Interfaz de comunicación común para diversos dispositivos de medición hidro-ambiental

En Argentina es común abordar el monitoreo de manera integral siendo una práctica normal instalar en un mismo sitio de campo equipamiento de diversos fabricantes. La diversidad de dispositivos, los costos elevados para la transmisión de datos y el mantenimiento son el principal inconveniente para la instalación de redes de medición, por lo que frecuentemente se realiza la descarga del dato y la configuración del equipamiento in-situ. Dichos dispositivos se operan a partir del software propietario distribuido por el fabricante, algunos en forma exclusiva mientras que otros brindan la información técnica necesaria para establecer el diálogo desde el desarrollo de software propio. Con el fin de dar solución a esta problemática, se propuso desarrollar un software que funcione como una interfaz de comunicación común que permita gestionar en forma automática diferentes equipos de medición de variables hidro-ambientales independientemente del tipo de dispositivo, dando como resultado un sistema colector de datos único.In Argentina monitoring the environment in an integral way is commonplace, being common practice to instrument a field site with various manufacturers. The main setback for setting a network of equipments are the device diversity, high costs of data transmission and maintenance, reason why frequently in-situ data collection is the only option to download the devices memories. Those devices operates from proprietary software distributed by the manufacturer, some in exclusive form while others provide the necessary technical information to establish the dialogue from the tailored software. To solve this problem, a communication interface that allows to automatically manage different hydro-environmental devices regardless of type of device was developed, resulting a manifold system single data.Universidad Nacional de La Plat

Una mirada a la observancia de los derechos humanos de la infancia y adolescencia desde la Cooperación Internacional: la protección de los menores de edad en un mundo globalizado

La globalización debe favorecer la prosecución de un desarrollo humano, económico y social más ordenado, equilibrado y justo, promoviendo la normalización de las situaciones que, de modo singular, impiden el normal desarrollo de los derechos de los menores, especialmente en el mal llamado "Tercer Mundo". En este contexto, la Cooperación Internacional adquiere especial relevancia, debiendo contribuir al bienestar social de la infancia y adolescencia, desde la observancia de sus derechos fundamentales, al mismo tiempo que garantiza el cumplimiento de los principios recogidos en la Declaración Universal de los Derechos Humanos, así como en los diferentes tratados y convenciones internacionales. Añadase a esto que, bajo el paraguas de los derechos humanos, la CI debe transitar desde el contexto de las necesidades de las potencialidades, conectando con los principios rectores de empoderamiento, igualdad y justicia social. En definitiva, en pleno siglo XXI, la defensa de los derechos de la infancia y adolescencia debe asumirse como un reto de futuro en el marco de la actual situación mundial

Application of a robust QFT linear control method to the course changing manoeuvring of a ship

This paper describes in detail the design methodology of a robust QFT (Quantitative Feedback Theory) controller for the control of the course changing of a ship. A linear model is used with uncertainty in the parameters. The system is designed to fulfil the specifications of robust stability and robust tracking of a reference system

Cocoa intake and arterial stiffness in subjects with cardiovascular risk factors

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To analyze the relationship of cocoa intake to central and peripheral blood pressure, arterial stiffness, and carotid intima-media thickness in subjects with some cardiovascular risk factor.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Design: A cross-sectional study of 351 subjects (mean age 54.76 years, 62.4% males). Measurements: Intake of cocoa and other foods using a food frequency questionnaire, central and peripheral (ambulatory and office) blood pressure, central and peripheral augmentation index, pulse wave velocity, ambulatory arterial stiffness index, carotid intima-media thickness, and ankle-brachial index.</p> <p>Results: Higher pulse wave velocity and greater cardiovascular risk were found in non-cocoa consumers as compared to high consumers (<it>p </it>< 0.05). In a multivariate analysis, these differences disappeared after adjusting for age, gender, the presence of diabetes, systolic blood pressure and antihypertensive and lipid-lowering drug use. All other arterial stiffness measures (central and peripheral augmentation index, ambulatory arterial stiffness index, ankle-brachial index, and carotid intima-media thickness) showed no differences between the different consumption groups.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In subjects with some cardiovascular risk factors, cocoa consumption does not imply improvement in the arterial stiffness values.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01325064">NCT01325064</a>.</p

Relationship between intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery and arterial stiffness in subjects with and without type 2 diabetes: a case-series report

Background: We examined the relationship between the intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery (CCA-IMT) and arterial stiffness, assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV), the ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI) and the augmentation index (AIx) in subjects with and without type 2 diabetes. Methods: A case-series study was made in 366 patients (105 diabetics and 261-non-diabetics). Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed on a day of standard activity with the SpaceLabs 90207 system. AASI was calculated as "1-slope" from the within-person regression of diastolic-on-systolic ambulatory blood pressure readings. PWV and AIx were measured with the SphygmoCor system, and a Sonosite Micromax ultrasound unit was used for automatic measurements of CCA-IMT. Results: PWV, AASI and CCA-IMT were found to be greater in diabetic patients, while no differences in AIx were observed between the two groups. CCA-IMT was independently correlated to the three measures of arterial stiffness in both groups. We found an increase in CCA-IMT of 0.40, 0.24 and 0.36 mm in diabetics, and of 0.48, 0.17 and 0.55 mm in non-diabetics for each unit increase in AASI, AIx and PWV. The variability of CCA-IMT was explained mainly by AASI, AIx and gender in diabetic patients, and by age, gender, AASI and PWV in non-diabetic patients. Conclusions: CCA-IMT showed a positive correlation to PWV, AASI and AIx in subjects with and without type 2 diabetes. However, when adjusting for age, gender and heart rate, the association to PWV was lost in diabetic patients, in the same way as the association to Alx in non-diabetic patients. The present study demonstrates that the three measures taken to assess arterial stiffness in clinical practice are not interchangeable, nor do they behave equally in all subjects

Ischemic Postconditioning Reduces Reperfusion arrhythmias by Adenosine Receptors and Protein Kinase C Activation but Is Independent of KATP Channels or Connexin 43

Ischemic postconditioning (IPoC) reduces reperfusion arrhythmias but the antiarrhythmic mechanisms remain unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze IPoC electrophysiological effects and the role played by adenosine A1, A2A and A3 receptors, protein kinase C, ATP-dependent potassium (KATP) channels, and connexin 43. IPoC reduced reperfusion arrhythmias (mainly sustained ventricular fibrillation) in isolated rat hearts, an effect associated with a transient delay in epicardial electrical activation, and with action potential shortening. Electrical impedance measurements and Lucifer-Yellow diffusion assays agreed with such activation delay. However, this delay persisted during IPoC in isolated mouse hearts in which connexin 43 was replaced by connexin 32 and in mice with conditional deletion of connexin 43. Adenosine A1, A2A and A3 receptor blockade antagonized the antiarrhythmic effect of IPoC and the associated action potential shortening, whereas exogenous adenosine reduced reperfusion arrhythmias and shortened action potential duration. Protein kinase C inhibition by chelerythrine abolished the protective effect of IPoC but did not modify the effects on action potential duration. On the other hand, glibenclamide, a KATP inhibitor, antagonized the action potential shortening but did not interfere with the antiarrhythmic effect. The antiarrhythmic mechanisms of IPoC involve adenosine receptor activation and are associated with action potential shortening. However, this action potential shortening is not essential for protection, as it persisted during protein kinase C inhibition, a maneuver that abolished IPoC protection. Furthermore, glibenclamide induced the opposite effects. In addition, IPoC delays electrical activation and electrical impedance recovery during reperfusion, but these effects are independent of connexin 43.Fil: Diez, Emiliano Raúl. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Sánchez, Jose Antonio. Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Cardiovasculares; España. Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona. Hospital Vall D' Hebron. Instituto de Investigación Vall D'hebron. Serv.de Cardiología,laboratorio de Cardiología Experimenta; EspañaFil: Prado, Natalia Jorgelina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Ponce Zumino, Amira Zulma. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: García-Dorado, David. Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona. Hospital Vall D' Hebron. Instituto de Investigación Vall D'hebron. Serv.de Cardiología,laboratorio de Cardiología Experimenta; España. Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Cardiovasculares; EspañaFil: Miatello, Roberto Miguel. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Rodríguez-Sinovas, Antonio. Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Cardiovasculares; España. Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona. Hospital Vall D' Hebron. Instituto de Investigación Vall D'hebron. Serv.de Cardiología,laboratorio de Cardiología Experimenta; Españ

Assessment of dead-end ultrafiltration for the detection and quantification of microbial indicators and pathogens in the drinking water treatment processes

A safe water supply requires distinct treatments and monitoring to guarantee the absence of pathogens and substances potentially hazardous for human health. In this study we assessed the efficiency of the dead-end ultrafiltration (DEUF) method to concentrate faecal indicator organisms (FIO) and pathogens in water samples with different physicochemical characteristics. Water samples were collected at the treatment stages of two drinking water treatment plants to analyse the concentration of a variety of 7 FIO and 4 reference microbes which have some species that are pathogenic to humans: Campylobacter spp., enteroviruses, Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. The samples were analysed before and after concentration by DEUF, detecting FIO concentrations about 1 log10 higher in non-concentrated samples from both catchments. Percent recoveries were highly variable with a mean of 43.8 ± 17.5%, depending on the FIO and inherent sample characteristics. However, DEUF enabled FIO concentration in high volumes of water (100-500 l), allowing a reduction in the detection limit compared to the non-concentrated samples due to the high volume processing capabilities of the method. As a consequence, the detection of FIO removal from water in the drinking water treatment process was 1.0-1.5 logarithms greater in DEUF-treated water compared to unfiltered samples. The DEUF method improved the detection of target indicators and allowed for the detection of pathogens in low concentrations in water after the treatment stages, confirming the suitability of DEUF to concentrate high volumes of different types of water. This method could be useful for microbial analysis in water treatment monitoring and risk assessment, allowing the identification of critical points during the water treatment process and potential hazards in water destined for several uses

Detection of mild cognitive impairment in people older than 65 years of age and its relationship to cardiovascular risk factors (DECRIVAM)

[ENG]Background: Studies centered on the detection of cognitive impairment and its relationship to cardiovascular risk factors in elderly people have gained special relevance in recent years. Knowledge of the cardiovascular risk factors that may be associated to cognitive impairment could be very useful for introducing treatments in early stagesthereby possibly contributing to improve patient quality of life. The present study explores cognitive performance in people over 65 years of age in Salamanca (Spain), with special emphasis on the identification of early symptoms of cognitive impairment, with the purpose of detecting mild cognitive impairment and of studying the relationships between this clinical situation and cardiovascular risk factors. Methods/Design: A longitudinal study is contemplated. The reference population will consist of 420 people over 65 years of age enrolled through randomized sampling stratified by healthcare area, and who previously participated in another study. Measurement: a) Sociodemographic variables; b) Cardiovascular risk factors; c) Comorbidity; d) Functional level for daily life activities; and e) Study of higher cognitive functions based on a neuropsychological battery especially adapted to the evaluation of elderly people. Discussion: We hope that this study will afford objective information on the representative prevalence of cognitive impairment in the population over 65 years of age in Salamanca. We also hope to obtain data on the relationship between cognitive impairment and cardiovascular risk factors in this specific population group. Based on the results obtained, we also will be able to establish the usefulness of some of the screening tests applied during the study, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination and the 7 Minute Screen test. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT0132719

Vascular and cognitive effects of cocoa-rich chocolate in postmenopausal women: a study protocol for a randomised clinical trial

Introduction The intake of polyphenols has certain health benefits. This study will aim to assess the effect of adding a daily amount of chocolate high in cocoa content and polyphenols to the normal diet on blood pressure, vascular function, cognitive performance, quality of life and body composition in postmenopausal women. Methods and analysis Here we plan a randomised clinical trial with two parallel groups involving a total of 140 women between 50 and 64 years in the postmenopausal period, defined by amenorrhoea of at least 12 consecutive months. The main variable will be the change in blood pressure. Secondary variables will be changes in vascular function, quality of life, cognitive performance and body composition. The intervention group will be given chocolate containing 99% cocoa, with instructions to add 10 g daily to their normal diet for 6 months. The daily nutritional contribution of this amount of chocolate is 59 kcal and 65.4 mg of polyphenols. There will be no intervention in the control group. All variables will be measured at the baseline visit and 3 and 6 months after randomisation, except cognitive performance and quality of life, which will only be assessed at baseline and at 6 months. Recruitment is scheduled to begin on 1 June 2018, and the study will continue until 31 May 2019. Ethics and dissemination This study was approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the Health Area of Salamanca, Spain (‘CREC of Health Area of Salamanca’), in February 2018. A SPIRIT checklist is available for this protocol. The clinical trial has been registered at ClinicalTrials. gov provided by the US National Library of Medicine, number NCT03492983. The results will be disseminated through open access peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations, broadcast media and a presentation to stakeholders.Gerencia Regional de Castilla y León (GRS 1583/B/1