High-speed infrared thermal measurements of impacted metallic solids.

The methodology used to measure transient temperature changes in impacted solids, using high-speed infrared detectors, is presented and discussed thoroughly. The various steps leading to a reliable measurement, namely selection of the sensing device, calibration of the setup, interfacing with the impact apparatus (Kolsky bar), and data reduction are presented. The outcome of the above methodology is illustrated in terms of the Taylor-Quinney factor, a well-known measure of the efficiency of the thermomechanical conversion.•Selection of infrared detectors.•Importance of the calibration procedure.•Determination of the Taylor-Quinney factor.

Reassessment of the Dynamic Thermomechanical Conversion in Metals.

Heat dissipation still remains an unsolved problem in dynamic plasticity, where nearly adiabatic conditions prevail during high-rate loading scenarios. It is well known that the mechanical energy that is not dissipated as heat during material straining remains stored in the lattice as microstructural defects, and thus, a one-to-one relationship can be expected between the stored energy, the materials microstructure, and its mechanical characteristics. This work demonstrates that this is not so straightforward. High-rate experiments on a Kolsky bar, combined with in situ thermal measurements, were performed on two well-studied materials: pure nickel and aluminum. A dislocation-based constitutive model was used to estimate the mechanical and thermomechanical material behavior. For both materials, the thermal response was observed to be strongly strain rate sensitive, while the mechanical flow, and microstructural characteristics (as characterized by transmission electron microscopy at similar strains), were not. This apparent discrepancy between mechanical and microstructural vs thermal results is discussed, and the concept of thermomechanical conversion is reassessed.

Insights into the virulence-related genes of Edwardsiella tarda isolated from turbot in Europe: genetic homogeneity and evidence for vibrioferrin production.

Edwardsiella tarda has long been known as a pathogen that causes severe economic losses in aquaculture industry. Insights gained on E. tarda pathogenesis may prove useful in the development of new methods for the treatment of infections as well as preventive measures against future outbreaks. In this report, we have established the correlation between the presence of virulence genes, related with three aspects typically involved in bacterial pathogenesis (chondroitinase activity, quorum sensing and siderophore-mediated ferric uptake systems), in the genome of E. tarda strains isolated from turbot in Europe and their phenotypic traits. A total of 8 genes were tested by PCR for their presence in 73 E. tarda isolates. High homogeneity was observed in the presence/absence pattern of all the strains. Positive results in the amplification of virulence-related genes were correlated with the detection of chondroitinase activity in agar plates, in vivo AHL production during fish infection and determination of type of siderophore produced by E. tarda. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study carried out with European strains on potential virulence factors. Furthermore, we demonstrated for the first time that E. tarda produces the siderophore vibrioferrin.

Effects of whole-body vibration and resistance training on knee extensors muscular performance.

Whole-body vibration (WBV) is being promoted as an efficient complement to resistance training. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an 8-week program of WBV in combination with resistance training on knee extensors muscular performance. A group of 29 young adults (25 men, 4 women; age 21.8 ± 1.5) performed a WBV plus resistance training program (WBV + RES) or an identical exercise program in absence of vibration (placebo plus resistance training, PL + RES). Participants were evaluated for anthropometry, muscle strength (half-squat three repetition maximum, 3RM), knee extensors isokinetic dynamometry (180° and 60° s(-1)) and counter-movement jump (CMJ). After the intervention, percent body fat significantly decreased 2.1% only in WBV + RES (P < 0.001), while muscle mass significantly increased in both groups (P < 0.01): 2.2 and 2.8 kg in PL + RES and WBV + RES, respectively. No significant differences were observed in isokinetic strength or CMJ, and 3RM significantly increased in both groups (P < 0.001): 64.2 kg (52% of baseline) in PL + RES, and 46.9 kg (43%) in WBV + RES. The addition of WBV to resistance training during 8 weeks, in recreationally active young adults, did not result in a larger muscular performance improvement compared to an identical exercise program in absence of vibration. Muscle mass also seemed to be equally affected with or without vibration, yet body fat could be exclusively decreased by WBV. Further research is required to clarify whether WBV, as a complement to resistance training, produces additional specific benefits.

¿Controlamos correctamente la diabetes desde atención primaria en Talavera de la Reina (Toledo)? / Do we control diabetes correctly from Primary Care in Talavera de la Reina (Toledo)?

Introducción. La diabetes mellitus es una enfermedad crónica con elevada morbilidad, con un elevado coste sanitario y social, cuyo correcto control es fundamental. La glucohemoglobina (HbA1c) se ha convertido en un elemento de controversia sobre su utilidad diagnóstica y de monitorización de la enfermedad. Material y métodos. Se han analizado todas las determinaciones de HbA1c de la población no pediátrica de la Gerencia de Atención Primaria de Talavera de la Reina (Toledo) entre los años 2006 a 2008. Todas las muestras han sido analizadas en el Servicio de Análisis Clínicos del Hospital Nuestra Señora del Prado de Talavera de la Reina de acuerdo a las normas internacionales. La concentración de HbA1c a partir de la que se ha considerado un buen o mal control de la DM es del 7%. Todos los resultados se han agregado por peticionario y por centro de salud. Resultados. Se han realizado 26.611 determinaciones, con un valor medio de la concentración de HbA1c 6,9%. No existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre centros de salud (p>0,05) ni entre profesionales (p>0,05). El 57,1% de la población del área está bien controlada, sin que existan diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre centros de salud (p>0,05). Conclusión. Nuestra población tiene un grado de control adecuado de su glucemia, de acuerdo a los valores de HbA1c, y no existen diferencias significativas entre centros de salud o entre los profesionales. La no existencia de diferencias estadísticas no significa que no se aprecie una variabilidad en el grado de control. Debemos seguir trabajando por reducir las diferencias encontradas, para que la población pueda acceder a los mismos niveles de salud (AU)

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease with high morbidity, high health and social costs, and in which control is crucial. Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) has become a matter of controversy on its usefulness in diagnosing and monitoring the disease. Material and methods: We analysed all measures of HbA1c measurements in the population non-paediatric Primary Care population in Talavera de la Reina (Toledo, Spain) between the years 2006-2008. All samples were analysed in the Laboratory of the Hospital Nuestra Se˜nora del Prado, Talavera de la Reina in line with international standards. The concentration of HbA1c which has been considered to show good or poor control of DM is 7%. All results have been analysed by requester or by health centre. Results: A total of 26,611 determinations were made, with a mean HbA1c concentration of 6.9%. No statistically significant differences were found between health centres (p > .05) or between the professionals who requested the test (p > .05). The majority, 57.1% of the population of the area, was well controlled, with no statistically significant differences between health centres (p > .05). Conclusion: Our population has an adequate level of blood glucose control, according to the values of HbA1c values, with no significant differences between health centres or professionals. The absence of statistical differences does not necessarily mean that no variation was observed in the level of control. We must continue working to reduce the differences found, so that patients may have access to the same levels of health (AU)

[Diterpenes and other components of Croton hirtus (Euphorbiaceae)]. / Diterpenos y otros constituyentes de Croton hirtus (Euphorbiaceae).

The roots of Croton hirtus (Euphorbiaceae) collected in Paraiso, Cartago (Costa Rica) afforded, in addition to the few known metabolites, 20 new compounds: the bis-nor dolabradane 1, the dolabradanes 2 and 3, the kauranes 4-7, the cyclopropakauranes 8 and 9, the hirtusanes 10-15, the germacradiene esters 16-18 and the C-25 compound 21, presumably formed by a Diels-Alder reaction between compound 18 and a monoterpene. All structures were elucidated using high field 1D and 2D NMR techniques. MS fragmentation patterns are here reported. The absolute configurations of 4 and 9 were elucidated by using circular dichroism. The separation was performed with modern chromatographic technics.