the role of human fatigue in the uncertainty of measurement

Abstract Risk of human error in measurement and testing is the result of the causal combination of factors and events that are involved in the process. This paper presents how to model technical and human errors and how these could interact in order to influences the reliability of measurement/test. Human errors were designed according with a System Dynamics approach with factors and states those are part of human's state and ability to handle with the process and procedures and instruments. Technical errors were related to the environment, its organization and suitability with standards. Human and Technical factors have been therefore integrated in order to predict states affecting the consistency of measure and uncertainty in range. Optimal combination of factors - based on a System Dynamics simulation and expert judgments - has been proposed according with a sampling analysis

Size discrimination in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio): Normative data and individual variation.

In humans, aging and neurodegenerative diseases have been found to be associated with impairment in both mathematical abilities and estimation of continuous quantities such as size, weight or distance. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is rapidly becoming a model for human aging and brain disorders but we currently lack any instrument for rapid assessment of quantity estimation abilities in this species. Here we developed a simple method based on spontaneous preference of zebrafish for using the larger available hole to pass an obstacle. We collected a large amount of data from small groups of zebrafish moving between compartments of their tank and we used these normative data to compare the performance of individually tested fish. Zebrafish significantly discriminated size ratios from 0.60 to 0.91 with their performance decreasing while increasing the size ratio between the smaller and the larger hole presented. On average, individually tested fish showed the same performance, but a large inter-individual variability was observed. Test-retest analyses revealed a good reliability of this test, with 0.60 and 0.75 ratios being the most informative. Experience did not affect individual performance, suggesting the suitability of this test to measure the longitudinal changes and the effects of pharmacological treatments on cognitive abilities

Opaline chert nodules in maar lake sediments from Camp dels Ninots (La Selva Basin, NE Spain)

Chert nodule samples from three different well cores (CC, CP1 & CA) from the lacustrine infill of the Camp dels Ninot maar-diatreme (La Selva Basin) have been studied by means of X-ray diffraction, and optical and electron microscope technique. The chert nodules replace diatomites and carbonates layers, and varies in mineralogy between opal-A to opal-A/CT. The microtexture of the opal-A rich nodules is characterized by smooth microspheres of ~2μm in diameter that forms aggregates of amalgamated microspheres. Commonly, the nodules contain diatoms and their moulds when replacing diatomites, and dolomite or ankerite crystals and their moulds when replacing carbonates. The opal-A/CT rich nodules exhibit a microtexture consisting of microspheres of ~8μm in diameter that form aggregates with botryoidal and finger-like morphologies. Results indicate that the early diagenetic transformation of opal-A to opal-CT is not complete in the studied sediments.Peer Reviewe

Atención primaria en España y Cataluña: una perspectiva desde la enfermería

Muchos años después de la Reforma de la Atención Primaria en España, se analizan los logros alcanzados en este nivel asistencial, así como los aspectos y expectativas aún pendientes, tanto para la disciplina médica como para la enfermería. También se analizan los planes de innovación recientemente puestos en marcha en diferentes comunidades autónomas españolas, especialmente el que se está desarrollando en Cataluña. Se aborda además en este texto, el actual desarrollo académico de la enfermería española, el desarrollo de las diferentes especialidades de enfermería y aspectos relativos a la prescripción de enfermería, el triaje y la atención de enfermería a la patología aguda, en Atención Primaria

Comparing antigenaemia- and microfilaraemia as criteria for stopping decisions in lymphatic filariasis elimination programmes in Africa

BACKGROUND: Mass drug administration (MDA) is the main strategy towards lymphatic filariasis (LF) elimination. Progress is monitored by assessing microfilaraemia (Mf) or circulating filarial antigenaemia (CFA) prevalence, the latter being more practical for field surveys. The current criterion for stopping MDA requires \u3c2% CFA prevalence in 6- to 7-year olds, but this criterion is not evidence-based. We used mathematical modelling to investigate the validity of different thresholds regarding testing method and age group for African MDA programmes using ivermectin plus albendazole. METHODOLGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We verified that our model captures observed patterns in Mf and CFA prevalence during annual MDA, assuming that CFA tests are positive if at least one adult worm is present. We then assessed how well elimination can be predicted from CFA prevalence in 6-7-year-old children or from Mf or CFA prevalence in the 5+ or 15+ population, and determined safe (\u3e95% positive predictive value) thresholds for stopping MDA. The model captured trends in Mf and CFA prevalences reasonably well. Elimination cannot be predicted with sufficient certainty from CFA prevalence in 6-7-year olds. Resurgence may still occur if all children are antigen-negative, irrespective of the number tested. Mf-based criteria also show unfavourable results (PPV \u3c95% or unpractically low threshold). CFA prevalences in the 5+ or 15+ population are the best predictors, and post-MDA threshold values for stopping MDA can be as high as 10% for 15+. These thresholds are robust for various alternative assumptions regarding baseline endemicity, biological parameters and sampling strategies. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: For African areas with moderate to high pre-treatment Mf prevalence that have had 6 or more rounds of annual ivermectin/albendazole MDA with adequate coverage, we recommend to adopt a CFA threshold prevalence of 10% in adults (15+) for stopping MDA. This could be combined with Mf testing of CFA positives to ensure absence of a significant Mf reservoir for transmission

An Ensemble Framework for Projecting the Impact of Lymphatic Filariasis Interventions Across Sub-Saharan Africa at a Fine Spatial Scale

Background: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a neglected tropical disease targeted for elimination as a public health problem by 2030. Although mass treatments have led to huge reductions in LF prevalence, some countries or regions may find it difficult to achieve elimination by 2030 owing to various factors, including local differences in transmission. Subnational projections of intervention impact are a useful tool in understanding these dynamics, but correctly characterizing their uncertainty is challenging. Methods: We developed a computationally feasible framework for providing subnational projections for LF across 44 sub-Saharan African countries using ensemble models, guided by historical control data, to allow assessment of the role of subnational heterogeneities in global goal achievement. Projected scenarios include ongoing annual treatment from 2018 to 2030, enhanced coverage, and biannual treatment. Results: Our projections suggest that progress is likely to continue well. However, highly endemic locations currently deploying strategies with the lower World Health Organization recommended coverage (65%) and frequency (annual) are expected to have slow decreases in prevalence. Increasing intervention frequency or coverage can accelerate progress by up to 5 or 6 years, respectively. Conclusions: While projections based on baseline data have limitations, our methodological advancements provide assessments of potential bottlenecks for the global goals for LF arising from subnational heterogeneities. In particular, areas with high baseline prevalence may face challenges in achieving the 2030 goals, extending the "tail"of interventions. Enhancing intervention frequency and/or coverage will accelerate progress. Our approach facilitates preimplementation assessments of the impact of local interventions and is applicable to other regions and neglected tropical diseases.</p

Short communication: Goat colostrum quality: Litter size and lactation number effects

The quality of colostrum of Murciano-Granadina goats was studied to establish the transition period and the time when milk can be marketed. Forty-three dairy goats were used: 19 primiparous (15 single births; 4 multiple births) and 24 multiparous (10 single births; 14 multiple births). Samples were collected every 12 h during the first week postpartum. Physicochemical parameters and somatic cell count were determined. Analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to study the effect of different factors: postpartum time, litter size, lactation number, their interactions, and production level on colostrum. Postpartum time had a significant effect on all parameters studied, which decreased along the first week of lactation, whereas lactose, pH, and conductivity increased. Based on these results, colostrum secretion takes place until 36 h postpartum (hpp). In relation to other factors of variation studied, the lactation number influenced most colostrum components, whereas the litter size only affected the pH value, protein and lactose content. The production level influenced only the protein and dry matter contents, with an inverse relationship. Milk produced during the period between 36 and 96 hpp is considered transition milk, which should not be commercialized. Milk collected after 4 d postpartum (96 hpp) could be marketed, ensuring that its composition does not present a risk in the dairy industry.This work was part of the AGL-2009-11524 Project funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Madrid, Spain). The authors are grateful to ZEU-Inmunotec (Zaragoza, Spain) for their support.Romero Rueda, T.; Beltrán Martínez, MC.; Rodríguez Garcia, M.; Marti-De Olives A.; Molina Pons, MP. (2013). Short communication: Goat colostrum quality: Litter size and lactation number effects. Journal of Dairy Science. 96(12):7526-7531. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2013-6900S75267531961

Lithium storage mechanisms in purpurin based organic lithium ion battery electrodes

Current lithium batteries operate on inorganic insertion compounds to power a diverse range of applications, but recently there is a surging demand to develop environmentally friendly green electrode materials. To develop sustainable and eco-friendly lithium ion batteries, we report reversible lithium ion storage properties of a naturally occurring and abundant organic compound purpurin, which is non-toxic and derived from the plant madder. The carbonyl/hydroxyl groups present in purpurin molecules act as redox centers and reacts electrochemically with Li-ions during the charge/discharge process. The mechanism of lithiation of purpurin is fully elucidated using NMR, UV and FTIR spectral studies. The formation of the most favored six membered binding core of lithium ion with carbonyl groups of purpurin and hydroxyl groups at C-1 and C-4 positions respectively facilitated lithiation process, whereas hydroxyl group at C-2 position remains unaltered

Acceptability and feasibility of a virtual community of practice to primary care professionals regarding patient empowerment: A qualitative pilot study

Background: Virtual communities of practice (vCoPs) facilitate online learning via the exchange of experiences and knowledge between interested participants. Compared to other communities, vCoPs need to overcome technological structures and specific barriers. Our objective was to pilot the acceptability and feasibility of a vCoP aimed at improving the attitudes of primary care professionals to the empowerment of patients with chronic conditions. Methods: We used a qualitative approach based on 2 focus groups: one composed of 6 general practitioners and the other of 6 practice nurses. Discussion guidelines on the topics to be investigated were provided to the moderator. Sessions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was performed using the ATLAS-ti software. Results: The available operating systems and browsers and the lack of suitable spaces and time were reported as the main difficulties with the vCoP. The vCoP was perceived to be a flexible learning mode that provided up-to-date resources applicable to routine practice and offered a space for the exchange of experiences and approaches. Conclusions: The results from this pilot study show that the vCoP was considered useful for learning how to empower patients. However, while vCoPs have the potential to facilitate learning and as shown create professional awareness regarding patient empowerment, attention needs to be paid to technological and access issues and the time demands on professionals. We collected relevant inputs to improve the features, content and educational methods to be included in further vCoP implementation. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02757781. Registered on 25 April 2016.This study was financed by Instituto de Salud Carlos III and Cofinanced by Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER). Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad. Gobierno de España. (PI15/00164, PI15/00586, PI15/00566