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Effectiveness of physiotherapy and its impact on the quality of life of patients compared to other therapeutic approaches in the management of female sexual dysfunction in non-menopausal adult population: a systematic review
No full textIntroduction
Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) affects quality of life, presenting as reduced sexual desire, arousal issues, pain, and orgasm difficulties. Its multifactorial causes include physical and psychological factors, with about 43% of women in the United States affected.
Objective
To evaluate the efficacy of physiotherapy compared to other treatments (medical, psychological, pharmacological) in improving sexual function and quality of life in adult women with sexual dysfunction, excluding menopausal women. It synthesizes evidence on physiotherapeutic treatments, such as pelvic floor exercises, manual therapy, biofeedback, electrotherapy, and pelvic function education.
Methods
Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies evaluating the effectiveness of physiotherapy in adult women with sexual dysfunction, excluding postmenopausal. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed using standardized tools.
Results
Of the 708 identified studies, 8 met the inclusion criteria. The studies demonstrated significant improvements in Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) domains following physiotherapeutic interventions, notably reducing pain and enhancing desire and arousal. However, heterogeneity among studies precluded meta-analysis, necessitating qualitative synthesis.
Discussion
Physiotherapy, particularly pelvic floor muscle training and multimodal approaches, proved effective in enhancing sexual function and reducing pain. While physiotherapy offers a non-invasive alternative with fewer side effects compared to surgical options, variability in intervention protocols indicates the need for standardization. Psychological and emotional factors are key in sexual dysfunction, highlighting the value of integrated treatments. Capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency with manual therapy improved sexual function in women with dyspareunia, though benefits were short-lived, underscoring the need for maintenance strategies.
Conclusions
Physiotherapy is an effective intervention for FSD, significantly improving quality of life. Incorporating physiotherapy into clinical rehabilitation programs is recommended. Further research with standardized protocols and long-term follow-ups is necessary to consolidate evidence and optimize treatment strategies.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio
NIR Luminescence from Deep-Level Traps in CsPbBr3 Microcrystals
No full textIn this study, we report the first observation of a near-infrared (NIR) emission band from all-inorganic CsPbBr3 and CsPb(Br/Cl)3 perovskite microcrystals. By means of temperature- and power-dependent NIR and visible luminescence spectroscopy, we demonstrate that a fraction of the excited states in these materials relax through radiative transitions involving traps located deep within the band gap, leading to broadband NIR emission. The quantum yield of this deep trap emission is quantitatively determined for the first time and amounts to approximately 0.3% at room temperature. Furthermore, by examining the picosecond-to-nanosecond dynamics of the excited states, using time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy, we observe that the population of NIR initial states occurs on a 660 ps time scale, consistent with the capture of free carriers by deep trap sites. Hence, this work deepens our fundamental understanding of previously unexplored recombination channels in metal halide perovskite microcrystals.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio
Hydrogen and deuterium influence on BaCe0.6Zr0.3Y0.1O3-α electrolyte: Effects on ionic conductivity and on sensing performance
No full textThe measurement of hydrogen isotopes will be of great interest for future fusion reactors to ensure their proper operation. For this reason, electrochemical sensors will be suitable tools for hydrogen isotopes quantification, as they can perform on-line and in situ measurements. One of the many challenges in hydrogen sensing is finding materials suitable for use at high temperatures and in aggressive environments. In this regard, perovskite-type ceramics exhibit high proton conductivity and excellent physical and chemical stabilities. These properties make perovskite materials ideal candidates for the development of high-temperature hydrogen isotopes sensors.
In this study, BaCe0.6Zr0.3Y0.1O3-α electrolyte was employed to fabricate amperometric sensors to monitor hydrogen isotopes. First, the ionic conductivity of the electrolyte was measured for hydrogen and deuterium using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) in order to determine isotopic effects. It was observed a protonic conduction as the governing transport mechanism. In addition, the ratio between the ionic conductivity of hydrogen and deuterium was 1.2–1.4. Then, amperometric measurements were performed at 350, 400, and 500 °C, while maintaining a voltage of 0.15 V between electrodes. The sensors' performance was assessed for hydrogen and deuterium partial pressures ranging from 0.15 to 0.30 mbar within an argon atmosphere. Calibration curves for both isotopes exhibited differences of approximately 20% in their slopes, which agrees with the trend observed in the ionic conductivity results. Additionally, the response time to hydrogen was three times faster compared to that observed for deuterium. These findings suggest that electrochemical sensors utilizing solid-state electrolytes, such as BaCe0.6Zr0.3Y0.1O3-α, holds great promise as an innovative and effective tool for hydrogen isotope sensing.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio
Diagnostic questions y evaluación formativa: identificando conocimientos matemáticos
No full textLas diagnostic questions ofrecen una estrategia de evaluación formativa y de aprendizaje que
se implementa en el aula en distintos momentos y con diversos objetivos. Aparecen al principio,
durante o al final de la clase, ya sea para identificar conocimientos previos, para generar
discusión y aprendizaje, o para valorar la comprensión de un determinado concepto
matemático de manera individualizada. A continuación se presentan algunos ejemplos de su
aplicación en el día a día del aula, así como también se valora como práctica de evaluación
formativa.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio
Guia dels estudis de doctorat a la Universitat Ramon Llull. Bones pràctiques i recomanacions
Full text linkAquest document conté les bones pràctiques i recomanacions acordades i consensuades per la Comissió de Doctorat.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Analysis of training behavior in users of a fitness app: Cross-sectional study
Full text linkBackground:
Mobile health (mHealth) apps are increasingly being used to promote physical activity (PA) and can support exercise uptake and maintenance. Despite their potential, these tools face high dropout rates and inconsistent adherence, posing a significant challenge. Understanding how users engage with fitness apps is essential for improving user experience and health outcomes.
Objective:
This study aims to analyze user behavior patterns in the Mammoth Hunters (MH) fitness app (Mammoth Hunters SL), focusing on retention (days from registration to user’s last recorded training session), average weekly training frequency, and adherence (alignment between planned and actual training). We examined how these outcomes are influenced by sociodemographic, motivational, and other variables.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study involved 2771 Mammoth Hunters app users. In a subsample (n=289), training data were complemented by motivational data acquired through online surveying via an ad-hoc scale (internal consistency >0.83) based on the self-determination theory (SDT). Descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests (Kruskal-Wallis, Dunn post-hoc, and Spearman correlation) were used to assess correlation between sociodemographic, motivation, and training behavior variables.
Results:
Mean retention (days) was significantly higher among males than females (135 vs 109, respectively; P<.01), users in the subscription vs free plan (154 vs 81; P<.001), active or very active individuals vs inactive, midbuilt vs thin body types (132 vs 120; P=.001), and those with slightly lower BMI. Users pursuing antiaging or muscle gain goals showed longer retention than those aiming to lose weight (gain: 132, antiaging: 128, lose weight: 116; P<.001). Average weekly frequency (sessions per week) of training was statistically significantly different by sex (male: 1.9 vs female: 1.8; P=.04), body type (thin: 1.96 vs mid: 1.77; P=.04), activity level (very active: 2.05 vs inactive: 1.83; P=.04), and motivation type (extrinsic introjected motivation correlated positively: r=0.17; P<.05), but did not correlate with perceived difficulty or fitness goals. Adherence, defined as actual vs targeted training frequency, was only significantly different among body types, with thin users showing higher adherence than the midbuilt group (57% vs 52.1%; P=.02). Intrinsic motivation showed a positive correlation with retention (r=0.19; P=.002), as did identified motivation (r=0.12; P<.05).
Conclusions:
This study shows that retention is influenced by demographic factors, with males, subscribers, previously active, midbuilds, those aiming to gain muscle, and individuals with autonomous types (ie, intrinsic and identified) of motivation displaying greater long-term participation. These findings provide valuable preliminary insight into the complexities of exercise training behavior in apps. They suggest that training frequency, retention, and adherence do not respond to the same factors. App developers, researchers, and trainers should assess these variables separately and develop strategies accordingly.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
3D Printing of Silicone Organogel Elastomers for Structured Soft Biomaterials
No full textCreating customizable soft medical implants and devices tailored to patient-specific anatomy represents a significant challenge in healthcare, requiring 3D-printable materials with viscoelastic properties similar to those of natural tissue, high adaptability, and biocompatibility. Here, we develop a family of silicone organogel inks for 3D printing of tunable soft biomaterials via direct ink writing (DIW). We have developed a set of ink formulations comprising photo-cross-linkable silicone polymers, silicone oil, and fumed silica nanoparticles to modify the rheological behavior of the inks, optimize their printability, and control the viscoelastic properties of the printed organogel materials. The formulation approach decouples ink viscosity and shear-thinning behavior from the properties of the printed organogel materials, yielding soft elastomeric materials spanning 3 orders of magnitude in moduli. These organogel inks were used in multimaterial DIW to print soft-structured materials with nonlinear behavior, leveraging graded spatial heterogeneity to introduce stress dissipation and out-of-plane deformation mechanisms. The biocompatibility of these organogel materials was analyzed through a variety of cytotoxicity assays with human dermal fibroblasts, showing no significant toxicity, even in formulations with high silicone oil content. Due to their wide tunability, biocompatibility, and easy printability, these silicone organogel materials show great potential for 3D printing customizable soft devices useful in many applications, including patient-specific implants, prosthetics, wearable devices, medical phantoms, soft robotics, and medical devices.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio
Virtual vs Human: Comparing Persuasive Factors in Influencer Marketing Campaigns
No full textThis chapter explores the evolving landscape of influencer marketing with the advance of virtual influencers—AI-powered, computer-generated characters designed to emulate human influencers. As traditional advertising faces growing consumer skepticism, social media influencers have emerged as compelling alternatives, with electronic word-of-mouth (e-WOM) playing a central role in shaping consumer behavior. Recently, virtual influencers have garnered attention for their ability to engage audiences, offering brands unprecedented control and consistency in their messaging. However, concerns around their authenticity, credibility, and ethical use remain prevalent. Drawing on empirical research, this chapter investigates how virtual influencers are perceived by social media users, with a specific focus on parasocial interactions and source credibility. Using in-depth interviews analyzed through thematic analysis, the study identifies key factors that make virtual influencers persuasive, including physical and social similarity to the target audience, engaging content, and interactive behaviors. While respondents acknowledge their appeal—especially in contexts such as technology promotion—virtual influencers are seen as less credible than human influencers when promoting products they cannot physically use. Nonetheless, credibility can be enhanced through third-party validation and relevant, high-quality content. The findings highlight that while virtual influencers hold promise, their persuasive power is highly context-dependent and currently falls short of human influencers in terms of perceived authenticity and trustworthiness. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the potential for virtual influencers to gain traction as technology improves and audience expectations evolve.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio
Polar π stacking for metal-free near, remote, and ultra-remote C–H coupling with aryliodanes
No full textWe introduce a C–H coupling process in which an aromatic C–I position serves as trampoline for targeting various aromatic C–H positions. The reaction is set in motion by an interaction between the λ3-iodane ArI(OAc)2 and the π system of polyunsaturated organosilanes. In particular, the silyl-terminated enynes engage in fully regioselective ortho and para C–H functionalization, with selectivity switch achieved by reversing the order of the substrate’s ene and yne fragments. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that the ortho selectivity is governed by a [3,3] sigmatropic rearrangement, while the para coupling occurs through a directional three-point π interaction of the enyne-derived cationic π system, giving rise to an essentially barrierless [5,5] sigmatropic rearrangement. Furthermore, iodane-guided C–H functionalization of 2-iodonaphthalene could be directed to the ultra-remote C6 position through further π extension of the organosilanes partner. The latter reaction represents a nearly unprecedented example of a formal [7,7] sigmatropic rearrangement.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio
Development of simplified poly(β-aminoester)-zwitterion nanovehicles for transfection of cancer cells and improved gene delivery across a cell-based model of the blood-brain barrier
No full textAlthough nucleotide-based therapeutics hold promise for a variety of diseases, their clinical application is limited because of low stability and poor bioavailability. Among non-viral gene delivery vectors, poly(β-aminoester)s (pBAEs) stand out because of their low cytotoxicity, high transfection capacity, and adequate biodegradation profile. Oligopeptide end-Modified pBAEs (OM-pBAEs) enable enhanced polynucleotide encapsulation, cellular internalization, and transfection. Despite the outstanding properties of OM-pBAEs as non-viral gene delivery vectors, traditional OM-pBAE formulations have low cell selectivity and require formulation with two or more polymers. In this study, we first develop a simplified OM-pBAE formulation with a single polymer (pBAE-CRHR) and then add a zwitterionic moiety as part of the end-capping process (pBAE-CRHR-Zw) to decrease unspecific transfection. Subsequently, we recover transfection capacity for target cancer cells in two ways: (i) by addition of a photo-cleavable moiety between the pBAE and the zwitterion, and (ii) by functionalization of pBAEs with BrainBike-4, a bicyclic peptidomimetic targeting the transferrin receptor 1. Finally, we show that derivatization of pBAE-CRHR-Zw with BrainBike-4 enhances transmigration of the gene delivery system across a tight monolayer of human endothelial cells mimicking the BBB.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio