolution of the pathology following an extraction should lead to close monitoring of the patient both clinically and radiographically, albeit osteomyelitis is a rare complication, it should be included as one of the differential diagnosis of persistent post-extraction pain.

The electrical infrastructure of DC-electrified mass transit systems (MTSs) is currently under review. The improvement of MTS infrastructure is commonly tackled by means of optimisation studies. These optimisers usually take large times to obtain their solutions, mainly due to the traffic scenarios that must be taken into account. The optimisation time may be reduced by increasing the sampling time used to obtain the traffic scenarios. However, due to the fast acceleration and braking cycles in MTSs, it is not clear to which extent the sampling time may be increased. In the majority of cases, this parameter is simply set to 1 s. To tackle this concern, this paper presents a compression algorithm which makes it possible to thoroughly reduce the number of snapshots to be included in a given traffic scenario with good energy-saving accuracy figures. The traffic-scenario compressor presented is performed in two stages: a first step finds clusters of similar snapshots in the uncompressed traffic scenario; then a second stage searches for a specific set of trains’ positions and powers that may be directly included in the traffic model used in the optimisation study. The results obtained have shown that the compressor makes it possible to obtain an 80% optimisation-time reduction for a given traffic scenario with a total energy-saving error lower than 5%.

This paper presents an MTS electrical infrastructure optimizer which is based on the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. The goal of the optimizer consists of finding the optimal locations and sizes of a set of reversible power substations that will make it possible to have more energy-efficient MTSs. The optimization model includes detailed traffic and cost models to obtain reliable results for the MTS operator from the investment standpoint. The careful design of the PSO parameters leads to an optimized trade-off between exploration and exploitation of the infrastructure improvement search space. As a result, the optimizer is able to reach good infrastructure improvement solutions supported by a vast volume of traffic scenarios in a reasonable time.

During the summer of 1995 and subsequent years, bark cankers were observed in walnut trees (cv. Hartley grafted on Juglans hindsii) imported from California in 1978 growing in Badajoz, Spain. Two foci were found in an orchard of 200 ha where 80 walnut trees were affected. Cankers were observed on trunks and branches, and dark exudates staining the bark appeared mainly in summer. Isolations were performed from affected tissue using King's B medium, and Brenneria (Erwinia)-like colonies (1) were purified and characterized. Gram reaction, Kovacs' oxidase, O/F metabolism, aesculin hydrolysis, urease activity, and levan production were assayed for five isolates (1). Biochemical characterization was performed by the miniaturized API 20E, API 20NE, and API 50CH systems (BioMérieux, Marcy-l'Etoile, France) as recommended, except for incubations that were made at 25°C for 48 h. Analyses of the cellular fatty acids of selected isolates were performed as described by Sasser (2). They were also tested in indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using antisera obtained against the reference strain CFBP 1284 and one Spanish isolate. When compared to the reference strain from California, isolates were identified as Brenneria rubrifaciens (1,3) on the basis of physiological and biochemical characteristics, fatty acid profiles, and ELISA. Pathogenicity of two selected Spanish isolates was confirmed using three 2-year-old walnut trees per bacterial isolate by inoculating 108 CFU of each isolate in deep wounds made in the trunk at 40 and 80 cm from the crown. The reference strain and water were also inoculated as controls. Two months later, removal of the outer bark of walnut revealed typical dark lesions in the inner bark at all the inoculation sites on trees inoculated with the Spanish and reference strains, but no external cankers were observed. Four years later, these plants showed internal lesions (20 to 80 cm), from which B. rubrifaciens was reisolated far away from the inoculation site. To our knowledge this is the first report of this bacterium in Europe. References: (1) L. Hauben et al. Syst. Appl. Microbiol 21:384, 1998. (2) M. Sasser. Pages 199–204 in: Methods in Phytobacteriology. Budapest, Hungary, 1990. (3) E. Wilson et al. Phytopathology 57:618, 1966.

Introduction Idiopathic toe walking (ITW) is a heterogeneous disorder, which is associated with muscle shortening in lower limbs, pain and neurodevelopmental disorders. We try to study the frequency of clinical features in patients with ITW. Patients and methods Out of 100 patients evaluated with toe walking in a pediatric rehabilitation clinic, 77 (24,7% women) patients were diagnosed with ITW by means of TWT questionnaire. Achilles' tendon shortening with Silfverskiold manoeuvre, pain and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were studied. In the group of patients with pain (n = 30), we studied pain evolution by means of a telephonic interview which assessed intensity, location, school absenteeism and used therapies. Results Out of 77 patients, 44.2% had family history of toe walking. 37.7% and 9.1% showed Achilles' tendon shortening and Knee flexor shortening, respectively. Confirmed diagnosed of ADHD was present in 9.1% and was suspected in 20.8%. The older the patient was, the higher frequency of pain and the lower passive ankle dorsiflexion. Pain has a moderate-severe intensity, was related with school absenteeism in 42.3% of the patients with pain. Pain was located mainly on the calf, the ankle and the foot. It was treated with physiotherapy, oral pain relievers, orthosis and botulinum toxin type A (BTxA). Conclusions Pain in ITW is frequent, have a moderate-severe intensity, interferes in normal life and is referred in older children with lower ankle dorsiflexion. We found a common association between ITW and ADHD which points out ITW as alarm sign of learning problems.

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Calvo-Guirado JL, López-López PJ, Pérez-Albacete Martínez C, Javed F, Granero-Marín JM, Maté Sánchez de Val JE, Ramírez Fernández MP. Peri-implant bone loss clinical and radiographic evaluation around rough neck and microthread implants: a 5-year study. Clin Oral Implants Res. 2018 Jun;29(6):635-643.], which has been published in final form at 10.1111/clr.12775. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. Objective: To evaluate marginal bone loss over 5 years around microthreaded implants placed in the maxillary anterior/esthetic zone and immediate restored with non-occlusal loading. Materials and methods: Seventy-one implants (with microthreads up to the platform-rough surface body and neck, internal connection and platform switching) were placed in healed bone in the maxillary arches of 30 men and 23 women (mean age 37.85 7.09 years, range 27–60). All subjects had at least 3 mm of soft tissue to allow the establishment of adequate biologic width and to reduce bone resorption. Each patient received a provisional restoration immediately after implant placement with slight occlusal contact. Mesial and distal bone height was evaluated using digital radiography on the day following implant placement (baseline) and after 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years. Primary stability was measured with resonance frequency analysis. Results: No implants failed, resulting in a cumulative survival rate of 100% after 3 years. Marginal bone loss from implant collar to bone crest measured at baseline (peri-implant bone defect at the fresh extraction socket) and after 5 years was 0.90 mm 0.26 mm. Mesial and distal site crestal bone loss ranged from 3.42 1.2 mm at baseline to 3.51 1.5 mm after 5 years and from 3.38 0.9 mm at baseline to 3.49 0.9 mm after 5 years, respectively (P = 0.086). Conclusions: The results of this study showed limited implant crestal bone loss 0.90 mm 0.26 mm and 100% of implant survival rate at 5-year follow-up of immediate restored implants with rough surface neck and microthreads. Odontología

Improving the railway electrical infrastructure of DC railway systems with the installation of Reversible Substations (RSSs) or Energy Storage systems (ESSs) implies considerable investments that must be carefully studied. In this decision-making process, the use of electrical multi-train simulators is fundamental, in order to make accurate estimations about the potential energy savings that can be obtained. One of the main modules of these simulators is the traffic model, which represents the real operation conditions. Despite its importance, the majority of studies in the literature propose very simplified traffic models and only some recent research propose accurate models for traffic with small perturbations (being the perturbations the deviations with respect to the commercial timetable). Nevertheless, there is no research in the literature about traffic models with large perturbations, although this type of perturbations are common in certain moments of the day (usually in peak hours) and their impact in the energy consumption is high. Therefore, this paper proposes a traffic model for large perturbations and shows the impact that this traffic model may have in the estimations of the energy saving with an illustrative case study. The case study offers a comparison among the energy saving results associated with the installation of an RSS obtained with three different traffic models: the simplified traffic model more extended in the literature, the realistic traffic model for small perturbations proposed by recent research and the realistic traffic model for large perturbations of this paper. The results show that the differences in the energy saving estimations obtained with the different models are very significant.

Given the fact that new guidelines from the American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC) propose important changes in the definition of hypertension, from equal or greater than 140/90mmHg to equal or greater than 130/80mmHg, major debate has been generated about the diagnostic criteria and the treatment of high blood pressure (HBP). In addition, these guidelines recommend that in order to achieve control of hypertension the goal should be a reading lower than 130/80mmHg. These new figures will significantly increase the amount of individuals considered hypertensive, some of whom will need more medication to achieve the new goal. This paradigm has led to questioning the goal's clinical applicability given the enormous financial burden that would result from treating millions of new hypertensive patients. The academic validity of the AHA-ACC guidelines has also been questioned given the fact that the recommendations emerged basically from results obtained from a single study with important methodological differences compared to the majority of studies carried out previously. Furthermore, its outcomes are inconsistent with those of previous studies. This conflict has led to some scientific institutions, such as the Latin American Society of Hypertension (LASH), continuing to adhere to the previous recommendations.

Infectious diseases are a threat to human population. Governments around the world invest a lot of money on research of health area. Artificial intelligence techniques are useful to simulate real scenarios and save in public spending. In this paper, the authors present an agent based model of behavior and activities of individuals, according to a set schedule in a population within an urban environment, which is useful for innovation labs. The authors report results on simulations of the AH1N1 influenza epidemic outbreak of 2009 in Toluca, Mexico. Conclusions indicate that the population density implies that a higher concentration of people corresponds to a higher probability of contagion. This parameter is influenced by the activities and interactions that the agents have within the simulation. The proposed model allows a broader perspective to the analysis of infectious disease in a population describing the behavior and interactions among individuals.

Altres ajuts: We acknowledge the contribution of the children and their families who generously collaborated to build the gait dataset used in this study. We are also grateful to Michael R. Paul for kindly editing the English style of this manuscript. The acquisition and processing of gait data were funded by Escuela de Fisioterapia de la ONCE-UAM, through a private donation, and Agencia de Evaluación de Tecnologías Sanitarias (Instituto de Salud Carlos III), . Cerebral palsy is a physical impairment stemming from a brain lesion at perinatal time, most of the time resulting in gait abnormalities: the first cause of severe disability in childhood. Gait study, and instrumental gait analysis in particular, has been receiving increasing attention in the last few years, for being the complex result of the interactions between different brain motor areas and thus a proxy in the understanding of the underlying neural dynamics. Yet, and in spite of its importance, little is still known about how the brain adapts to cerebral palsy and to its impaired gait and, consequently, about the best strategies for mitigating the disability. In this contribution, we present the hitherto first analysis of joint kinematics data using permutation entropy, comparing cerebral palsy children with a set of matched control subjects. We find a significant increase in the permutation entropy for the former group, thus indicating a more complex and erratic neural control of joints and a non-trivial relationship between the permutation entropy and the gait speed. We further show how this information theory measure can be used to train a data mining model able to forecast the child's condition. We finally discuss the relevance of these results in clinical applications and specifically in the design of personalized medicine interventions.

Nowadays transport system is one of the most important producers of air pollution in cities. Urban railways and electric vehicle will play a fundamental role to accomplish the sustainability of cities. Urban railways are right now an efficient mode of transport. However it is necessary to continue improving its energy efficiency in view of the demand growth. On the other hand, electric vehicles need a charging infrastructure to support their market penetration. In this context, the use of the railway electrical infrastructure to charge electric vehicles could bring several benefits. First of all, there is a cost reduction effect because of the use of an existing installation. Besides, part of the regenerated energy that cannot be accepted by other trains can be used to charge electric vehicles, improving the efficiency of the global system. In this paper, a new system for the global energy management between the railway infrastructure and the electric vehicles is proposed. Besides, the global energy savings that can be obtained using railway electrical infrastructure to charge electric vehicles has been assessed.

The study of energy consumption is fundamental for railway systems in general and for DC electrified railway systems in particular. It plays an important role in order to design a proper dimensioning of traction Substations (SSs). DC electrical multi-train simulators allow studying a lot of electrical variables that are related to energy consumption and, therefore, to electrical dimensioning. One of the main inputs to the electrical simulator is the traffic data. This research studies two new variables which improve the information of the traffic data and analyzes their possible influence on energy consumption and, consequently, on the SSs dimensioning. These variables are: a) dwell time in the stations, b) time shift in terminal stations. In order to reduce simulation time, the simulation has been divided into two stages. At the first stage a large number of simplified simulations with a lot of combinations of dwell time and time shift is performed. At the second stage, the most representative scenarios obtained with the simplified simulations are simulated in the detailed electrical simulator. Results show that the simulations obtained with the addition of these new variables make it possible to obtain more realistic consumption values. This, in turn, allows a more accurate dimensioning of the SSs and a consequent reduction of their size (e.g. a reduction between 50% and 66.7% in the transformers size).

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Romanos GE, Delgado-Ruiz RA, Go mez-Moreno G, Lo pez- Lo pez PJ, Mate Sanchez de Val JE, Calvo-Guirado JL. Role of mechanical compression on bone regeneration around a particulate bone graft material: an experimental study in rabbit calvaria. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 00, 2015; 1–8., which has been published in final form at [10.1111/clr.12592I]. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. Purpose: This experimental study was designed to analyze the effect of different compressive forces on the bone regeneration around a particulate bone graft material. Material and methods: Eighty 6-mm-diameter defects were created in the calvaria of 20 New Zealand rabbits (4 defects per rabbit calvaria). All the defects were filled with particles of synthetic bone. Two standardized compressive forces were then applied, 4.1 g to half the defects (Test A) and 8.2 g to the other half (Test B), all for 1 min. The graft sites were allowed to heal for 6 weeks, after which the rabbits were euthanized. The calvarium vault of each animal was extracted, radiographed, and prepared for histomorphometric analysis. The percentage of defect fill, bone density, new bone formation, and residual bone graft material were recorded, and the results were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: Histological evaluation found that defect closure among the Test A (lower compression) group ranged from 38.34 (95% lower CI) to 55.8 (95% upper CI) (mean 47 8.5%), while among the Test B group (higher compression), it ranged from 81.26 (95% lower CI) to 95.32 (mean 88 7.3%). Significantly more closure was achieved for the Test B group (P < 0.05). Histomorphometric comparison of the two groups found significantly more new bone formation, higher bone density, and a higher percentage of defect fill in the defects subjected to the higher compression level (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Increasing the compressive force applied to bone graft particulate used to fill small defects created in rabbit calvaria appears to be beneficial. Odontología

Among the different approaches for minimising the energy consumption of mass transit systems (MTSs), a common concern for MTS operators is the improvement of the electrical infrastructure. The traffic on the lines under analysis is one of the most important inputs to the studies devoted to improving MTS infrastructure, since it represents where and how frequently it is possible to save energy. However, on the one hand, MTS electrical studies usually simplify the traffic model, which may lead to a misrepresentation of the energy interactions between trains. On the other hand, if the stochastic traffic is rigorously modelled, the size of the simulation problem could grow excessively, which in turn could make the time to obtain results unmanageable. To cope with this issue, this paper presents a method to obtain a reduced-size set of representative scenarios. Firstly, a traffic model including the most representative stochastic traffic variables is developed. Secondly, a function highly correlated with energy savings is proposed to make it possible to properly characterise the traffic scenarios. Finally, this function is used to select the most representative scenarios. The representative scenario set obtained by the application of this method is shown to be sufficiently accurate with a limited number of scenarios. The traffic approach in this paper improves the accuracy with respect to the usual traffic approach used in the literature.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this animal study was to compare the effects of narrow, concave-straight and wide anatomic healing abutments on changes to soft tissues and crestal bone levels around implants immediately placed into extraction sockets in foxhound dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-eight titanium implants (Bredent Medical GMBH, Germany) of the same dimensions were placed in six foxhound dogs. They were divided into two groups (n = 24): test (implants with anatomic abutment) and control (implants with concave-straight abutment). The implants were inserted randomly in the post extraction sockets of P2 , P3 , P4, and M1 bilaterally in six dogs. After eight and twelve weeks, the animals were sacrificed and samples extracted containing the implants and the surrounding soft and hard tissues. Soft tissue and crestal bone loss (CBL) were evaluated by histology and histomorphometry. RESULTS All implants were clinically and histologically osseointegrated. Healing patterns were examined microscopically at eight and twelve weeks. After eight and twelve weeks, for hard tissues, the distance from the implant shoulder to the first bone-to-implant contact (IS-C) was higher for control group in the lingual aspect with statistical significance (P

Energy and environmental sustainability in transportation have become crucial in recent decades. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change?s Fifth Assessment Report (AR5), the transport sector accounted for 27% of the final energy use and 6.7 gigatons of CO2 direct emissions in 2010, with baseline CO2 emissions projected to approximately double by 2050. Reductions in total transport CO2 emissions of 15?40% compared to baseline growth could be achieved in 2050. In this context, railway systems are growing steadily more important in developed countries. Their high energy efficiency makes them preferable to other transportation methods, both for passengers and freight. In the case of passengers, they are able to move a large number of people without local emissions, thus reducing pollution. Electrified railway lines also contribute to the use of renewable energy sources.

For transportation in large cities, new technologies that impact the operation of metro-transit systems are being developed. The energy efficiency in metro-transit systems is a key topic that is being studied in order to reduce both consumption and costs. A review on approaches to managing the energy recovered from train braking is reported. Then, energy performance indexes are presented. Their assessment is possible due to highly specialized simulation tools that have been developed at the University of Rome Sapienza and Comillas Pontifical University, Madrid. The indexes are used to perform a comparison between an operational metro-line in Spain and one in Italy. The results confirm their accuracy and significant improvements in energy efficiency and environmental effects are presented.

The peripheral giant cell granuloma (PGCG) is a benign exophytic lesion of the oral cavity. Its etiology is unknown but is associated with a local irritative or aggressive factor. The highest incidence is observed between 40-60 years, although lesions have been reported at all ages and are most commonly associated with the female sex. The treatment consists of complete excision and subsequent pathological examination of the lesion. The aim of this paper is to present the diagnosis and treatment of a case of peripheral giant cell granuloma (PGCG). The success of the case as well as its clinical and radiographic follow-up is discussed in relation to the published literature.

Railway rapid transit systems are key stones for the sustainability of mass transit in developed countries. The overwhelming majority of these railway systems are direct-current (DC) electrified and several energy-saving techniques have been proposed in the literature for these systems. The use of regenerative-braking in trains is generally recognised as the main tool to improve the efficiency of DC-electrified mass transit railway systems but the energy recovered in braking cannot always be handled efficiently, above all in low traffic-density situations. Several emerging technologies as energy storage systems or reversible traction substations have the potential for making it possible to efficiently use train-braking. However, a systematic evaluation of their effect is missing in the literature. In this paper, a deep, rigorous and comprehensive study on the factors which affect energy issues in a DC-electrified mass transit railway system is carried out. This study clarifies what the actual potential is for energy saving in each situation. Then, a methodology to asses several energy-saving techniques to improve energy efficiency in DC-electrified mass transit systems is presented, constituting the main contribution of this paper. This methodology has been conceived to help operators in assessing the effect of railway-infrastructure emerging technologies in transit systems, so making it possible to shape planning, capacity, etc. It is stepped out in three basic movements. First of all, a traffic-density scan analysis is conducted in order to clarify the effect of the headway on system behaviour. Secondly, several traffic-density scenarios are simulated for a set of infrastructure-expanded cases. Finally, annual energy saving is evaluated by applying a realistic operation timetable. This methodology has been applied to a case study in Madrid Metro (Spain) to illustrate the steps of its application and the effect of several energy-saving techniques on this specific system. Results confirm that regenerative braking generally leads to an important increase of system energy efficiency – especially at high traffic-density scenarios. It has also been proved that infrastructure improvements can also contribute to energy savings and their contributions are more significant at low traffic densities. Annual energy results have been obtained, which may lead to investment decisions by carrying out an appropriate economic assessment based on cost analysis. The main results of the study presented here are likely to apply to other electric traction systems, at least qualitatively.

Objectives The aim of the present study was to compare crestal bone loss with different implant designs inserted immediately in crestal or subcrestal position in post-extraction sockets in a dog model. Materials and methods The mandibular second, third, fourth premolars, and the first molars of six adult fox hound dogs were extracted bilaterally, and 48 implants were placed immediately in both hemi-arches of each dog. Randomly, eight implants (sky classic (®) and blue sky (®) ) were inserted, four crestally (control group) and four 2 mm subcrestally (test group). Both groups were treated with a minimal mucoperiosteal flap elevation approach. After a 12-week healing period, the animals were sacrificed, and samples were obtained. Biopsies were processed for ground sectioning. Histomorphometric analysis was carried out to compare buccal and lingual bone height loss. Results All implants were clinically and histologically osseointegrated. Healing patterns examined microscopically at eight and 12 weeks for both groups (crestal and subcrestal) yielded similar qualitative bone findings. At 12 weeks, the distance from the top of the implant collar to the first BIC (ISBc) showed significant difference between implant positions (crestal or subcrestal) in the buccal aspect (P = 0.1253), values for the crestal group being higher (1.79 ± 0.3 mm) in comparison with the subcrestal group (0.89 ± 0.5 mm). Better results were achieved by both implant designs when implants were placed in the deeper position. No significant differences were found in BIC values (P > 0.05). The total BIC at 8 weeks was (46.22 ± 4.29%) for the crestal group and (49.72 ± 2.21%) for the subcrestal group; at 12 weeks, it was (41.54 ± 3.87%) for the crestal group and (56.87 ± 3.46%) for the subcrestal group. Conclusions Within the limitations of this study, the findings suggest that apical positioning of the top of the implant does not jeopardize bone crest and peri-implant tissue remodeling. However, less resorption of the lingual and buccal crest may be expected when implants are placed 2 mm subcrestally, but this is not related to implant design. Moreover, implants placed subcrestally produced better bone-to-implant contact measurements.

Resumen La toxina del alacran Rhopalurus junceus ha sido objeto de multiples estudios, esta investigacion se propuso como objetivo central, determinar si la picadura accidental del alacran R. junceus puede ser asociada a una predisposicion a no padecer de cancer, se realizo una investigacion a 37 personas que han desarrollado desarrollaron una sintomatologia clara, abundante, bien definida, en sintomas locales, generales y mentales tras la picadura accidental precisando en ellos los antecedentes familiares y personales encontrandose como principales resultados una baja incidencia de tumores malignos en los familiares en ambos sexos, solo una entrevistada presento el antecedente de tumor de colon con una sobrevida de 30 anos, los entrevistados mostraron una variada y rica sintomatologia desencadenada por la toxina de R. junceus.

Resumen: Introducción: El análisis instrumental de marcha (AIM) es una tecnología de uso creciente en la evaluación de trastornos motores infantiles. La evaluación de pacientes requiere una base de referencia de normalidad, pero existen pocas referencias infantiles españolas. Objetivo: Descripción de 16 variables de marcha de relevancia clínica en una muestra de referencia de escolares sanos. Estudio de sus relaciones lineales y asimetrías izquierda-derecha. Sujetos y métodos: Se midieron con AIM 16 variables de marcha en escolares sanos (n = 27, 5-13 años). Se estudiaron las asimetrías en cada variable (t de Student, muestras dependientes) y sus intervalos de confianza (95% de la media de diferencia estandarizada derecha menos izquierda, dz). Se representaron los valores y las asociaciones entre variables mediante «heatmap». Resultados: Se aportan tablas de normalidad para 16 variables del ciclo de marcha. Son significativamente asimétricos los valores medios de flexión mínima de cadera (dz: 0,25 IC del 95%, 0,11-0,39) y de máxima abducción de cadera en el balanceo (dz: -1,05 IC del 95%, –1,71; –0,27). Existen asociaciones funcionales entre las variables de marcha. Conclusiones: Presentamos una muestra de normalidad de escolares españoles donde se observan asimetrías entre los lados izquierdo y derecho y organización funcional entre sus variables. Abstract: Introduction: Instrumental gait analysis is an emerging technology used increasingly to evaluate motor disorders in children. Normal reference data is necessary in order to evaluate patients, but there are few reference resources for the Spanish paediatric population. Objective: We aim to describe the values of 16 clinically relevant gait variables in healthy Spanish schoolchildren, and identify any linear associations or left-right asymmetries. Subjects and methods: The values of 16 gait variables were determined in schoolchildren (n = 27, aged 5-13 years) using instrumental gait analysis. We analysed asymmetries for each variable (Student's t-test for dependent samples) and calculated their confidence intervals (95% of the standardised difference in right and left means [SMD]). Values and associations between variables were represented using a heat map. Results: Our project presents normal values tables for 16 variables in the gait cycle. Significant asymmetries were detected in the mean values for minimum hip flexion (SMD: 0.25 95% CI, 0.11-0.39) and peak hip abduction in swing (SMD: −1.05 95% CI: −1.71- − 0.27). Functional associations among gait variables are present. Conclusions: We present a reference dataset for Spanish school-aged children in which left-right asymmetries and functional associations may be observed for different variables. Palabras clave: Análisis multivariante, Marcha, Niño, Salud, Movimiento, Keywords: Multivariate analysis, Gait, Children, Health, Movement

Introduction: Instrumental gait analysis is an emerging technology used increasingly to evaluate motor disorders in children. Normal reference data is necessary in order to evaluate patients, but there are few reference resources for the Spanish paediatric population. Objective: We aim to describe the values of 16 clinically relevant gait variables in healthy Spanish schoolchildren, and identify any linear associations or left–right asymmetries. Subjects and methods: The values of 16 gait variables were determined in schoolchildren (n = 27, aged 5–13 years) using instrumental gait analysis. We analysed asymmetries for each variable (Student's t-test for dependent samples) and calculated their confidence intervals (95% of the standardised difference in right and left means [SMD]). Values and associations between variables were represented using a heat map. Results: Our project presents normal values tables for 16 variables in the gait cycle. Significant asymmetries were detected in the mean values for minimum hip flexion (SMD: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.11–0.39) and peak hip abduction in swing (SMD: −1.05; 95%: CI −1.71 to −0.27). Functional associations among gait variables are present. Conclusions: We present a reference dataset for Spanish school-aged children in which left–right asymmetries and functional associations may be observed for different variables. Resumen: Introducción: El análisis instrumental de marcha (AIM) es una tecnología de uso creciente en la evaluación de trastornos motores infantiles. La evaluación de pacientes requiere una base de referencia de normalidad, pero existen pocas referencias infantiles españolas. Objetivo: Descripción de 16 variables de marcha de relevancia clínica en una muestra de referencia de escolares sanos. Estudio de sus relaciones lineales y asimetrías izquierda-derecha. Sujetos y métodos: Se midieron con AIM 16 variables de marcha en escolares sanos (n = 27, 5–13 años). Se estudiaron las asimetrías en cada variable (t de Student, muestras dependientes) y sus intervalos de confianza (95% de la media de diferencia estandarizada derecha menos izquierda, dz). Se representaron los valores y las asociaciones entre variables mediante “heatmap”. Resultados: Se aportan tablas de normalidad para 16 variables del ciclo de marcha. Son significativamente asimétricos los valores medios de flexión mínima de cadera (dz: 0,25; IC del 95%: 0,11–0,39) y de máxima abducción de cadera en el balanceo (dz: −1,05; IC del 95%: −1,71, −0,27). Existen asociaciones funcionales entre las variables de marcha. Conclusiones: Presentamos una muestra de normalidad de escolares españoles donde se observan asimetrías entre los lados izquierdo y derecho y organización funcional entre sus variables. Keywords: Multivariate analysis, Gait, Children, Health, Movement, Palabras clave: Análisis multivariante, Marcha, Niño, Salud, Movimiento

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the residual root and peri implant bone dimensions on the clinical success of the socket shield technique. Thirty-six dental implants were installed in 6 dogs. The clinical crowns of teeth P3, P4 and M1 were beheaded. Afterwards, the roots were worn down 2–3 mm in apical direction until they were located at crestal level. Posterior implant beds were prepared in the center of the roots passing by 3 mm apically forming 6 groups in accordance to the remaining root thickness. Radiography of the crestal bone level was performed on day 0 and after 12 weeks. Histomorphometric analyses of the specimens were car- ried out to measure the crestal bone level, the bone to implant contact and the buccal and lingual bone thickness at the implant shoulder portion. Correlations between groups were analyzed through nonpara- metric Friedman test, statistical significance was set as p < 0.05. All 36 implants were osseointegrated, but 3 samples showed a clinical inflammatory reaction and some radicular fragments presented a small resorption process. On the buccal and lingual side, the radicular fragment was attached to the buccal bone plate by a physiologic periodontal ligament. In the areas where there was space between the implant and the fragment, newly formed bone was demonstrated directly on the implant surface. Within the limitations of an animal pilot study, root-T belt technique may be beneficial in preserving and protecting the bundle bone and preservation of soft tissues. If the thickness of the buccal bone is 3 mm, and the thickness of the remaining root fragment is 2 mm, the socket shield technique is more predictable and the bone contours can be maintained. Odontología

his is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Calvo-Guirado JL, Lo pez-Lo pez PJ, Dom ınguez MF, Gos alvez MM, Prados-Frutos JC, Gehrke SA. Histologic evaluation of new bone in post-extraction sockets induced by melatonin and apigenin: an experimental study in American fox hound dogs. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 00, 2016, 1–9 doi: 10.1111/clr.12866], which has been published in final form at [ 10.1111/clr.12866]. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of topical applications of melatonin and apigenin (40,5,7-trihydroxyflavone) on new bone formation in post-extraction sockets after 30, 60 and 90 days. Materials and methods: Six American fox hounds were used in the study, extracting mandibular premolars (P2, P3 and P4) and first molar (M1). Melatonin or apigenin impregnated in collagen sponges were applied at P3, P4 and M1 sites in both hemimandibles; P2 sites were used as control sites. Bone biopsies were taken at 30, 60 and 90 days and stained with hematoxylin–eosin. Results: At 30 days, a higher percentage of immature bone was observed in the control group (58.11 1.76%) than in the apigenin (34.11 1.02%) and melatonin groups (24.9 0.14%) with significant differences between the three groups (P < 0.05). At 60 days, results were significantly better at melatonin sites (10.34 1.09%) than apigenin (19.22 0.35%) and control sites (36.7 1.11%) (P < 0.05). At 90 days, immature bone percentages were similar for all groups. New bone formation was higher in melatonin group (79.56 1.9%) than apigenin (68.89 1.5%) and control group (58.87 0.12%). Conclusions: Topical applications of either melatonin or apigenin have a potential to accelerate bone tissue in early healing stages; melatonin was seen to have stimulated bone maturation to a greater extent at the 60 days of follow-up. Odontología

Resumen Ha crecido el interes de la comunidad internacional por el estudio de las propiedades medicinales del veneno de ciertos alacranes. En Cuba, quiza el mas estudiado es Rhopalurus junceus. Esto nos motivo a determinar los sintomas tras la picadura del escorpion cubano, precisando los sintomas propios del evento agudo asi como las manifestaciones despues de tomar el medicamento bajo una formulacion homeopatica. Se realizo una investigacion-accion en varias comunidades del municipio de la Cienaga de Zapata, provincia de Matanzas, zona endemica del escorpion azul cubano, en el periodo de julio a octubre de 2011. La muestra fue de 22 casos, predominaron los varones, que trabajan en actividades forestales; la mayoria de eventos se dio en verano y con tiempo lluvioso; se recogieron 48 sintomas, de ellos 11 mentales, 31 sintomas locales, 5 modalidades generales y 1 sintoma raro, hubo manifestaciones sintomaticas luego de la toma del medicamento en formulacion homeopatica de menor intensidad y corta duracion, reaparecieron 13 sintomas.

Interpolation techniques are usually employed in the yield maps generation. In this article, a method based in spatial low-pass filtering is presented and compared with interpolation techniques. The method consists in the application of low-pass filters typically used for image processing. The yield map is constructed in a similar way to a Digital Elevation Model (DEM), except for the fact that heights represent crop quantities.

Objetivos: presentar nuestra experiencia con los defectos herniarios atipicos en edad pediatrica y revisar la bibliografia al respecto. Material y metodos: estudio retrospectivo descriptivo de pacientes diagnosticados de hernia entre el ano 2002 y 2012 en nuestro centro. Se excluyeron los diagnosticos de hernia inguinal, umbilical y epigastrica. Resultados: se registraron seis pacientes: cuatro diagnosticados de hernia crural, uno de hernia de Spiegel y uno de hernia lumbar. El diagnostico se realizo mediante la exploracion fisica de tumoracion reductible en diferentes regiones anatomicas. Se solicito ecografia en el caso de hernia de Spiegel por teste izquierdo no palpable asociado y en dos casos de hernia crural por sospecha de incarceracion. Como antecedentes personales, dos pacientes con hernia crural asociaban hernia inguinal y un paciente con hernia crural presento quiste de cordon ipsilateral. Se realizo cierre primario en todos los casos, salvo en el paciente con hernia de Spiegel, en el que fue preceptiva la laparoscopia para el descenso del teste intraabdominal izquierdo, no precisando herniorrafia por interposicion de plano muscular que reforzaba el defecto. Dos casos de hernia crural recidivaron, por lo que precisaron la colocacion de una malla de polipropileno en el defecto, y en otro caso de hernia crural se constato hernia crural contralateral. Conclusiones: los diferentes tipos de hernias se diagnostican por la localizacion anatomica de una tumoracion reductible que se palpa en exploracion fisica, siendo su tratamiento quirurgico una indicacion tras su diagnostico debido a un mayor riesgo de complicaciones que en adultos. Es necesaria la valoracion de un cirujano pediatrico ante cualquier defecto de pared abdominal independiente de su localizacion.

Railway mass transit systems like subways play a fundamental role in the concept of sustainable cities. In these systems, the amount of passengers strongly fluctuates along the day. Hence, in order to provide a proper service without incurring disproportionate energy consumption, operation at different traffic densities is required. The majority of underground systems are DC-electrified. Standard DC voltages in railway systems are low for historical and safety reasons. In the rush hours, the large number of trains demanding power of the system may lead to overloaded substations and voltage dips. This problem is partially mitigated by means of substation-transformer tap regulation, which allows operators to increase the no-load voltage. High no-load voltage has a beneficial effect at all traffic-density scenarios in terms of transmission losses. However, at the same time it effectively reduces the system’s capacity to absorb regenerated energy, which may lead to inefficient energy consumption figures during off-peak hours. In this paper, the sensitivity of system energy consumption to no-load voltage has been analyzed. Several traffic-density scenarios in a case-study system are explored. As a result, a scheduled no-load voltage scheme is proposed for the operation of the system. This operation strategy improves energy efficiency without incurring a high investment cost. The only costs related to this proposed method are the costs of wear-and-tear in tap-changers. In case there are devices such as energy storage systems installed in the system, there would be additional operation costs related to a simultaneous update of the voltage limits for their operation.