Algorithms for the Detection and Evasion of Obstacles on a Differential Mobile Platform for Interior Navigation

In this work, the algorithms necessary to execute displacements that allow indoor navigation for a differential mobile platform were designed, it was considered the programming of an Arduino Nano card connected to ultrasonic sensors that detect the distances of possible objects in the environment, and a Raspberry Pi3 card that is responsible for the activation and control of the platform’s engines. A high level of efficiency of the System was achieved by evading obstacles and protecting the robot structure as much as possible   Keywords: algorithms, interior navigation, differential mobile platform, Arduino, Raspberry Pi

Ultrasound potentialities on the determination of the pesticide carbaryl using diamond electrodes

The potentiality of the use of ultrasound radiation in association with a boron-doped diamond electrode was evaluated on the voltammetric determination of the pesticide carbaryl. Improvements in the sensitivity, limit of detection and reproducibility of the measurements were observed due to both, the enhancement of mass transport and the cleaning of the electrode surface provided by ultrasound. Satisfactory recovery levels for carbaryl in pure water (96-98%) and pineapple juice (89-92%) for quiescent and sonovoltammetric methodologies were obtained. These methodologies can be alternative tools for the analyses of pesticides in fruit samples, mainly the insonated condition that improve the analytical performance and dispense intermediary cleanings of the electrode surface.CNPqFapes

Undiagnosed mood disorders and sleep disturbances in primary care patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Objective. The study aims to determine the prevalence of undiagnosed comorbid mood disorders in patients suffering chronic musculoskeletal pain in a primary care setting and to identify sleep disturbances and other associated factors in these patients, and to compare the use of health services by chronic musculoskeletal pain patients with and without comorbid mood disorders. Design. Cross-sectional study. Subjects. A total of 1,006 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain from a representative sample of primary care centers were evaluated. Outcome Measures. Pain was measured using a visual analog scale and the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders questionnaire was used to measure mood disorders. Results. We observed a high prevalence of undiagnosed mood disorders in chronic musculoskeletal pain patients (74.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 71.9–77.4%), with greater comorbidity in women (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.91, 95% CI 1.37–2.66%) and widow(er)s (adjusted OR = 1.87, 95% CI 1.19–2.91%). Both sleep disturbances (adjusted OR = 1.60, 95% CI 1.17–2.19%) and pain intensity (adjusted OR = 1.02, 95% CI 1.01–1.02%) displayed a direct relationship with mood disorders. Moreover, we found that chronic musculoskeletal pain patients with comorbid mood disorders availed of health care services more frequently than those without (P < 0.001). Conclusions. The prevalence of undiagnosed mood disorders in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain is very high in primary care settings. Our findings suggest that greater attention should be paid to this condition in general practice and that sleep disorders should be evaluated in greater detail to achieve accurate diagnoses and select the most appropriate treatment

Hypoglycemic effect of Berberis microphylla G Forst root extract

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of the root extract of Berberis microphylla on glucose uptake and AMPK-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity in non-resistant and insulin-resistant HepG2 cells.Methods: B. microphylla root was extracted with absolute ethanol, filtered, concentrated and lyophilized. Subsequently, liver cells, HepG2 (resistant and non-insulin resistant), were exposed for 24 h to different concentrations of the extract (10, 5, 2.5 and 1.25 x 10-3 μg/μL) to determine the stimulation of glucose uptake and phosphorylation of AMPK.Results: In HepG2 cells without resistance exposed to B. microphylla root extract, glucose uptake varied from 34 to 59 % of the available glucose while AMPK phosphorylation was 1.9 to 3.6 times the phosphorylation of the control. In insulin-resistant HepG2 cells, glucose uptake varied from 68 to 95 % of available glucose while AMPK phosphorylation was 1.8 to 3.3 times the phosphorylation of the control.Conclusion: The root extract of B. microphylla possesses hypoglycemic effects and stimulates glucose uptake in HepG2 cells with and without resistance by activating AMPK protein.Keywords: Calafate, Diabetes, Antihyperglycemic effect, Phytomedicine, Berberis, Insulin resistanc

PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF THE ROOT OF BERBERIS MICROPHYLLA

Objective: To objective of this work was to perform phytochemical qualitative and quantitative analyzes of the main secondary metabolites in the root of Berberis microphylla.Methods: The extracts of B. microphylla root were tested through phytochemical screening and the quantification of the most important constituents was carried out using spectrophotometric and gravimetric techniques.Results: Phytochemical screening of both extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, cardiac glycosides, saponins, terpenes,and tannins, which are pharmacologically important. Quantification of the major phytochemicals groups showed that the ethanolic extract contains 3.9% alkaloids, 0.46% flavonoids, 9.53% tannins, and 3.60% saponins. Similarly, the methanolic extract contains 6.61% alkaloids, 0.41% flavonoids, 7.40% tannins, and 1.43% saponins.Conclusion: This is the first time that the presence of tannins, flavonoids, and saponins in this plant has been reported. The medicinal properties of the root of B. microphylla may exist due to the presence secondary metabolites

Biology of Stress and Physical Performance

Regular physical training leads to physical capacity and optimal sports performance, and although this relationship is usually linear, the athlete’s adaptation is conditioned by multiple factors: environmental, genetic and psychological. Studies have shown that between 70 and 85% of successful and unsuccessful athletes can be identified using psychological measures of personality and mood, a level higher than chance, but insufficient for the purpose of selecting athletes. The research indicates that the mood of the athletes exhibits a dose-response relationship with their adaptation to the training load; This finding has shown potential to reduce the incidence of overtraining syndrome in athletes who undergo rigorous physical training, through early detection using scales of perception of their mood and physiological measures such as the testosterone / cortisol index. Thus, the genetic and epigenetic modifications of the factors that regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and, therefore, the response to stress, have recently been associated with a detrimental effect on physical performance and early manifestations of the overtraining syndrome and the abandonment of training and competences

Aristonectes quiriquinensis, sp. nov., a new highly derived elasmosaurid from the upper Maastrichtian of central Chile

This paper describes a new species of elasmosaurid plesiosaur, Aristonectes quiriquinensis, sp. nov., based on a partial skeleton recovered from upper Maastrichtian beds of the Quiriquina Formation of central Chile. The material described here consists of two skeletons, one collected near the village of Cocholgue, and a second juvenile specimen from Quiriquina Island. Prior to these finds, Aristonectes was viewed as a monospecific genus, including only the enigmatic Aristonectes parvidens, the holotype of which consists of an incomplete skull and incomplete postcranium. Other material referred to the genus includes an incomplete juvenile skull and other postcranial material from the upper Maastrichtian of Antarctica, as well as a partial skull from the Quiriquina Formation of central Chile. The relationships of Aristonectes have been controversial, with competing theories assigning the genus to Cryptoclididae, Elasmosauridae, and Aristonectidae; however, there is a developing consensus that Aristonectes is a derived elasmosaurid, and this paper gives strong evidence for this view. Comparison of the specimen here studied with the holotype of A. parvidens demonstrates that A. quiriquinensis is a distinct species. The completeness of the adult skeleton allows the first confident size estimates for adult Aristonectes. It is a large plesiosaurian with a relatively large skull with numerous homodont teeth, a moderately long and laterally compressed neck, and relatively narrow trunk, with slender and elongate forelimbs. The two specimens are restricted to the upper Maastrichtian of central Chile, posing questions concerning the austral circumpolar distribution of different elasmosaurids towards the end of the Cretaceous.Fil: Otero, Rodrigo A.. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Soto Acuña, Sergio. Museo Nacional de Historia Natural de Santiago; Chile. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: O'Keefe, Frank Robin. Marshall University; Estados UnidosFil: O'gorman, Jose Patricio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Paleontología Vertebrados; ArgentinaFil: Stinnesbeck, Wolfgang. Heidelberg University; AlemaniaFil: Suárez, Mario E.. Museo Nacional de Historia Natural de Santiago; Chile. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Rubilar-Rogers, David. Museo Nacional de Historia Natural de Santiago; Chile. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Salazar, Christian. Museo Nacional de Historia Natural de Santiago; Chile. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Quinzio Sinn, Luis Arturo. Universidad de Concepción; Chil

Fascioliasis prevalence in livestock from abattoirs in southern Chile

Fascioliasis is a widely distributed parasitic zoonosis caused by the trematode Fasciola hepatica that affects livestock production and generates high economic losses. In Chilean authorised abattoirs, the infected livestock livers are condemned during the veterinary inspection. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of fascioliasis in Chile from 2014 to 2016 and also monthly from 2002 to 2015 in livestock (cattle, pig, sheep, horse and goat) slaughtered in abattoirs of La Araucanía region, southern Chile. To do this, the available records on abattoirs provided by the sanitary authority were analysed. A descriptive statistics and trend analysis of the data by jointpoint regression was carried out. The Biobío and La Araucanía regions registered the highest levels of parasitosis in the country recording levels of 59.18 and 44.74%, respectively, and presented 50.03% of the liver condemnation rate in cattle. During the study period, a total of 2,239,164 animals were slaughtered and 40.59% infected livers with F. hepatica were condemned in the 9 existing abattoirs of La Araucanía region. The abattoirs located in the cities of Temuco (51.43%) and Angol (65.09%) recorded the highest percentages of fascioliasis. The cattle species recorded the highest number of slaughtered animals and liver condemnation (54.52%). The presence of the parasite was recorded annually and monthly and it was possible to observe a slight increase in fascioliasis over the years. This study provides updated information on the fascioliasis prevalence in the country and the dynamics of condemnation in endemic areas such as La Araucanía region, which could contribute to the control and prevention of this zoonosis

The capitation payment unit : 17 years in the General Social Security System in Health

ABSTRACT: To analyze the evolution of the Capitation Payment (UPC for its Spanish name “unidad de pago por capitación”) as well as the methodologies and variables for defining it that have existed in the Colombian Social Security System in Health since its implementation between 1995 and 2011. Methodology: An observational, longitudinal descriptive study. The reference population was made up of all the papers reviewed, including books, journal articles, databases, and official presentations containing the key concepts. Results: It was found that the Capitation Payment (UPC) is valued as an essential element to maintain the financial balance of the health system. From 1995 to 2011 there were a number of methodologies for defining this payment. They ranged from a definition based only on the financial balance and the availability of resources, to a technical study using statistical tools to annually adjust the value of the UPC. Conclusions: The origin of the UPC can be attributed to the system’s orientation toward a market scheme and to the convergence of three basic theories. The variations in the value of the UPC have always resulted in a similar value year after year; this is why even if the methodology for defining it changed, the proportions will be the same when compared to previous years.RESUMEN: Analizar la evolución de la unidad de pago por capitación (upc), los métodos y las variables existentes para su definición dentro del Sistema General de Seguridad Social en Salud colombiano, luego de su implementación entre 1995 y el 2011. Metodología: estudio de tipo observacional descriptivo de corte longitudinal. La población de referencia la constituyeron todos los documentos consultados, entre libros, artículos de revista, bases de datos y presentaciones oficiales, que contuvieran los términos claves. Todos los documentos analizados se clasificaron tomando como referencia una escala de tipo Likert con cinco niveles. Resultados: se encontró que la upc se valora como elemento indispensable para mantener el equilibrio financiero del sistema. Desde 1995 hasta el 2011, los métodos para definirla fueron variados, pasando por una definición basada solo en el equilibrio financiero y la disponibilidad de recursos hasta configurar un estudio técnico con herramientas estadísticas que la ajustara anualmente. Conclusiones: el origen de la upc puede atribuirse a la orientación del sistema hacia un esquema de mercado y a la confluencia de tres teorías básicas. Las variaciones de la upc siempre han referido un valor similar año tras año; por ello, aunque cambie la metodología para su definición, esta seguirá en proporciones iguales si se compara con años anteriores