Printed, Flexible Lactate Sensors: Design Considerations Before Performing On-Body Measurements.

This work reports the process of sensor development, optimization, and characterization before the transition to on-body measurements can be made. Sensors using lactate oxidase as a sensing mechanism and tetrathiafulvalene as a mediator were optimized for sporting applications. Optimized sensors show linear range up to 24 mM lactate and sensitivity of 4.8 μA/mM which normalizes to 68 μA*cm-2/mM when accounting for surface area of the sensor. The optimized sensors were characterized 3 different ways: using commercially available reference and counter electrodes, using printed reference and counter electrodes, and using a printed reference electrode with no counter electrode. Sensors intended for measuring sweat must be selective in the presence of sweat constituents. Thus, in addition to traditional characterization in pH 7.0 buffer, we characterized sensor performance in solutions intended to approximate sweat. Sensor performance in pH 7.0 buffer solution was not reflective of sensor performance in artificial sweat, indicating that further characterization is necessary between sensor measurement in pH 7.0 buffer and on-body measurements. Furthermore, we performed enzyme activity measurements and sensor measurements concurrently in five different salts individually, finding that while NH4Cl and MgCl2 do not affect enzyme activity or sensor performance in physiologically relevant ranges of salt concentration, NaCl concentration or KCl concentration decreases enzyme activity and sensor current. On the other hand, CaCl2 induced a nonlinear change in sensor performance and enzyme activity with increasing salt concentration

Flexible and stretchable power sources for wearable electronics.

Flexible and stretchable power sources represent a key technology for the realization of wearable electronics. Developing flexible and stretchable batteries with mechanical endurance that is on par with commercial standards and offer compliance while retaining safety remains a significant challenge. We present a unique approach that demonstrates mechanically robust, intrinsically safe silver-zinc batteries. This approach uses current collectors with enhanced mechanical design, such as helical springs and serpentines, as a structural support and backbone for all battery components. We show wire-shaped batteries based on helical band springs that are resilient to fatigue and retain electrochemical performance over 17,000 flexure cycles at a 0.5-cm bending radius. Serpentine-shaped batteries can be stretched with tunable degree and directionality while maintaining their specific capacity. Finally, the batteries are integrated, as a wearable device, with a photovoltaic module that enables recharging of the batteries

Tiempo de crecimiento bacteriano en hemocultivos en neonatos

ResumenIntroducciónLa sepsis es causa importante de morbimortalidad neonatal.ObjetivosDetectar el tiempo en que la curva de crecimiento bacteriano es evidenciada en la muestra de sangre inoculada en los hemocultivos y comparar estos tiempos de crecimiento bacteriano entre bacterias gramnegativas y grampositivas, entre los tipos de sepsis neonatal y determinar las bacterias más frecuentemente aisladas entre neonatos prematuros y de término.Pacientes y métodoEstudio descriptivo de recién nacidos en riesgo de sepsis o con sospecha de sepsis por manifestaciones clínicas o de laboratorio, en que se evaluaron 114 hemocultivos positivos entre 1.932 hemocultivos tomados entre mayo de 2010 y mayo de 2014. Los datos se analizaron con Stata® 11.0.ResultadosEl 5,9% de los hemocultivos tuvieron crecimiento bacteriano. La mediana y rango intercuartílico de tiempos de crecimiento bacteriano para gramnegativos fue 11h (10-13h), para grampositivos diferentes a Staphylococcus coagulasa negativo (SCoN) 12h (12-18h) y para SCoN 42h (36-44h). El 95,8% de las bacterias grampositivas y el 96% de las gramnegativas tuvieron tiempos de crecimiento bacteriano≤24h de incubación, mientras que en los SCoN el 100% de los hemocultivos fue positivo en≤62h de incubación.ConclusiónEl 100% de sepsis por bacterias gramnegativas, grampositivas no SCoN y 90% de las ocasionadas por SCoN, son identificadas en los hemocultivos en las primeras 48h, por lo cual podemos concluir que para descartar una sepsis, un período de incubación en hemocultivos de 48h es suficiente.AbstractIntroductionSepsis is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality.ObjectivesTo detect the time when the bacterial growth curve is evidenced in the blood sample inoculated blood cultures and comparing the times of bacterial growth between Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria, among the types of neonatal sepsis and identifying microorganisms more often isolated from preterm and term.Patients and methodA descriptive study. 114 positive blood cultures from 1,932 blood cultures taken from 01-May-2010 and 31-May-2014 were evaluated. Data were analyzed with Stata® 11.0.Results5.9% of blood cultures had bacterial growth. The median and interquartile range of Gram negative times of bacterial growth was 11h (10-13h), for Gram positive coagulase-negative Staphylococcus different (CoNS) 12h (12-18h) and CoNS 42h (36-44h). 95.8% of Gram positive and 96% of Gram negative, were the times of bacterial growth≤24h incubation, whereas the 100% CoNS was positive≤62h of incubation.Conclusion100% of sepsis by Gram negative and Gram positive no CoNS and 90% of those caused by CoNS are identified in blood cultures in 48h, so we can conclude that to rule out sepsis, an incubation period of 48h in blood cultures is sufficient

Cómo integrar Design Thinking en el Ciclo de Vida de Verificación y Validación de Software para Simuladores de Vuelo

In order to ensure the Flight Simulator´s functionality, this article exposes the application of the “Design Thinking” Methodology. This will lead to provide more creative and innovative solutions during the Verification and Validation process in the Flight Simulator Software´s Life Cycle. The application of this method in the first stages of the process allows an active and early interaction with user´s needs, increasing the building of solutions and the identification of needs, heighten the final product´s standards. It is important to ensure quality in the software development of flight´s simulators, due to its application is crucial and essential to the air defense of our country. So as to improve the aforementioned process, Design Thinking works with three main scenarios: Ideation, Inspiration and Implementation. The main objective of this article is to integrate these scenarios with the Verification and Validation of the Software´s Life Cycle and develop a new way to test software, including the user as a strategic source. It is expected that the results will contribute to create high quality products being these vital assets for the pilot´s training process who daily assume the challenge of guarding the Argentine sky.  Este artículo presenta la aplicación de la Metodología Design Thinking para dar una solución creativa e innovadora en el Ciclo de Vida de Verificación y Validación de Software en Simuladores de Vuelo, de tal manera de optimizar su funcionalidad. La utilización de este método en las primeras etapas de dicho proceso permite una interacción activa y temprana con el usuario, aumentando la generación de opciones de solución y la identificación de necesidades, consiguiendo contribuir a la calidad del producto final. Es importante asegurar la calidad en el desarrollo de software de simuladores de vuelos, debido a su funcionamiento crucial y a la esencialidad que aportan en la defensa aérea de nuestro país. Para mejorar el proceso mencionado se trabaja principalmente con tres escenarios de Design Thinking: Ideación, Inspiración e Implementación. El objetivo principal de este artículo es integrar estos escenarios en el Ciclo de Vida de Verificación y Validación de manera que ayuden a desarrollar una nueva forma de testear software, incluyendo al usuario como fuente estratégica. Se espera que los resultados contribuyan a crear productos de calidad, ya que los mismos representan un activo esencial para la formación de pilotos que asumen el desafío de custodiar el cielo argentino

Reference interval for immature platelet fraction on Sysmex XN haematology analyser in adult population

Introduction: The Sysmex XN-series haematology analyser has newly adopted a fluorescent channel to measure immature platelet fraction (IPF). To promote the clinical utility of this promising parameter, establishing a reliable reference interval is mandatory. According to previous studies, IPF values may be affected by the employed analyser and the ethnic background of the individual, but no differences seem to be found between individuals’ genders. Therefore, this study aimed to define the reference interval for IPF in a Spanish population following Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Materials and methods: A total of 153 healthy Caucasian adults from Spain met the inclusion criteria. IPF measurement was performed by means of a Sysmex XN-2000 haematology analyser. A non-parametric percentile method was used to calculate the reference intervals in accordance with CLSI guidelines. Results: The obtained reference interval for IPF on the Sysmex XN-2000 was 1.6–9.6% (90% confidence intervals (CIs) were 1.5–1.8 and 9.3–11.5, respectively). No significant gender difference in IPF reference intervals was observed (P = 0.101). Conclusions: This study provides, for the first time, a reference interval for IPF using a Sysmex XN-2000 in a Spanish population, ranging from 1.6 to 9.6%. These data are needed to evaluate platelet production in several conditions such as thrombocytopenia, inflammatory states and cardiovascular diseases, as well as for future research

Conocimientos sobre factores de riesgo y autocuidado para prevenir la amenaza de parto pretérmino en consultantes del Hospital Santa Mónica de Dosquebradas 2004

CD-T 618.397 A41;100 p.El propósito de este trabajo es propiciar la modificación de comportamientos en las gestantes frente a la problemática de la APP (Amenaza de Parto Prertérmino) con una guía de educación para trabajadores de la salud, que ofrezca la fundamentación científica de los cuidados y pueda ser utilizada tanto a nivel hospitalario como ambulatorio, que utilice el potencial individual y familiar de autogestión y auto-cuidado de cada gestante y releve la importancia de que la gestante y su grupo familiar mantengan hábitos saludables que benefician la salud propia y la del niño por nacer.Universidad Libre de Pereir

Cu and As(V) Adsorption and Desorption on/from Different Soils and Bio-Adsorbents

This research is concerned with the adsorption and desorption of Cu and As(V) on/from different soils and by-products. Both contaminants may reach soils by the spreading of manure/slurries, wastewater, sewage sludge, or pesticides, and also due to pollution caused by mining and industrial activities. Different crop soils were sampled in A Limia (AL) and Sarria (S) (Galicia, NW Spain). Three low-cost by-products were selected to evaluate their bio-adsorbent potential: pine bark, oak ash, and mussel shell. The adsorption/desorption studies were carried out by means of batch-type experiments, adding increasing and individual concentrations of Cu and As(V). The fit of the adsorption data to the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin models was assessed, with good results in some cases, but with high estimation errors in others. Cu retention was higher in soils with high organic matter and/or pH, reaching almost 100%, while the desorption was less than 15%. The As(V) adsorption percentage clearly decreased for higher As doses, especially in S soils, from 60–100% to 10–40%. The As(V) desorption was closely related to soil acidity, being higher for soils with higher pH values (S soils), in which up to 66% of the As(V) previously adsorbed can be desorbed. The three by-products showed high Cu adsorption, especially oak ash, which adsorbed all the Cu added in a rather irreversible manner. Oak ash also adsorbed a high amount of As(V) (>80%) in a rather non-reversible way, while mussel shell adsorbed between 7 and 33% of the added As(V), and pine bark adsorbed less than 12%, with both by-products reaching 35% desorption. Based on the adsorption and desorption data, oak ash performed as an excellent adsorbent for both Cu and As(V), a fact favored by its high pH and the presence of non-crystalline minerals and different oxides and carbonates. Overall, the results of this research can be relevant when designing strategies to prevent Cu and As(V) pollution affecting soils, waterbodies, and plants, and therefore have repercussions on public health and the environment.Spanish Ministry of Economy and CompetitivenessS

La formación docente. Innovaciones en la Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia de la UNT

Para atender problemas multifactoriales propios de la educación superior y lograr acreditar sus carreras, la Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia de la Universidad Nacional de Tucumán (UNT) respondió adecuando sus Diseños Curriculares, creando un sistema de tutorías y comités académicos para cada carrera y fijando lineamientos específicos. Una de las funciones de los comités es promover la capacitación pedagógica de los docentes tendientes a mejorar los procesos de enseñanza y aprendizaje. Para tal fin se diseñó un programa con ofertas de formación permanente que busca las mejores propuestas de cambio. En la dimensión académica, se asumió que los problemas detectados pueden ser superados si se reconoce la importancia de articular el dominio de los conocimientos disciplinares con los de la didáctica y la pedagogía. En este trabajo se explicitan acciones, propósitos, destinatarios y se reflexiona sobre los resultados parciales obtenidos

Aplicación de Norma ISO 9241-11 para la Evaluación de la Usabilidad en Simuladores de Vuelo

This article presents the application of the ISO 9241-11 Standard to the Flight Simulators Software of the Air Force Argentine to evaluate the usability of these simulators. Each organization and software product are generally different, there is not a "unique" usability test that can be applied to all “software projects.” Highly prestigious companies, such as Apple, Yahoo, and Microsoft, use different usability techniques depending on their specific needs. The main objective of this work is to take the ISO 9241-11 Standard as a reference and then adapt it to the organization´s needs, formulating and implementing metrics that help to evaluate usability objectively and finally contrast, analyze and report the results obtained in this applied research.Este artículo presenta la aplicación de la Norma ISO 9241-11 al software correspondiente a Simuladores de Vuelo de la Fuerza Aérea Argentina, con el fin de evaluar la usabilidad de dichos entrenadores. Cada organización y producto software son en general diferentes, es decir, no existe una prueba de usabilidad “única” que sea portable para aplicar a todos los “proyectos software”.  Empresas de gran prestigio, como Apple, Yahoo, Microsoft, entre otras, utilizan diferentes técnicas de usabilidad, en función de sus necesidades específicas. El principal objetivo de este trabajo es tomar como referencia la Norma ISO 9241-11 y adaptarla a las necesidades de la organización en cuestión, formulando e implementando métricas que ayuden a evaluar la usabilidad de manera objetiva y finalmente contrastar, analizar y reportar los resultados obtenidos en esta investigación aplicada