Data-Analytics Modeling of Electrical Impedance Measurements for Cell Culture Monitoring

High-throughput data analysis challenges in laboratory automation and lab-on-a-chip devices’ applications are continuously increasing. In cell culture monitoring, specifically, the electrical cell-substrate impedance sensing technique (ECIS), has been extensively used for a wide variety of applications. One of the main drawbacks of ECIS is the need for implementing complex electrical models to decode the electrical performance of the full system composed by the electrodes, medium, and cells. In this work we present a new approach for the analysis of data and the prediction of a specific biological parameter, the fill-factor of a cell culture, based on a polynomial regression, data-analytic model. The method was successfully applied to a specific ECIS circuit and two different cell cultures, N2A (a mouse neuroblastoma cell line) and myoblasts. The data-analytic modeling approach can be used in the decoding of electrical impedance measurements of different cell lines, provided a representative volume of data from the cell culture growth is available, sorting out the difficulties traditionally found in the implementation of electrical models. This can be of particular importance for the design of control algorithms for cell cultures in tissue engineering protocols, and labs-on-a-chip and wearable devices applicationsEspaña, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación y Universidades project RTI2018-093512-B-C2

Editorial

Editorial Monográfico "Economía, gestión y márketing en organizaciones deportivas

El valor percibido y la satisfacción del cliente en actividades dirigidas virtuales y con técnico en centros de fitness

En la actualidad la industria del fitness se encuentra en la senda del crecimiento. Uno de los servicios que mayor presencia está teniendo en los centros de fitness son las actividades dirigidas con técnico, las cuales han evolucionado hacia actividades dirigidas virtuales debido a la inclusión de la tecnología. Esta investigación analiza el valor percibido y la satisfacción de los clientes en ambas actividades, explorando las diferencias existentes entre dichos servicios y la relación entre ambas variables. La muestra se compuso de 572 usuarios de un centro de fitness (319 mujeres y 253 hombres) con edades comprendidas entre los 15 y 63 años. Los resultados muestran diferencias significativas entre el valor percibido y la satisfacción entre los dos servicios deportivos, obteniendo valores más positivos en las que requieren un técnico deportivo. Asimismo, la satisfacción del cliente mostró ser dependiente del valor percibido, obteniendo un mayor vínculo en el caso de las actividades dirigidas virtuales. Estos resultados suscitan a la reflexión por parte de los gestores de las instalaciones deportivas sobre la incorporación o no de este tipo de servicios deportivos.At present, the fitness industry is on a growth path. One of the most prominent services in fitness centres is trainer-guided group fitness activities, which have evolved into virtual fitness activities with the inclusion of technology. This research analyses perceived value and customer satisfaction in both activities, exploring the differences between them and the relationship between the two variables. The sample consisted of 572 subjects belonging to a private fitness centre (319 women and 253 men), between 15 and 63 years old. The results show significant differences between perceived value and satisfaction in the two sports services, with sports requiring a trainer getting more positive values. Furthermore, customer satisfaction shows a dependence on perceived value, with a stronger link being obtained in the case of virtual fitness activities. These results and an in-depth analysis on the inclusion, or not, of these sport services are thought-provoking for managers of these facilities.Na actualidade a indústria do fitness encontra-se na senda do crescimento. Um dos serviços que maior presença está a ter nos centros de fitness são as actividades dirigidas com um técnico, as quais têm evoluído para actividades virtuais dirigidas devido à inclusão da tecnologia. Esta investigação analisa o valor percebido e a satisfação dos clientes em ambas as actividades, explorando as diferenças existentes entre estes serviços e a relação entre ambas as variáveis. A amostra foi composta por 572 utentes de um centro de fitness (319 mulheres e 253 homens) com idades compreendidas entre os 15 e os 63 anos. Os resultados revelam diferenças significativas entre o valor percebido e a satisfação entre os dois serviços desportivos, obtendo valores mais positivos as que requerem um técnico desportivo. Assim mesmo, a satisfação do cliente mostrou ser dependente do valor percebido, obtendo um maior vínculo no caso das actividades virtuais dirigidas. Estes resultados suscitam a reflexão por parte dos gestores das instalações desportivas sobre a incorporação ou não deste tipo de serviços desportivos

Percepción de los estudiantes de Medicina hacia la enseñanza entre pares en una universidad de México

Introduction: peer teaching is common in universities and allows students to teach their peers from the early academic years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical students have had to learn through online classes, but peer teaching has helped them overcome these educational challenges. Objective: to describe the experiences and perceptions of Medicine students about the peer teaching model. Method: an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out. A self-conducted survey was applied integrating sociodemographic variables and personal experiences. It was shared among the medical students and the model was evaluated, the number of 366 students between 1-12 semester of the Autonomous University of Nuevo León was found as the minimum necessary sample. Results: 258 (61 %) women were identified, it was considered by 334 (79 %) that the instructors taught in a good or excellent way, it was referred by 333 (78.7 %) that they had a good or excellent clarity of the explanations. In addition, 295 (69.7 %) stated that the instructors explained better than the teachers almost always or always and 359 (84.9 %) explained that they felt satisfied with the instructors. The best rated departments were radiology (72.3 %) rating it as good, pathology (69 %) and embryology (68.7 %). Conclusions: It was found that the students' perception of the peer teaching model is positive, that it can serve to complement the teaching of teachers and can be very useful in the current pandemic situation.Introducción: la enseñanza entre pares es común en universidades y permite a los estudiantes enseñar a sus compañeros desde los primeros años académicos. Durante la pandemia de COVID-19 los estudiantes de Medicina han tenido que aprender mediante clases online, pero la enseñanza entre iguales les ha ayudado a superar estos retos educativos.Objetivo: describir las experiencias y percepciones del alumnado de Medicina sobre el modelo de enseñanza entre pares.Método: se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal. Se aplicó una encuesta de realización propia integrando variables sociodemográficas y experiencias personales. Se compartió entre los estudiantes de Medicina y se evaluó el modelo, se encontró como muestra mínima necesaria la cantidad de 366 estudiantes entre 1-12 semestre de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León.Resultados: se identificaron 258 (61 %) mujeres, se consideró por 334 (79 %) que los instructores enseñaban de una manera buena o excelente, se refirió por 333 (78,7%) que se tenía una claridad buena o excelente de las explicaciones. Además, 295 (69,7 %) nombró que los instructores explicaban mejor que los profesores casi siempre o siempre y 359 (84,9 %) explicó sentirse satisfechos con los instructores. Los departamentos mejor valorados fueron radiología (72,3 %) calificándola como buena, patología (69 %) y embriología (68,7%).Conclusiones: se encontró que la percepción de los estudiantes al modelo de enseñanza de pares es positiva, que puede servir para complementar la enseñanza de profesores y puede ser de gran utilidad ante la situación actual de pandemia

Cultura organizacional y satisfacción laboral : propiedades psicométricas de una escala en centros de fitness

Numerosos estudios indican la relación significativa entre la cultura organizacional y la satisfacción en el trabajo. Por lo que las organizaciones con culturas organizativas adecuadas obtendrán ventajas competitivas. Por esta razón, destacar que se trata de una variable vital, especialmente en la búsqueda de satisfacción laboral del cliente interno en los centros deportivos. El objetivo de este estudio fue trabajar con un modelo de medida entre la cultura organizacional y la satisfacción laboral en centros de fitness. Se empleó el Culture Index for Fitness Organizations (CIFO) para la cultura organizacional y el Overall Job Satisfaction para la satisfacción laboral, evaluando las propiedades psicométricas a través de un análisis factorial exploratorio y confirmatorio. Para evaluar la fiabilidad y validez del modelo, se analizó la fiabilidad compuesta, la varianza media extractada, la validez convergente y discriminante. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 180 empleados (79 mujeres y 101 hombres) de centros de fitness. Los resultados muestran que el modelo de cultura organizacional y satisfacción laboral es adecuado, ofreciendo un ajuste satisfactorio tras la obtención de una estructura factorial bien definida. Por tanto, la escala utilizada cuenta con adecuadas propiedades psicométricas, permitiendo una evaluación fiable y válida de la cultura organizacional y la satisfacción laboral.Numerous studies indicate the significant relationship between organizational culture and job satisfaction. So organizations with appropriate organizational cultures gain competitive advantages. For this reason, it should be noted that this is a vital variable, especially in the search for job satisfaction of the internal customer in sports centers. The objective of this study was to work with a test model between organizational culture and job satisfaction in fitness centers. The Culture Index for Fitness Organizations (CIFO) was used for organizational culture and Overall Job Satisfaction for job satisfaction, evaluating the psychometric properties through an exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. To evaluate the reliability and validity of the model, we analyzed the composite reliability, the average variance extracted, and the convergent and discriminant validity. The sample consisted of 180 employees (79 women and 101 men) from fitness centers. The results showed that the organizational culture and job satisfaction model is adequate, offering an adequate goodness-of-fit after obtaining a well-defined factor structure. Therefore, the scale used has adequate psychometric properties, allowing a reliable and valid assessment of organizational culture and job satisfaction

La calidad y la fidelidad del cliente : un análisis de segmentación en centros de fitness low-cost

La calidad y la fidelidad han sido estudiadas en los centros de fitness, mayormente en la relación que tienen entre ambas y con otras variables. En pocos casos se han realizado estudios que analicen los perfiles de clientes que mejor perciben dichas variables. Por esta razón el estudio tenía por objetivo segmentar a los clientes de centros de fitness low-cost según la percepción de calidad y fidelidad. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 8462 clientes (4303 mujeres y 4159 hombres) de centros de fitness low-cost. Se realizó análisis de la varianza y de conglomerados bietápico. Los resultados mostraron cuatro clústers en los que existieron diferencias significativas en la percepción de la calidad y la fidelidad. Estos hallazgos muestran la importancia del conocimiento de las características de consumidores deportivos.Quality and loyalty have been studied in fitness centers, mainly in the relationship between them and with other variables. In a few cases, studies have been carried out to analyze the profiles of clients who perceived these variables better. For this reason the study aimed to segment customers of low-cost fitness centers according to the perception of quality and loyalty. The sample consisted of 8462 clients (4303 women and 4159 men) from low-cost fitness centers. Analysis of variance and two - stage clustering were performed. The results showed four clusters in which there were significant differences in the perception of quality and loyalty. These findings show the importance of knowledge of the characteristics of sports consumers

Assessment of Quality of Life Following Diagnosis in Patients with Cervicofacial Non-melanoma Skin Cancer

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common neoplasm. The characteristics of this disease (location in aesthetically sensitive areas, the appearance of successive tumors during follow-up, and high rates of survival) are such that the concept of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is of particular importance. The aim of the present study was to describe and analyses patient quality of life following diagnosis with cervicofacial NMSC. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with cervicofacial NMSC, confirmed by skin biopsy. In each case, when the definitive diagnosis of NMSC was established, the patient completed the Skin Cancer Index questionnaire and demographic data, health status, and sun exposure habits were recorded. The study population was composed of 220 patients with histologically confirmed cervicofacial NMSC. The mean score obtained for the Skin Cancer Index questionnaire was 54.1 (SD 21.9), in which the social-aesthetic component had a mean score of 76.7 (SD 26.2), while the emotional component had a mean score of 23 (SD 25.1). Male patients, those with secondary or higher education, and those who had no history of anxiety or depression had significantly higher mean scores for HRQoL. This study demonstrated that the diagnosis of cervicofacial NMSC significantly impacts HRQoL and that certain population groups (women, persons with only primary or no education qualifications, and those a history of anxiety or depression) are more susceptible. The questionnaire scores obtained were lower than those reported in previous studies on this topic and reflect a particularly strong impact on emotional aspects of patient quality of life

Known by the company we keep: `Triadic influence' as a proxy for compatibility in social relationships

Networks of social interactions are the substrate upon which civilizations are built. Often, we create new bonds with people that we like or feel that our relationships are damaged through the intervention of third parties. Despite their importance and the huge impact that these processes have in our lives, quantitative scientific understanding of them is still in its infancy, mainly due to the difficulty of collecting large datasets of social networks including individual attributes. In this work, we present a thorough study of real social networks of 13 schools, with more than 3,000 students and 60,000 declared positive and negative relations, including tests for personal traits of all the students. We introduce a metric -- the `triadic influence' -- that measures the influence of nearest-neighbors in the relationships of their contacts. We use neural networks to predict the relationships and to extract the probability that two students are friends or enemies depending on their personal attributes or the triadic influence. We alternatively use a high-dimensional embedding of the network structure to also predict the relationships. Remarkably, the triadic influence (a simple one-dimensional metric) achieves the highest accuracy at predicting the relationship between two students. We postulate that the probabilities extracted from the neural networks -- functions of the triadic influence and the personalities of the students -- control the evolution of real social networks, opening a new avenue for the quantitative study of these systems

Assessment of Quality of Life Following Diagnosis in Patients with Cervicofacial Non-melanoma Skin Cancer

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common neoplasm. The characteristics of this disease (location in aesthetically sensitive areas, the appearance of successive tumors during follow-up, and high rates of survival) are such that the concept of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is of particular importance. The aim of the present study was to describe and analyses patient quality of life following diagnosis with cervicofacial NMSC. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with cervicofacial NMSC, confirmed by skin biopsy. In each case, when the definitive diagnosis of NMSC was established, the patient completed the Skin Cancer Index questionnaire and demographic data, health status, and sun exposure habits were recorded. The study population was composed of 220 patients with histologically confirmed cervicofacial NMSC. The mean score obtained for the Skin Cancer Index questionnaire was 54.1 (SD 21.9), in which the social-aesthetic component had a mean score of 76.7 (SD 26.2), while the emotional component had a mean score of 23 (SD 25.1). Male patients, those with secondary or higher education, and those who had no history of anxiety or depression had significantly higher mean scores for HRQoL. This study demonstrated that the diagnosis of cervicofacial NMSC significantly impacts HRQoL and that certain population groups (women, persons with only primary or no education qualifications, and those a history of anxiety or depression) are more susceptible. The questionnaire scores obtained were lower than those reported in previous studies on this topic and reflect a particularly strong impact on emotional aspects of patient quality of life

Expression of the HPV18/E6 oncoprotein induces DNA damage

Abstract This study investigated possible variations in DNA damage in HeLa cells with silenced expression of the HPV/E6oncogene compared with HeLa cells with normal expression of the E6oncogene using the DNA breakage detection-fluorescence in situ hybridization (DBD-FISH) technique and a whole human genome DNA probe. The variable levels of DNA breaks present were measured quantitatively using image analysis after whole-genome DNA hybridization. HeLa cells with silenced expression of the HPV18/E6 oncogene showed a significant decrease in DNA damage compared with parental cells with normal expression of the E6oncogene. These results were confirmed by alkaline comet assay. In conclusion, we demonstrated a decrease in DNA damage in HeLa clones associated with low expression of the HPV/E6 oncogene