Observability analysis and state estimator proposal for the chocolate conching process

© 2021 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.The conching process is a crucial stage involving the development of sensory attributes and rheological properties of the final product. Currently, the monitoring of critical variables during this process is done off-line through extensive mea- surements with conventional methodologies based on laboratory analysis, e.g., the quantification of the concentration of the volatile active compounds of the flavor and aroma of a chocolate batch and its viscosity. All of them are related to an indicator for the chocolate sensory quality known as Conching Degree (CD). In this work, the observability analysis for a Phenomenological Based Model for the conching process is done as a first condition for the solution of a state estimation problem. Besides, the initial idea of a virtual sensor is proposed considering the available measurements from the conching process.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Immunological Basis for the Gender Differences in Murine Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Infection

This study aimed to investigate the immunological mechanisms involved in the gender distinct incidence of paracoccidioidomycosis (pcm), an endemic systemic mycosis in Latin America, which is at least 10 times more frequent in men than in women. Then, we compared the immune response of male and female mice to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis infection, as well as the influence in the gender differences exerted by paracoccin, a P. brasiliensis component with carbohydrate recognition property. High production of Th1 cytokines and T-bet expression have been detected in the paracoccin stimulated cultures of spleen cells from infected female mice. In contrast, in similar experimental conditions, cells from infected males produced higher levels of the Th2 cytokines and expressed GATA-3. Macrophages from male and female mice when stimulated with paracoccin displayed similar phagocytic capability, while fungicidal activity was two times more efficiently performed by macrophages from female mice, a fact that was associated with 50% higher levels of nitric oxide production. In order to evaluate the role of sexual hormones in the observed gender distinction, we have utilized mice that have been submitted to gonadectomy followed by inverse hormonal reconstitution. Spleen cells derived from castrated males reconstituted with estradiol have produced higher levels of IFN-γ (1291±15 pg/mL) and lower levels of IL-10 (494±38 pg/mL), than normal male in response to paracoccin stimulus. In contrast, spleen cells from castrated female mice that had been treated with testosterone produced more IL-10 (1284±36 pg/mL) and less IFN-γ (587±14 pg/mL) than cells from normal female. In conclusion, our results reveal that the sexual hormones had a profound effect on the biology of immune cells, and estradiol favours protective responses to P. brasiliensis infection. In addition, fungal components, such as paracoccin, may provide additional support to the gender dimorphic immunity that marks P. brasiliensis infection

El lado humano de la sostenibilidad : reflexiones desde lo privado y lo público

1 documento en PDF de 31 páginasPara hablar de sostenibilidad, es preciso aclarar que el término va más allá del concepto medio ambiente; aborda todas las actividades del ser humano, desde su ámbito privado y cotidiano, hasta las acciones públicas que comparte con diferentes actores sociales; de tal manera que unos y otros son responsables del equilibrio de la vida. Los autores de este libro, por ejemplo, investigan y analizan el concepto de cuidado y sus dinámicas al interior de la familia, la percepción masculina del cuidado doméstico; cómo se perciben e interiorizan los términos educación y ciudadanía en la vida cotidiana; qué significa la discapacidad y cómo funcionan las familias con integrantes discapacitados. Y así como se tocan temas que, por su carácter doméstico y corriente, afectan la balanza de la sostenibilidad, de igual manera se revisan otros con igual o mayor peso en la sostenibilidad humana, como la responsabilidad social empresarial y la gobernanza del sistema de salud. El Cuidado En El Ámbito Privado || El Cuidado En El Ámbito Públic

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Cuidado humanizado a los pacientes en cuidados intensivos: una scooping review

Las unidades de cuidados intensivos se han modernizado, cada día los profesionales de enfermería se especializan en manejar estos aparatos para monitorizar al paciente, corriendo el riesgo de dejar de lado la relación enfermero-paciente donde se brinda un cuidado humano. Objetivo: analizar la literatura publicada con relación al cuidado humanizado a los pacientes en una UCI. Metodología: Scoping review que se basó en la metodología ofrecida por el Joanna Briggs Institute, empleando los motores de búsqueda y bases de datos mencionados a continuación: MEDLINE via PubMed, CINHAL Plus with Full Text e Nursing & Allied Health Collection: Comprehensive via EBSCO-HOST, Academic Search Complete, ScienceDirect e Directory of Open Access Journals via B-ON, LILACS, RCAAP e SciELO. Siendo limitadores artículos publicados en los últimos 5 años, en idioma portugués o inglés y en texto completo. Resultados: Se obtuvieron 45 registros, la muestra final incluyó 11 artículos que cumplían el objetivo de la revisión sobre los criterios de inclusión. Las estrategias promotoras de humanización remiten a fomentar la comunicación, la empatía, el afecto y tacto/resaltar la educación al enfermero sobre la comunicación y la humanización, reconocer a la familia como eje central, ya que son el mejor enlace con el paciente y brindan un apoyo emocional al mismo. Conclusión: En la UCI es importante que el enfermero implemente estrategias con el fin de mejorar el cuidado humanizado, pues es aquí donde el paciente necesita casi por completo de la ayuda de este para satisfacer sus necesidades básicas.The intensive care units have been modernized, every day nursing professionals specialize in managing these devices to monitor the patient, running the risk of neglecting the nurse-patient relationship where human care is provided. Objective: to analyze the published literature regarding humanized care for patients in an ICU. Methodology: Scoping review that was based on the methodology offered by the Joanna Briggs Institute, using the search engines and databases mentioned below: MEDLINE via PubMed, CINHAL Plus with Full Text and Nursing & Allied Health Collection: Comprehensive via EBSCO- HOST, Academic Search Complete, ScienceDirect and Directory of Open Access Journals via B-ON, LILACS, RCAAP and SciELO. Being limiting articles published in the last 5 years, in language in Portuguese or English and in full text. Results: 45 records were obtained, and the final sample included 11 articles that met the objective of the review on the inclusion criteria. Humanization promoting strategies refer to fostering communication, empathy, affection and tact / highlighting education for nurses on communication and humanization, recognizing the family as the central axis, since they are the best link with the patient and provide emotional support to it. Conclusion: In the ICU, it is important for the nurse to implement strategies in order to improve humanized care, since it is here that the patient needs his help almost completely to satisfy his basic needs.Resumen. --Abstract. --Introduccion. --Materiales y metodos. --Resultados. --Flujograma. --Discusion. --Conclusion. --Referencias [email protected]@[email protected]

Observability analysis and state estimator proposal for the chocolate conching process

Trabajo presentado en la 5th Colombian Conference on Automatic Control (CCAC), celebrada desde Ibague (Colombia) de forma virtual, del 19 al 22 de octubre de 2021The conching process is a crucial stage involving the development of sensory attributes and rheological properties of the final product. Currently, the monitoring of critical variables during this process is done off-line through extensive mea- surements with conventional methodologies based on laboratory analysis, e.g., the quantification of the concentration of the volatile active compounds of the flavor and aroma of a chocolate batch and its viscosity. All of them are related to an indicator for the chocolate sensory quality known as Conching Degree (CD). In this work, the observability analysis for a Phenomenological Based Model for the conching process is done as a first condition for the solution of a state estimation problem. Besides, the initial idea of a virtual sensor is proposed considering the available measurements from the conching process.This work is financed by the project supported by Compania Nacional de Chocolates and COLCIENCIAS 786-2017 “Beneficios Tributarios por inversion - CTeI”

Late diagnosis of pseudohypoparathyroidism in adulthood. Case series

Introduction: Pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) is a rare hereditary disease, characterized by hypocalcemia/hyperphosphatemia secondary to peripheral resistance to parathyroid hormone (PTH). PHP diagnosis is usually precluded since hypocalcemia is considered as the primary diagnosis, thus delaying further diagnostic studies and preventing an adequate management of this clinical condition. Materials and methods: Retrospective review of the databases of the Endocrinology departments of two tertiary care centers of Medellin, Colombia from January 2012 to December 2016. Patients diagnosed with PHP based on clinical presentation and confirmatory laboratory values were included. Results: Four patients met the inclusion criteria. All PHP cases were diagnosed in adulthood despite strong early clinical and laboratory evidence of the disease. Three patients were diagnosed with Fahr’s syndrome and two with Albright’s hereditary osteodystrophy. The mean values obtained were PTH of 376.8 pg/mL, calcium of 6.17 mg/dL and phosphorus of 6.55 mg/dL. Conclusions: PHP is a rare disorder. This paper describes four PHP cases diagnosed during adulthood. Emphasis should be placed on the judicious approach to the patient with hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia with increased PTH and normal renal function, since these symptoms strongly suggest a diagnosis of PHP

Pseudohipoparatiroidismo diagnosticado tardíamente en la adultez, una serie de casos

Introduction: Pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) is a rare hereditary disease, characterized by hypocalcemia/hyperphosphatemia secondary to peripheral resistance to parathyroid hormone (PTH). PHP diagnosis is usually precluded since hypocalcemia is considered as the primary diagnosis, thus delaying further diagnostic studies and preventing an adequate management of this clinical condition.Materials and methods: Retrospective review of the databases of the Endocrinology departments of two tertiary care centers of Medellin, Colombia from January 2012 to December 2016. Patients diagnosed with PHP based on clinical presentation and confirmatory laboratory values were included.Results: Four patients met the inclusion criteria. All PHP cases were diagnosed in adulthood despite strong early clinical and laboratory evidence of the disease. Three patients were diagnosed with Fahr’s syndrome and two with Albright’s hereditary osteodystrophy. The mean values obtained were PTH of 376.8 pg/mL, calcium of 6.17 mg/dL and phosphorus of 6.55 mg/dL.Conclusions: PHP is a rare disorder. This paper describes four PHP cases diagnosed during adulthood. Emphasis should be placed on the judicious approach to the patient with hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia with increased PTH and normal renal function, since these symptoms strongly suggest a diagnosis of PHP.Introducción. El pseudohipoparatiroidismo (PHP) es una condición rara caracterizada por hipocalcemia e hiperfosfatemia secundarias a resistencia periférica a la hormona paratiroidea (PTH). Es frecuente que la hipocalcemia sea establecida de forma equivocada como diagnóstico primario y que el diagnóstico definitivo de PHP sea tardío, difiriendo los estudios y el manejo específico que exigen estos pacientes.Materiales y métodos. Se revisaron de forma retrospectiva las bases de datos de endocrinología de dos centros terciarios de Medellín, Colombia, desde enero de 2012 a diciembre de 2016. Se incluyeron pacientes con diagnóstico de PHP por presentación clínica y valores confirmatorios de laboratorio.Resultados. Cuatro pacientes cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. Todos los casos fueron diagnosticados en la adultez a pesar de tener evidencia temprana, clínica y bioquímica de la enfermedad. Tres pacientes tenían síndrome de Fahr y dos tenían osteodistrofia hereditaria de Albright. Los valores medios registrados fueron PTH de 376.8 pg/mL, calcio de 6.17 mg/dL y fósforo de 6.55 mg/dL.Conclusiones. El PHP es un trastorno raro; se describen cuatro casos diagnosticados de forma tardía en la adultez. Se enfatiza en el enfoque juicioso del paciente con hipocalcemia, la cual, en presencia de hiperfosfatemia con PTH elevada y función renal normal, debe hacer sospechar el diagnóstico de PHP

Riverine connectivity modulates elemental fluxes through a 200- year period of intensive anthropic change in the Magdalena River floodplains, Colombia

Tropical floodplain lakes are increasingly impacted by human activities, yet their pathways of spatial and temporal degradation, particularly under varying hydrological connectivity regimes and climate change, remain poorly understood. This study examines surface-sediment samples and 210Pb-dated sediment cores from six floodplain lakes, representing a gradient in hydrological connectivity in the lower Magdalena River Basin, Colombia. We analysed temporal and spatial variations in several sediment biogeochemical indicators: the concentration and flux of nutrients, heavy metals, and organic matter (OM), and redox conditions, flooding and erosion. Multiple factor analysis (MFA) of surface-sediments identified redox conditions, OM, flooding, heavy metals and lake connectivity as the main contributors to spatial variability within- and between-lakes sediments, accounting for 48% of the total variation. Additionally, no clear distinction was found between littoral and open-water sediment characteristics. Isolated lakes sediments exhibited reductive conditions rich in OM and nutrients, whereas connected lakes sediments showed greater heavy metal enrichment and higher concentrations of coarse river-fed material. Generalised additive models identified significant changes in the biogeochemical indicators since the late 1800s, that accelerated post-1980s. Shifts in OM, erosion, flooding, redox conditions, land-cover change, heavy metals and climate were identified by MFA as the main drivers of change, explaining 60%-71% of the variation in the connected lakes and 53%-72% in the isolated lakes. Post-1980s, connected lakes transitioned from conditions of higher accumulation of OM and little erosion to higher accumulation of heavy metals and river-fed material. Conversely, isolated lakes, shifted from detrital-heavy metal-rich sediments to OM-, and nutrient-rich, reductive sediments. Sedimentation rates also surged post-1980s, particularly in highly connected lakes, from 0.14 ± 0.07 g cm² yr⁻¹ to 0.5 ± 0.5 g cm² yr⁻¹, with elevated fluxes of metals, OM and nutrients. These changes in sediment biogeochemistry align with deforestation, river regulation and prolonged dry periods, highlighting the complexities behind establishing reliable reference conditions for pollution assessments in large, human-impacted tropical river systems

Acute Pediatric Chagas Disease in Antioquia, Colombia: A Geographic Location of Suspected Oral Transmission

Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi infection, is an insidious cause of heart failure in Latin America. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to prevent irreversible myocardial damage that progressively accumulates over decades. Several structural barriers account for the less than 1% of cases in Colombia being treated, including poor physician knowledge, especially considering that some regions are considered non-endemic. The two cases reported here represent an emerging epidemiologic scenario associated with pediatric Chagas disease. Both cases are suspected oral transmitted parasitic infection in a geographic region of Colombia (Andean region of Antioquia) where no previous oral transmission of Chagas disease had been reported. Their clinical histories and course of disease are presented here to increase physician awareness of the epidemiologic risk factors and clinical manifestations associated with pediatric oral Chagas disease in Antioquia department, Colombia