Comparative of ballistocardiogram processing methods based on fiber specklegram sensors

The ballistocardiogram (BCG) is a graphic representation of the movements of the body associated with cardiac activity. In this article, a 10-min BCG has been captured for ten different volunteers with a polymer optical fiber (POF) specklegram sensor. This transducer, which is composed of a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera, a laser emitting diode, and two meters of POF, allows capturing the BCG by analyzing how the induced speckle pattern changes over time. These changes are related to cardiac activity. Several processing methods have been compared to determine which method achieves the best performance: complex cepstrum, power of spectral density (PSD), Pam-Tompkins algorithm, wavelet, autocorrelation, Savitzky?Golay filter, mean absolute deviation, and Hilbert transform. Accuracy and resource consumption have been characterized and compared for these methods. Hilbert, PSD, and Savitzky-Golay exhibit both small errors and computational costs. This article describes a baseline for the main frequency determination of POF-based BCG signals in real-time.This work was supported by the Project PID2019-107270RB-C21 through MCIN/ AEI /10.13039/501100011033

Media coverage of climate change and global warming en El País, El Mundo y La Vanguardia

Este artículo aborda la cobertura mediática del cambio climático y del calentamiento global en España a través del seguimiento de la presencia de estos términos en El País, El Mundo y La Vanguardia desde enero de 2000 hasta noviembre de 2014. Metodología. A partir de datos de la Universidad de Colorado y de Google Trends, se completa un análisis comparativo de las agendas mediática y ciudadana. Resultados. La cobertura en España presenta una tendencia similar a la prensa internacional occidental, si bien existen episodios particulares que las diferencian. Los hitos más importantes remiten a eventos políticos internacionales, acuerdos internacionales, informes científicos del Panel Intergubernamental sobre Cambio Climático y al documental An Inconvenient Truth. Discusión y conclusiones. La agenda internacional condiciona la agenda nacional, si bien el contexto general evidencia una pérdida de presencia del cambio climático en medios impresos, a pesar de la creciente acumulación de la creciente evidencia empírica acerca del riesgo medioambiental.This article deals with the media coverage of climate change and global warming in Spain by screening the presence of these two topics within El País, El Mundo and La Vanguardia from January 2000 until November 2014. Method. A comparative analysis of media and public agenda are completed using data coming from both the University of Colorado and Google Trends. Results. The Spanish press coverage follows a similar trend to the one described by the international Western newspapers, albeit one can also find some differentiating episodes. The main milestones were related with international political events, international agreements, scientific reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and with the documentary An inconvenient truth. Discussion and Conclusions. The international agenda is setting the national agenda. The general context is returning a decline of the presence of climate change in newspapers, although there is growing empirical evidence about the environmental risk

Automatic ankle angle detection by integrated RGB and depth camera system

Depth cameras are developing widely. One of their main virtues is that, based on their data and by applying machine learning algorithms and techniques, it is possible to perform body tracking and make an accurate three-dimensional representation of body movement. Specifically, this paper will use the Kinect v2 device, which incorporates a random forest algorithm for 25 joints detection in the human body. However, although Kinect v2 is a powerful tool, there are circumstances in which the device’s design does not allow the extraction of such data or the accuracy of the data is low, as is usually the case with foot position. We propose a method of acquiring this data in circumstances where the Kinect v2 device does not recognize the body when only the lower limbs are visible, improving the ankle angle’s precision employing projection lines. Using a region-based convolutional neural network (Mask RCNN) for body recognition, raw data extraction for automatic ankle angle measurement has been achieved. All angles have been evaluated by inertial measurement units (IMUs) as gold standard. For the six tests carried out at different fixed distances between 0.5 and 4 m to the Kinect, we have obtained (mean ± SD) a Pearson’s coefficient, r = 0.89 ± 0.04, a Spearman’s coefficient, ρ = 0.83 ± 0.09, a root mean square error, RMSE = 10.7 ± 2.6 deg and a mean absolute error, MAE = 7.5 ± 1.8 deg. For the walking test, or variable distance test, we have obtained a Pearson’s coefficient, r = 0.74, a Spearman’s coefficient, ρ = 0.72, an RMSE = 6.4 deg and an MAE = 4.7 deg.This work has been supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) across projects RTC-2017-6321-1 AEI/FEDER, UE, PID2019-107270RB-C21 AEI/FEDER, UE and FEDER founds

The duration of intervals on the oral cancer care pathway and implications for survival: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This work was supported by the Spanish Association Against Cancer [Asociación Española contra el Cáncer, PROYE20023SANC “High resolution study of social inequalities in cancer (HiReSIC)”], the Cancer Epidemiological Surveillance Subprogram of the CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health and the Health Institute Carlos III (VICA), and the Health Institute Carlos III (PI18/01593 “Multilevel population-based study of socioeconomic inequalities in the geographical distribution of cancer incidence, mortality and net survival”). DP was supported by a Juan de la Cierva Fellowship from the Ministry of Science and the National Research Agency of Spain (MCIN/AEI, JC2019- 039691-I, http://doi.org/10.13039/501100011033, Accessed October 4, 2021). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, the decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.The Supplementary material for this article can be found online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1183244/full#supplementary-materialIntroduction: Previous studies measuring intervals on the oral cancer care pathway have been heterogenous, showing mixed results with regard to patient outcomes. The aims of this research were (1) to calculate pooled meta-analytic estimates for the duration of the patient, diagnostic and treatment intervals in oral cancer, considering the income level of the country, and (2) to review the evidence on the relationship of these three intervals with tumor stage at diagnosis and survival. Materials and methods: We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis following PRISMA 2020 guidelines (pre-registered protocol CRD42020200752). Following the Aarhus statement, studies were eligible if they reported data on the length of the patient (first symptom to first presentation to a healthcare professional), diagnostic (first presentation to diagnosis), or treatment (diagnosis to start of treatment) intervals in adult patients diagnosed with primary oral cancer. The risk of bias was assessed with the Aarhus checklist. Results: Twenty-eight studies reporting on 30,845 patients met the inclusion criteria. The pooled median duration of the patient interval was 47 days (95% CI = 31–73), k = 18, of the diagnosis interval 35 days (95% CI = 21–38),k = 11, and of the treatment interval 30 days (95% CI = 23–53), k = 19. In lower-income countries, the patient and treatment intervals were significantly longer, and longer patient intervals were related to later stage at diagnosis. In studies with a lower risk of bias from high-income countries, longer treatment intervals were associated with lower survival rates. Conclusion: Interval duration on the oral cancer care pathway is influenced by the socio-economic context and may have implications for patient outcomes.Asociación Española contra el Cáncer, PROYE20023SANCCancer Epidemiological Surveillance Subprogram of the CIBER of Epidemiology and Public HealthHealth Institute Carlos III (VICA)Health Institute Carlos III: PI18/01593MCIN/AEI, JC2019-039691-

POF-based specklegram sensor post processing comparative: methods for extracting breath and heart rate

Continuous patient monitoring has been evidenced as very beneficious for reducing degeneration1. Due to this, a POF specklegram sensor has been developed based on a previous work2. This work presents a comparative between analysis methods of the specklegram signal for achieving a precise and robust non-contact monitor system. Two different techniques have been used: one based on the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and the other based on the Hilbert Transform (HT). Each technique has been employed with two different methods, for heart rate and breath rhythm. The different algorithms are tested on 10 volunteers of different ages and sex.This work has been sponsored by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) across projects RTC-2017-6321-1 AEI/FEDER,UE and TEC2016-76021-C2-2-R AEI/FEDER, UE

Multiplicación in vitro del clon de plátano inivit pv 06-30 (musa spp) en condiciones de biofábricas (Original)

The improvement of the methodologies for in vitro multiplication of crops is a constant need in productive processes developed in biofactories. The influence of the physical status, macroelements's concentration in culture medium and the subcultures number were evaluate to in vitro multiplication of banana INIVIT PV 06-30 clon’s in biofactory conditions. In vitro plants from meristems were using as plant material. Three concentrations (100 %, 75 % and 50 %) of the macroelement’s included in Murashigue y Skoog (1962) culture medium were evaluated in combination with two physical status of the culture medium (semisolid and liquid) during six subcultures. The results show higher values of coefficient of multiplication, length of the shoot and length and width of the leaves in the culture medium with the macroelements at 100 % to their concentration, regardless of the physical state of the culture medium. The coefficient of multiplication was low in all subculture, without differences from the second.El perfeccionamiento de las metodologías para la multiplicación in vitro de los cultivos es una necesidad constante en los procesos productivos, desarrollados en las biofábricas. El trabajo se realizó con el objetivo de evaluarla influencia del estado físico, la concentración de macroelementos del medio de cultivo y el número de subcultivos en la multiplicación in vitro del clon de plátano INIVIT PV-06-30 en condiciones de biofábrica. El material vegetal utilizado fueron plantas establecidas in vitro a partir de meristemos. Se evaluaron tres concentraciones de los macroelementos incluidos el medio de cultivo de Murashigue y Skoog (1962): (100%, 75% y 50%) en combinación con dos estados físicos del medio de cultivo (semisólido y líquido) durante seis subcultivos consecutivos. Los resultados muestran valores mayores del coeficiente de multiplicación, longitud del brote, largo y ancho de las hojas en el medio de cultivo con los macroelementos al 100% de su concentración, independientemente de estado físico del medio de cultivo. El coeficiente de multiplicación fue bajo en todos los subcultivos, sin diferencias significativas a partir del segundo

Liquid level sensor based on dynamic Fabry-Perot interferometers in processed capillary fiber

In this work, a novel optical fiber sensor capable of measuring both the liquid level and its refractive index is designed, manufactured and demonstrated through simulations and experimentally. For this, a silica capillary hollow-core fiber is used. The fiber, with a sensing length of 1.55 mm, has been processed with a femtosecond laser, so that it incorporates four holes in its structure. In this way, the liquid enters the air core, and it is possible to perform the sensing through the Fabry-Perot cavities that the liquid generates. The detection mode is in reflection. With a resolution of 4 μm (liquid level), it is in the state of the art of this type of sensor. The system is designed so that in the future it will be capable of measuring the level of immiscible liquids, that is, liquids that form stratified layers. It can be useful to determine the presence of impurities in tanks.This work was supported by the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad of Spain (TEC2016-76021-C2-1-R and TEC2016-76021-C2-2-R), the FEDER/Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades and Agencia Estatal de Investigación (PID2019-107270RB-C21 and PID2019-107270RB-C22), the Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte of Spain (PhD grant FPU2018/02797), and Projects for young researches UPNA 2019. The authors also thank the INESC-Porto colleagues for the fiber sample used in the experiments

Analysis of interval‐grouped data in weed science: The binnednp Rcpp package

[Abstract] Weed scientists are usually interested in the study of the distribution and density functions of the random variable that relates weed emergence with environmental indices like the hydrothermal time (HTT). However, in many situations, experimental data are presented in a grouped way and, therefore, the standard nonparametric kernel estimators cannot be computed. Kernel estimators for the density and distribution functions for interval‐grouped data, as well as bootstrap confidence bands for these functions, have been proposed and implemented in the binnednp package. Analysis with different treatments can also be performed using a bootstrap approach and a Cramér‐von Mises type distance. Several bandwidth selection procedures were also implemented. This package also allows to estimate different emergence indices that measure the shape of the data distribution. The values of these indices are useful for the selection of the soil depth at which HTT should be measured which, in turn, would maximize the predictive power of the proposed methods. This paper presents the functions of the package and provides an example using an emergence data set of Avena sterilis (wild oat). The binnednp package provides investigators with a unique set of tools allowing the weed science research community to analyze interval‐grouped data.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad; AGL2015-64130-RMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad; MTM2014-52876-RMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad; MTM2017-82724-RMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad; AGL2012-33736Xunta de Galicia; ED431C-2016-015Xunta de Galicia; ED431G/0

The contribution of fenfluramine to the treatment of Dravet syndrome in Spain through Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis

Introduction: Dravet Syndrome (DS) is a severe, developmental epileptic encephalopathy (DEE) that begins in infancy and is characterized by pharmaco-resistant epilepsy and neurodevelopmental delay. Despite available antiseizure medications (ASMs), there is a need for new therapeutic options with greater efficacy in reducing seizure frequency and with adequate safety and tolerability profiles.Fenfluramine is a new ASM for the treatment of seizures associated with DS as add-on therapy to other ASMs for patients aged 2 years and older. Fenfluramine decreases seizure frequency, prolongs periods of seizure freedom potentially helping to reduce risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) and improves patient cognitive abilities positively impacting on patients' Quality of Life (QoL).Reflective Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methodology allows to determine what represents value in a given indication considering all relevant criteria for healthcare decision-making in a transparent and systematic manner from the perspective of relevant stakeholders. The aim of this study was to determine the relative value contribution of fenfluramine for the treatment of DS in Spain using MCDA.Method: A literature review was performed to populate an adapted a MCDA framework for orphan-drug evaluation in Spain. A panel of ten Spanish experts, including neurologists, hospital pharmacists, patient representatives and decision-makers, scored four comparative evidence matrices.Results were analyzed and discussed in a group meeting through reflective MCDA discussion methodology. Results: Dravet syndrome is considered a severe, rare disease with significant unmet needs. Fenfluramine is perceived to have a higher efficacy profile than all available alternatives, with a better safety profile than stiripentol and topiramate and to provide improved QoL versus studied alternatives. Fenfluramine results in lower other medical costs in comparison with stiripentol and clobazam. Participants perceived that fenfluramine could lead to indirect costs savings compared to available alternatives due to its efficacy in controlling seizures. Overall, fenfluramine's therapeutic impact on patients with DS is considered high and supported by high-quality evidence.Conclusions: Based on reflective MCDA, fenfluramine is considered to add greater benefit in terms of effi-cacy, safety and QoL when compared with available ASMs.(c) 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc