Analysis of spurious peaks at series resonance in solidly mounted resonators by combined BVD-Mason modelling.

Solidly Mounted Resonators (SMRs) for high frequency RF filters and sensing applications often display spurious resonances that distort their frequency response. In this work, we try to identify the origin of spurious resonances accompanying the main series resonances in AlN-based SMRs with the help of modified Butterworth Van Dyke (BVD) and Mason's models. By manufacturing SMRs of different sizes and shapes and studying the influence of the position of the electrical probing spot, we have demonstrated both theoretically and experimentally that devices with larger areas are more likely to display these additional peaks. Our updated models accurately simulate the frequency response of the SMRs, revealing that spurious peaks are mostly related to the resistance of the electrodes. Our study clarifies the origin of the spurious resonances and offers solutions for both, the optimal design and measurement method of SMRs.

Fat accumulation, fatty acids and melting point changes in broiler chick abdominal fat as affected by time of dietary fat feeding and slaughter age.

1. This work aims to quantify changes in fatty acid profile, melting point, abdominal fat accumulation and 2-thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances production depending on dietary fat source and age at slaughter, and to estimate the optimal date for the change from an unsaturated fat to a saturated fat diet or vice versa. 2. Treatments established were (1) birds fed 8% tallow from 21 to 49 d (TTT); (2) birds fed 8% tallow from 21 to 37 d and 8% sunflower oil from d 38 to 49 (TSS); (3) birds fed 8% sunflower oil from 21 to 37 d and 8% tallow from d 38 to 49 (STT); (4) birds fed 8% sunflower oil from 21 to 41 d and 8% tallow from d 42 to 49 (SST); (5) birds fed 8% sunflower oil from 21 to 49 d (SSS). Birds from each group were slaughtered on d 21, 29, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46 and 49. 3. The polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) proportion in the SSS group reached maximum values at d 40 and fitted a quadratic response. This group also showed a decrease in saturated fatty acids (SATs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) of lower intensity than the PUFA increase. The highest synthesis of SAT + MUFA was found in the SSS and TSS groups, whereas these had the lowest body-to-dietary PUFA ratio. 4. A high and quadratic increase in the MUFA proportion was observed during the first 10 d of feeding with the tallow-enriched diet at the expenses of the proportion of PUFA that quadratically decreased (minimum values at d 38). 5. Lipogenic and desaturation capacity decreased with age. 6. The TSS group increased tissue PUFA content faster that the SST group decreased PUFA content after the change in diet which indicates that the earlier feeding has to be taken into consideration for obtaining higher or lower changes in quality parameters. 7. The melting point of the SSS group showed a lower response to the dietary treatment in the initial period when compared to the TTT treatment. 8. The TTT, STT, SST and TSS groups showed similar fat accumulation, and changes in lipid oxidation were related to the day of dietary sunflower oil supplementation. 9. Based on the results, it would be possible to determine the most appropriate dietary programme and optimum slaughter age to obtain chicken meat with the desired quality characteristics.

Steady state magnetic sensors for ITER and beyond: Development and final design (invited).

The measurements of the magnetic field in tokamaks such as ITER and DEMO will be challenging due to the long pulse duration, high neutron flux, and elevated temperatures. The long duration of the plasma pulse makes standard techniques, such as inductive coils, prone to errors. At the same time, the hostile environment, with repairs possible only on blanket exchange, if at all, requires a robust magnetic sensor. This contribution presents the final design of novel, steady-state, magnetic sensors for ITER. A poloidal array of 60 sensors mounted on the vacuum vessel outer shell contributes to the measurement of the plasma current, plasma-wall clearance, low-frequency MHD modes and will allow for crosscheck with the outer-vessel inductive coils. Each sensor hosts a pair of bismuth Hall probes, themselves an outcome of extensive R&D, including neutron irradiations (to 1023 n/m2), temperature cycling tests (73-473 K) and tests at high magnetic field (to 12 T). A significant effort has been devoted to optimize the sensor housing by design and prototyping. The production version features an indium-filled cell for in situ recalibration of the onboard thermocouple, vital for the interpretation of the Hall sensor measurement.

Search for solar axions by the CERN axion solar telescope with 3He buffer gas: closing the hot dark matter gap.

The CERN Axion Solar Telescope has finished its search for solar axions with (3)He buffer gas, covering the search range 0.64 eV ≲ ma ≲ 1.17 eV. This closes the gap to the cosmological hot dark matter limit and actually overlaps with it. From the absence of excess x rays when the magnet was pointing to the Sun we set a typical upper limit on the axion-photon coupling of gaγ ≲ 3.3 × 10(-10) GeV(-1) at 95% C.L., with the exact value depending on the pressure setting. Future direct solar axion searches will focus on increasing the sensitivity to smaller values of gaγ, for example by the currently discussed next generation helioscope International AXion Observatory.

Search for sub-eV mass solar axions by the CERN Axion Solar Telescope with 3He buffer gas.

The CERN Axion Solar Telescope (CAST) has extended its search for solar axions by using (3)He as a buffer gas. At T=1.8 K this allows for larger pressure settings and hence sensitivity to higher axion masses than our previous measurements with (4)He. With about 1 h of data taking at each of 252 different pressure settings we have scanned the axion mass range 0.39 eV≲m(a)≲0.64 eV. From the absence of excess x rays when the magnet was pointing to the Sun we set a typical upper limit on the axion-photon coupling of g(aγ)≲2.3×10(-10) GeV(-1) at 95% C.L., the exact value depending on the pressure setting. Kim-Shifman-Vainshtein-Zakharov axions are excluded at the upper end of our mass range, the first time ever for any solar axion search. In the future we will extend our search to m(a)≲1.15 eV, comfortably overlapping with cosmological hot dark matter bounds.

Impurity temperature correction factors for the transmission grating spectrometer in the TJ-II stellarator.

Impurity ion temperature and velocity profiles are obtained across plasmas in the TJ-II stellarator by performing charge-exchange recombination spectroscopy with a diagnostic neutral beam injector. For this, a tridirectional (toroidal plus two poloidal opposing views) multichannel spectroscopic diagnostic, incorporating 12-way fiber arrays, a compact f/1.8 spectrograph, and a back-illuminated CCD, permits Doppler line shifts and widths (of the C VI line at 529.05 nm) to be determined with 1-2 cm spatial resolution. For good photon counting statistics under Li-coated wall conditions, 600 µm diameter fibers collect and transmit light to curved 100 µm wide input slits. When calibrated with a neon pencil lamp this entrance slit width results in a non-Gaussian instrumental function that, if not handled correctly, can result in systematically underestimated impurity temperatures. Here we develop and present correction factors for this effect for a range of conditions.

A compact flexible pellet injector for the TJ-II stellarator.

A compact pellet injector is being built for the TJ-II stellarator. It is an upgraded version of the "pellet injector in a suitcase" developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and installed on the Madison Symmetric Torus where it continues to be used in many plasma experiments. The design aim is to provide maximum flexibility at minimal cost, while allowing for future upgrades. It is a four-barrel system equipped with a cryogenic refrigerator for in situ hydrogen pellet formation, a combined mechanical punch/propellant valve system, pellet diagnostics, and an injection line, destined for use as an active diagnostic and for fueling. In order to fulfill both objectives it will be sufficiently flexible to permit pellets, with diameters from 0.4 to 1 mm, to be fabricated and accelerated to velocities from 150 to approximately 1000 m s(-1).

First results from the CERN axion solar telescope.

Hypothetical axionlike particles with a two-photon interaction would be produced in the sun by the Primakoff process. In a laboratory magnetic field ("axion helioscope"), they would be transformed into x-rays with energies of a few keV. Using a decommissioned Large Hadron Collider test magnet, the CERN Axion Solar Telescope ran for about 6 months during 2003. The first results from the analysis of these data are presented here. No signal above background was observed, implying an upper limit to the axion-photon coupling g(agamma)<1.16x10(-10) GeV-1 at 95% C.L. for m(a) less, similar 0.02 eV. This limit, assumption-free, is comparable to the limit from stellar energy-loss arguments and considerably more restrictive than any previous experiment over a broad range of axion masses.

Effects of metformin on the body composition in subjects with risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVES: To measure the effect of metformin on the body composition, insulin resistance and sensitivity in subjects with risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM). DESIGN: Placebo-controlled clinical trial. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-three subjects with risk factors for type 2 DM were randomly assigned to receive 850 mg of metformin or a placebo twice a day for 2 months. Before and after the treatment, the body mass index and waist/hip ratio were calculated, the body composition was measured through bioelectric impedance and the fasting levels of blood glucose, insulin, triglycerides and cholesterol were measured. The level of insulin resistance was calculated by the homeostatic model and the level of sensitivity by the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index method. The Wilcoxon rank test was used. RESULTS: Twenty-one subjects completed the study, 12 of the metformin group and nine of the placebo group. In the metformin group, there was a decrease in fat weight from 25.9 +/- 9.4 to 20.8 +/- 9.2 kg, p < 0.01, an increase in lean weight from 57.05 +/- 13.6 to 61.9 +/- 16.5 kg, p < 0.01, an increase in basal metabolism from 1735 +/- 413 to 1878 +/- 505 calories/day, p < 0.05 and an increase in body water, p < 0.05. There was no significant decrease in insulin resistance. In the placebo group, the blood glucose increased from 84.7 +/- 13 to 96.7 +/- 16 mg/dl, p < 0.05. There were no significant modifications in lipids. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of metformin for 2 months improves the parameters of body composition and insulin dynamics in subjects with risk factors for type 2 DM.

[Lifestyle and metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Construct validation of IMEVID questionnaire]. / Estilo de vida y control metabólico en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Validación por constructo del IMEVID.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate construct validity of an instrument to measure lifestyle in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (IMEVID questionnaire) DESIGN: Comparative cross-sectional study. SETTING: Six family medicine units (primary care). PATIENTS: 412 adults with type 2 diabetes. MEASUREMENTS: The IMEVID was applied by self-administration and the following metabolic control parameters values were measured: body mass index (BMI), waist/hip index (WHI), hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and the average of fasting plasma glucose in the last three months (FG). The test hypothetic construct was that higher total scores in the IMEVID (better lifestyle) would be associated with lower values in the metabolic control parameters. Three groups of subjects were formed based on the total score: group one (quartile 75). Differences on these parameters between groups were researched. RESULTS: 389 subjects completed the study, 69,2% were women. Seven IMEVID domains had weak correlations at least with two of eight parameters (r between 0.22 and 0.16; P<.05). The total score had correlation with six of eight parameter (r between 0.18 and 0.10; P< or =.05). The group three subjects had lower levels of BMI, WHI, HbA1C, FG, TC and TGL than group one subjects (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: IMEVID has construct validity to measure the lifestyle in subjects with DM2. Its total score discriminates outstanding clinical characteristics in these patients.

Estilo de vida y control metabólico en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Validación por constructo del IMEVID / Lifestyle and metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Construct validation of IMEVID questionnaire

Objetivo. Evaluar la validez de constructo de un instrumento para medir el estilo de vida en los pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (cuestionario IMEVID).Diseño. Estudio observacional transversal comparativo. Emplazamiento. Seis unidades de medicina familiar (atención primaria).Participantes. Un total de 412 adultos con diabetes mellitus tipo 2.Mediciones principales. Se aplicó el IMEVID por autoadministración y se midió el índice de masa corporal (IMC), índice cintura/cadera (ICC), hemoglobina glucosilada (HbA1C), colesterol total (CT), triglicéridos (TG), presión arterial (PA) y glucemia en ayunas (GA). El constructo hipotético de prueba fue que las mayores calificaciones totales en el IMEVID (mejor estilo de vida) estarían asociadas a valores menores de estas variables clínicas. Se dividió a los sujetos en tres grupos según su calificación total: grupo uno ( cuartil 75) y se buscaron diferencias intergrupo en los valores de los parámetros medidos. Resultados. Completaron el estudio 389 sujetos, y un 69,2 por ciento eran mujeres. Siete dimensiones del IMEVID tuvieron correlaciones débiles al menos con dos de los ocho parámetros (r, -0,22 a 0,16; p 0,05). La calificación total se correlacionó con seis de ocho parámetros (r, -0,18 a 0,10; p 0,05). Los sujetos del grupo tres tuvieron valores menores de IMC, ICC, HbA1C, GA, CT y TGL que los del grupo 1 (p < 0,05).Conclusiones. El IMEVID tiene validez de constructo para medir el estilo de vida en los sujetos con diabetes tipo 2. Su calificación total discrimina las características clínicamente relevantes (AU)

Transient backbending behavior in the Ising model with fixed magnetization.

The physical origin of the backbendings in the equations of state of finite but not necessarily small systems is studied in the Ising model with fixed magnetization (IMFM) by means of the topological properties of the observable distributions and the analysis of the largest cluster with increasing lattice size. Looking at the convexity anomalies of the IMFM thermodynamic potential, it is shown that the order of the transition at the thermodynamic limit can be recognized in finite systems independently of the lattice size. General statistical mechanics arguments and analytical calculations suggest that the backbending in the caloric curve is a transient behavior which should not converge to a plateau in the thermodynamic limit, while the first-order transition (in the Ehrenfest sense) is still signaled by a discontinuity in the magnetization equation of state.

[Modification of the immune response in the elderly with nutritional treatments]. / Modificación de la respuesta inmune en los ancianos con tratamientos nutricionales.

The aging associates to it unites alteration of the immune response, this is well documented. This alteration can contribute to much of the illnesses associated to the age like repetition infections, cancer and illnesses autoinmunes. Is in the immunity mediated by cells where the main dysfunction resides, although with accuracy it is not clarified which is the intimate cause that produces it, although certainly the smallest presence in a co-estimulative of the recognition and the immune response as the receiver CD28, seem to play a key paper between to the descent of the thymic activity. The relationship between immunity and nutrition is known, as well as the high nutritional deficit prevalence in the elderly. In this work we pass reviews to that published in relation to the possibilities of improving the immune response in the elderly with nutritional treatments.

Modificación de la respuesta inmune en los ancianos con tratamientos nutricionales / Modification of the immune response in the elderly with nutritional treatments

Está bien documentado que se produce una alteración de la respuesta inmune asociada al envejecimiento. Este declinar puede contribuir a mucha de las enfermedades asociadas a la vejez como infecciones de repetición, cáncer y enfermedades autoinmunes. Es en la inmunidad mediada por células donde radica la principal disfunción, aunque con exactitud no está aclarada cual es la causa íntima que la produce, aunque ciertamente la menor presencia de un coestimulador del reconocimiento y la respuesta inmune como el receptor CD28, parece jugar un papel clave junto al descenso de la actividad tímica. La relación entre inmunidad y nutrición es conocida, así como la alta prevalencia de déficit nutricionales en los ancianos. En este trabajo pasamos revista a lo publicado en relación a las posibilidades de mejorar la respuesta inmune en el anciano con tratamientos nutricionales (AU)

The aging associates to it unites alteration of the immune response, this is well documented. This alteration can contribute to much of the illnesses associated to the age like repetition infections, cancer and illnesses autoinmunes. Is in the immunity mediated by cells where the main dysfunction resides, although with accuracy it is not clarified which is the intimate cause that produces it, although certainly the smallest presence in a co-estimulative of the recognition and the immune response as the receiver CD28, seem to play a key paper between to the descent of the thymic activity. The relationship between immunity and nutrition is known, as well as the high nutritional deficit prevalence in the elderly. In this work we pass reviews to that published in relation to the possibilities of improving the immune response in the elderly with nutritional treatments (AU)

Treatment of cholecystoduodenal fistula in the era of laparoscopy.

INTRODUCTION: At first, laparoscopic cholecystectomy was considered unsuitable for patients presenting biliary tract diseases. This study seeks to demonstrate cholecystoduodenal fistula is not a contraindication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and it can be performed without a higher risk for the patient. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study has been completed on laparoscopic biliary pathology from 1992 to 1999 (191 urgent and 877 elective choice surgeries). 302 cases (28%) are of complicated biliary pathology. We report on 14 cholecystoduodenal fistulae, 3 cholecystocolonic fistulae, and 2 cholecystogastric fistulae. RESULTS: Only in 5 patients with cholecystoduodenal fistula was the operation successfully completed by laparoscopy. Conversion to open surgery was because of bleeding (5 cases), difficulty for colon suture (2 cases), and inflammation of the gallbladder with the duodenum (7 cases). An endo-GIA 35 was used to transect the fistula. All patients were discharged after 4 or 5 days without wound infection, and they have been evaluated at 3 and 12 months, without problems. CONCLUSION: Cholecystoduodenal fistula can no longer be considered a contraindication for laparoscopic treatment, and it does not increase morbidity risk.

Effect of the inclusion time of dietary saturated and unsaturated fats before slaughter on the accumulation and composition of abdominal fat in female broiler chickens.

The aim of this experiment was to assess the effects of four different feeding programs designed to include tallow, a saturated fat at 0, 8, 12, and 28 d prior to slaughter on female broiler performance and the deposition, fatty acid profile, and melting point of abdominal fat. The following treatment groups were established according to dietary inclusion--from 21 to 49 d of age--of: sunflower oil (SUN), sunflower oil followed by tallow during the last 8 d (SUN + 8TALL), sunflower oil followed by tallow during the last 12 d (SUN + 12TALL), and tallow (TALL). The diets were designed to be isoenergetic and isonitrogenous. Abdominal fat deposition increased linearly with increasing number of days in which birds were fed the tallow-enriched diet. However, linear and quadratic response patterns were found between days before slaughter in which the birds were fed the tallow-enriched diet and abdominal fat melting points. This result suggested an exponential response in which 85% of the maximum level was already attained when the dietary fat type changed from an unsaturated to a saturated condition during the last 8 d of the feeding period. The use of an unsaturated fat source during the first stages of growth, and the substitution of a saturated fat for a few days before slaughter, may offer the advantage of lower abdominal fat deposition and an acceptable fat fluidity compared with the use of a saturated fat source during the whole growing and finishing period.

Health promotion in the city: a structured review of the literature on interventions to prevent heart disease, substance abuse, violence and HIV infection in US metropolitan areas, 1980-1995.

To achieve its national public health goals, the US must improve the health of low-income urban populations. To contribute to this process, this study reviewed published reports of health promotion interventions designed to prevent heart disease, HIV infection, substance abuse, and violence in US cities. The study's objectives were to describe the target populations, settings, and program characteristics of these interventions and to assess the extent to which these programs followed accepted principles for health promotion. Investigators searched five computerized databases and references of selected articles for articles published in peer-reviewed journals between 1980 and 1995. Selected articles listed as a main goal primary prevention of one of four index conditions; were carried out within a US city; included sufficient information to characterize the intervention; and organized at least 25% of its activities within a community setting. In general, programs reached a diverse population of low-income city residents in a variety of settings, employed multiple strategies, and recognized at least some of the principles of effective health promotion. Most programs reported a systematic evaluation. However, many programs did not involve participants in planning, intervene to change underlying social causes, last more than a year, or tailor for the subpopulations they targeted, limiting their potential effectiveness. Few programs addressed the unique characteristics of urban communities.

[Validity and reliability of FANTASTIC an instrument for measuring the life style in Mexican patients with arterial hypertension]. / Validez y fiabilidad del instrumento "FANTASTIC" para medir el estilo de vida en pacientes mexicanos con hipertensión arterial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reliability and validity of the instrument "FANTASTIC", when being applied to a sample of Mexican patients with high blood pressure. DESIGN: Observational, prospective, longitudinal, descriptive. SETTING: Unit of Family Medicine No. 91 Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. PATIENTS: 103 patients with hypertension on treatment, adults, non diabetics that knew to read and to write. INTERVENTIONS: Was applied "FANTASTIC" instrument (that consists of 25 closed items on the lifestyle), translated to Spanish in versions of 3 and 5 answers, with an interval test-retest of 14 to 21 days. The average of the systolic arterial tension (SAT), diastolic (DAT) and half arterial tension (HAT) was calculated of the last 3 registrations of the clinical file, mass corporal index (MCI), waist/hip ratio (WHR), and fast glucaemia (FG) was measured. MEASUREMENT AND RESULTS: 66% was women. The correlation test-retest, in the version of five answer options was of 0.81 (p = 0.01) and among both versions of 0.91 (p = 0.01). They were not differences in the total qualification according to the sex. To more age, it was bigger qualification and smaller MCI and FG. Weak correlation was observed (not significant) among more total qualification and smaller DAT. There was negative correlation among more qualification in the nutrition domain and smaller MCI (p = 0.01), among more qualification in the domain of tobacco (smaller consumption) with smaller DAT (p = 0.05) and smaller HAT (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The consistency of the instrument is very good. Their content doesn't correlate specifically with the control indicators in hypertension.

[The topography of the skull and brain of the goat]. / Aportaciones a la topografía craneoencefálica de la cabra.

This study, based on three goats, provides a radiographic projection of a median section of the brain and the skull. The method allows a topographic correlation of brain structures with the skull and surrounding osseous structures. A standard skull position, with the basic horizontal plane passing through the external acoustic meatus, and parallel to the floor of the skull, results in a method of localizing brain structures in specific transverse planes. This stereotaxic method allows investigators to account for variability in topography between animals in the localization of brain structures through external morphology.