Infrared thermography for normal endothelial function screening.

BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction (ED) suspicion will allow to prevent accelerated atherosclerosis and premature death. OBJECTIVE: To establish the usefulness of thermography for endothelial function screening in adults with cardiovascular risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional, analytical diagnostic test. A brachial arterial diameter (BAD) increase < 11% at one-minute post-ischemia meant probable ED and was confirmed if BAD was ≥ 11% post-sublingual nitroglycerin. Thermographic photographs of the palmar region were obtained at one minute. Descriptive statistics, ROC curve, Mann-Whitney's U-test, chi-square test, or Fisher's exact test were used. RESULTS: Thirty-eight subjects with a median age of 50 years, and with 624 thermographic measurements were included. Nine had ED (flow-mediated vasodilation [FMV]: 2.5%). The best cutoff point for normal endothelial function in subjects with cardiovascular risk factors was ≥ 36 °C at one minute of ischemia, with 85% sensitivity, 70% specificity, positive and negative predictive values of 78 and 77%, area under the curve of 0.796, LR+ 2.82, LR- 0.22. CONCLUSION: An infrared thermography-measured temperature in the palmar region greater than or equal to 36 °C after one minute of ischemia is practical, non-invasive, and inexpensive for normal endothelial function screening in adults with cardiovascular risk factors.

ANTECEDENTES: La sospecha de disfunción endotelial (DE) permitirá prevenir la aterosclerosis acelerada y la muerte prematura. OBJETIVO: Establecer la utilidad de la termografía en el cribado de la función endotelial en adultos con factores de riesgo cardiovascular. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal analítico de prueba diagnóstica. El incremento del diámetro de la arteria braquial < 11 % a un minuto posisquemia significó probable DE, confirmada si el diámetro fue ≥ 11 % posnitroglicerina sublingual. Se obtuvieron fotografías termográficas al minuto de la región palmar. Se aplicó estadística descriptiva, curva ROC, pruebas U de Mann-Whitney, chi cuadrada o exacta de Fisher. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 38 sujetos, mediana de edad de 50 años, con 624 mediciones termográficas; nueve presentaron DE (vasodilatación mediada por flujo de 2.5 %). El mejor punto de corte para la función endotelial normal en sujetos con factores de riesgo cardiovascular fue ≥ 36 °C al minuto de isquemia, con sensibilidad de 85%, especificidad de 70%, valores predictivos positivo y negativo de 78 y 77%, área bajo la curva de 0.796, razón de verisimilitud positiva de 2.82 y razón de verisimilitud negativa de 0.22. CONCLUSIÓN: La medición de la temperatura en la región palmar mediante termografía infrarroja ≥ 36 °C tras un minuto de isquemia es práctica, no invasiva y económica para el cribado de la función endotelial normal en adultos con factores de riesgo cardiovascular.

Family Caregivers' Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Qualitative Study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic imposed lockdown measures that affected caregiving. Understanding caregivers' context provides reveals their adaptive strategies to continue caring in this situation of uncertainty and isolation. Objective: To better understand the caregiving experiences of caregivers looking after dependent individuals living in the community during the pandemic. Design: Qualitative research, phenomenological approach. Setting: Primary healthcare centers in Madrid region (Spain). Participants: 21 family caregivers. Methods: Purposive and theoretical sampling was used to recruit caregivers across nurses from primary healthcare centers. Participants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide to explore the caring experience. Interview transcripts were evaluated using thematic analysis. Results: The findings were categorized into two themes: "Caregivers during lockdown-providing care in a time of adversity" and "Caregiving toward normality". The sub-themes identified were the re-structuring of before-care services and the introduction of new care approaches, managing the dependent person's health problems, looking after oneself, and dealing with adversity. To adapt to the new normal, strategies were put in place designed to recover confidence and trust, reincorporate assistance, and reconnect with others. Conclusions: Care intensified during the pandemic. Caregivers took on the task without assistance, focusing on preventing contagion and protecting themselves to be able to continue giving care.

Amended Vegetation Filters as Nature-Based Solutions for the Treatment of Pharmaceuticals: Infiltration Experiments Coupled to Reactive Transport Modelling.

In small populations and scattered communities, wastewater treatment through vegetation filters (VFs), a nature-based solution, has proved to be feasible, especially for nutrient and organic matter removal. However, the presence of pharmaceuticals in wastewater and their potential to infiltrate through the vadose zone and reach groundwater is a drawback in the evaluation of VF performances. Soil amended with readily labile carbon sources, such as woodchips, enhances microbial activity and sorption processes, which could improve pharmaceutical attenuation in VFs. The present study aims to assess if woodchip amendments to a VF's soil are able to abate concentrations of selected pharmaceuticals in the infiltrating water by quantitatively describing the occurring processes through reactive transport modelling. Thus, a column experiment using soil collected from an operating VF and poplar woodchips was conducted, alongside a column containing only soil used as reference. The pharmaceuticals acetaminophen, naproxen, atenolol, caffeine, carbamazepine, ketoprofen and sulfamethoxazole were applied daily to the column inlet, mimicking a real irrigation pattern and periodically measured in the effluent. Ketoprofen was the only injected pharmaceutical that reached the column outlet of both systems within the experimental timeframe. The absence of acetaminophen, atenolol, caffeine, carbamazepine, naproxen and sulfamethoxazole in both column outlets indicates that they were attenuated even without woodchips. However, the presence of 10,11-epoxy carbamazepine and atenolol acid as transformation products (TPs) suggests that incomplete degradation also occurs and that the effect of the amendment on the infiltration of TPs is compound-specific. Modelling allowed us to generate breakthrough curves of ketoprofen in both columns and to obtain transport parameters during infiltration. Woodchip-amended columns exhibited Kd and µw values from one to two orders of magnitude higher compared to soil column. This augmentation of sorption and biodegradation processes significantly enhanced the removal of ketoprofen to over 96%.

A Review of Natural Fiber-Reinforced Composites for Lower-Limb Prosthetic Designs.

This paper presents a comprehensive review of natural fiber-reinforced composites (NFRCs) for lower-limb prosthetic designs. It covers the characteristics, types, and properties of natural fiber-reinforced composites as well as their advantages and drawbacks in prosthetic designs. This review also discusses successful prosthetic designs that incorporate NFRCs and the factors that make them effective. Additionally, this study explores the use of computational biomechanical models to evaluate the effectiveness of prosthetic devices and the key factors that are considered. Overall, this document provides a valuable resource for anyone interested in using NFRCs for lower-limb prosthetic designs.

Data-Monitoring Solution for Desalination Processes: Cooling Tower and Mechanical Vapor Compression Hybrid System.

The advancement of novel water treatment technologies requires the implementation of both accurate data measurement and recording processes. These procedures are essential for acquiring results and conducting thorough analyses to enhance operational efficiency. In addition, accurate sensor data facilitate precise control over chemical treatment dosages, ensuring optimal water quality and corrosion inhibition while minimizing chemical usage and associated costs. Under this framework, this paper describes the sensoring and monitoring solution for a hybrid system based on a cooling tower (CT) connected to mechanical vapor compression (MVC) equipment for desalination and brine concentration purposes. Sensors connected to the data commercial logger solution, Almemo 2890-9, are also discussed in detail such as temperature, relative humidity, pressure, flow rate, etc. The monitoring system allows remote control of the MVC based on a server, GateManager, and TightVNC. In this way, the proposed solution provides remote access to the hybrid system, being able to visualize gathered data in real time. A case study located in Cartagena (Spain) is used to assess the proposed solution. Collected data from temperature transmitters, pneumatic valves, level sensors, and power demand are included and discussed in the paper. These variables allow a subsequent forecasting process to estimate brine concentration values. Different sample times are included in this paper to minimize the collected data from the hybrid system within suitable operation conditions. This solution is suitable to be applied to other desalination processes and locations.

Monastrol suppresses invasion and metastasis in human colorectal cancer cells by targeting fascin independent of kinesin-Eg5 pathway.

Rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton is a prerequisite for carcinoma cells to develop cellular protrusions, which are required for migration, invasion, and metastasis. Fascin is a key protein involved in actin bundling and is expressed in aggressive and invasive carcinomas. Additionally, fascin appears to be involved in tubulin-binding and microtubule rearrangement. Pharmacophoric-based in silico screening was performed to identify compounds with better fascin inhibitory properties than migrastatin, a gold-standard fascin inhibitor. We hypothesized that monastrol displays anti-migratory and anti-invasive properties via fascin blocking in colorectal cancer cell lines. Biophysical (thermofluor and ligand titration followed by fluorescence spectroscopy), biochemical (NMR), and cellular assays (MTT, invasion of human tissue), as well as animal model studies (zebrafish invasion) were performed to characterize the inhibitory effect of monastrol on fascin activity. In silico analysis revealed that monastrol is a potential fascin-binding compound. Biophysical and biochemical assays demonstrated that monastrol binds to fascin and interferes with its actin-bundling activity. Cell culture studies, including a 3D human myoma disc model, showed that monastrol inhibited fascin-driven cytoplasmic protrusions as well as invasion. In silico, confocal microscopy, and immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that monastrol disrupted fascin-tubulin interactions. These anti-invasive effects were confirmed in vivo. In silico confocal microscopy and immunoprecipitation assays were carried out to test whether monastrol disrupted the fascin-tubulin interaction. This study reports, for the first time, the in vitro and in vivo anti-invasive properties of monastrol in colorectal tumor cells. The number and types of interactions suggest potential binding of monastrol across actin and tubulin sites on fascin, which could be valuable for the development of antitumor therapies.

Integrated Heat Recovery System Based on Mixed Ionic-Electronic Conducting Membrane for Improved Solid Oxide Co-Electrolyzer Performance.

The current state of mixed ionic-electronic conducting ceramic membrane technology presents significant advancements with potential applications in various fields including solid oxide electrolyzers, fuel cells, hydrogen production, CO2 reduction, and membrane reactors for chemical production and oxygen separation. Particularly in oxygen separation applications, optimal conditions closely align with the conditions of oxygen-rich air streams emitted from the anode of solid oxide co-electrolyzers. This paper describes and analyzes a novel integrated heat recovery system based on mixed ionic-electronic conducting membranes. The system operates in two stages: firstly, oxygen is separated from the anode output stream using mixed ionic-electronic conducting membranes aided by a vacuum system, followed by the heat recovery process. Upon oxygen separation, the swept gas stream is recirculated at temperatures near thermoneutral conditions, resulting in performance improvements at both cell and system levels. Additionally, an oxygen stream is generated for various applications. An Aspen HYSYS® model has been developed to calculate heat and material balances, demonstrating the efficiency enhancements of the proposed system configuration.

Efficacy of a Telemonitoring System as a Complementary Strategy in the Treatment of Patients With Heart Failure: Randomized Clinical Trial.

Episodes of decompensation are the main cause of hospital admissions in patients with heart failure. For this reason, the use of mobile apps emerges as an excellent strategy to improve coverage, real-time monitoring, and timeliness of care. ControlVit is an electronic application for early detection of complications studied within the context of a tertiary university hospital. Patients were randomized to the use of ControlVit versus placebo, during a 6-month follow-up. The primary outcome was the difference in numbers of readmissions and deaths for heart failure between both groups. One hundred forty patients were included (intervention = 71, placebo = 69), with an average age of 66 years old; 71% were men. The main etiology of heart failure was ischemic (60%), whereas the main comorbidities were arterial hypertension (44%), dyslipidemia (42%), hypothyroidism (38%), chronic kidney disease (38%), and diabetes mellitus (27%). The primary outcome occurred more frequently in the control group: readmission due to decompensation for heart failure (control group n = 14 vs intervention group n = 3; P = .0081), and death (control group n = 11 vs intervention group n = 3; P = .024). In heart failure patients, ControlVit is a useful and supplementary tool, which reduces hospital admissions due to episodes of decompensation.

Tuning electronic levels in photoactive hydroxylated titania nanosystems: combining the ligand dipole effect and quantum confinement.

Reducing the size of titania (TiO2) to the nanoscale promotes the photoactive anatase phase for use in a range of applications from industrial catalysis to environment remediation. The nanoscale dimensions of these systems affect the magnitude of the electronic energy gap by quantum confinement. Upon interaction with aqueous environments or water vapour, the surfaces of these systems will also be hydroxylated to some degree. In turn, this affects the electronic energy levels due to the cumulative electrostatic effect of the dipolar hydroxyl (-OH) ligands (i.e. the ligand dipole effect). Using accurate density functional calculations, we investigate the combined effects of quantum confinement and the hydration-induced ligand dipole effect on a set of realistic titania nanosystems over a wide range of hydroxylation. Our detailed investigation reveals that, contrary to previous models, the ligand dipole effect does not-linearly depend on the ligand coverage due to the formation of inter-ligand OH⋯OH hydrogen bonds. To account for the resulting effects, we propose a refined model, which describes the ligand dipole effect more accurately in our systems. We show that both hydroxylation (by the ligand dipole effect) and size (by quantum confinement) have significant but distinct impacts on the electronic energy levels in nanotitania. As an example, we discuss how variations in these effects can be used to tune the highest unoccupied energy level in nanotitania for enhancing the efficiency of the hydrogen evolution reaction. Overall, we show that any specific energy shift can be achieved by a range of different combinations of nanosystem size and degree of hydroxylation, thus providing options for energy-level tuning while also allowing consideration of practical constraints (e.g. synthetic limitations, operating conditions) for photochemical applications.

Candida Variety in the Oral Cavity of Mexican Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and TLR2 Gene Expression.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to diagnose Candida in the oral cavity of subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using a genotyping technique and compare the results with those from conventional diagnosis by Papanicolaou (Pap) staining. METHODS: Palatal mucosa smears were performed on 18 dental care patients diagnosed with T2DM and grade I, II, and III prosthetic stomatitis who met the inclusion criteria; 18 healthy control subjects were also included in the study. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were determined from total blood. Using exfoliative cytology, the Pap staining technique was used to diagnose candidiasis. Exfoliative cytology was also used for molecular diagnosis; DNA was obtained for Candida genotyping, and RNA was used for gene expression studies. RESULTS: Clinical patterns indicated that all subjects were positive for Candida; however, Pap analysis revealed only three positive subjects, whereas end-point polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis revealed 15 subjects with some type of Candida. The most common Candida species found were Candida guilliermondii (38.8%), Candida krusei (33.3%), Candida tropicalis, and Candida lusitaniae (22.2%). Interestingly, the coexpression of different species of Candida was found in various patients. In all patients, HbA1c levels were increased. Gene expression analysis showed a significant decrease (p ≤ 0.05) in TLR2 expression in positive subjects, whereas TLR4 expression did not differ significantly among patients. CONCLUSIONS: The end-point PCR technique showed better sensitivity for the diagnosis of Candida when compared with the diagnosis by Pap staining. T2DM subjects showed an increased presence of C. guilliermondii that was correlated with decreased TLR2 expression.

Extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma of the pancreas.

We present the clinical case of a 21-year-old male with abdominal pain in the left hypochondrium radiating to the ipsilateral lumbar area and a weight loss of 2kg over a month, secondary to a large palpable intra-abdominal mass in the examination. TAC revealed a large solid mass with necrotic-cystic component which depended of the pancreas, infiltrated the spleen, enveloped the celiac trunk and affected to the splenic vases. Inmunohistochemical and molecular study confirmed the diagnosis extraosseus Ewing sarcoma (EES).

Perineural Infiltration: A Comprehensive Review of Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Implications.

ABSTRACT: Perineural infiltration refers to a neoplastic cell involvement in, around, and through the nerves. It is considered as one of the neoplastic dissemination pathways. Thus, its identification is crucial to establish the prognosis of some malignant skin neoplasms, such as squamous cell carcinoma, and explains the locally aggressive behavior of cutaneous neoplasms, such as microcystic adnexal carcinoma. We have conducted a review of malignant and benign skin tumors in which perineural infiltration has been described, and we also discuss some histopathological findings that may simulate perineural infiltration.

Ultra-high throughput-based screening for the discovery of antiplatelet drugs affecting receptor dependent calcium signaling dynamics.

Distinct platelet activation patterns are elicited by the tyrosine kinase-linked collagen receptor glycoprotein VI (GPVI) and the G-protein coupled protease-activated receptors (PAR1/4) for thrombin. This is reflected in the different platelet Ca2+ responses induced by the GPVI agonist collagen-related peptide (CRP) and the PAR1/4 agonist thrombin. Using a 96 well-plate assay with human Calcium-6-loaded platelets and a panel of 22 pharmacological inhibitors, we assessed the cytosolic Ca2+ signaling domains of these receptors and developed an automated Ca2+ curve algorithm. The algorithm was used to evaluate an ultra-high throughput (UHT) based screening of 16,635 chemically diverse small molecules with orally active physicochemical properties for effects on platelets stimulated with CRP or thrombin. Stringent agonist-specific selection criteria resulted in the identification of 151 drug-like molecules, of which three hit compounds were further characterized. The dibenzyl formamide derivative ANO61 selectively modulated thrombin-induced Ca2+ responses, whereas the aromatic sulfonyl imidazole AF299 and the phenothiazine ethopropazine affected CRP-induced responses. Platelet functional assays confirmed selectivity of these hits. Ethopropazine retained its inhibitory potential in the presence of plasma, and suppressed collagen-dependent thrombus buildup at arterial shear rate. In conclusion, targeting of platelet Ca2+ signaling dynamics in a screening campaign has the potential of identifying novel platelet-inhibiting molecules.

Multizonal observational study conducted by clinical practitioners on Repatha® use in patients with hyperlipidemia (ZERBINI): Colombian results / Estudio Observacional Multizonal realizado por Médicos Clínicos sobre el Uso de Repatha® en Pacientes con Hiperlipidemia (ZERBINI): resultados colombianos

Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) represents the primary cause of death and disability globally, with elevated cholesterol as one of the leading risk factors for CVD. We describe the clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and effectiveness of evolocumab in treating hyperlipidemia. Methods Observational study conducted through a chart review of patients with hyperlipidemia receiving evolocumab as part of clinical management in Colombia. Results This study included 115 patients treated with evolocumab. A total of 101 patients (87.8%) had a history of CVD, 13 (11.3%) familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), and 23 (20%) type 2 diabetes. Thirty-nine patients reported intolerance to any statin (33.9%). The median value of LDL-C before initiation of evolocumab was 147mg/dL (IQR: 122.5–183.7mg/dL). Within the first 3 months of treatment, LDL-C value dropped to a median value of 53mg/dL (IQR: 34.0–95.5mg/dL), showing a reduction of 63.9%. The median LDL-C values remained below 45mg/dL until the end of follow-up. Among the patients with available data, up to 61% achieved an LDL-C level below 55mg/dL at the 10–12-month follow-up. A total of 72% of patients were persistent with treatment. Safety results showed a low frequency of hospitalizations (≤2%) and treatment-emergent adverse drug reactions (5.2%). No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions Evolocumab was associated with reductions in LDL-C levels, with a relative decrease of 63.9% within the first 3 months of treatment. Low rates of interruptions due to adverse events and adequate medication persistence was reported. (AU)

Antecedentes Las enfermedades cardiovasculares (ECV) representan la principal causa de muerte y discapacidad en todo el mundo, siendo el colesterol elevado uno de los principales factores de riesgo de ECV. El presente estudio describe las características clínicas, patrones de tratamiento y la efectividad de evolocumab en el tratamiento de la hiperlipidemia. Métodos Estudio observacional de revisión de historias clínicas de pacientes con hiperlipidemia que reciben evolocumab como parte del manejo clínico en Colombia. Resultados Se incluyeron 115 pacientes tratados con evolocumab. Un total de 101 pacientes (87,8%) presentaron antecedentes de ECV, 13 (11,3%) de hipercolesterolemia familiar y 23 (20%) de diabetes tipo 2. De los pacientes estudiados, 39% declararon intolerancia a alguna estatina (33,9%). La mediana de C-LDL antes del inicio de evolocumab fue de 147mg/dL (IQR: 122,5-183,7mg/dL). En los primeros tres meses de tratamiento, el valor de C-LDL descendió a 53mg/dL (IQR: 34,0-95,5mg/dL), siendo una reducción de 63,9%. La mediana de C-LDL se mantuvo por debajo de 45mg/dL hasta el final del seguimiento. Entre los pacientes con datos disponibles, hasta 61% alcanzó un nivel de LDL-C inferior a 55mg/dL en el seguimiento de 10-12 meses. De los pacientes analizados, 72% fue persistente al tratamiento. Los resultados de seguridad mostraron una baja frecuencia de hospitalizaciones (≤2%) y de reacciones adversas relacionadas al tratamiento (5,2%). No se notificaron acontecimientos adversos graves. Conclusiones Evolocumab se asoció con reducciones en los niveles de C-LDL, con una disminución relativa de 63,9% en los primeros tres meses de tratamiento. Se reportaron bajas tasas de interrupciones por eventos adversos y adecuada persistencia a la medicación. (AU)

Estimating Nonradiative Excited-State Lifetimes in Photoactive Semiconducting Nanostructures.

The time evolution of the exciton generated by light adsorption in a photocatalyst is an important feature that can be approached from full nonadiabatic molecular dynamics simulations. Here, a crucial parameter is the nonradiative recombination rate between the hole and the electron that form the exciton. In the present work, we explore the performance of a Fermi's golden rule-based approach on predicting the recombination rate in a set of photoactive titania nanostructures, relying solely on the coupling of the ground and first excited state. In this scheme the analysis of the first excited state is carried out by invoking Kasha's rule thus avoiding computationally expensive nonadiabatic molecular dynamics simulations and resulting in an affordable estimate of the recombination rate. Our results show that, compared to previous ones from nonadiabatic molecular dynamics simulations, semiquantitative recombination rates can be predicted for the smaller titania nanostructures, and qualitative values are obtained from the larger ones. The present scheme is expected to be useful in the field of computational heterogeneous photocatalysis whenever a complex and computationally expensive full nonadiabatic molecular dynamics cannot be carried out.

Purification and characterisation of the platelet-activating GPVI/FcRγ complex in SMALPs.

The collagen/fibrin(ogen) receptor, glycoprotein VI (GPVI), is a platelet activating receptor and a promising anti-thrombotic drug target. However, while agonist-induced GPVI clustering on platelet membranes has been shown to be essential for its activation, it is unknown if GPVI dimerisation represents a unique conformation for ligand binding. Current GPVI structures all contain only the two immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) domains in the GPVI extracellular region, so lacking the mucin-like stalk, transmembrane, cytoplasmic tail of GPVI and its associated Fc receptor γ (FcRγ) homodimer signalling chain, and provide contradictory insights into the mechanisms of GPVI dimerisation. Here, we utilised styrene maleic-acid lipid particles (SMALPs) to extract GPVI in complex with its two associated FcRγ chains from transfected HEK-293T cells, together with the adjacent lipid bilayer, then purified and characterised the GPVI/FcRγ-containing SMALPs, to enable structural insights into the full-length GPVI/FcRγ complex. Using size exclusion chromatography followed by a native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) method, SMA-PAGE, we revealed multiple sizes of the purified GPVI/FcRγ SMALPs, suggesting the potential existence of GPVI oligomers. Importantly, GPVI/FcRγ SMALPs were functional as they could bind collagen. Mono-dispersed GPVI/FcRγ SMALPs could be observed under negative stain electron microscopy. These results pave the way for the future investigation of GPVI stoichiometry and structure, while also validating SMALPs as a promising tool for the investigation of human membrane protein interactions, stoichiometry and structure.

Is the Elite Female Athlete's Pelvic Floor Stronger?

Background: Exercise can stress the pelvic floor muscles (PFMs). This study sought to assess the strength of the PFMs according to the level of physical exercise. Methods: An analytical observational study was carried out using digital palpation and dynamometry measurements to assess PF strength. Healthy nulliparous women were stratified according to physical exercise (physically active and sedentary) and level of physical exercise (elite, amateur, and sedentary). Results: Fifty-four women were analyzed, with a mean age of 25.64 (5.33) years and a BMI of 21.41 (2.96) kg/m2. Differences in the passive force and strength were observed between both groups of women (p < 0.05), and the strength was around two times higher in physically active women (p < 0.05). The strength was similar between elite female athletes and sedentary women (p > 0.05), but statistical differences were found with amateurs (p < 0.05). The PFM strength (p = 0.019) of elite female athletes (0.34 N) was almost half that of amateurs (0.63 N) and twice as strong as that of sedentary women (0.20 N). However, these differences were not significant using digital palpation (p = 0.398). Conclusions: Women who exercise generally have greater PFM strength than women who do not exercise. Physical exercise could strengthen the PFM; however, the high intensity demanded by high-level sports does not seem to proportionally increase the strength of the PFMs.

Design and Implementation of an AI-Enabled Sensor for the Prediction of the Behaviour of Software Applications in Industrial Scenarios.

In the era of Industry 4.0 and 5.0, a transformative wave of softwarisation has surged. This shift towards software-centric frameworks has been a cornerstone and has highlighted the need to comprehend software applications. This research introduces a novel agent-based architecture designed to sense and predict software application metrics in industrial scenarios using AI techniques. It comprises interconnected agents that aim to enhance operational insights and decision-making processes. The forecaster component uses a random forest regressor to predict known and aggregated metrics. Further analysis demonstrates overall robust predictive capabilities. Visual representations and an error analysis underscore the forecasting accuracy and limitations. This work establishes a foundational understanding and predictive architecture for software behaviours, charting a course for future advancements in decision-making components within evolving industrial landscapes.

Understanding the Chemical Bond in Semiconductor/MXene Composites: TiO2 Clusters Anchored on the Ti2C MXene Surface.

First-principles calculations on titania clusters (TiO2)n (n=5 and 10) supported on the pristine Ti2C (0001) surface were carried out to understand the properties of semiconductor/MXene composites with implications in (photo)-catalysis. The reported results reveal a high exothermic interaction accompanied by a substantial charge transfer with a concomitant, notorious, deformation of the titania nanoclusters. The analysis of the density of states analysis of the composite systems evidences a metallic character with titania related states crossing the Fermi level. The picture of the chemical bonds is completed by the analysis of X-Ray Photoelectron Spectra (XPS) features, evidencing clear shifts of the C(1s) and O(1s) related peaks relative to the isolated systems that have a quite complex origin. This detailed analysis provides insights to experimentalists interested in the design and synthesis of these systems with possible applications in catalysis.