77823 research outputs found
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Leveraging agent-based models and deep reinforcement learning to predict taxis in cell migration
No full textWe present a novel computational framework that combines Agent-Based Modeling (ABM) with Reinforcement Learning (RL) using the Double Deep Q-Network (DDQN) algorithm to determine cellular behavior in response to environmental signals. With this approach, the model captures the transduction of environmental cues into biological responses directly from experimental observations, without explicitly predefining cell behavior. This enables the prediction of dynamic, environment-dependent cell behavior and offers a scalable and flexible alternative to traditional rule-based ABM. To illustrate its potential, we present an application to barotactic cell migration data from microfluidic device experiments, where cells adapt their migration behavior based on pressure gradients, demonstrating the model’s ability to generalize across varying geometries and pressure configurations. Thus, this approach introduces a novel direction for modeling how cells sense and transduce environmental cues into biological behavior
Primera atestación del uso de mármol local en el noroeste peninsular para la producción de sarcófagos tardoantiguos
No full textSe analiza el material soporte en el que está realizado el frente de sarcófago conservado en la iglesia parroquial de Goiáns-Portosín (Porto do Son, A Coruña), una de las piezas tardoantiguas más singulares del NO peninsular. Se ha realizado un estudio detallado de la pieza, con una estrategia de análisis multimétodo que nos ha permitido confirmar el uso de mármol local, lo que descarta las hipótesis previas de su importación desde ámbitos mediterráneos y refuerza el papel de las canteras y los talleres de producción de sarcófagos y otras piezas en el NO peninsular entre los ss. IV-V d.C
Understanding Health in Spanish Children: The Role of Demographics in Physical Activity and Nutrition Attitudes
No full textBackground: This study investigates the influence of sex, age, and their interaction on health behaviors, perceived physical fitness, and attitudes toward physical activity and eating among schoolchildren. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 1027 students aged 8–12 years from 15 primary schools in Lleida. Participants completed the PAQ-A for physical activity, the IFIS for perceived physical fitness, the AATPA for attitudes toward physical activity, and the AATE for attitudes toward eating. Data were analyzed using regression models to assess the effects of sex, age, and their interaction. Results: Males reported higher physical activity levels and more positive attitudes toward physical activity than females (p < 0.05). Perceived physical fitness was also greater among males (p < 0.05). Age was positively associated with physical activity and attitudes toward healthy eating, with older children reporting more favorable outcomes (p < 0.01). Significant interaction effects between sex and age were observed for physical activity levels and attitudes toward eating, indicating demographic-specific trends. Conclusions: This study highlights significant sex and age differences in children’s health behaviors and attitudes. These findings underscore the need for gender-sensitive and age-appropriate interventions to promote healthier lifestyles among schoolchildren. Future research should explore longitudinal designs to confirm these relationships over time
Novel Methodology to Assess Salt Movement Between Mortar and Stones from Heritage in Spain
No full textThe development of sustainable cementitious materials is crucial to reduce the environmental footprint of the construction industry. Alkali-activated materials (AAMs) have emerged as promising environmentally friendly alternatives; however, their compatibility with natural stone in heritage structures remains poorly understood, especially regarding salt migration and related damage to stones. This study presents a novel methodology for assessing salt movement in solid materials between two types of stones—Boñar and Silos—and two types of binders: blended Portland cement (BPC) and an AAM. The samples underwent capillarity and immersion tests to evaluate water absorption, salt transport, and efflorescence behavior. The capillarity of the Silos stone was 0.148 kg·m−2·t−0.5, whereas this was 0.0166 kg·m−2·t−0.5 for the Boñar stone, a ninefold difference. Conductivity mapping and XRD analysis revealed that AAM-based mortars exhibit a significantly higher release of salts, primarily sodium sulfate, which may pose a risk to adjacent porous stones. In contrast, BPC showed lower salt mobility and different salt compositions. These findings highlight the importance of evaluating the compatibility between alternative binders and heritage stones. The use of AAMs may pose significant risks due to their tendency to release soluble salts. Although, in the current experiments, no pore damage or mechanical degradation was observed, additional studies are required to confirm this. A thorough understanding of salt transport mechanisms is therefore essential to ensure that sustainable restoration materials do not inadvertently accelerate the deterioration of structures, a process more problematic when the deterioration affects heritage monuments
Advances in Cryopreservation Strategies for 3D Biofabricated Constructs: From Hydrogels to Bioprinted Tissues
No full textThe cryopreservation of three-dimensional (3D) biofabricated constructs is a key enabler for their clinical application in regenerative medicine. Unlike two-dimensional (2D) cultures, 3D systems such as encapsulated cell spheroids, molded hydrogels, and bioprinted tissues present specific challenges related to cryoprotectant (CPA) diffusion, thermal gradients, and ice formation during freezing and thawing. This review examines the current strategies for preserving 3D constructs, focusing on the role of biomaterials as cryoprotective matrices. Natural polymers (e.g., hyaluronic acid, alginate, chitosan), protein-based scaffolds (e.g., silk fibroin, sericin), and synthetic polymers (e.g., polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)) are evaluated for their ability to support cell viability, structural integrity, and CPA transport. Special attention is given to cryoprotectant systems that are free of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and to the influence of hydrogel architecture on freezing outcomes. We have compared the efficacy and limitations of slow freezing and vitrification protocols and review innovative approaches such as temperature-controlled cryoprinting, nano-warming, and hybrid scaffolds with improved cryocompatibility. Additionally, we address the regulatory and manufacturing challenges associated with developing Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-compliant cryopreservation workflows. Overall, this review provides an integrated perspective on material-based strategies for 3D cryopreservation and identifies future directions to enable the long-term storage and clinical translation of engineered tissues
«Chapurriau como lo han llamado siempre». Origen del glotònim xapurriau a la Franja (primera meitat del s. XX)
No full text“Chapurrear” is defined as “to speak a language with difficulty and make mistakes” (RAE, 2023). This article examines the historical use of the term Chapurriau to refer to the language spoken within the Catalan-speaking region of Aragon (the Franja). It systematically examines its earliest recorded appearances in written public discourse and finds no evidence that Chapurriau appeared in written form before the 20th century. This absence contrasts with historical references to the language as Catalan or Limousin. The article suggests that debates over glottonyms, or clearly associated with the idea of linguistic mixture, are closely linked to its historical loss of functions and can thus be understood as symptoms of its decline
Optimizing Vegan Nutrition: Current Challenges and Potential Solutions
No full textA growing number of scientific and policy institutions recognize predominantly plant-based diets as the most sustainable dietary patterns, for both public health and the environment, and are therefore encouraging citizens to shift their eating habits. Alongside this, more people are adopting vegan or vegetarian diets in response to environmental concerns and animal welfare. In this context, the responsibility for planning nutritionally adequate diets cannot be solely individual, with household solutions, but collective actions are needed at the industrial and agricultural level. Historically, the food industry has improved the nutritional value of animal-derived foods through feed modification and supplementation. Today, similar efforts are needed to enhance the nutrient profile of plant-based foods. In addition, nutrient recommendations originally designed for mixed diets may not be directly applicable to populations following exclusively plant-based diets, given the differences in bioavailability and metabolism. This review aims to (1) identify nutrients that may be absent or present in insufficient amounts in plant-based and especially vegan diets; (2) explore potential solutions, ranging from soil management and crop biofortification to food processing, fortification, and supplementation; and (3) call for a revision of dietary reference intakes that better reflects the specific needs of populations consuming total or predominantly plant-based diets
Optimizing acute pain relief in severe knee Osteoarthritis: The influence of resistance exercise volume and psychosocial factors
No full textBackground: While exercise is a key part of knee osteoarthritis (OA) management, the optimal dose for acute pain relief remains unclear. We aimed to determine the optimal resistance exercise volume to induce exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) in older adults with severe knee OA.
Methods: 28 participants (11/17 women/men; mean age = 71.6 ± 5.2 years) with severe knee OA awaiting unilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty were recruited. They were randomised to four experimental conditions (cross-over design) conducted with a separation of 4 days. Knee extension exercises with elastic resistance were performed at single exercise sessions at 10 repetition maximum (RM) intensity, while varying the number of sets (control with no exercise, 4 sets, 8 sets, and 12 sets).
Results: Higher exercise volumes (12 and 8 sets) induced greater EIH 10 min post-exercise compared to lower volumes (4 sets) or no exercise, with significant differences favouring the 12-set exercise intervention (η2 = 0.472, p < 0.001). Pain intensity increased immediately post-exercise in all exercise interventions but returned to baseline after 10 min in the 4- and 12-set exercise interventions. PPT increased post-10 min in the 8- and 12-set exercise interventions for both the affected and contralateral limbs (p < 0.05). PCS moderated the EIH response, reducing its effect in the 12-set (r = −0.436, p < 0.05) and 8-set (r = −0.418, p < 0.05) exercise intervention.
Conclusions: Greater resistance exercise volume appears to be associated with an initial increase in pain perception followed by a delayed hypoalgesic response in patients with severe knee OA. These exploratory findings suggest that higher-volume resistance exercise may be a valuable strategy for acute pain relief, although clinicians should balance short-term discomfort with long-term benefits, considering both physical and psychosocial factors, to improve pain-related outcomes aimed at reducing acute pain in this population. However, further research is needed to confirm these effects beyond a controlled, single-exercise acute intervention
Beyond the NAO: The East Atlantic Pattern's Role in Early 20th‐Century Meteorological Droughts in Western Europe
No full textThe North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the East Atlantic (EA) pattern are the primary winter modes of large-scale atmospheric variability in the North Atlantic. While EA is generally considered secondary to NAO, recent studies have reported that during the early 20th century, EA was the leading mode of variability instead of NAO. This study builds on that finding to characterise North Atlantic winter atmospheric circulation during this period. The early 20th century was marked by an intensified Azores High coinciding with an extensive Icelandic Low (IL), which generated widespread negative SLP anomalies across the North Atlantic. This configuration elevated EA's role as a primary modulator of precipitation in Western Europe. Focusing on the Iberian Peninsula, we demonstrate that during this period, EA effectively captured precipitation variability both in the western sector—typically influenced by NAO—and in the eastern sector, where neither NAO nor EA generally exerts significant control. Our findings enhance the understanding of precipitation variability in this region and provide insights into the non-stationary relationship between EA and NAO. Finally, this study suggests the importance of internal climate variability in shaping those North Atlantic winter dynamics. Intense volcanic activity in the late 19th century likely contributed to ocean cooling and NAO intensifying. However, the mechanisms behind the exceptionally strong IL (e.g., EA−) remain unclear. Despite remaining uncertainties, advancing knowledge in this area will be crucial for improving medium-range weather prediction systems and long-term climate projections
Geometrical distribution of agents based on a generalised Potts model
No full textIn collective local interaction systems with agents assigned to different profiles (categories, traits), the distribution of such profiles in the neighbourhood of any agent affects the exchange of ideas, a basic element in Collective Intelligence experiments. It is important to control this distribution experimentally, asking for criteria that should range from maximum homogeneity to maximum difference. We suggest a method where we obtain these criteria by adding an extra interaction term to the Q-state Potts model, producing a rich vacuum structure. By controlling the two parameters of the model, we can obtain different patterns for the geometrical distribution of the agents. We study the transitions and phase diagram of this model, considering the physics at constant magnetization, and show that the states correspond to a large diversity of mixing patterns, directly applicable to agent distribution in CI experiments