Estimation of surgeons' ergonomic dynamics with a structured light system during endoscopic surgery

Background: The purpose of this study was to use motion capture to collect body posture information during simulated endoscopic sinus surgery interventions performed by both specialists and residents in standing and sitting positions and to analyze that information with the validated Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) tool, which allows calculation of a risk index of musculoskeletal overload. Methods: Bilateral endoscopic sinus surgery was performed in 5 cadaver heads by 2 residents, and 4 practicing rhinologists. Musculoskeletal symptoms were evaluated before and after the dissection. Full?body postural data were collected with the help of Kinect and a .NET WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation) software application to record images of the surgical procedures, and then analyzed with the RULA tool to calculate a risk score indicative of the exposure of the individual surgeon to ergonomic risk factors associated with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders. Results: All subjects reported physical discomfort after nasal endoscopic procedures. An overall similar RULA score was obtained by the residents and the practicing rhinologists. The RULA score was slightly lower for the sitting position than for the standing position, mostly due to a lower score in group B (neck, trunk, and leg); however, the RULA score for group A (arm and wrist analysis) was higher, denoting a higher risk for the upper back and arms. Conclusion: Significant musculoskeletal symptoms were reported after an endoscopic operation by both the resident and the practicing otolaryngologists. All surgeons obtained a high RULA score, meaning that urgent changes are required in the task.This project has been developed thanks to the Innovation Support Program "InnVal" of the Marques de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL

Self-efficacy perceived in academic behaviors in university students of ‘health’ and ‘social’ sciences

The aim of this present study consisted in comparing the profiles of the academic Self-efficacy perceived in ‘Social’ and ‘Health’ Sciences University students. The total sample was 1113 subjects; 524 from Health Sciences and 589 from Social Sciences, with an average age of 18.20 years (DS= 0.72) and 18.24 years (DS=0.74) respectively. The approach adopted in this research was framed into a quantitative approach with a descriptive design, survey type. The results show that the perceived self-efficacy profiles are very similar among ‘Social’ and ‘Health’ Sciences students. And behaviors related to ‘Communication’ factor, represent an opportunity area for University students in their first year. Future studies should replicate these findings with larger samples

Factorial invariance of bias scale, Trait version, in engineering and social sciences Mexican university students

This present study analyses the psychometric properties of BIAS (Body Image Anxiety Scale) testing, trait version, in engineering and social sciences students. A total sample of 918 participants; 460 from engineering and 458 from social sciences, with an average age of 18.27 years (DE = 0.70) and 18.13 years (DE = 0.74) respectively. Exploratory and confirmatory factorial analysis showed that a bi-factorial structure is feasible and convenient for both populations (engineering and social sciences) according to the established psychometric requirements because the students are the ones who provided the information. Furthermore the factorial structure, factorial loads and the intercepts are considered invariant in the engineering and social sciences areas; however there are differences in the mean of both factors among the two populations

Les valls del Serpis: campanya de prospecció 2011

Troballes més importants de la campanya de 2011

Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacteria Isolated from Exotic Pets : The Situation in the Iberian Peninsula

Literature related to antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria in exotic pets is minimal, being essential to report objective data on this topic, which represents a therapeutic challenge for veterinary medicine and public health. Between 2016 and 2020, laboratory records of 3156 exotic pet specimens' microbiological diagnoses and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) results were examined. The samples were classified into three animal classes: birds (n = 412), mammalia (n = 2399), and reptilian (n = 345). The most prevalent bacteria in birds and mammals were Staphylococcus spp. (15% and 16%), while in reptiles they were Pseudomonas spp. (23%). Pseudomonas was the genus with the highest levels of AMR in all animal groups, followed by Enterococcus spp. By contrast, Gram-positive cocci and Pasteurella spp. were the most sensitive bacteria. Moreover, in reptiles, Stenotrophomonas spp., Morganella spp., and Acinetobacter spp. presented high levels of AMR. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria were isolates from reptiles (21%), birds (17%), and mammals (15%). The Enterobacterales had the highest MDR levels: S. marcescens (94.4%), C. freundii (50%), M. morganii (47.4%), K. pneumoniae (46.6%), E. cloacae (44%), and E. coli (38.3%). The prevalence of MDR P. aeruginosa strains was 8%, detecting one isolate with an XDR profile. Regarding antimicrobial use, many antibiotics described as critically important for human use had significant AMR prevalence in bacteria isolated from exotic pets. Under the One-Health approach, these results are alarming and of public health concern since potential transmission of AMR bacteria and genes can occur from exotic pets to their owners in both senses. For this reason, the collaboration between veterinarians and public health professionals is crucial

Técnicas Psicológicas Para Manejar El Estrés Académico En El Proceso De Aprendizaje Del Idioma Inglés

El presente trabajo investigativo tuvo como objetivo evaluar la efectividad de la aplicación de técnicas psicológicas para el manejo adecuado del estrés académico en los estudiantes del sexto semestre “G” del Centro de Idiomas de la Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo en el Período Abril- Agosto 2018. El tipo de investigación fue cuasi experimental y la población constó de 34 estudiantes. La propuesta se desarrolló como un complemento a las actividades en clase considerando que no interfiriera con el normal desenvolvimiento del proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje. Para la recolección de información se utilizó el cuestionario de nivel de estrés académico SISCO, los datos obtenidos a través de este instrumento antes de la aplicación de 20 sesiones de intervención arrojaron una mediana de 4, lo que equivale a un nivel de estrés severo; y después de la intervención se obtuvo una mediana de 3, lo que equivale un nivel de estrés moderado. Se concluye que la aplicación de las técnicas psicológicas que incluyen ejercicios de visualización, relajación y respiración contribuyeron positivamente al manejo y reducción del estrés académico en la población de estudio. This research work aimed to assess the aplication of psychological techniques in order to manage academic stress correctly in students of the sixth semester "G" of the Language Center of the National University of Chimborazo in the period April-August 2018. The type of research was quasiexperimental and the population consisted of 34 students. The proposal was developed as a complement to the academic activities in class considering not interrupting to the regular development of the teaching-learning process. Data collection was performed by the means of the SISCO academic stress level questionnaire. The information obtained through this instrument before the application of 20 intervention sessions reached a median of 4, which is equivalent to a severe stress level; and after the intervention a median of 3 was obtained, which means moderate level of stress. It was concluded that the application of psychological techniques that include visualization, relaxation and breathing exercises contributed positively to manage and reduce academic stress in the study population

Substrate-induced dimerization of engineered monomeric variants of triosephosphate isomerase from Trichomonas vaginalis

"The dimeric nature of triosephosphate isomerases (TIMs) is maintained by an extensive surface area interface of more than 1600 angstrom 2. TIMs from Trichomonas vaginalis (TvTIM) are held in their dimeric state by two mechanisms: a ball and socket interaction of residue 45 of one subunit that fits into the hydrophobic pocket of the complementary subunit and by swapping of loop 3 between subunits. TvTIMs differ from other TIMs in their unfolding energetics. In TvTIMs the energy necessary to unfold a monomer is greater than the energy necessary to dissociate the dimer. Herein we found that the character of residue I45 controls the dimer-monomer equilibrium in TvTIMs. Unfolding experiments employing monomeric and dimeric mutants led us to conclude that dimeric TvTIMs unfold following a four state model denaturation process whereas monomeric TvTIMs follow a three state model. In contrast to other monomeric TIMs, monomeric variants of TvTIM1 are stable and unexpectedly one of them (I45A) is only 29-fold less active than wild-type TvTIM1. The high enzymatic activity of monomeric TvTIMs contrast with the marginal catalytic activity of diverse monomeric TIMs variants. The stability of the monomeric variants of TvTIM1 and the use of cross-linking and analytical ultracentrifugation experiments permit us to understand the differences between the catalytic activities of TvTIMs and other marginally active monomeric TIMs. As TvTIMs do not unfold upon dimer dissociation, herein we found that the high enzymatic activity of monomeric TvTIM variants is explained by the formation of catalytic dimeric competent species assisted by substrate binding.

A new methodology to assess the performance of AOPs in complex samples: Application to the degradation of phenolic compounds by O3 and O3/UV-A Vis

[EN] A methodology combining experimental design methodology, liquid chromatography, excitation emission matrixes (EEM) and bioassays has been applied to study the performance of O3 and O3/UVA-vis in the treatment of a mixture of eight phenolic pollutants. An experimental design methodology based on Doehlert matrixes was employed to determine the effect of pH (between 3 and 12), ozone dosage (02¿1.0¿g/h) and initial concentration of the pollutants (1¿6¿mg/L each). The following conclusions were obtained: a) acidic pH and low O3 dosage resulted in an inefficient process, b) increasing pH and O3 amount produced an enhancement of the reaction, and c) interaction of basic pH and high amounts of ozone decreased the efficiency of the process. The combination of O3/UVA-vis was able to enhance ozonation in those experimental regions were this reagent was less efficient, namely low pH and low ozone dosages. The application of EEM-PARAFAC showed four components, corresponding to the parent pollutants and three different groups of reaction product and its evolution with time. Bioassys indicated important detoxification (from 100% to less than 30% after 1¿min of treatment with initial pollutant concentration of 6¿mg/L, pH¿=¿9 and ozone dosage of 0.8¿g/h) according to the studied methods (D. magna and P. subcapitata). Also estrogenic activity and dioxin-like behavior were significantly decreased.The authors thank the financial support of the European Union(PIRSES-GA-2010-269128, EnvironBOS) and Spanish Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (CTQ2015-69832-C4-4-R). Sara García-Ballesteros thanks Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad for providing her fellowship (BES-2013-066201).García-Ballesteros, S.; Mora Carbonell, M.; Vicente Candela, R.; Vercher Pérez, RF.; Sabater Marco, C.; Castillo López, M.; Amat Payá, AM.... (2019). A new methodology to assess the performance of AOPs in complex samples: Application to the degradation of phenolic compounds by O3 and O3/UV-A Vis. Chemosphere. 222:114-123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.01.015S11412322

La comunicación de valores en la publicidad durante la primera oleada de covid-19 en España

También han formado parte activa del equipo de investigación que presenta este artículo: Norminanda Montoya, Luis E. Romero, Diana Miranda, Marillia Oliveira, Silvia A. Cris-tian Ladaga, Lissa Ferreira y Gerson MartinsEn este artículo se miden los valores comunicados en la oleada publicitaria que se distribuyó durante la primera etapa crítica de la pandemia de covid-19 en España. La investigación se apoya en la recopilación en línea de 45.000 respuestas a 1.880 test por parte de 470 receptores españoles e iberoamericanos. Cada uno de ellos evaluó 25 valores, tras exponerse a una muestra de cinco anuncios emitidos por televisión abierta durante el periodo estudiado. La metodología parte de cuatro objetivos de investigación y se apoya en un nuevo instrumento de medición científica: ProtocoloEva®. Las conclusiones revelan una estrategia comunicativa muy similar por parte de las cuatro fuentes estudiadas. Los valores cooperación, bienestar, esfuerzo, familia, salud, respeto y responsabilidad fueron transmitidos de manera intensa y son fuertemente homogéneos en todos los anuncios estudiados; en cambio, los valores derechos, justicia-equidad, dignidad y libertad fueron comunicados con una intensidad mucho más baja y de manera heterogénea. Se produce una transmisión más alta de valores entre las personas religiosas y entre las latinoamericanas, y una recepción de valores muy débil en las personas que han sufrido el covid-19 directamente o de manera cercana.En aquest article es mesuren valors comunicats en l'onada publicitària que es va distribuir durant la primera etapa crítica de la pandèmia de covid-19 a Espanya. La investigació es basa en la recopilació en línia de 45.000 respostes a 1.880 tests per part de 470 receptors espanyols i iberoamericans. Cadascun va avaluar 25 valors després de ser exposats en una mostra de cinc anuncis emesos per televisió oberta durant el període estudiat. La metodologia parteix de quatre objectius d'investigació i es basa en un nou instrument de mesura científica: ProtocoloEva®. Les conclusions revelen una estratègia comunicativa molt similar per part de les quatre fonts estudiades. Els valors cooperació, benestar, esforç, família, salut, respecte i responsabilitat es van transmetre de manera intensa i són fortament homogenis en tots els anuncis estudiats; en canvi, els valors drets, justícia-equitat, dignitat i llibertat van ser comunicats amb una intensitat molt més baixa i de manera heterogènia. Es produeix una transmissió més alta de valors entre les persones religioses i entre les llatinoamericanes, i una recepció de valors molt feble entre les persones que han patit la covid-19 de manera directa o propera.This article measures the values communicated in the wave of advertising launched during the first critical stage of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. The research is based on 45,000 on-line responses to 1,880 reception tests by 470 Spanish and Latin American recipients. Each of the receivers evaluated 25 values, after being exposed to a sample of five ads broadcast on TV during the period studied. The methodology is based on four research objectives and is supported by a new scientific measurement instrument: ProtocoloEva ®. Its conclusions reveal a very similar communication strategy in the four sources studied. The values cooperation, well-being, effort, family, health, respect and responsibility were strongly conveyed, and are strongly homogeneous in all the ads studied. In contrast, the values rights, justice-equity, dignity and freedom were perceived with a much lower intensity, and heterogeneously. There was a higher transmission of values among religious people and Latin American people, and a very weak reception of values in people who have suffered COVID-19 directly or closely