⁠Healthcare service use for children with chronic complex diseases: a longitudinal six-year follow-up study

The objective was analysed the patterns use of healthcare services of this population and the influence of their clinical and sociodemographic characteristics.Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBU

A delphi study to detect deficiencies and propose actions in real life treatment of neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Purpose. Spanish retina specialists were surveyed in order to propose actions to decrease deficiencies in real-life neovascular age macular degeneration treatment (nv-AMD). Methods. One hundred experts, members of the Spanish Vitreoretinal Society (SERV), were invited to complete an online survey of 52 statements about nv-AMD management with a modified Delphi methodology. Four rounds were performed using a 5-point Linkert scale. Recommendations were developed after analyzing the differences between the results and the SERV guidelines recommendations. Results. Eighty-seven specialists completed all the Delphi rounds. Once major potential deficiencies in real-life nv-AMD treatment were identified, 15 recommendations were developed with a high level of agreement. Consensus statements to reduce the burden of the disease included the use of treat and extend regimen and to reduce the amount of diagnostic tests during the loading phase and training technical staff to perform these tests and reduce the time between relapse detection and reinjection, as well as establishing patient referral protocols to outside general ophthalmology clinics. Conclusion. The level of agreement with the final recommendations for nv-AMD treatment among Spanish retinal specialist was high indicating that some actions could be applied in order to reduce the deficiencies in real-life nv-AMD treatment

Four-channel self-compensating single-slope ADC for space environments

A multichannel high-resolution single-slope analogue-to-digital converter (SS ADC) is presented that automatically compensates for process, voltage and temperature variations, as well as for radiation effects, in order to be used in extreme environmental conditions. The design combines an efficient implementation by using a feedback loop that ensures an inherently monotonic and very accurate ramp generation, with high levels of configurability in terms of resolution and conversion rate, as well as input voltage range. The SS ADC was designed in a standard 0.35 μm CMOS technology. Experimental measurements of the performance and stability against radiation and temperature are presented to verify the proposed approach

A Front-End ASIC for a 3-D Magnetometer for Space Applications by Using Anisotropic Magnetoresistors

This paper presents an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) aimed for an alternative design of a digital 3-D magnetometer for space applications, with a significant reduction in mass and volume while maintaining a high sensitivity. The proposed system uses magnetic field sensors based on anisotropic magnetoresistances and a rad-hard mixed-signal ASIC designed in a standard 0.35 μm CMOS technology. The ASIC performs sensor-signal conditioning and analogue-to-digital conversion, and handles calibration tasks, system configuration, and communication with the outside. The proposed system provides high sensitivity to low magnetic fields, down to 3 nT, while offering a small and reliable solution under extreme environmental conditions in terms of radiation and temperature.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación AYA2011-29967-C05-05, AYA2009-14212-C05-04, AYA2008-06420-C04-0

OWLs: A mixed-signal ASIC for optical wire-less links in space instruments

This paper describes the design of a mixed-signal ASIC for space application and the techniques employed for radiation hardening and temperature effects compensation. The work is part of a planned long-term effort and collaboration between "Instituto de Microelectrónica de Sevilla (IMSE)", "Universidad de Sevilla (US)", and "Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA)" aimed to consolidate a group of experienced mixed-signal space-ASIC designers. The initiative is partially funded by the Spanish National Research Program. The ASIC performs the function of an optical digital transceiver for diffuse-light intra-satellite optical communications. It has been designed in a 0.35μm CMOS technology from austriamicrosystems (ams). The chip has been manufactured and verified from a functional perspective. Radiation characterization is planned for the third quarter of 2012. Power- and temperature-stress tests, as well as life-tests are also planned for this next quarter, and will be carried out by Alter Technology TÜV Nord S.A.U. Given the previous characterization of the technology [1] and the hardening techniques employed in the design and layout, radiation is not expected to be a problem. The specified environmental limits are a pedestal hard limit of 50KRads with the goal of maximizing TID tolerance, SEU and SET LET-thresholds above 70MeV/(mg/cm2), and latchup free behavior up to the same LET limit. Concerning temperature, the specified operation range is from -90 to +125ºC, while the non-operating temperature range is from -135 to +150ºC.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN) MEIGA AYA2009-14212-C05-04, AYA2008-06420-C04-0

Effects of dry-cured ham rich in bioactive peptides on cardiovascular health: A randomized controlled trial

Establishing health effects of bioactive compounds from dry-cured meat is an active area of clinical research. The present study aims to investigate whether consuming dry-cured ham with biopeptides, among other bioactive compounds, modifies blood pressure (BP) and improves other risk factors for cardiovascular disease in humans. This two-arm, cross-over, randomised controlled trial involved 38 healthy subjects with pre-hypertension. Participants received 80 g/day dry-cured pork ham or 100 g/day cooked ham (control product). A daily intake of 80 g dry-cured ham did not impair BP or 24 h sodium excretion. Total cholesterol, LDL and basal glucose levels dropped after dry-cured ham consumption (p = 0.00019, p = 0.021 and p = 0.014, respectively). Cooked ham did not affect any of the clinical and biochemical markers. Dry-cured ham components could exert a plethora of activities over the cardiovascular system including lipid and glucose metabolism. Additional studies are needed to confirm the effects of dry-cured meat biopeptides on diverse risk factors in pathological conditions.Ciencias de la AlimentaciónFarmaciaMedicin

Aerosol concentration at two heights (2550 and 650 m a.s.l.) in SE Spain

Ponencia presentada en: XXXV Jornadas Científicas de la AME y el XIX Encuentro Hispano Luso de Meteorología celebrado en León, del 5 al 7 de marzo de 2018.The simultaneous aerosol sampling at two heights in southern Spain may provide valuable information on the vertical structure of the dust transport from North Africa to the Iberian Peninsula. It also allows the characterization of the ambient air at two sites with distinct anthropogenic impact. This work presents the results obtained from the first field campaign of the FRESA project (Impact of dust-laden African air masses and of stratospheric air masses in the Iberian Peninsula. Role of the Atlas Mountains), performed in the period July-November 2017 at El Albergue Universitario in Sierra Nevada (2550 m a.s.l.) and the city of Granada (650 m a.s.l.). The two sites were instrumented with a low-volume sampler with PM10 inlet for daily sampling and mass and chemical composition characterization, a high-volume sampler for total suspended particles (TSP) for weekly sampling and radionuclide activity determination, and with a GRIMM 365 optical particle counter that provides continuously the aerosol size distribution

Subjective well-being, happiness, and environmental health factors related to women planning a pregnancy or pregnant, using mobile health intervention

Objectives: To compare the environmental health results in women trying to get pregnant or pregnant using a mobile health application (Green Page) through healthcare professionals or self-completed by women, and to explore the relationship between the subjective well-being of these women with their lifestyles and environmental factors. Methods: A descriptive study with mixed methods was conducted in 2018. A mobile health survey was used in two phases. Phase 1 was a cross-sectional study through professionals (n = 1100) followed by phase 2, a convenience sampling through women's self-reporting (n = 3425). A personalized report was downloadable with health recommendations for the well-being of the mother and child. Results: Of the 3205 participants (mean age = 33 years, SD = 0.2 years), 1840 were planning a pregnancy and 1365 were pregnant. One in five pregnant women had a low level of happiness. Globally, subjective well-being and happiness were found to be negatively associated with lack of contact with nature, sedentary lifestyle, excess weight, environmental exposure, and older age in pregnancy. Precisely 45%, 60%, and 14% of women were exposed to tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs, respectively. The women self-reported levels of risk factors higher than when the tool was used by or through professionals. Conclusions: The use of mobile health interventions focused on environmental health during planning or pregnancy periods could help improve the quality of healthcare and foster greater involvement of women in their self-care process, thus promoting empowerment, healthier environments, and lifestyles. Ensuring equity of access and data protection are global challenges to be addressed.The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by the Foundation for Formation and Research (FFIS) from Murcia's Drug Commissioner Office (Ecosistema Saludable, Neurodesallorro Saludable), the National Plan on Drugs, Ministry of Health, Spain (ID8437); the Mount Sinai International Exchange Program for Minority Student (Grant MD001452) from the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities of the U.S. National Institutes of Health; and the Sociedad de Pediatría del Sureste de España and its contribution to the project “Profile of childhood and adolescence environmental health in the region of Murcia” (FFIS-DF-2022-36). EOP is supported by a postdoctoral contract from the Instituto Murciano de Investigaciones Biosanitarias Virgen de la Arrixaca (IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain).S

Puesta en marcha y coordinación del Máster en Optometría Avanzada y Salud Visual

Durante el curso 2015-2016 se va a implantar, en la Universidad de Alicante, el máster en Optometría Avanzada y Salud Visual, que fue aprobado por la ANECA en diciembre del 2014. Con el fin de coordinar las actividades docentes de cada una de las asignaturas del máster y dentro del Proyecto de Redes de Investigación en Docencia Universitaria 2014-2015, se ha creado una red formada por todos los profesores coordinadores de las asignaturas que constituyen el plan de estudios y que han participado en la realización de la memoria de dicho máster. En esta red se pretende la coordinación entre todas las asignaturas para organizar y desarrollar sus actividades con el fin de conseguir una buena distribución de la carga docente y un mejor aprovechamiento por parte del alumno de la docencia recibida. Por otra parte, dado que en este máster participan varias empresas del sector óptico y clínicas oftalmológicas es necesario determinar qué actividades propuestas por las empresas y clínicas se van a incluir en cada asignatura y planificarlas adecuadamente

Trabajo de coordinación para la implantación del Máster en Optometría Avanzada y Salud Visual

Durante el curso 2013-2014 la Universidad de Alicante ha propuesto la implantación del Master en Optometría Avanzada y Salud Visual, dicha solicitud está siendo actualmente evaluada por la ANECA. Con el fin de coordinar la docencia de este Máster y dentro del Proyecto de Redes de Investigación en Docencia Universitaria 2013-2014, se ha creado una red formada por todos los profesores que han participado en la elaboración del plan de estudios. En esta red esta red se pretende la coordinación entre las distintas asignaturas para elaborar las guías docentes a partir de los datos de las fichas enviadas a la ANECA. Por otra parte también se ha modificado la memoria atendiendo a las alegaciones realizadas por la ANECA. Y se han desarrollado los contenidos, la metodología de las distintas actividades propuestas con el fin de asegurar la consecución de las competencias previstas