Rasch Analysis of the Q-CHAT in Colombian Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorder

[EN]The objective of this study was the validation of the Colombian version of The Quantitative Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (Q-CHAT) by means of the Rasch Rating Scale Model. The Q-CHAT was applied to parents of 100 typically developing toddlers and 40 toddlers and preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The Q-CHAT scores showed some limitations. The questionnaire did not meet the condition of unidimensionality. Two dimensions were detected. The first dimension, with 13 items and 4 response categories (13i-4c), showed good psychometric properties: the items fit the Rasch Rating Scale model, the reliability of persons and items was appropriate, and scores adequately discriminate between children with and without ASD. The second dimension is a measure of traits that are usually associated with ASD, but that have shown validity problems. Thus, it is proposed that dimension 1 of the Q-CHAT (13i-4c) be used as the screening tool for ASD in Colombia

High-resolution versus conventional manometry for the diagnosis of small bowel motor dysfunction

Intestinal dysmotility; Pseudo‐obstruction; Small bowel manometryDismotilitat intestinal; Pseudo-obstrucció; Manometria de l'intestí primDismotilidad intestinal; Pseudo-obstrucción; Manometría del intestino delgadoBackground The diagnosis of small bowel motility disorders is performed by manometric evaluation of the contractile patterns of the small intestine. Conventional intestinal manometry systems include few pressure sensors at relatively long intervals. We have recently shown that high-resolution jejunal manometry, with multiple closely spaced recording sites, allows the analysis of propagation patterns of intestinal motility in healthy subjects that cannot be detected with conventional manometry. The objective of this pilot study was to explore the feasibility and diagnostic value of high-resolution intestinal manometry in patients with suspected small bowel dysmotility. Methods Prospective pilot study evaluating intestinal motility patterns in 16 consecutive patients (16–61 years; 11 women) with severe, chronic digestive symptoms referred for the evaluation of intestinal motility and in 18 healthy controls (21–38 years; 8 women). A 36-channel high-resolution manometry catheter was orally placed under radiological guidance in the jejunum. Intestinal motility was continuously recorded for 3 h fasting and 2 h after a 450 kcal meal. The manometric recordings were analyzed in two formats: (a) with the high-resolution data from 34 channels and (b) showing only the recordings from 5 channels separated by 7 cm intervals, mimicking a conventional manometry recording. Key Results In the analysis mimicking conventional manometry, abnormal motility criteria were detected in six patients and in no healthy subject [bursts (n = 3), postprandial minute rhythm (n = 1) and myopathic pattern (n = 2)]. These classical dysmotility criteria were also detected by high-resolution manometry. High-resolution analysis detected one or more abnormal findings in seven additional patients that were not observed in any healthy subject, specifically: (a) abnormal propagation of Phase III (n = 3); (b) reduced propagated activity during Fasting Phase II (n = 4); (c) increased propagated activity during Fasting Phase II and postprandial phase (n = 1). Conclusions and Inferences This pilot study suggests that high-resolution intestinal manometry may improve the sensitivity of conventional manometry in the detection of intestinal motor dysfunction.This work was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III and co-financed by the European Union (FEDER/FSE) [PI17/01794]; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Agencia Estatal de Investigación, PID2021-122295OB-I00); Ciberehd is funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III. LA was supported by a scholarship from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CM20/00182)

Integrated electronic system for ultrasonic structural health monitoring

A fully integrated on-board electronic system that can perform in-situ structural health monitoring (SHM) of aircraft?s structures using specifically designed equipment for SHM based on guided wave ultrasonic method or Lamb waves? method is introduced. This equipment is called Phased Array Monitoring for Enhanced Life Assessment (PAMELA III) and is an essential part of overall PAMELA SHM? system. PAMELA III can generate any kind of excitation signals, acquire the response signals that propagate throughout the structure being tested, and perform the signal processing for damage detection directly on the structure without need to send the huge amount of raw signals but only the final SHM maps. It monitors the structure by means of an array of integrated Phased Array (PhA) transducers preferably bonded onto the host structure. The PAMELA III hardware for SHM mapping has been designed, built and subjected to laboratory tests, using aluminum and CFRP structures. The 12 channel system has been designed to be low weight (265 grams only), to have a small form factor, to be directly mounted above the integrated PhA transducers without need for cables and to be EMI protected so that the equipment can be taken on board an aircraft to perform required SHM analyses by use of embedded SHM algorithms. Moreover, the autonomous, automatic and on real-time working procedure makes it suitable for the avionic field, sending the corresponding alerts, maps and reports to external equipment

Immediate loading and immediate restoration in 105 expanded-platform implants via the Diem System after a 16-month follow-up period

Objective: The aim of this study was to report on our experience and outcomes with Certain Prevail Implants and immediate loading via the Diem System after a 16-month follow-up period. Materials and Methods: Over a 16- month period, 105 (14 maxilla, 91 mandible) expanded-platform implants were placed in 18 patients (15 females, 3 males; 55.97 ±7.25 SD years). Resonance frecuency analysis (RFA) was measured on the day of placement and at 3, 12 and 16 months. All prostheses were screw mounted on IOL DIEM standard abutments. The follow-up time varied between 3 up to 16 months. Results: One implant (0.9%) failed during final prothetic placement (3 months). The RFA (ISQ) measurements at 16 months evalution for 4 mm- and 5 mm diameter implants were: 76.13 ± 5.0 SD and 76 ±7.7 SD respectively. The RFA data related to mandible and maxilla, the day 0 mean was 76.47 ± 4.75 SD and 70.13 ± 1.35 SD, at 3 months 70.53 ± 4.0 SD and 66.07 ±2.9 SD, at 12 months 68.23± 3.6 SD and 66.40 ±2.7 SD and 16 months 68.23± 3.6 SD and 66.60 ± 2.5 SD respectively. The crestal bone resorption was 0.6 mm at 16 months in platform switching implants.Conclusions: The cumulative implant survival rate during the follow-up period was 99.1% Immediate loading on IOL Diem abutments is a reliable and effective technique for edentulous patients in the maxilla and mandible

Capsaicinoid Content in the Pericarp and Placenta of Bolilla Peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) throughout the Ripening of the Fruit at Two Different Stages of Plant Maturation

Peppers are a very popular ingredient in many dishes, either as the fruit itself or as derived products. They are not only consumed because of their organoleptic characteristics, but also because of their high content of bioactive compounds. The aim of this work was to determine the optimal time to harvest the Bolilla pepper, based on the capsaicinoid concentration in the pericarp and placenta at two different plant maturities (young and adult), in order to maximize their potential biological properties. In the case of the pericarp, the maximum capsaicinoid concentration was reached at 30 days post-anthesis (dpa) (with values of 1565.98 and 2158.82 µmol/kg, for the young and adult plant, respectively), while in the placenta it was registered at 41 dpa with greater values (5898.12 and 2349.67 µmol/kg). In either case, from that moment on, there was a drastic reduction in the capsaicinoid content. With regard to the capsaicinoid content levels in the pericarp, this was greater in older plants, while the placenta presented greater content in younger plants, which is of considerable importance from an economic point of view. This work allows a better selection of the final product, taking full advantage of its beneficial effects on health and taste, which would be very interesting for analytical laboratories or industries13 página

Enhancing Competency-Based Education in Instrumental Analysis: A Novel Approach Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography for Real-World Problem Solving

Curricula related to instrumental analysis aim for competency-based education to promote the development of teaching strategies that encourage students to successfully tackle the problem-solving and tasks inherent to their profession. However, this endeavor is constrained by the complexity of equipment and the lack of time in laboratory classes. The objective of this work is to present an alternative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) practice that adapts the desired competencies to a shorter and more effective timeframe. It seeks more active participation from the student and contextualizes chromatographic analysis within a real-world problem that encompasses the entire analytical process, from sample to final result. In this scenario, the student receives a solid sample of spicy paprika from a supermarket and must report the level of spiciness in terms of the total amount of capsaicinoids. To achieve this, they must first apply different experimental conditions for extracting the analytes of interest (varying temperatures and solvents) and selecting the most optimal condition. This practice is designed for short sessions, specifically conducted in two 2.5 h laboratory sessions, and has been implemented in the subject “Advanced Techniques in Instrumental Analysis (ATIA)” in the fourth year of the Degree in Biotechnology at the University of Cadiz. The results obtained demonstrated a significant increase in student motivation and an improvement in the acquisition of skills; 100% of the students achieved a grade higher than seven in the final evaluation of their learning process

La adquisición de libros electrónicos a través de Rialto

Presentación en las XIX Jormadas de la Asociación de Usuarios de Ex Libris en España (Expania) celebradas en la Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (UPV) el 10 de junio de 2022, con un programa centrado en Alma y diversas APIs pensadas para facilitar tareas como la gestión de solicitudes de adquisición de libros electronícos con Rialto, la gestión de la bibliografía recomendadada con Leganto, además de una visión general de los productos disponibles para la gestión automatizada de servicios con ALMA.Se describe la implementación del producto para la adquisición de libros electrónicos de ExLibris Rialto en la Biblioteca Universitaria Hospital Real de la red de bibliotecas de la Universidad de Granada. Rialto ofrece prestaciones similares a otras plataformas de adquisición de libros como OASIS de Proquest. Está construido sobre la plataforma en la nube de Ex Libris Higher-Ed, creando un flujo de trabajo unificado y sin fisuras desde la selección hasta la adquisición, basado en reglas comerciales y patrones de compra.González De La Fuente, A.; Ruiz Puertas, G.; Fernández Cañizares, F. (2022). La adquisición de libros electrónicos a través de Rialto. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/18486

Do Health-Related Quality of Life and Pain-Coping Strategies Explain the Relationship between Older Women Participants in a Pilates-Aerobic Program and Bodily Pain? A Multiple Mediation Model

This study (1) analyzes the differences between non-participating and participating older women in terms of clinical characteristics, pain coping strategies, health-related quality of life and physical activity (PA); (2) studies the associations between non-participants and participants, clinical characteristics, pain coping strategies, HRQoL and bodily pain and PA; and (3) determines whether catastrophizing, physical role, behavioural coping, social functioning and emotional role are significant mediators in the link between participating in a Pilates-aerobic program (or not) and bodily pain. The sample comprised 340 older women over 60 years old. Participants of the present cross-sectional study completed measures of clinical characteristics: HRQoL using the SF-36 Health Survey, pain-coping strategies using the Vanderbilt Pain Management Inventory (VPMI) and PA using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)

Optimization by Means of Chemometric Tools of an Ultrasound-Assisted Method for the Extraction of Betacyanins from Red Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus)

Betacyanins have been reported to provide prominent health-promoting effects, in addition to contributing to the exotic color and pleasant palate of red dragon fruit that has been attracting universal interest for over a decade. An accurate determination of betacyanins in dragon fruit is important if we are to benefit from the nutraceutical features of these compounds. Seven betacyanin pigments have been identified and extracted by means of ultrasound-assisted techniques from red dragon fruit. Chemometric tools such as Box-Behnken Design (BBD) in conjunction with response surface methodology (RSM) have been successfully used to evaluate and optimize the relevant extraction variables i.e., temperature (A: 10, 35, 60 degrees C), solvent composition (B: 20, 50, 80% methanol in water), sample to solvent ratio (C: 0.1:10, 0.2:10, 0.3:10 g/mL), power (D: 20, 45, 70%), and cycle (E: 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 s(-1)). The results obtained from the analysis of variance (ANOVA) suggest that the solvent composition (p 0.0063), sample to solvent ratio (p 0.0126), and cycle (p 0.0302) are the most influential variables in betacyanin extraction. The optimal variable settings for ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) were a 54.6 degrees C extraction temperature, 0.3 s(-1) cycle, 20% ultrasound power, 21.4% methanol in water solvent composition, 0.2:10 sample to solvent ratio, and a 5 min extraction time. The validation of the method for repeatability and intermediate precision provided excellent results at 1.56% and 2.94% respectively. Furthermore, the novel UAE method was successfully used for the determination of betacyanins content in red dragon fruit from different geographic origins.This work has been supported by the project "EQC2018-005135-P" (Equipment for liquid chromatography by means of mass spectrometry and ion chromatography) of the State Subprogram of Research Infrastructures and Technical Scientific Equipment