Low cost time division multiplexing of identical optical fibre ring intensity sensors

A time division multiplexing (TDM) array for passive multiplexing of identical fibre, optic intensity sensors has been demonstrated. Microbending loss sensors are introduced in fibre optic rings and pressure information is directly detected, demultiplexed and demodulated from the relative amplitude of the first two pulses produced on each ring. Several dynamic ranges from 6 dB to 14 dB are shown. A comparison between both fibre optic ring and Mach-Zehnder structure impulse responses is carried out and the consequences derived from second- and higher-order recirculating ring pulses are also evaluated. This technique can be applied to those TDM intensity sensing schemes which require low cost, high number of identical sensors, and suffer high element loss and undersirable intensity fluctuations at low frequencies

Experimental evaluation of IEEE 802.15.4/ZigBee for multi-patient ECG monitoring

IEEE 802.15.4/ZigBee wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are a promising alternative to cabled systems for patient monitoring in hospitals. Some areas where monitoring systems based on WSNs can be successfuly used are ambulatory, waiting and triage rooms, post-op, and emergency rooms. The low power and small size ZigBee devices have the ability to form self-configuring networks that can extend themselves through a hospital wing or floor. Using spatially distributed networks, it is possible to cover an extended area and serve several patients. However, the low data rate protocols provided by IEEE 802.15.4 poses several challenges, mainly because its protocols were primarily designed to operate in low traffic load scenarios but some vital signs sensors generate a large volume of data. This work presents an experimental evaluation of the performance of multi-hop ZigBee networks comprised of several nodes that carry the traffic of wearable electrocardiogram (ECG) sensors. The results indicate that star networks can relay 100% of the traffic generated by at least 12 ECG nodes. In tree topologies, the increase of the network traffic load reduces the performance but even these networks can reliably relay the traffic of a considerable number of ECG nodes.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)Grupo AMI – Assistência Médica Integral (Casa de Saúde Guimarães, SA

Calculation of Band Edge Eigenfunctions and Eigenvalues of Periodic Potentials through the Quantum Hamilton - Jacobi Formalism

We obtain the band edge eigenfunctions and the eigenvalues of solvable periodic potentials using the quantum Hamilton - Jacobi formalism. The potentials studied here are the Lam{\'e} and the associated Lam{\'e} which belong to the class of elliptic potentials. The formalism requires an assumption about the singularity structure of the quantum momentum function $p$, which satisfies the Riccati type quantum Hamilton - Jacobi equation, $p^{2} -i \hbar \frac{d}{dx}p = 2m(E- V(x))$ in the complex $x$ plane. Essential use is made of suitable conformal transformations, which leads to the eigenvalues and the eigenfunctions corresponding to the band edges in a simple and straightforward manner. Our study reveals interesting features about the singularity structure of $p$, responsible in yielding the band edge eigenfunctions and eigenvalues.Comment: 21 pages, 5 table

Effect of surface roughness and sterilization on bacterial adherence to ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene

AbstractSterilization with ethylene oxide (EO) and gas plasma (GP) are well-known methods applied to ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) surfaces in the belief that they prevent major material changes caused by gamma irradiation. However, the influence of these surface sterilization methods on bacterial adherence to UHMWPE is unknown. UHMWPE samples with various degrees of roughness (0.3, 0.8 and 2.0 µm) were sterilized with either GP or EO. The variations in hydrophobicity, surface free energy and surface functional groups were investigated before and after sterilization. Sterilized samples were incubated with either Staphylococcus aureus or Staphylococcus epidermidis in order to study bacterial adherence to these materials. Fewer bacteria adhered to UHMWPE after sterilization with EO than after sterilization with GP, especially to the smoothest surfaces. No changes in chemical composition of the UHMWPE surface due to sterilization were observed using X-ray photoemission spectroscopy analysis. The decreased bacterial adherence to UHMWPE found at the smoothest surfaces after sterilization with EO was not directly related to changes in chemical composition. Increased bacterial adherence to rougher surfaces was associated with increased polar surface energy of EO-sterilized surfaces

Distribution of alpha1 antitrypsin rare alleles in six countries: Results from the Progenika diagnostic network

Alpha1 antitrypsin deficiency; Diagnosis; Rare allelesDèficit d'alfa1 antitripsina; Diagnòstic; Al·lels rarsDéficit de alfa1 antitripsina; Diagnóstico; Alelos rarosBackground Knowledge of the frequency of rare SERPINA1 mutations could help in the management of alpha1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD). The present study aims to assess the frequencies of rare and null alleles and their respiratory and hepatic pathogenicity. Methods This is a secondary analysis of a study that evaluated the viability of the Progenika diagnostic genotyping system in six different countries by analyzing 30,827 samples from cases of suspected AATD. Allele-specific genotyping was carried out with the Progenika A1AT Genotyping Test which analyses 14 mutations in buccal swabs or dried blood spots samples. SERPINA1 gene sequencing was performed for serum AAT-genotype discrepancies or by request of the clinician. Only cases with rare mutations were included in this analysis. Results There were 818 cases (2.6%) carrying a rare allele, excluding newly identified mutations. All were heterozygous except for 20 that were homozygous. The most frequent alleles were the M-like alleles, PI*Mmalton and PI*Mheerlen. Of the 14 mutations included in the Progenika panel, there were no cases detected of PI*Siiyama, PI*Q0granite falls and PI*Q0west. Other alleles not included in the 14-mutation panel and identified by gene sequencing included PI*Mwürzburg, PI*Zbristol, and PI*Zwrexham, and the null alleles PI*Q0porto, PI*Q0madrid, PI*Q0brescia, and PI*Q0kayseri. Conclusions The Progenika diagnostic network has allowed the identification of several rare alleles, some unexpected and not included in the initial diagnostic panel. This establishes a new perspective on the distribution of these alleles in different countries. These findings may help prioritize allele selection for routine testing and highlights the need for further research into their pathogenetic role

Substantivity of mouth‑rinse formulations containing cetylpyridinium chloride and O‑cymen‑5‑ol: a randomized‑crossover trial

Background: The efficacy of mouth-rinses strongly depends upon their substantivity. The use of natural and nontoxic products that avoid secondary effects is gaining interest in preventive dentistry. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the substantivity of two formulations of mouth-washing solutions based on cetylpyridinium (CPC) and O-cymen-5-ol. Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial conducted at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of the University of Barcelona. Bacterial re-colonization was followed by live/dead (SYTOTM9 + propidium iodide) bacterial staining and measured by confocal laser scanning microscopy and fluorometry. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected from 16 healthy individuals at baseline saliva and then, at 15 min, 30 min and 1, 2, 3, and 4 h after the following mouth-rinses: (i) a single, 1-min mouth-rinse with 15 ml of placebo (negative control); (ii) a single, 1-min mouth-rinse with 15 ml of CPC (0.05%) ; (iii) a single, 1-min mouth-rinse with 15 ml of O-cymen-5-ol (0.09%); (iv) a single, 1-min mouth-rinse with 15 ml of CPC (0.05%) + O-cymen-5-ol (0.09%). Results: Proportion of dead bacteria was significantly higher for all mouthrinses during the first 15 min compared to baseline (CPC = 48.0 ± 13.9; 95% CI 40.98-56.99; p < 0.001, O-cymen-5-ol = 79.8 ± 21.0; 95% CI 67.71-91.90; p < 0.05, CPC + O-cymen-5-ol = 49.4 ± 14; 95% CI 40.98-56.99; p < 0.001 by fluorometry and 54.8 ± 23.0; 95% CI 41.50-68.06; p < 0.001, 76.3 ± 17.1; 95% CI 66.36-86.14; p < 0.001, 47.4 ± 11.9; 95% CI 40.49-54.30; p < 0.001 by confocal laser scanning microscopy, respectively). Nevertheless, after 4 h, CPC + O-cymen-5-ol was the only one that obtained significant values as measured by the two quantification methods used (80.3 ± 22.8; 95% CI 67.15-93.50; p < 0.05 and 81.4 ± 13.8; 95% CI 73.45-89.43; p < 0.05). The combined use of CPC + O-cymen-5-ol increased the substantivity of the mouthrinse with respect to mouthrinses prepared with either of the two active products alone. Conclusion: The synergistic interaction of CPC and O-cymen-5-ol prolongs their substantivity. The resulting formulation may be as effective as other antimicrobials, such as triclosan or chlorhexidine, but without their undesirable secondary effects. Thus, mouthrinsing products based on Combinations of CPC and O-cymen-5-ol may replace in the near future Triclosan and Chlorhexidine¿based mouthrinses

Validación a largo plazo de datos de nivel 3 de tierra de SMOS con medidas de ELBARA-II en la Valencia Anchor Station

Revista oficial de la Asociación Española de Teledetección[EN] The Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission was launched on 2nd November 2009 with the objective of providing global estimations of soil moisture and sea salinity. The main activity of the Valencia Anchor Station (VAS) is currently to assist in a long-term validation of SMOS land products. This study focus on a level 3 SMOS data validation with in situ measurements carried out in the period 2010-2012 over the VAS. ELBARA-II radiometer is placed in the VAS area, observing a vineyard field considered as representative of a major proportion of an area of 50×50 km, enough to cover a SMOS footprint. Brightness temperatures (TB) acquired by ELBARA-II have been compared to those observed by SMOS at the same dates and time. They were also used for the L-MEB model inversion to retrieve soil moisture (SM), which later on have been compared to those provided by SMOS as level 3 data. A good correlation between both TB datasets was found, improving year by year, mainly due to the decrease of precipitations in the analyzed period and the mitigation of radio frequency interferences at L-band. The larger homogeneity of the radiometer footprint as compared to SMOS explains the higher variability of its TB. Periods of more intense precipitation (spring and autumn) also presented higher SM, which corroborates the consistency of SM retrieved from ELBARA-II’s observations. However, the results show that SMOS level 3 data underestimate SM as compared to ELBARA-II’s, probably due to the influence of the small soil fraction which is not cultivated in vineyards. SMOS estimations in descending orbit (6 pm) had better quality (higher correlation, lower RMSE and bias) than the ones in ascending orbit (6 am, when there is a higher soil moisture). Guardar / Salir Siguiente >[ES] La misión de SMOS (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity) se lanzó el 2 de Noviembre de 2009 con el objetivo de proporcionar datos de humedad del suelo y salinidad del mar. La principal actividad de la conocida como Valencia Anchor Station(VAS) es asistir en la validación a largo plazo de productos de suelo de SMOS. El presente estudio se centra en una validación de datos de nivel 3 de SMOS en la VAS con medidas in situ tomadas en el periodo 2010-2012. El radiómetro ELBARA-II está situado dentro de los confines de la VAS, observando un campo de viñedos que se con-sidera representativo de una gran proporción de un área de 50×50 km, suficiente para cubrir un footprint de SMOS. Las temperaturas de brillo (TB) adquiridas por ELBARA-II se compararon con las observadas por SMOS en las mismas fechas y horas. También se utilizó la inversión del modelo L-MEB con el fin de obtener humedades de suelo (SM) que, posteriormente, se compararon con datos de nivel 3 de SMOS. Se ha encontrado una buena correlación entre ambas series de TB, con mejoras año tras año, achacable fundamentalmente a la disminución de precipitaciones en el perio-do objeto de estudio y a la mitigación de las interferencias por radiofrecuencia en banda L. La mayor homogeneidad del footprintdel radiómetro ELBARA-II frente al de SMOS explica la mayor variabilidad de sus TB. Los periodos de preci-pitación más intensa (primavera y otoño) también son de mayor SM, lo que corrobora la consistencia de los resultados de SM simulados a través de las observaciones del radiómetro. Sin embargo, se debe resaltar una subestimación por parte de SMOS de los valores de SM respecto a los obtenidos por ELBARA-II, presumiblemente debido a la influencia que la pequeña fracción de suelo no destinado al cultivo de la vid tiene sobre SMOS. Las estimaciones por parte de SMOS en órbita descendente (6 p.m.) resultaron de mayor calidad (mayor correlación y menores RMSE y bias) que en órbita ascendente (6 a.m., momento de mayor humedad de suelo).This work is carried out within the framework of the project MIDAS-7/UVEG Productos y Aplicaciones Avanzados de SMOS y Futuras Misiones (Parte UVEG) from the Spanish Research Programme on Space, Spanish Ministry for Economy and Competitiveness.Fernandez-Moran, R.; Wigneron, JP.; López-Baeza, E.; Miernecki, M.; Salgado-Hernanz, P.; Coll, M.; Kerr, YH.... (2015). Towards a long-term dataset of ELBARA-II measurements assisting SMOS level-3 land product and algorithm validation at the Valencia Anchor Station. Revista de Teledetección. (43):55-62. doi:10.4995/raet.2015.2297.SWORD55624

Time resolved amplified FRET identifies protein kinase B activation state as a marker for poor prognosis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Purpose Clear cell Renal Cell Carcinomas (ccRCC), the largest group of renal tumours, are resistant to classical therapies. The determination of the functional state of actionable biomarkers for the assessment of these adenocarcinomas is essential. The dysregulation of the oncoprotein, PKB/Akt has been linked with poor prognoses in human cancers. Material & methods We analysed the status of the PKB/Akt pathway in a representative tumour tissue microarray obtained from the primary tumours and their metastases in 60 ccRCC with long term follow up. We sought to define the evolution of this pathway from the primary tumour to the metastatic event and to know the impact of its functional state in tumour aggressiveness and patient survival. Two-site time resolved amplified FRET (A-FRET) was utilised for assessing the activation state of PKB/Akt and this was compared to conventional immunohistochemistry measurements. Results Activation state of PKB/Akt in primary tumours defined by A-FRET correlated with poorer overall survival (hazard ratio 0.228; p = 0.002). Whereas, increased protein expression of phosphoPKB/Akt, identified using classical immunohistochemistry, yielded no significant difference (hazard ratio 1.390; p = 0.548). Conclusions Quantitative determination of PKB/Akt activation in ccRCC primary tumours alongside other diagnostics tools could prove key in taking oncologists closer to an efficient personalised therapy in ccRCC patients. General significance The quantitative imaging technology based on Amplified-FRET can rapidly analyse protein activation states and molecular interactions. It could be used for prognosis and assess drug function during the early cycles of chemotherapy. It enables evaluation of clinical efficiency of personalised cancer treatment

Efecto de las prácticas de repoblación forestal sobre el carbono orgánico del suelo y la estabilidad de los agregados en el noreste de Argentina

This study evaluated the behaviour of organic carbon, labile carbon and aggregate stability under different residue management systems after harvesting of Pinus elliottii E. at the beginning of the second rotation. After 3 years and 5 month of applied the treatment was compared the following systems of site preparation: 1) extraction of forest residues, 2) burning and tillage, and 3) conservation of residues on the soil. The extraction of residues, and burns with disk caused a fall in the organic carbon soil OC of the 20% and 37% in the 0-5 cm and 5-15 cm layer. The loss of light carbon was of the 35% in surface and of the 50% in subsurface. The aggregate mean weight diameter wet sieving was affected by residue extraction. The smaller aggregates were found following the application of burning and tillage practices. The change in aggregate diameter indicated a marked process of loss of the structure associated with the decrease of the organic carbon and with the light carbon to apply intensive practices of site.Se evalu&oacute; el comportamiento del carbono org&aacute;nico, del carbono liviano y la estabilidad de los agregados ante la aplicaci&oacute;n de diferentes alternativas de manejo de los restos de la corta final, de una plantaci&oacute;n de Pinus elliottii E. Luego de 3 a&ntilde;os y 5 meses de aplicados los tratamientos se compar&oacute; la extracci&oacute;n de los restos de la corta forestal, la quema y el laboreo, y la conservaci&oacute;n de los mismos sobre el suelo. La extracci&oacute;n total, y la quema con laboreo provocaron una ca&iacute;da en el carbono org&aacute;nico del 20% y 37% en el espesor 0-5 cm y 5-15 cm respectivamente. La p&eacute;rdida de carbono liviano fue del 35% en superficie y del 50% en subsuperficie. El di&aacute;metro medio ponderado de los agregados tamizado en h&uacute;medo fue afectado por la eliminaci&oacute;n de la biomasa vegetal. Los agregados m&aacute;s peque&ntilde;os se presentaron donde se aplic&oacute; la quema y el laboreo. El cambio en el di&aacute;metro de los agregados muestra un proceso p&eacute;rdida de la estructura que se asoci&oacute; con la disminuci&oacute;n del carbono org&aacute;nico y con el carbono liviano del suelo al aplicar pr&aacute;cticas intensivas de preparaci&oacute;n del suelo