Showing papers by "University of Lleida published in 2017"

MONARCH 2: Abemaciclib in Combination With Fulvestrant in Women With HR+/HER2- Advanced Breast Cancer Who Had Progressed While Receiving Endocrine Therapy.

Abstract: PurposeMONARCH 2 (ClinicalTrialsgov identifier: NCT02107703) compared the efficacy and safety of abemaciclib, a selective cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 inhibitor, plus fulvestrant with fulvestrant alone in patients with advanced breast cancer (ABC)Patients and MethodsMONARCH 2 was a global, double-blind, phase III study of women with hormone receptor-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative ABC who had progressed while receiving neoadjuvant or adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET), ≤ 12 months from the end of adjuvant ET, or while receiving first-line ET for metastatic disease Patients were randomly assigned 2:1 to receive abemaciclib or placebo (150 mg twice daily) on a continuous schedule and fulvestrant (500 mg, per label) The primary end point was investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS), and key secondary end points included overall survival, objective response rate (ORR), duration of response, clinical benefit rate, quality of life, and safetyResultsBetween August

Edible Nanoemulsions as Carriers of Active Ingredients: A Review

Abstract: There has been growing interest in the use of edible nanoemulsions as delivery systems for lipophilic active substances, such as oil-soluble vitamins, antimicrobials, flavors, and nutraceuticals, because of their unique physicochemical properties. Oil-in-water nanoemulsions consist of oil droplets with diameters typically between approximately 30 and 200 nm that are dispersed within an aqueous medium. The small droplet size usually leads to an improvement in stability, gravitational separation, and aggregation. Moreover, the high droplet surface area associated with the small droplet size often leads to a high reactivity with biological cells and macromolecules. As a result, lipid digestibility and bioactive bioavailability are usually higher in nanoemulsions than conventional emulsions, which is an advantage for the development of bioactive delivery systems. In this review, the most important factors affecting nanoemulsion formation and stability are highlighted, and a critical analysis of the potential benefits of using nanoemulsions in food systems is presented.

Species interactions increase the temporal stability of community productivity in Pinus sylvestris-Fagus sylvatica mixtures across Europe

Abstract: There is increasing evidence that species diversity enhances the temporal stability (TS) of community productivity in different ecosystems, although its effect at the population and tree levels seems to be negative or neutral. Asynchrony in species responses to environmental conditions was found to be one of the main drivers of this stabilizing process. However, the effect of species mixing on the stability of productivity, and the relative importance of the associated mechanisms, remain poorly understood in forest communities. We investigated the way mixing species influenced the TS of productivity in Pinus sylvestris L. and Fagus sylvatica L. forests, and attempted to determine the main drivers among overyielding, asynchrony between species annual growth responses to environmental conditions, and temporal shifts in species interactions. We used a network of 93 experimental plots distributed across Europe to compare the TS of basal area growth over a 15-year period (1999-2013) in mixed and monospecific forest stands at different organizational levels, namely the community, population and individual tree levels. Mixed stands showed a higher TS of basal area growth than monospecific stands at the community level, but not at the population or individual tree levels. The TS at the community level was related to asynchrony between species growth in mixtures, but not to overyielding nor to asynchrony between species growth in monospecific stands. Temporal shifts in species interactions were also related to asynchrony and to the mixing effect on the TS. Synthesis. Our findings confirm that species mixing can stabilize productivity at the community level, whereas there is a neutral or negative effect on stability at the population and individual tree levels. The contrasting findings regarding the relationships between the temporal stability and asynchrony in species growth in mixed and monospecific stands suggest that the main driver in the stabilizing process may be the temporal niche complementarity between species rather than differences in species' intrinsic responses to environmental conditions.

Radiative cooling as low-grade energy source: A literature review

Abstract: Radiative cooling is a technology intended to provide cooling using the sky as a heat sink. This technology has been widely studied since 20th century but its research is scattered all over the literature, requiring of a review to gather all information and a state-of-the-art. In the present article, the research has been classified in: (1) radiative cooling background, (2) selective radiative cooling, (3) theoretical approach and numerical simulations, and (4) radiative cooling prototypes. Even though this is a low-grade technology it can dramatically reduce the energy consumption, since it is renewable and requires low energy for its operation. However, new functionalities of the device, apart from radiative cooling, are required for profitable reasons. Some recommendations extracted from the literature to improve the efficiency of radiative cooling are: to use a cover to achieve low temperatures, to use water instead of air as heat-carrier fluid, and to couple the device with heat storage. Finally, further research should be focused in the development of new materials with improved radiative properties, the measurement of incoming infrared atmospheric radiation and/or new technics to predict it, and the evaluation of new device concepts.

Spatiotemporal rainfall and temperature trends throughout the Brazilian Legal Amazon, 1973–2013

Abstract: This study analyzes the spatiotemporal variability of rainfall and temperature (minimum, maximum and average) trends at 47 stations throughout the Brazilian Legal Amazon for the period 1973–2013. Annual, wet season and dry season trends were quantified by Sen's slope for each station and the entire region. The Mann–Kendall test was used to determine the statistical significance of the trends. For the whole region, minimum, maximum and average annual temperatures showed increasing trend of approximately 0.04 °C per year. The rainfall showed an insignificant trend for most stations for annual and seasonal series. Nevertheless, some stations showed significant increasing trends in the annual and wet season rainfalls while a few stations showed decreasing trends for the dry season rainfall. A positive trend of the annual range between wet and dry season rainfall was found in some stations, caused mainly by an increasing trend in wet season rainfall.

Human-caused fire occurrence modelling in perspective: a review

Abstract: The increasing global concern about wildfires, mostly caused by people, has triggered the development of human-caused fire occurrence models in many countries. The premise is that better knowledge of the underlying factors is critical for many fire management purposes, such as operational decision-making in suppression and strategic prevention planning, or guidance on forest and land-use policies. However, the explanatory and predictive capacity of fire occurrence models is not yet widely applied to the management of forests, fires or emergencies. In this article, we analyse the developments in the field of human-caused fire occurrence modelling with the aim of identifying the most appropriate variables and methods for applications in forest and fire management and civil protection. We stratify our worldwide analysis by temporal dimension (short-term and long-term) and by model output (numeric or binary), and discuss management applications. An attempt to perform a meta-analysis based on published models proved limited because of non-equivalence of the metrics and units of the estimators and outcomes across studies, the diversity of models and the lack of information in published works.

The Specificity of Observational Studies in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences: Moving Forward in Mixed Methods Research and Proposals for Achieving Quantitative and Qualitative Symmetry.

Abstract: Mixed methods studies are been increasingly applied to a diversity of fields. In this paper, we discuss the growing use—and enormous potential—of mixed methods research in the field of sport and physical activity. A second aim is to contribute to strengthening the characteristics of mixed methods research by showing how systematic observation offers rigor within a flexible framework that can be applied to a wide range of situations. Observational methodology is characterized by high scientific rigor and flexibility throughout its different stages and allows the objective study of spontaneous behavior in natural settings, with no external influence. Mixed methods researchers need to take bold yet thoughtful decisions regarding both substantive and procedural issues. We present three fundamental and complementary ideas to guide researchers in this respect: we show why studies of sport and physical activity that use a mixed methods research approach should be included in the field of mixed methods research, we highlight the numerous possibilities offered by observational methodology in this field through the transformation of descriptive data into quantifiable code matrices, and we discuss possible solutions for achieving true integration of qualitative and quantitative findings.

Application of Structure‐from‐Motion photogrammetry to river restoration

Abstract: This research is funded by the Environment Agency and United Utilities whose support is gratefully acknowledged. Some of the methods employed in this work have been tested on the background of the results obtained in MorphSed (www.morphsed.es), a research project funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competiveness and the European Regional Development Fund Scheme (FEDER; CGL2012-36394). The second author is funded by a Ramon y Cajal Fellowship (RYC-2010-06264). Authors acknowledge the support from the Economy and Knowledge Department of the Catalan Government through the Consolidated Research Group ‘Fluvial Dynamics Research Group’ (2014 SGR 645). The authors thank Manel Llena from the University of Lleida for his help and contribution to the camera calibration experiments. We are also grateful to the three anonymous reviewers and the editors for their comments that greatly improved the manuscript.

Association between low empathy and high burnout among primary care physicians and nurses in Lleida, Spain.

Abstract: Background: Burnout is a growing problem among healthcare professionals and may be mitigated and even prevented by measures designed to promote empathy and resilience.Objectives: We studied the association between burnout and empathy in primary care practitioners in Lleida, Spain and investigated possible differences according to age, sex, profession, and place of practice (urban versus rural).Methods: All general practitioners (GPs) and family nurses in the health district of Lleida (population 366 000) were asked by email to anonymously complete the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSPE) between May and July 2014. Tool consistency was evaluated by Cronbach’s α, the association between empathy and burnout by Spearman’s correlation coefficient, and the association between burnout and empathy and sociodemographic variables by the χ2 test.Results: One hundred and thirty-six GPs and 131 nurses (52.7% response rate) from six urban and 16 rural practices par...

Vegetable Oils as Alternative Solvents for Green Oleo-Extraction, Purification and Formulation of Food and Natural Products.

Abstract: Since solvents of petroleum origin are now strictly regulated worldwide, there is a growing demand for using greener, bio-based and renewable solvents for extraction, purification and formulation of natural and food products. The ideal alternative solvents are non-volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that have high dissolving power and flash point, together with low toxicity and less environmental impact. They should be obtained from renewable resources at a reasonable price and be easy to recycle. Based on the principles of Green Chemistry and Green Engineering, vegetable oils could become an ideal alternative solvent to extract compounds for purification, enrichment, or even pollution remediation. This review presents an overview of vegetable oils as solvents enriched with various bioactive compounds from natural resources, as well as the relationship between dissolving power of non-polar and polar bioactive components with the function of fatty acids and/or lipid classes in vegetable oils, and other minor components. A focus on simulation of solvent-solute interactions and a discussion of polar paradox theory propose a mechanism explaining the phenomena of dissolving polar and non-polar bioactive components in vegetable oils as green solvents with variable polarity.

Effects of Pitch Area-Restrictions on Tactical Behavior, Physical, and Physiological Performances in Soccer Large-Sided Games.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to identify how pitch area-restrictions affect the tactical behavior, physical, and physiological performances of players during soccer large-sided games. A 10 vs. 9 large-sided game was performed under 3 experimental conditions: (a) restricted-spacing, the pitch was divided into specific areas where players were assigned and they should not leave it; (b) contiguous-spacing, the pitch was divided into specific areas where the players were only allowed to move to a neighboring one; (c) free-spacing, the players had no restrictions in space occupation. The positional data were used to compute players' spatial exploration index and also the distance, coefficient of variation, approximate entropy, and frequency of near-in-phase displacements synchronization of players' dyads formed by the outfield teammates. Players' physical and physiological performances were assessed by the distance covered at different speed categories, game pace, and heart rate. Most likely higher values were found in players' spatial exploration index under free-spacing conditions. The synchronization between dyads' displacements showed higher values for contiguous-spacing and free-spacing conditions. In contrast, for the jogging and running intensity zones, restricted-spacing demanded a moderate effect and most likely decrease compared with other scenarios (~20–50% to jogging and ~60–90% to running). Overall, the effects of limiting players' spatial exploration greatly impaired the coadaptation between teammates' positioning while decreasing the physical and physiological performances. These results allow for a better understanding of players' decision-making process according to specific task rules and can be relevant to enrich practice task design, such that coaches acknowledge the differential effect by using specific pitch-position area restrictions.

The Not-So-Good Prognosis of Streptococcal Periprosthetic Joint Infection Managed by Implant Retention: The Results of a Large Multicenter Study

Abstract: Background.: Streptococci are not an infrequent cause of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). Management by debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR) is thought to produce a good prognosis, but little is known about the real likelihood of success. Methods.: A retrospective, observational, multicenter, international study was performed during 2003-2012. Eligible patients had a streptococcal PJI that was managed with DAIR. The primary endpoint was failure, defined as death related to infection, relapse/persistence of infection, or the need for salvage therapy. Results.: Overall, 462 cases were included (median age 72 years, 50% men). The most frequent species was Streptococcus agalactiae (34%), and 52% of all cases were hematogenous. Antibiotic treatment was primarily using β-lactams, and 37% of patients received rifampin. Outcomes were evaluable in 444 patients: failure occurred in 187 (42.1%; 95% confidence interval, 37.5%-46.7%) after a median of 62 days from debridement; patients without failure were followed up for a median of 802 days. Independent predictors (hazard ratios) of failure were rheumatoid arthritis (2.36), late post-surgical infection (2.20), and bacteremia (1.69). Independent predictors of success were exchange of removable components (0.60), early use of rifampin (0.98 per day of treatment within the first 30 days), and long treatments (≥21 days) with β-lactams, either as monotherapy (0.48) or in combination with rifampin (0.34). Conclusions.: This is the largest series to our knowledge of streptococcal PJI managed by DAIR, showing a worse prognosis than previously reported. The beneficial effects of exchanging the removable components and of β-lactams are confirmed and maybe also a potential benefit from adding rifampin.

Effect of virgin olive oil and thyme phenolic compounds on blood lipid profile: implications of human gut microbiota

Abstract: To investigate the effect of virgin olive oil phenolic compounds (PC) alone or in combination with thyme PC on blood lipid profile from hypercholesterolemic humans, and whether the changes generated are related with changes in gut microbiota populations and activities. A randomized, controlled, double-blind, crossover human trial (n = 12) was carried out. Participants ingested 25 mL/day for 3 weeks, preceded by 2-week washout periods, three raw virgin olive oils differing in the concentration and origin of PC: (1) a virgin olive oil (OO) naturally containing 80 mg PC/kg, (VOO), (2) a PC-enriched virgin olive oil containing 500 mg PC/kg, from OO (FVOO), and (3) a PC-enriched virgin olive oil containing a mixture of 500 mg PC/kg from OO and thyme, 1:1 (FVOOT). Blood lipid values and faecal quantitative changes in microbial populations, short chain fatty acids, cholesterol microbial metabolites, bile acids, and phenolic metabolites were analysed. FVOOT decreased seric ox-LDL concentrations compared with pre-FVOOT, and increased numbers of bifidobacteria and the levels of the phenolic metabolite protocatechuic acid compared to VOO (P < 0.05). FVOO did not lead to changes in blood lipid profile nor quantitative changes in the microbial populations analysed, but increased the coprostanone compared to FVOOT (P < 0.05), and the levels of the faecal hydroxytyrosol and dihydroxyphenylacetic acids, compared with pre-intervention values and to VOO, respectively (P < 0.05). The ingestion of a PC-enriched virgin olive oil, containing a mixture of olive oil and thyme PC for 3 weeks, decreases blood ox-LDL in hypercholesterolemic humans. This cardio-protective effect could be mediated by the increases in populations of bifidobacteria together with increases in PC microbial metabolites with antioxidant activities.

Mobile terrestrial laser scanner applications in precision fruticulture/ horticulture and tools to extract information from canopy point clouds

Abstract: LiDAR sensors are widely used in many areas and, in recent years, that includes agricultural tasks. In this work, a self-developed mobile terrestrial laser scanner based on a 2D light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor was used to scan an intensive olive orchard, and different algorithms were developed to estimate canopy volume. Canopy volume estimations derived from LiDAR sensor readings were compared to conventional estimations used in fruticulture/horticulture research and the results prove that they are equivalent with coefficients of correlation ranging from r = 0.56 to r = 0.82 depending on the algorithms used. Additionally, tools related to analysis of point cloud data from the LiDAR-based system are proposed to extract further geometrical and structural information from tree row crop canopies to be offered to farmers and technical advisors as digital raster maps. Having high spatial resolution information on canopy geometry (i.e., height, width and volume) and on canopy structure (i.e., light penetrability, leafiness and porosity) may result in better orchard management decisions. Easily obtainable, reliable information on canopy geometry and structure may favour the development of decision support systems either for irrigation, fertilization or canopy management, as well as for variable rate application of agricultural inputs in the framework of precision fruticulture/horticulture.

Ultrasound assisted extraction of polysaccharides from mushroom by-products

Abstract: The effect of ultrasound technology to extract the water soluble polysaccharides from dried and milled by-products generated from Agaricus Bisporus production was studied. Amounts of β-glucan 1.01 and 0.98 g/100 g dry mass were obtained in particle sizes of 355–250 μm and 150-125 μm from the mushroom by-products. Three parameters of extraction were studied; extraction time (0–15 min), ultrasonic amplitude (20–100 μm) and precipitation time (1 or 18 h). The application of ultrasounds enhanced the extraction polysaccharide yields compared to the untreated samples. The highest extraction yield of 4.7% was achieved with an extraction time of 15 min, maximum amplitude of 100 μm with 1 h of precipitation in 80% ethanol. The coefficient of determinations for predicted water soluble polysaccharides extraction yields showed good correlation with the experimental data at the 95% confidence level and indicated that the non-exponential Peleg's model could be employed to predict the extraction polysaccharide yields after ultrasound treatment.

Concentrating solar systems: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and environmental issues

Abstract: The present article is a critical literature review about studies which are based on LCA (life cycle assessment) and about studies which include environmental issues about concentrating solar systems (concentrating photovoltaic (CPV), concentrating solar power (CSP), etc.). The results reveal that CPV environmental profile depends on several factors such as the materials of the concentrator and the direct solar radiation. On the other hand, there are different factors which influence CSP profile (from environmental point of view), including water use and materials e.g. for storage. By considering the literature review presented it can be noted that: 1) Regarding CPV, there is a need for more studies which investigate different concentration ratios, CPVT (concentrating photovoltaic/thermal) systems, low-concentration CPV, strategies to reduce the impact of certain components such as the tracking (especially for large-scale applications) and the concentrators, 2) Concerning CSP, there is a need for more investigations about dish-Stirling, storage materials, strategies for water savings, soiling effect, 3) In general, regarding concentrating solar systems, there is a need for more studies with Fresnel lenses and reflectors, for small-scale systems for buildings and for multiple final applications (desalination, drying, etc.), 4) With respect to the adopted methods/environmental indicators, certainly CO2.eq emissions, embodied energy and EPBT (energy payback time) can provide useful information for concentrating solar systems; nevertheless, there is a need for utilization of additional methods (e.g. based on midpoint, endpoint approaches) which can also offer useful information.