EGCL: an extended G-Code Language with flow control, functions and mnemonic variables

In the context of computer numerical control (CNC) and computer aided manufacturing (CAM), the capabilities of programming languages such as symbolic and intuitive programming, program portability and geometrical portfolio have special importance -- They allow to save time and to avoid errors during part programming and permit code re-usage -- Our updated literature review indicates that the current state of art presents voids in parametric programming, program portability and programming flexibility -- In response to this situation, this article presents a compiler implementation for EGCL (Extended G-code Language), a new, enriched CNC programming language which allows the use of descriptive variable names, geometrical functions and flow-control statements (if-then-else, while) -- Our compiler produces low-level generic, elementary ISO-compliant Gcode, thus allowing for flexibility in the choice of the executing CNC machine and in portability -- Our results show that readable variable names and flow control statements allow a simplified and intuitive part programming and permit re-usage of the programs -- Future work includes allowing the programmer to define own functions in terms of EGCL, in contrast to the current status of having them as library built-in function

Time trends in educational inequalities in cancer mortality in Colombia, 1998-2012

Objectives: To evaluate trends in premature cancer mortality in Colombia by educational level in three periods: 1998-2002 with low healthcare insurance coverage, 2003-2007 with rapidly increasing coverage and finally 2008-2012 with almost universal coverage (2008-2012). Setting: Colombian population-based, national secondary mortality data. Participants: We included all (n=188 091) cancer deaths occurring in the age group 20-64 years between 1998 and 2012, excluding only cases with low levels of quality of registration (n=2902, 1.5%). Primary and secondary outcome measures: In this descriptive study, we linked mortality data of ages 20-64 years to census data to obtain age-standardised cancer mortality rates by educational level. Using Poisson regression, we modelled premature mortality by educational level estimating rate ratios (RR), relative index of inequality (RII) and the Slope Index of Inequality (SII). Results: Relative measures showed increased risks of dying among the lower educated compared to the highest educated; this tendency was stronger in women (RRprimary1.49; RRsecondary1.22, both p<0.0001) than in men (RRprimary 1.35; RRsecondary 1.11, both p<0.0001). In absolute terms (SII), cancer caused a difference per 100 000 deaths between the highest and lowest educated of 20.5 in males and 28.5 in females. RII was significantly higher among women and the younger age categories. RII decreased between the first and second periods; afterwards (2008-2012), it increased significantly back to their previous levels. Among women, no significant increases or declines in cancer mortality over time were observed in recent periods in the lowest educated group, whereas strong recent declines were observed in those with secondary education or higher. Conclusions: Educational inequalities in cancer mortality in Colombia are increasing in absolute and relative terms, and are concentrated in young age categories. This trend was not curbed by increases in healthcare insurance coverage. Policymakers should focus on improving equal access to prevention, early detection, diagnostic and treatment facilities

Low-cost multi-spectral camera platform for in-flight near real-time vegetation index computation and delivery.

Agricultural optimization and increased productivity is always a growing concern, due to the increasing population. Crops susceptible to a wide variety of hindering conditions, need to be carefully observed and managed to guarantee maximum production. Many diseases, weather changes, soil variances and other in?uencing factors are only visible after the plant has reached a deplorable state and its neighbors closely trailing behind. Ongoing research is enhancing an observation model that can better prevent such factors, but many still present a variety of limiting factors that are still being studied. Vegetation indices is a long dated studied concept that has proven to be able to show plant response to stress before visible signs are present. To take advantage of this we propose a multi-spectral camera, aimed at mass use, to provide the needed observation with top of the line, reliable results. The built prototype was put through two different tests, both showing it capable of displaying plant health. The ?ne control test showed the camera capable of displaying difference in plant health after only two days of stress. The results were reached with out the use of expensive lenses/?lters, and provide easy to interpret results. All while being able to send data to a nearby portable device

Indoor and outdoor atmospheric corrosion monitoring of cultural heritage assets

The conservation state of Cultural Heritage (artefacts stored in museums, historical buildings, etc.) can be severely affected by the environmental conditions which they are exposed to. For this reason, a proper monitoring system is typically required in such locations in order to detect potentially unsafe conditions and to monitor the main atmospheric parameters as temperature and relative humidity, and/or the presence of aggressive gases. In this paper a wireless sensors network, designed and developed at Politecnico di Torino, has been employed for two long-lasting monitoring campaigns in Colombia. The architecture has been deployed both inside museums and outside on historical sites proving its capabilities. The solution is composed of small sensing nodes with volume lower than 8 cm3 and dimensions of 2.5x1.5 cm, which are capable of acquiring temperature and relative humidity for a time in excess of three years. The nodes are battery operated and communicate wireless to small Arduino-based concentrators connected to the Internet and to a cloud storage. Data from all the nodes are made available on the curator’s smart phones in real time, so that the entire site can be monitored from everywhere. The nodes have the capability of locally storing all the measurements for quality assurance and if either the internet connection is not available or the power supply is missing, the proposed system has the possibility of off-line manually uploading data to the cloud after having transferred them from the nodes to a battery-operated receiver. The monitoring campaigns, still in progress, are carried out in two historical sites: the National Museum of Colombia in Bogotà and the historical site of the Puente di Boyacá in Tunja

Diseño y validación analítica de una PCR duplex para la detección de Ehrlichia y Rickettsia en garrapatas

ABSTRACT: Ehrlichia and Rickettsia are two major rickettsial genera transmitted by ticks that affect a number of wild and domestic animal species and human populations around the world. Objective: To design and validate a duplex PCR for Ehrlichia and Rickettsia in ticks. Methods:Assay validation included testing for sensitivity,specificity, reproducibility, and robustness of the PCR. The groELand 23sr RNAgenes were used for Ehrlichia and Rickettsia, respectively. Results: The limit of detection was one hundred gene copies per 50 μLof reaction for Ehrlichia spp, and one gene copy of Rickettsia per 50 μL of reaction. In general, the primers of the test only amplified in silico those bacterial agents for which they were originally designed, with the exception of the primers for Rickettsia that also amplified Methylocystis sp. The test was reproducible (intermediate precision) 96.7% of the times for both agents. The test was robust enough to tolerate concentration changes of all reagents with the exception of Taq DNA polymerase. Conclusions: The validation results indicated that this PCR is useful for detection in both bacterial genera and it is a good candidate for diagnostic validation.RESUMEN: Ehrlichia spp. y Rickettsia spp.son dos de los principales géneros rickettsiales transmitidos por garrapatas que afectan a animales silvestres, domésticos y humanos alrededor del mundo. Objetivo: diseñar y validar una prueba PCR duplex para Ehrlichia y Rickettsia en garrapatas. Métodos: la validación de la prueba incluyó ensayos de sensibilidad, especificidad, reproducibilidad y robustez. En la PCR se usó groEL y ARNr 23S como genes blanco para Ehrlichia y Rickettsia, respectivamente. Resultados: el límite de detección fue de 100 copias del gen por 50 μL de reacción para Ehrlichia spp y una copia del gen de Rickettsia por 50 μLde reacción. En general, los cebadores de la prueba solo amplificaron in silico los agentes bacterianos para los cuales fueron originalmente diseñados, con la excepción de los cebadores de Rickettsia que también amplificaron Methylocystis sp. La prueba fue reproducible (precisión intermedia) en un 96.7% de las veces para ambos agentes. La prueba fue suficientemente robusta como para tolerar cambios de concentración de los diferentes reactivos, con excepción de la Taq DNA polimerasa. Conclusión: los resultados de validación indican que la PCR es útil para detectar ambos géneros bacterianos y podría usarse para validación diagnóstica

A Woman With a Novel Mutation of THAP1 With a Prominent Response to Deep Brain Stimulation of the Globus Pallidus Internus

A 27-year-old woman presented with generalized dystonia that began at age 15 years as dystonic posturing of the right hand when writing. She was diagnosed with cervical dystonia and botulinum toxin injections were tried, providing minimal pain relief and no improvement of the dystonia. The cervical dystonia was partially responsive to sensory tricks. She was most bothered by her cervical dystonia, and disability was 6 on Part II of the Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS). On examination, she had increased rate of eye blinking and occasional spasms involving the lower face, mouth, and jaw, and mild dysarthria. Severe right torticollis and an intermittent head tremor were present. Dystonic posturing of the right upper extremity and increased handgrip were observed while writing. Mild left foot inversion was present while walking. The Fahn-Marsden Scale score was 16, and TWSTRS Part I score was 20. A trial of carbidopa/levodopa did not provide benefit. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery targeting the globus pallidus internus (GPi) was performed, resulting in moderate improvement 1 month after the procedure, prior to initial programming (TWSTRS Part I = 18, Fahn-Marsden = 8.5). She experienced further benefit 2 months after initial programming (TWSTRS Part I = 13, Fahn-Marsden = 3). Whole-exome sequencing revealed a frameshift mutation, confirmed as a novel 2–base pair deletion mutation in exon 3 of the THAP1 gene (heterozygous exon 3 c.377_378delCT, p.Pro126Args*2) via full sequencing analysis of DYT6

Trombosis valvular y terapia trombolítica en la era moderna: reporte de un caso

Prosthetic valve thrombosis is a feared complication with an annual incidence ranging between 0.3 to 1.3%. Diagnostic approach is essential for a better prognosis and ultimately determines the chosen therapeutic strategy. Emergent valvular surgery is usually recommended in hemodinamically unstable patients, large thrombus or recurrent embolic episodes. These high-risk conditions are often not the case. Therefore, in many patients the surgical risk is much greater than that of bleeding associated with thrombolytic administration. Ultra-slow infusions have been reported with similar efficacy and lower rates of bleeding complications. We present a case of mitral prosthetic valve thrombosis considered not feasible to surgical management and subsequently treated with an ultra-slow tissue plasminogen activator infusion.La trombosis obstructiva de válvulas mecánicas es una complicación temida con una incidencia aproximada de 0,3 – 1,3% por año. El diagnóstico oportuno es fundamental en el pronóstico y determinará la opción terapéutica más adecuada. La cirugía valvular urgente se recomienda en pacientes con inestabilidad hemodinámica, trombos de gran tamaño o embolismos recurrentes. Cuando no se cumplen estas condiciones, es frecuente que la opción quirúrgica involucre un riesgo prohibitivo y superior al riesgo de sangrado asociado con la terapia trombolítica. En este contexto, la infusión ultralenta de activador tisular del plasminógeno se ha reportado con una eficacia similiar y menores tasas de complicaciones hemorrágicas con relación a otros esquemas. A continuación se discute un caso de trombosis valvular mitral con contraindicación quirúrgica, que fue tratado de forma exitosa con un esquema de trombolisis ultralenta