Optimization of the position of single-lead wireless sensor with low electrodes separation distance for ECG-derived respiration

A classical method for estimation of respiratory information from electrocardiogram (ECG), called ECG - derived respiration (EDR), is using flexible electrodes located at standard electrocardiography positions. This work introduces an alternative approach suitable for miniaturized sensors with low inter-electrode separation and electrodes fixed to the sensor encapsulation. Application of amplitude EDR algorithm on single-lead wireless sensor system with optimized electrode positions shows results comparable with standard robust systems. The modified method can be applied in daily physiological monitoring, in sleep studies or implemented in smart clothes when standard respiration techniques are not suitable

Advanced Wireless Sensors Used to Monitor the Impact of Environment Design on Human Physiology

This article describes modern wireless sensor devices and their application in the measurements of the human physiology. We used our own advanced ECG Holter device and EEG helmet to record the heart and brain activity impacted by different environments, materials, colors or body positions during work. In this paper, we want to show the interactions between humans and architecture design, which modify human work performance and well-being. This paper is a conclusion of the 3 different pilot studies, where different scopes of human-space interaction were explored. In the experiments, we aimed mostly at wood materials and their beneficial effects on the nervous system. The research in its actual state is primarily focused on optimizing the methods of the ECG data analysis from our Holter device and the EEG data from helmet. Based on these data, we will improve the methodology of the experiments for the next enhanced research with aspiration to automate data analysis

Construcción y validación de un instrumento de evaluación de estrategias metodológicas aplicadas a la Educación Física

This paper summarizes a study carried out to develop an instrument aimed to assess the implementation of different methodological strategies used in the teaching - learning process of the students in the Human Movement Sciences fiend. Thoughout the revision of the literature and focused discussion groups, four methodological strategies were selected and defined . A group of experts designed the instrument to assess the strategies. Content Validity of the instrument was considered by the Content Validity Ratio (CVR) and reliability was assessed by the Cronbach's alpha (r=0.723) using a sample 65 students of the Physical Education Degree of the University of Costa Rica. The result is the valid and reliable instrument presented here that can be used to assess four methodological strategies with in the Physical Education Sciences studies or similar areas.Esta investigación tiene como objetivo desarrollar un instrumento que permita evaluar la aplicación de diferentes estrategias metodológicas utilizadas en el proceso de enseñanza - aprendizaje del alumnado en formación en las Ciencias del Movimiento Humano. Por medio de una revisión de literatura y de grupos de discusión se seleccionaron y definieron las siguientes estrategias metodológicas: clase magistral, enseñanza práctica, seminarios y juegos pre-deportivos; posteriormente se procedió a redactar los ítems para cada estrategia. Una vez construido el instrumento se validó por medio de validez de contenido y se calculó el Índice de Validez de Contenido para cada ítem (CVR, por sus siglas en inglés). La prueba se aplicó a 65 estudiantes de la carrera de Ciencias del Movimiento Humano y se obtuvo la fiabilidad de r=0.723 por medio del alfa de Cronbach. Se presenta un instrumento válido y fiable para la evaluación de la aplicación de cuatro estrategias metodológicas utilizadas en la formación de profesionales en el área del movimiento humano

Biological and technical variables affecting immunoassay recovery of cytokines from human serum and simulated vaginal fluid: A multicenter study

The increase of proinflammatory cytokines in vaginal secretions may serve as a surrogate marker of unwanted inflammatory reaction to microbicide products topically applied for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV-1. Interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 have been proposed as indicators of inflammation and increased risk of HIV-1 transmission; however, the lack of information regarding detection platforms optimal for vaginal fluids and interlaboratory variation limit their use for microbicide evaluation and other clinical applications. This study examines fluid matrix variants relevant to vaginal sampling techniques and proposes a model for interlaboratory comparisons across current cytokine detection technologies. IL-1β and IL-6 standards were measured by 12 laboratories in four countries, using 14 immunoassays and four detection platforms based on absorbance, chemiluminescence, electrochemiluminescence, and fluorescence. International reference preparations of cytokines with defined biological activity were spiked into (1) a defined medium simulating the composition of human vaginal fluid at pH 4.5 and 7.2, (2) physiologic salt solutions (phosphate-buffered saline and saline) commonly used for vaginal lavage sampling in clinical studies of cytokines, and (3) human blood serum. Assays were assessed for reproducibility, linearity, accuracy, and significantly detectable fold difference in cytokine level. Factors with significant impact on cytokine recovery were determined by Kruskal−Wallis analysis of variance with Dunn’s multiple comparison test and multiple regression models. All assays showed acceptable intra-assay reproducibility; however, most were associated with significant interlaboratory variation. The smallest reliably detectable cytokine differences (P < 0.05) derived from pooled interlaboratory data varied from 1.5- to 26-fold depending on assay, cytokine, and matrix type. IL-6 but not IL-1β determinations were lower in both saline and phosphate-buffered saline as compared to vaginal fluid matrix, with no significant effect of pH. The (electro)chemiluminescence-based assays were most discriminative and consistently detected <2-fold differences within each matrix type. The Luminex-based assays were less discriminative with lower reproducibility between laboratories. These results suggest the need for uniform vaginal sampling techniques and a better understanding of immunoassay platform differences and cross-validation before the biological significance of cytokine variations can be validated in clinical trials. This investigation provides the first standardized analytic approach for assessing differences in mucosal cytokine levels and may improve strategies for monitoring immune responses at the vaginal mucosal interface

SPECIFIC BEHAVIOUR OF THE BLOOD SEDIMENTATION PROCESSES EXAMINED BY THE ELECTROCHEMICAL IMPEDANCE MICROSENSOR

Electrochemical impedance microsensor for the fast monitoring of the blood sedimentation has been developed. Planar microsensor consisted of the interdigital array of electrodes (IDAE - finger/gap widths of different values from 5/5 μm to 400/400 μm) based on Au or Pt thin films sputtered on Si/SiO2 or ceramic alumina substrates. IDAE microsensor allows time measurements of electrical impedance changes - impedance rates - (at frequencies of order 0.1 kHz and 10 kHz) of small blood drop applied on it. The determination of the impedance rate during sedimentation and the impedance spectrometry at a low-frequency range of order of 1 kHz seems to be very helpful for a quick diagnostics of the health state. In the IDAE microsensor erythrocyte aggregation/rapid settling/packing periods associated with dryperiod are overlapping due to the planar arrangement of dimensions in order of 1-100 μm. The time monitoring of the blood sedimentation (in the range of 10-900 seconds) by the impedance method can distinguish between healthy and cancer state of blood and could serve for the simple long-term diagnostics after the surgical operation or as a screening procedure for early diagnoses

Geothermal Energy Use in Europe

V první polovině se tato práce zaměří na základní problematiku geotermální energetiky, tedy zdroje geotermální energie a technologie, které se v tomto odvětví využívají. V druhé polovině je práce pojata především jako studie geotermálního potenciálu a aktuálního stavu využití geotermální energie v Evropě. Ve své poslední části má tato práce za cíl ukázat způsob přepočtu tepelných schémat pro SFS a DFS systémy a jejich vzájemné porovnání.In the first part, this work deals with the basic issues of the geothermal energetics, which includes the geothermal resources and common technologies used in this area. The second part of this work focuses on Europe and its geothermal potential and the actual use of the geothermal energy. At the end of this work, there are basic calculations for chosen geothermal power plants, which uses SFS and DFS technologies

IMPLEMENTATION OF PULSE OXIMETRY MEASUREMENT TO WIRELESS BIOSIGNALS PROBE

Monitoring of heart rate variability (HRV) and oxygen saturation is important in medicine as well as training of top athletes. Our work describes the implementation of pulse oximetry functions in sensor system for measurement of biosignals. It allows us to follow along even pulse biosignal and the flow rate of blood

Diversity of phyllophagous organisms on woody plants in the Botanical garden in Nitra, Slovakia

This paper deals with identification of phyllophagous organisms colonizing various woody plant species in the Botanical Garden of the SUA (Slovak University of Agriculture). The research was carried out from 2010 to 2012 and the field work took place at two week intervals during the growing season. The main objective was to determine and evaluate the phyllophagous pests according to host plants. Adults, larvae of pests and damaged leaves were collected in a specified locality and documented by herbal samples and macrophotos. The occurrence of non-native insect pests was observed as well. During the research taxa of 108 species of phyllophagous pests on 48 woody plants were recorded. As the results indicate, the most phyllophagous insect species were found on Quercus (16), Acer (12), and Betula (11). The largest number of insect species belongs to the families Lepidoptera (49) and Hemiptera (17). Concerning the alien pests, 10 phyllophagous species were identified. These were Phyllonorycter platani (Staudinger, 1870), Phyllonorycter issikii (Kumata, 1963), Phyllonorycter leucographella (Zeller, 1850), Cameraria ohridella (Deschka &amp; Dimic 1986), Monarthropalpus flavus (Schrank, 1776), Dasineura gleditsiae (Osten Sacken, 1866), Corythuca ciliata (Say, 1832), Aceria erinea (Nalepa, 1891), Aceria pyracanthi (G. Canestrini, 1891) and Aphis craccivora (Koch, 1854). A list of all recorded phyllophagous species in the Botanical Garden is mentioned in Tab. I