Internet of things

Manual of Digital Earth / Editors: Huadong Guo, Michael F. Goodchild, Alessandro Annoni .- Springer, 2020 .- ISBN: 978-981-32-9915-3Digital Earth was born with the aim of replicating the real world within the digital world. Many efforts have been made to observe and sense the Earth, both from space (remote sensing) and by using in situ sensors. Focusing on the latter, advances in Digital Earth have established vital bridges to exploit these sensors and their networks by taking location as a key element. The current era of connectivity envisions that everything is connected to everything. The concept of the Internet of Things(IoT)emergedasaholisticproposaltoenableanecosystemofvaried,heterogeneous networked objects and devices to speak to and interact with each other. To make the IoT ecosystem a reality, it is necessary to understand the electronic components, communication protocols, real-time analysis techniques, and the location of the objects and devices. The IoT ecosystem and the Digital Earth (DE) jointly form interrelated infrastructures for addressing today’s pressing issues and complex challenges. In this chapter, we explore the synergies and frictions in establishing an efficient and permanent collaboration between the two infrastructures, in order to adequately address multidisciplinary and increasingly complex real-world problems. Although there are still some pending issues, the identified synergies generate optimism for a true collaboration between the Internet of Things and the Digital Earth

Development of solid-phase extraction for triazines: application to a biological sample.

A sensitive extraction method for the triazines simazine, atrazine, and ametryn was developed and applied to a biological sample (urine). After protein precipitation with acetonitrile, a further purification using solid-phase extraction (SPE) was carried out. The samples were then analysed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) usina a C18 column and an acetonitrile-water (40:60, v/v) mobile phase. The pH of the mobile phase was adjusted to 9.0 with NH4OH, the flow-rate was 0.5 mL/min and UV detection was at 220 nm. Recovery values were satisfactory and the method developed can be used for monitoring urine samples of workers exposed to simazine, atrazine, and ametryn, in forensic, veterinay, and environmental toxicologies

A922 Sequential measurement of 1 hour creatinine clearance (1-CRCL) in critically ill patients at risk of acute kidney injury (AKI)

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Application of new high-performance liquid chromatography and solid-phase extraction materials to the analysis of pesticides in human urine.

A method for the simultaneous determination of diuron and linuron pesticides in human urine was developed, using both solid-phase extraction (SPE) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) phases made in our own laboratory. These materials were prepared by sorption of polysiloxanes onto a silica surface, followed by immobilization. The HPLC columns were prepared from poly(methyloctylsiloxane), PMOS, immobilized onto silica with microwave radiation while the SPE cartridges where made with poly(methyloctadecylsiloxane), immobilized thermally. Method validation was performed for diuron and linuron for three fortification levels. The recoveries obtained were 85?103%, the inter- and intra-assay precisions were less than 1.6 and 1.8%, respectively. The limits of quantitation and detection for diuron were 2.4 and 8.0 ?g/l and for linuron were 5.0 and 12 ?g/l, respectively

Principles and philosophies for speech and language therapists working with people with primary progressive aphasia: An international expert consensus

Purpose: Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a language-led dementia associated with Alzheimer’s pathology and fronto-temporal lobar degeneration. Multiple tailored speech and language interventions have been developed for people with PPA. Speech and language therapists/speech-language pathologists (SLT/Ps) report lacking confidence in identifying the most pertinent interventions options relevant to their clients living with PPA during their illness trajectory. Materials and methods: The aim of this study was to establish a consensus amongst 15 clinical-academic SLT/Ps on best practice in selection and delivery of speech and language therapy interventions for people with PPA. An online nominal group technique (NGT) and consequent focus group session were held. NGT rankings were aggregated and focus groups video recorded, transcribed, and reflexive thematic analysis undertaken. Results: The results of the NGT identified 17 items. Two main themes and seven further subthemes were identified in the focus groups. The main themes comprised (1) philosophy of person-centredness and (2) complexity. The seven subthemes were knowing people deeply, preventing disasters, practical issues, professional development, connectedness, barriers and limitations, and peer support and mentoring towards a shared understanding. Conclusions: This study describes the philosophy of expert practice and outlines a set of best practice principles when working with people with PPA.Implications for rehabilitation Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) describes a group of language led dementias which deteriorate inexorably over time. Providing speech and language therapy for people with PPA is complex and must be person centred and bespoke. This study describes the philosophy of expert practice and outlines a set of best practice principles for speech and language therapists/pathologists working with people with people with PPA

Modulation of IL-17A and IFNγ by β2-adrenergic agonist terbutaline and inverse-agonist nebivolol, influence of ADRB2 polymorphisms

BackgroundUpon activation, helper T (Th) cells produce cytokines such as IL-17A and IFNγ, which may exacerbate inflammatory disease and disorders. Adrenergic drugs are emerging as immunomodulatory agents to treat pro-inflammatory diseases, but their function is not completely understood. Th Cells express the β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) that is encoded by ADRB2. Agonists of the β2AR decrease IFNγ but can increase IL-17A from Th cells. We compared a β2AR agonist to an inverse-agonist, and assessed the influence of ADRB2 polymorphisms on IL-17A and IFNγ responses.MethodsPeripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from venous blood of healthy human participants were cultured with T cell activators anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies. Terbutaline, a β2AR agonist or nebivolol, a β1AR antagonist and β2AR inverse-agonist, were added in vitro. Cytokines IL-17A and IFNγ were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Genomic ADRB2 and its immediate upstream region were sequenced using Sanger's method. Cytokine response to drug was analyzed based on ADRB2 polymorphisms.ResultsTerbutaline consistently inhibited IFNγ from activated PBMC samples. In contrast, it increased IL-17A in PBMC homozygous for Gly16 codon of ADRB2. Nebivolol inhibited IL-17A and IFNγ from activated Th cells. When applied to activated-PBMCs, nebivolol inhibited IL-17A but did not significantly inhibit IFNγ although a trend was observed. The ability of nebivolol to inhibit IL-17A was attenuated by a β2AR-specific antagonist. Cellular proliferation and viability was not significantly changed by nebivolol. Nebivolol suppressed IL-17A in all of the samples regardless of ADRB2 polymorphisms.ConclusionsThis data demonstrates that terbutaline inhibited IFNγ, however, it increased IL-17A in samples with the common Gly16 polymorphism of ADRB2. Nebivolol inhibited IL-17A regardless of ADRB2 polymorphisms. Thus, nebivolol is a strong candidate for treating inflammatory diseases or disorders where IL-17A exacerbates symptoms

Manejo da irrigação do feijoeiro considerando critérios técnicos e econômicos em ambiente de Cerrado.

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Interaction between information systems and work in the Brazilian banking sector

This article presents the results of a research to understand the conditions of interaction between work and three specific information systems (ISs) used in the Brazilian banking sector. We sought to understand how systems are redesigned in work practices, and how work is modified by the insertion of new systems. Data gathering included 46 semi-structured interviews, together with an analysis of system-related documents. We tried to identify what is behind the practices that modify the ISs and work. The data analysis revealed an operating structure: a combination of different practices ensuring that the interaction between agents and systems will take place. We discovered a structure of reciprocal conversion caused by the increased technical skills of the agent and the humanization of the systems. It is through ongoing adjustment between work and ISs that technology is tailored to the context and people become more prepared to handle with technology.Este artigo apresenta os resultados de uma pesquisa com o objetivo de entender em que condições se dá a interação entre o trabalho e três sistemas de informação (SIs) específicos usados no setor bancário brasileiro. Buscamos compreender como os sistemas são redesenhados nas práticas do trabalho e como o trabalho é modificado pela inserção dos novos sistemas. A coleta de dados foi baseada em 46 entrevistas semi-estruturadas e na análise de documentos referentes aos sistemas. Buscamos identificar o que subjaz às práticas que modificam os sistemas e ao trabalho. A análise dos dados revelou uma estrutura de arranjo operacional: uma combinação de diferentes práticas, que assegura que a interação entre os agentes e o sistema aconteça. Encontramos uma estrutura de conversão recíproca, gerada pela tecnicização dos agentes e pela humanização dos sistemas. É neste ajustamento continuado entre o trabalho e os sistemas que a tecnologia se adequa ao contexto e que as pessoas se tornam mais bem preparadas para lidar com a tecnologia.Este artículo presenta los resultados de una investigación con el objetivo de entender en qué condiciones se da la interacción entre el trabajo y tres sistemas de información (SIs) específicos usados en el sector bancario brasileño. Buscamos comprender cómo los sistemas son rediseñados en las prácticas del trabajo y cómo el trabajo es modificado por la inserción de los nuevos sistemas. La recolección de datos se basó en 46 entrevistas semiestructuradas y en el análisis de documentos referentes a los sistemas. Buscamos identificar lo que subyace en las prácticas que modifican los sistemas y en el trabajo. El análisis de los datos reveló una estructura de arreglo operacional: una combinación de diferentes prácticas, que asegura la interacción entre los agentes y el sistema. Encontramos una estructura de conversión recíproca, generada por la tecnicización de los agentes y por la humanización de los sistemas. En este ajuste continuado entre el trabajo y los sistemas, la tecnología se adecua al contexto y las personas se preparan mejor para lidiar con la tecnología

The implementation evaluation of primary care groups of practice: a focus on organizational identity

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Since 2002 the Health Ministry of Québec (Canada) has been implementing a primary care organizational innovation called 'family medicine groups'. This is occurring in a political context in which the reorganization of primary care is considered necessary to improve health care system performance. More specifically, the purpose of this reform has been to overcome systemic deficiencies in terms of accessibility and continuity of care. This paper examines the first years of implementation of the family medicine group program, with a focus on the emergence of the organizational identity of one of the pilot groups located in the urban area of Montreal.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An in-depth longitudinal case study was conducted over two and a half years. Face to face individual interviews with key informants from the family medicine group under study were conducted over the research period considered. Data was gathered throuhg observations and documentary analysis. The data was analyzed using temporal bracketing and Fairclough's three-dimensional critical discourse analytical techniques.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Three different phases were identified over the period under study. During the first phase, which corresponded to the official start-up of the family medicine group program, new resources and staff were only available at the end of the period, and no changes occurred in medical practices. Power struggles between physicians and nurses characterized the second phase, resulting in a very difficult integration of advanced nurse practitioners into the group. Indeed, the last phase was portrayed by initial collaborative practices associated with a sensegiving process prompted by a new family medicine group director.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The creation of a primary care team is a very challenging process that goes beyond the normative policy definitions of who is on the team or what the team has to do. To fulfil expectations of quality improvement through team-based care, health care professionals who are required to work together need shared time/space contexts to communicate; to overcome interprofessional and interpersonal conflicts; and to make sense of and define who they collectively are and what they do as a clinical team.</p