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Numerous work has been done with the aim of modeling the cracking of reinforced concrete (RC) structures. Among the recent methods proposed in the literature, the combination of reinforcement-concrete equilibrium combined with the linear behavior of the interface leads to a Helmholtz equation which takes account of the slip between the homogenized reinforcements and the concrete in presence of localized cracks [1][2]. In the case of large cracks openings, it is necessary to consider the non-linear behaviors of material and interfaces, such as the plasticity of reinforcements or the damage of the matrix-reinforcement interface. These phenomena induce variations of the coefficients in the Helmholtz equation, which leads to two levels of iterative procedures: one at a global level considering equilibrium of homogenized RC, and another one at a non-local level taking account of equilibrium between reinforcement and concrete. The implementation of a convergence criterion is then needed at each level. The goal of this paper is to describe the developments implemented in the Finite Element code Cast3m to perform non-local Helmholtz type calculations with non-constant coefficients. This method, using an acceleration method [3] is illustrated by the cases of reinforced concrete tie and beam, with homogenized reinforcements. References : [1] A. Sellier and A. Millard, “A homogenized formulation to account for sliding of non-meshed reinforcements during the cracking of brittle matrix composites: Application to reinforced concrete,” Eng. Fract. Mech., vol. 213, pp. 182–196, May 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.engfracmech.2019.04.008. [2] A. Sellier and A. Millard, “Traitement numérique non local de phénomènes physiques par l’équation d’Helmholtz : les effets d’échelle et le glissement renfort-matrice,” in Club Cast3M 2018, Paris, 2018, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 12–18. Available: http://www-cast3m.cea.fr/html/ClubCast3m/club2018/Presentation_Sellier.pdf. [3] A. C. Aitken, “On the iterative solution of a system of linear equations.,” Proc. Roy. Sot. Edinburgh, pp. 52–60, 1950.

Given two arbitrary almost periodic functions with associated Fourier exponents which are linearly independent over the rational numbers, we prove that the existence of a common open vertical strip $V$, where both functions assume the same set of values on every open vertical substrip included in $V$, is a necessary and sufficient condition for both functions to have the same region of almost periodicity and to be $^*$-equivalent or Bohr-equivalent. This result represents the converse of Bohr's equivalence theorem for this particular case., 13 pages

Based on an equivalence relation that was established recently on exponential sums, in this paper we study the class of functions that are equivalent to the Riemann zeta function in the half-strip $\{s\in\mathbb{C}:\operatorname{Re}s>1\}$. In connection with this class of functions, we first determine the value of the maximum abscissa from which the images of any function in it cannot take a prefixed argument. The main result shows that each of these functions experiments a vortex-like behavior in the sense that the main argument of its images varies indefinitely near the vertical line $\operatorname{Re}s=1$. In particular, regarding the Riemann zeta function $\zeta(s)$, for every $\sigma_0>1$ we can assure the existence of a relatively dense set of real numbers $\{t_m\}_{m\geq 1}$ such that the parametrized curve traced by the points $(\operatorname{Re}(\zeta(\sigma+it_m)),\operatorname{Im}(\zeta(\sigma+it_m)))$, with $\sigma\in(1,\sigma_0)$, makes a prefixed finite number of turns around the origin., Comment: 8 pages

Background The association between subclinical atheromatosis and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is unknown but is relevant now that antivirals are improving the survival of patients with the infection. Objectives To determine whether HCV is an independent risk factor for subclinical atheromatosis and to analyze the changes in lipid profiles according to viral RNA levels and hepatic fibrosis. Patients and methods We conducted an observational, cross-sectional study that included 102 HCV-positive patients and 102 HCV-negative patients with parity in terms of sex and age, with no history of cardiovascular or kidney disease or diabetes. Atheromatosis (the presence of atheromatous plaques) and the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) were assessed using ultrasonography of the carotid and femoral arteries. Results There was a greater presence of atheromatosis in any vascular territory in HCV-positive patients than in the patients without infection (58.8% vs. 28.4%, p Conclusions HCV infection is an independent risk factor for subclinical atheromatosis. Systemic arterial ultrasonography for this population improves the cardiovascular risk assessment beyond lipid profile abnormalities and the risk calculation using SCORE tables.

Resumen Introduccion Se desconoce la asociacion entre ateromatosis subclinica e infeccion cronica por el virus de la hepatitis C (VHC), relevante ahora que los antivirales mejoran la supervivencia en los pacientes infectados. Objetivos Conocer si el VHC es factor de riesgo independiente de ateromatosis subclinica y analizar las modificaciones del perfil lipidico segun niveles de ARN viral y fibrosis hepatica. Pacientes y metodos Estudio observacional y transversal; incluye 102 pacientes VHC positivos y 102 sujetos VHC negativos con paridad de sexo y edad, sin antecedentes de enfermedad cardiovascular, renal ni diabetes. La ateromatosis (presencia de placas de ateroma) y el grosor intima-media carotideo (GIMc) se evaluo mediante ecografia de arterias carotidas y femorales. Resultados La presencia de ateromatosis en cualquier territorio vascular fue mayor en pacientes VHC que en sujetos no infectados (58,8% frente a 28,4%, p Conclusiones La infeccion VHC es factor de riesgo independiente de ateromatosis subclinica. La ecografia arterial sistemica en esta poblacion mejora la evaluacion del riesgo cardiovascular mas alla de las alteraciones del perfil lipidico y del calculo de riesgo por tablas SCORE.

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. BACKGROUND Coronary artery calcifications (CAC) scoring assessed by the Agatston score has shown an excellent prognostic value in large studies, particularly in diabetic patients, with a very low rate of cardiovascular events in patients with a zero Agatston score. Moreover, recent studies have suggested that high-sensitive cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) may be useful for detecting subclinical atherosclerosis, especially in diabetic patients. However, the link between hs-cTnI/BNP and the Agatston score has not been investigated in this population. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate if hs-cTnI and BNP can bring additional value to predict zero Agatston score in patients with diabetes mellitus in addition to usual risk factors. METHODS Between 2015 and 2019, CAC score was prospectively performed in consecutive patients with diabetes mellitus with high cardiovascular risk. Patients with symptoms or known coronary artery disease were excluded. Within 24h from CT exam, peripheral blood samples were taken to measure hs-cTnI and BNP. The relationship between serum hs-cTnI/BNP concentrations and zero Agatston score was evaluated using univariate and multivariate binomial models. 77 variables have been used to build the model. The implication of hs-cTnI and BNP in this multivariate model was evaluated using nested models associated with Chi-squared test of independence. RESULTS A total of 844 patients with diabetes were enrolled (61 ± 7 years, 57% men, mean diabetes duration 18 years). In this population, 294 (35%) had a zero Agatston score, 253 (30%) an Agatston score from 1 to 100, 161 (19%) from 101 to 400, and 136 (16%) higher than 400. In univariate analysis, hs-cTnI and BNP concentrations were associated with a zero Agatston score (respectively OR, 2.63 [95% CI, 1.51-5.01]; p CONCLUSIONS Cardiac biomarkers hs-cTnI and BNP are associated with a zero Agatston score, which is correlated with a very low risk of cardiovascular events in asymptomatic patients with diabetes mellitus. Abstract Figure. ROC curve to predict zero Agatston score

The Mexican Society of Pediatric Endocrinology developed a clinical practice guide for the diagnosis and treatment of precocious puberty. This document presents recommendations related to the interventions for the inhibition of central precocious puberty. The detailed description of the methodology for the development of this guide and the grading system, as well as the synthesis of the evidence on which it is based can be consulted in this same supplement.La Sociedad Mexicana de Endocrinología Pediátrica elaboró una guía de práctica clínica para el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de la pubertad precoz. Este documento presenta recomendaciones relacionadas con las intervenciones para inhibir la pubertad precoz central. La descripción detallada de la metodología para el desarrollo de esta guía y del sistema de gradación, así como la síntesis de la evidencia en la que se basa, pueden consultarse en este mismo suplemento.

The Mexican Society of Pediatric Endocrinology developed a clinical practice guide for the diagnosis and treatment of precocious puberty. This document presents recommendations related to the diagnosis of secondary causes of central PP. The detailed description of the methodology for the development of this guide and the grading system, as well as the synthesis of the evidence on which it is based can be consulted in this same supplement.La Sociedad Mexicana de Endocrinología Pediátrica elaboró una guía de práctica clínica para el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de la pubertad precoz. Este documento presenta recomendaciones relacionadas con el diagnóstico de causas secundarias de pubertad precoz central. La descripción detallada de la metodología para el desarrollo de esta guía y del sistema de gradación, así como la síntesis de la evidencia en la que se basa, pueden consultarse en este mismo suplemento.

The Mexican Society of Pediatric Endocrinology presents recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of precocious puberty (PP), a condition defined as the development of sexual characteristics due to an increase in pituitary gonadotropin secretion before 8 or 9 years of age in girls and boys, respectively.Three systematic reviews were conducted: controlled clinical trials on interventions for PP treatment, diagnostic tests, and observational studies on the long-term effects of PP. The quality evaluation and data extraction from the studies were conducted by two independent reviewers. The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network and the Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine systems were used for grading the quality of evidence for recommendations on intervention and diagnosis, respectively. Recommendations were submitted to a consensus by a Delphi method and were validated by another 143 certified pediatric endocrinologists through an online questionnaire.The group generated 12 recommendations on the diagnosis of PP, seven on the diagnosis of secondary causes of PP, eight on interventions for inhibition of puberty, five on other interventions for PP treatment, and 14 for the monitoring and follow-up of these patients. The online questionnaires submitted to certified pediatric endocrinologists showed more than 90% of approval for each one of the recommendations.Although a high degree of consensus for the recommendations for diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of PP among pediatric endocrinologists was achieved, most of these recommendations showed a low level of evidence.La Sociedad Mexicana de Endocrinología Pediátrica presenta recomendaciones para el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de la pubertad precoz (PP), condición definida como el desarrollo de caracteres sexuales por incremento en la secreción hipofisiaria de gonadotropinas antes de los 8 años en las niñas y de los 9 años en los niños.Se realizaron tres revisiones sistemáticas de ensayos clínicos controlados sobre intervenciones para el tratamiento de la PP, pruebas diagnósticas y estudios observacionales sobre efectos a largo plazo de la PP. La evaluación de la calidad de los estudios y la extracción de datos se realizó por pares. La evidencia se graduó con el sistema de la Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) y del Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEBM) para las recomendaciones sobre la intervención y el diagnóstico, respectivamente. Las recomendaciones generadas se sometieron a un consenso por el método Delphi y fueron validadas por otros 143 endocrinólogos pediatras certificados mediante un cuestionario en línea.Mediante consenso se generaron 12 recomendaciones para el diagnóstico de PP, siete sobre diagnóstico de causas secundarias de PP, ocho sobre intervenciones para inhibición de la pubertad, cinco sobre otras intervenciones en PP y 14 para la monitorización del tratamiento y el seguimiento de estos pacientes. Se obtuvo más del 90% de aprobación para cada una de las recomendaciones por el grupo de endocrinólogos certificados que respondieron el cuestionario en línea.Si bien se logró un alto grado de consenso para las recomendaciones para el diagnóstico, el tratamiento y la monitorización de la PP entre los endocrinólogos pediatras, el nivel de evidencia para la mayoría de estas recomendaciones resultó bajo.

The Mexican Society of Pediatric Endocrinology developed a clinical practice guide for the diagnosis and treatment of precocious puberty. This document presents recommendations related to the complementary interventions for the treatment of precocious puberty besides puberty blockade. The detailed description of the methodology for the development of this guide and the grading system, as well as the synthesis of the evidence on which it is based, can be consulted in this same supplement.La Sociedad Mexicana de Endocrinología Pediátrica elaboró una guía de práctica clínica para el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de la pubertad precoz. Este documento presenta recomendaciones relacionadas con intervenciones adyuvantes en el tratamiento de la pubertad precoz distintas de la inhibición de la pubertad. La descripción detallada de la metodología para el desarrollo de esta guía y del sistema de gradación, así como la síntesis de la evidencia en la que se basa, pueden consultarse en este mismo suplemento.

The Mexican Society of Pediatric Endocrinology developed a clinical practice guide for the diagnosis and treatment of precocious puberty. This document presents recommendations related to the diagnosis of precocious puberty. The detailed description of the methodology for the development of this guide and the grading system, as well as the synthesis of the evidence on which it is based can be accessed in this same supplement.La Sociedad Mexicana de Endocrinología Pediátrica elaboró una guía de práctica clínica para el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de la pubertad precoz. Este documento presenta recomendaciones relacionadas con el diagnóstico de pubertad precoz. La descripción detallada de la metodología para el desarrollo de esta guía y del sistema de gradación, así como la síntesis de la evidencia en la que se basa, pueden consultarse en este suplemento.

Sammendrag: Den 20. desember 1989 invaderte USA Panama, invasjonsstyrken besto av mer enn 26 000 soldater fra alle bransjene i det amerikanske militæret. Denne oppgaven kommer til å evaluere hvorfor denne massive operasjonen skjedde. For å oppnå dette vil oppgaven først utforske bakgrunnen for hendelsene som kom til å påvirke krisen, som for eksempel amerikansk bevæpning av Contra-bevegelsen i Nicaragua, Panamansk involvering i den Nicaraguanske borgerkrigen og Panamansk innenrikspolitikk i perioden. Morgenen 15. september 1985 ble den panamanske dissidenten Hugo Spadafora bortført av medlemmer av den Panamanske hæren. Spadafora hadde vært en kritiker av regimer til Manuel Noriega, en etterretningsoffiser i den Panamanske hæren, som hadde tatt kontroll over landet etter døden til general Omar Torrijos, Panamas forrige leder. Når Panamas president Hugo Barletta utrykte ønsker om å utføre en selvstendig etterforskning av forsvinningen, og til sist drapet på Spadafora, ble han sagt opp fra stillingen sin. Senere, i 1987 ville Noriega avskjedige sin arvtaker som leder av den Panamanske hæren; Diaz Herrera, noe som igjen ville føre til politiske problemer da Herrera gikk til media og fortalte om valgfusk, forsvinningen av Spadafora og narkotikahandel. Panamas befolkning var rasende og sammen med avsløringen av Iran Contra og Noriegas involvering i denne saken ville USAs senatet utføre sanksjoner mot Noriega. Summary: On December 20th, 1989, the United States would invade Panama with an invasion force consisting of more than 26 000 of all branches of the US military, this thesis aims to examine why this massive operation happened. To achieve this the thesis will first aim to explore the background to the events unfolding, such as US involvement in the arming of the Contras in Nicaragua, Panamanian involvement in the Nicaraguan civil war and the political events happening in Panama at the time. On the morning of September 15th, 1985, Hugo Spadafora would disappear after having been arrested by the Panama Defense Force on the border with Costa Rica, Spadafora was a vocal critic of the regime controlled by Panamanian intelligence officer Manuel Noriega. Noriega had taken control after the death of former dictator Omar Torrijos in 1981 and was quickly consolidating power by outmaneuvering his opposition. However, when Panamanian president, Nicholas Barletta wanted to open an independent investigation of the Spadafora disappearance, turned murder he was quickly sacked by Noriega. By 1987 an incident regarding Noriega giving away his seat as Chief of Staff of the PDF, to his deputy Diaz Herrera, would lead to Noriega dismissing Herrera and keeping the position for himself. In response Herrera would publicly make statements that Noriega had been involved in the murder of Spadafora, the drug trade and election fraud. This event along with the breaking of the Iran-Contra affair in international media would lead to Noriega’s name mentioned several times regarding Iran contra. In Panama at the same time protests and political demonstrations would plague the country, in response to the Herrera crisis. Noriega would use special riot police to put down these demonstrations, further damaging US-Panama Relations as the US Senate would enforce sanctions against Panama and Noriega. By 1988 two US federal courts would indict Noriega on drug charges, this along with more dismissal of Panamanian presidents would further deteriorate US – panama relations. Until finally negotiations for Noriega’s resignation would be traded for the drug indictments. When these fell through the US domestic situation during the election of 1988 would let Noriega do as he wanted without many consequences. Following the electoral fraud of 1989, the US would implement stronger sanctions, by December 1989 a failed Coup had left the Panamanian dictator feeling invincible. When a US marine officer was killed by the PDF at a checkpoint in Panama, the Bush administration had finally had enough of the crisis in Panama and would start preparations, invading sixty hours after the murder. Aiming to safeguard the 30 000 US citizens that lived in Panama and destroying the PDF, the US armed forces would invade in the largest military operation conducted by the US since Vietnam. The operation named Just Cause to gain public consent, was a huge success regarding the tactical and strategical goals, for the US. The Panamanians would on the other hand report the US for excessive use of force and killing civilians. By the end of the operation all major operational goals would be reached by the US.

Background Diabetes mellitus is associated with a high risk of heart failure. The predictors of futures heart failure events in diabetic patients are not clearly understood. BNP measurement can be used as a surrogate endpoint for the diagnosis of heart failure. We investigated the determinants of an increase in BNP level in a large cohort of asymptomatic diabetic patients without known cardiac disease Methods This prospective study included consecutive stable diabetic (type 1 or 2) patients coming for yearly check-up between March 2015 and July 2018 in the university center for the study of diabetes and its complications. Patients with an history of cardiac disease (coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, cardiomyopathy, previous heart failure ...) were excluded. All patients had a complete clinical exam, blood pressure measurement (3 consecutive times – mean of 2 lasts measurements), ECG, and blood sample including HbA1C, risk factors assessment, renal function (CKD-EPI) and BNP measurement. Data are presented as mean±SD or median - Spearman's rank and multivariate regression were used for analysis. Results 3743 patients (mean age 57±14 y.o. – 57% male – 78% / 18% / 4% of type 2, type 1 or other type of diabetes respectively – Mean duration of diabetes 17 [1–63] y. – 44% treated with insulin) were studied. Mean±SD / median [min-max] BNP level was 25±39 / 12 [4–737] ng/L. BNP was 400 ng/L in 69 / 15 / 6 / 7 / 3 / 0.1% of the population respectively. The parameters most correlated with BNP level in type 1 and type 2 diabetes were age, duration of diabetes, renal function, HbA1C, and pulsed pressure. For multivariate analysis, renal function was removed of the model as it was highly correlated with age (r=−0.68). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that in type 1 diabetes, high BNP level was linked to age (p Conclusion Age, pulsed pressure and duration of diabetes are the main determinants of an increased level of BNP in asymptomatic diabetic patients without any history of cardiac disease. This result could help to select a population who could benefit to a more extensive follow up concerning heart failure.

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T16:34:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-05-01 Background Several lines of evidence indicate that medical schools have been failing to adequately nurture empathy and the ethical dimension in their graduates, the lack of which may play a central role in the genesis of medical errors, itself a major source of avoidable deaths, incapacity and wasted resources. It has been widely proposed that medical schools should adopt evaluation strategies as a means to promote a culture of respectful relationships. However, it is not clear if evaluation strategies in medical schools have addressed key domains related to that aim, such as ethics, through the perspective of their students. Hence, we conducted a national survey of instruments used by Brazilian medical schools to assess clerkship rotations from the perspective of students, with a main focus on the ethical domain. Methods The authors invited 121 randomly selected institutions to participate in the study. Key informants answered a questionnaire about clerkship rotations and sent copies of any instrument used to assess the quality of clerkship rotations according to the students' perspectives. Results Twenty-six (53%) of 49 participating schools used an instrument to assess the quality of clerkship rotations according to the perspective of students. Just 13 (27%) schools had instruments containing at least one question encompassing the ethical domain. Only 2 (4%) schools asked students specifically about the occurrence of any negative experience concerning the ethical domain during rotations. Merely 1 (2%) school asked students about having witnessed patient mistreatment and none asked about mistreatment against students themselves. Conclusions There are several missed opportunities in the way medical schools assess the quality of clerkship rotations regarding the ethical domain. Closing the gap between usual institutional discourses regarding ethics and how that dimension is assessed within clerkship rotations might represent an important step towards the improvement of medical education and healthcare systems. Public Health Department Botucatu Medical School Sao Paulo State University (UNESP) Occupational Therapy Department University of Sorocaba (UNISO) Internal Medicine Department Botucatu Medical School Sao Paulo State University (UNESP) Neurology Psychology and Psychiatry Department Botucatu Medical School Sao Paulo State University (UNESP) Anesthesiology Department Botucatu Medical School Sao Paulo State University (UNESP) Public Health Department Botucatu Medical School Sao Paulo State University (UNESP) Internal Medicine Department Botucatu Medical School Sao Paulo State University (UNESP) Neurology Psychology and Psychiatry Department Botucatu Medical School Sao Paulo State University (UNESP) Anesthesiology Department Botucatu Medical School Sao Paulo State University (UNESP)

Up to now, predicting accurately the Fission Gas Release (FGR) from high burn up UO2 and/or MOX (Mixed Oxide) fuels at off-normal conditions, such as power transient, reactivity-initiated accident (RIA) and loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA), is still a significant and very challenging task. For this purpose, different R&D programs have been carried out in France, as well as in other countries. This has been done with a specific emphasis on mechanisms which promote the FGR under accidental conditions. These studies can be performed thanks to dedicated integral experiments conducted in-pile (i.e. in Materials Testing Reactor) with the corresponding cost and constraints, or at the laboratory scale with annealing tests which allow to be representative of specific parameters (thermal history for instance). During these annealing tests under well-known conditions (temperature, atmosphere), both the absolute level and the time dependence of the released gases should be monitored, together with the corresponding fuel micro-structural changes, since experimental knowledge of fission gas release alone is not efficient enough. This approach requires more and more accurate on-line measurements. This corresponds to the driving force of the present work. In this contribution, we will present our progress in developing an experimental platform that can submit nuclear fuel and cladding samples to annealing tests involving very high temperatures (up to 2500°C) and very fast temperature ramp (up to thousands of °C/s) with controlled thermal gradients and temporal dynamics. This new platform implements innovative instrumentation, such as optical diagnostics to measure fuel fragmentation kinetics and infrared pyrometry for temperature monitoring. This experiment is based on a high-power laser (1.5kW) coupled to an experimental chamber with controlled atmosphere (Ar, N2, or vacuum) and specific optical components. Based on the spatial beam profile and temporal power function of the laser, it is possible which such a system to produce complex spatio-temporal temperature gradients, relevant for addressing different research needs. It provides access to extreme conditions that are very difficult to reach with other means. Particularly, one of main objectives of this work is to investigate conditions of Reactivity Initiated Accident (RIA). The first experiments performed on inactive materials, non-irradiated uranium dioxide, is presented in order to highlight the capabilities of this technique.

International audience; As graphite is an important material for several applications, the evaluation of its properties at very high temperatures is of major importance. Conducting studies at temperatures >2800 K is, however, very challenging, and the amount of available data in the literature is, therefore, very limited. This paper presents a methodology that compares experimental data with simulation results following a progressive increase of the temperature range investigated. The study was conducted on a commercial polycrystalline graphite produced by sintering (EDM-3 from POCO) under high power continuous laser heating (kW ytterbium at a wavelength of 1080 nm). Experiments were done inside a vacuum chamber equipped with pyrometers and cameras allowing fine monitoring of the temperature of the samples. A 3D numerical model has been developed based on the finite element method to analyze the experimental results. The evolution of the thermal and optical properties of EDM-3 with temperature is required for correctly modeling laser/material interactions. By running a sequential comparison of calculation with a dedicated experiment, we achieve better knowledge of such properties. From this study, we obtain estimations of the evolution of thermal conductivity, emissivity, and evaporation rate up to 3800 K of amorphous graphite.

The investigation on the behaviour of nuclear fuels under thermal loads representative of RIA (Reactivity Initiated Accident) conditions in nuclear reactors is a significant challenge. In this work we introduce a new concept of a laboratory experiment relying on high power lasers to reproduce the temperature gradients experienced by nuclear fuel pellets during such events. The concept is experimentally demonstrated on UO2 samples, supported with numerical simulations to estimate the temperature gradients within the samples. This is a first step in the perspective of applying the technique on irradiated fuels.

Understanding the behavior of nuclear materials regarding fission gas release in relation to the different thermal loads to which they can be subjected requires appropriated annealing tests in order to measure both the absolute level and the time dependence of the released fission products together with the corresponding fuel micro-structural changes during representative thermal transients. In this context, we describe in this paper the development and qualification of an experimental platform coupling heat treatment, gas release analysis and optical systems, for the study of fuel pellets at high temperature. This system, which is mainly devoted to power transient and LOCA (Loss Of Coolant Accident) type simulation, is based on an induction furnace to heat the pellet at high temperatures (up to 2000 °C with up to 50 °C/s temperature ramps) in controlled atmosphere. The device is coupled with dedicated analysis loops that are designed to identify and quantify on line the gaseous fission products released during the annealing test. The purpose of the optical system is the real time monitoring of the sample surface to provide additional information (for instance on the micro structure evolution and fuel fragmentation). It is coupled with non-contact temperature measurements by thermal radiation analysis to monitor and control the fuel temperature. Based on experiments conducted on non-irradiated Uranium dioxide samples, we demonstrate the performance of the system in the range 20–1800 °C with 10 μm resolution on a field of 1 cm2, with simultaneous temperature measurements obtained by multispectral pyrometry. We also discuss the limitations of the system as well as further developments for integration in a hot cell for application to irradiated fuels.

The association between subclinical atheromatosis and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is unknown but is relevant now that antivirals are improving the survival of patients with the infection.To determine whether HCV is an independent risk factor for subclinical atheromatosis and to analyse the changes in lipid profiles according to viral RNA levels and hepatic fibrosis.We conducted an observational, cross-sectional study that included 102 HCV-positive patients and 102 HCV-negative patients with parity in terms of sex and age, with no history of cardiovascular or kidney disease or diabetes. Atheromatosis (the presence of atheromatous plaques) and the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) were assessed using ultrasonography of the carotid and femoral arteries.There was a greater presence of atheromatosis in any vascular territory in HCV-positive patients than in the patients without infection (58.8% vs. 28.4%, p.0001). In the multivariate analysis, the factors significantly associated with atheromatosis included HCV infection (OR, 14.37 [5.5-37.3]; p.001), age (OR, 1.12 [1.1-1.2]; p.001), male sex (OR, 4.32 [1.9-9.5]; p.001) and the triglyceride/HDL cholesterol coefficient (TG/HDL-indirect indicator of insulin resistance) (OR, 1.34 [1.1-1.6]; p=.007). The HCV-positive patients with atheromatous plaques had a higher TG/HDL coefficient but no significant differences in terms of the viral load or degree of hepatic fibrosis and with a 'low risk' lipid profile.HCV infection is an independent risk factor for subclinical atheromatosis. Systemic arterial ultrasonography for this population improves the cardiovascular risk assessment beyond lipid profile abnormalities and the risk calculation using SCORE tables.

Treated silica xerogel with protic ionic liquid (PIL) and bifunctional agents (glutaraldehyde and epichlorohydrin) is a novel support strategy used in the effective immobilization of lipase from Burkholderia cepacia (LBC) by covalent binding. As biocatalysts with the highest activity recovery yields, LBC immobilized by covalent binding with epichlorohydrin without (203%) and with PIL (250%), was assessed by the following the hydrolysis reaction of olive oil and characterized biochemically (Michaelis&ndash, Menten constant, optimum pH and temperature, and operational stability). Further, the potential transesterification activity for three substrates: sunflower, soybean, and colza oils, was also determined, achieving a conversion of ethyl esters between 70 and 98%. The supports and the immobilized lipase systems were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), elemental analysis, and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis.

El presente trabajo de investigación surge como producto de la dificultad en el análisis de las imágenes fijas publicitarias en los estudiantes del 5° Grado de Educación Secundaria de la I.E. "Señor de la Soledad" de Huaraz. Frente a ello se propuso diseñar y aplicar estrategias didácticas basadas en la Teoría del espejo lacaniano a fin de demostrar el grado de influencia en el análisis de las imágenes fijas publicitarias en dichos estudiantes. Es preciso enfatizar que la teoría del espejo de Jacques Lacan permite penetrar en los procesos de manipulación de los símbolos, la adición, sustitución y superposición de los mismos, y a partir de ellos desentrañar los estados psicológicos latentes en el inconsciente. Teniendo como base estas nociones se han podido detectar en las imágenes fijas publicitarias una serie de representaciones como la identidad dudosa, la identidad fragmentada, la energía libidinal y se han hecho patentes las diversas represiones. Los resultados de la investigación van a permitir reorientar la tarea de analizar las imágenes fijas publicitarias en los estudiantes de la EBR a partir de la aplicación de los diversos fundamentos que tiene la teoría del espejo de Jacques Lacan

Background Coronary artery calcification score (CACs) has been shown to be useful for assessment of cardiovascular risk in diabetic patients without known coronary artery disease. CACs can be useful to detect high risk patients (CACs > 400) or low risk patients (CACs Purpose To check if CAC is discriminant to stratify the cardiovascular risk whatever the age is. Methods A CACs was prospectively performed in 460 consecutive type 2 diabetic patients with ≥ 2 additional risk factors (age > 50 for men and > 60 for women, hypertension, current smoking, elevated LDL and albuminuria) but without any known coronary artery disease during a yearly check-up between January 2015 and December 2016. Results Mean age was 61 ± 10 [30–87] y.o. and 58% were male. Mean duration of diabetes was 15 ± 10 years and 35% were treated with insulin for a mean duration of 10 ± 8 years. Mean CAC score was 287 ± 30 [0–5983]. CACs = 0 was found in 25%, CACs 400 in 20% and CACs > 1000 in 9% of the population. A significant relationship was found between CACs and duration of diabetes, waist circumference, creatinine level and GFR, albuminuria and LDL levels. CACs level was highly related to age: r = 0.522, P Fig. 1 ). Mean CACs in the different age groups, as proportion of CACs 400 are presented in Table 1 . ROC curve analysis demonstrated that the threshold for detecting a high risk (CACs > 400) with a sensitivity > 95% was 55 y.o. In the other hand, the threshold for detecting a low risk (CACs 95% was 69 y.o. Conclusion From our study, in type 2 diabetic patients without known coronary artery disease, the detection of high risk individuals (CACs > 400) is probably relevant after 55 y.o. and detection of low risk individuals (CACs

Resumen Introduccion y objetivos La hiperhomocisteinemia como un factor de riesgo para el dano auditivo, el dano neuronal y el deterioro cognitivo en los pacientes adultos mayores es controvertido y se encuentra limitado por un pequeno numero de estudios. El objetivo de este trabajo es determinar si los pacientes adultos mayores con hiperhomocisteinemia presentan mayor riesgo de desarrollar alteraciones en los procesos centrales de la audicion frente a un grupo de pacientes con niveles de homocisteina adecuados, y definir el comportamiento de las pruebas psicoacusticas y de potenciales de latencia larga (P300) en estos grupos. Metodo Estudio transversal, comparativo y analitico. Se formo un grupo de pacientes con hiperhomocisteinemia y un grupo control con valores normales de homocisteina. A todos los pacientes se les realizo audiometria tonal, impedanciometria y una seleccion de pruebas psicoacusticas (digitos dicoticos, palabras filtradas pasa bajo, palabra en ruido y diferencia en niveles de enmascaramiento), asi como potenciales evocados auditivos de tallo cerebral y P300. Resultados Los pacientes con hiperhomocisteinemia presentaron valores en la prueba de diferencia en los niveles de enmascaramiento superiores a los del grupo control (p = 0,049), asi como latencias mas prologadas en los P300 (p = 0,000). Conclusiones La hiperhomocisteinemia es un factor que altera las funciones auditivas centrales. Las pruebas psicoacusticas alteradas junto con la alteracion en las pruebas electrofisiologicas sugieren que la porcion central de la via auditiva esta afectada en los pacientes con hiperhomocisteinemia.

Introduction and objectives Hyperhomocysteinemia as a risk factor for hearing impairment, neuronal damage and cognitive impairment in elderly patients is controversial and is limited by the small number of studies. The aim of this work was determine if elderly patients detected with hyperhomocysteinemia have an increased risk of developing abnormalities in the central auditory processes as compared with a group of patients with appropriate homocysteine levels, and to define the behaviour of psychoacoustic tests and long latency potentials (P300) in these patients. Methods This was a cross-sectional, comparative and analytical study. We formed a group of patients with hyperhomocysteinemia and a control group with normal levels of homocysteine. All patients underwent audiometry, tympanometry and a selection of psychoacoustic tests (dichotic digits, low-pass filtered words, speech in noise and masking level difference), auditory evoked brainstem potentials and P300. Results Patients with hyperhomocysteinemia had higher values in the test of masking level difference than did the control group (P=.049) and more protracted latency in P300 (P=.000). Conclusions Hyperhomocysteinemia is a factor that alters the central auditory functions. Alterations in psychoacoustic tests and disturbances in electrophysiological tests suggest that the central portion of the auditory pathway is affected in patients with hyperhomocysteinemia.

Ionic liquids (ILs) are often claimed to be \"environmentally friendly\" compounds however, the knowledge of their potential toxicity towards different organisms and trophic levels is still limited, in particular when protic ionic liquids (PILs) are addressed. This study aims to evaluate the toxicity against various microorganisms and the biodegradability of four PILs namely, N-methyl-2-hydroxyethylammonium acetate, m-2-HEAA; N-methyl-2-hydroxyethylammonium propionate, m-2-HEAPr; N-methyl-2-hydroxyethylammonium butyrate, m-2-HEAB; and N-methyl-2-hydroxyethylammonium pentanoate, m-2-HEAP. The antimicrobial activity was determined against the two bacteria, Sthaplylococcus aureus ATCC-6533 and Escherichia coli CCT-0355; the yeast Candida albicans ATCC-76645; and the fungi Fusarium sp. LM03. The toxicity of all PILs was tested against the aquatic luminescent marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri using the Microtox (R) test. The impact of the PILs was also studied regarding their effect on lettuce seeds (Lactuta sativa). The biodegradability of these PILs was evaluated using the ratio between the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and the chemical oxygen demand (COD). The results show that, in general, the elongation of the alkyl chain tends to increase the negative impact of the PILs towards the organisms and biological systems under study. According to these results, m-2-HEM and m-2-HEAP are the less and most toxic PILs studied in this work, respectively. Additionally, all the PILs have demonstrated low biodegradability. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd.