Design of a modular energy production–storage system for a sustainable bicycle

This paper presents a new concept of a modular system for the production and storage of energy in a bicycle at any speed above 9 km/h. User-Centered Design methodology was applied to establish the design premises, and then each component of the modular system was selected, developed, and refined separately, carrying out all component integration (hub dynamo, USB charger, batteries, and solar panel) by means of a simple extension cable. Then, simulations were made with different software tools to create a design candidate. A new design of an integrated modular energy production–storage system was obtained, aiming to cover the needs of long-distance bikers and daily bike commuters. The designed system can charge its own batteries and power devices connected to the USB charger from a speed of 9 km/h. The system entails a modular integration solution that is not only cost-effective but also highly efficient. Its ergonomic design allows users to effortlessly replace batteries as and when needed. Current models on the market do not possess this integration

Efectos raciales y heterosis materna Criollo-Guzerat para crecimiento posdestete y características de la canal

Records from 52 calves born in Nayarit, México, were used to evaluate breed effects and Criollo-Guzerat maternal heterosis (MH) on feedlot performance and carcass traits. Progeny was born from Angus sires and Criollo (C, n=8), Guzerat (G, n=20), Criollo- Guzerat (CG, n=18), and Guzerat-Criollo (GC, n=6) cows. Response variables were initial weight (PIP), yearling weight (PAE), final weight (PEFIP), average daily gain (GADIP), feed efficiency (EFALI), rib eye (AOC), rib fat thickness (GRC), hot carcass weight (PCC), dressing percentage (PRC), kidney and pelvic fat (RP), yield grade (GR), cutability (RC), and retail yield (PTC). Analyses were carried out with the GLM procedure of SAS. Statistical Models for PIP, PAE, PEFIP, GADIP and EFALI included the fixed effects of sex of calf (S), year of trial, breed of sire of the cow (R1) and breed of dam of the cow (R2). Fixed effects fitted to models for AOC, GRC, PCC, PRC, RP, GR, RC y PTC were S, R1 and R2. Grandpaternal differences for breed effects were favorable (PPara estimar efectos raciales de abuelas y abuelos Criollo y Guzerat, así como heterosis materna (HM) Criollo-Guzerat sobre el comportamiento en engorda y características de la canal, se usaron crías de vacas Criollo (C, n=8), Guzerat (G, n=20), Criollo-Guzerat (CG, n=18) y Guzerat-Criollo (GC, n=6). Se evaluó peso al inicio de engorda (PIP), peso al año de edad (PAE), peso al final de engorda (PEFIP), ganancia diaria (GADIP), eficiencia alimenticia (EFALI), área del ojo de la costilla (AOC), grasa de cobertura (GRC), peso de canal caliente (PCC), porcentaje de rendimiento en canal (PRC), grasa en riñón y pelvis (RP), grado de rendimiento de canal (GR), porcentaje de rendimiento en cortes (RC) y porcentaje total de cortes al menudeo (PTC). La información se analizó con PROC GLM de SAS. Los modelos para PIP, PAE, PEFIP, GADIP y EFALI incluyeron los efectos fijos de sexo (S), año de engorda, raza del padre de la vaca (R1) y raza de la madre de la vaca (R2). Para AOC, GRC, PCC, PRC, RP, GR, RC y PTC los modelos incluyeron R1, R2 y S. Diferencias entre abuelos favorecieron (

Cell-in-cell phenomenon in urinary sediment: a case report

The internalization of apoptotic cells by non-phagocytic cells has been observed in different tissues and could be an important mechanism for the elimination of dying cells. Here, we describe a probable event of phagocytosis of apoptotic cells mediated by urothelial cells in urinary sediment. A 90-years-old male patient was admitted unconscious to the hospital, visible signs included: pale skin and dry mucous membranes, presumptively diagnosed as dehydration. Blood test revealed anaemia (haemoglobin 130 g/L) and hyperglycaemia (glucose 7.8 mmol/L), urinalysis showed a picture of urinary tract infection (leukocyturia and bacteriuria). The microscopic analysis of urinary sediment revealed the presence of urothelial cells and leukocytes internalized in urothelial cells. Anti-CD68 (membrane marker of macrophages) was tested by immunocytochemistry and a negative result was observed. Based on the findings phagocytosis of apoptotic cells mediated by urothelial cells was identified. This phenomenon can be observed in urinary sediment and should not be confused with a neoplastic process since it is a physiological event of cell elimination

Evaluation of the contribution of D9S1120 to anthropological studies in Native American populations

The D9S1120 locus exhibits a population-specific allele of 9 repeats (9RA) in all Native American and two Siberian populations currently studied, but it is absent in other worldwide populations. Although this feature has been used in anthropological genetic studies, its impact on the evaluation of the structure and genetic relations among Native American populations has been scarcely assessed. Consequently, the aim of this study was to evaluate the anthropological impact of D9S1120 when it was added to STR population datasets in Mexican Native American groups. We analyzed D9S1120 by PCR and capillary electrophoresis (CE) in 1117 unrelated individuals from 13 native groups from the north and west of Mexico. Additional worldwide populations previously studied with D9S1120 and/or 15 autosomal STRs (Identifier kit) were included for interpopulation analyses. We report statistical results of forensic importance for D9S1120. On average, the modal alleles were the Native American-specific allele 9RA (0.3254) and 16 (0.3362). Genetic distances between Native American and worldwide populations were estimated. When D9S1120 was included in the 15 STR population dataset, we observed improvements for admixture estimation in Mestizo populations and for representing congruent genetic relationships in dendrograms. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) based on D9S1120 confirms that most of the genetic variability in the Mexican population is attributable to their Native American backgrounds, and allows the detection of significant intercontinental differentiation attributed to the exclusive presence of 9RA in America. Our findings demonstrate the contribution of D9S1120 to a better understanding of the genetic relationships and structure among Mexican Native groups.CONACYT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología) (México)Depto. de Biodiversidad, Ecología y EvoluciónFac. de Ciencias BiológicasTRUEinpres

Mobile Health: general concepts and its potential to be implemented in Cuba

Introduction: the use of Digital and Communication Technologies are currently part of the daily activities of society. Mobile health (mHealth) is one of the most developed nowadays, on one hand, due to the new normality generated by the COVID-19 pandemic, but also far away, due to the relevant advantages acquired for mobile telephone technologies over other technologies. Objective: to systematize the theories concerning mobile health and to assess its developing potential in Cuba. Method: a documentary analysis was carried out in response to the authors' information needs, comprising three phases: exploration of the priority areas and the current problematic issues, determination of the essential ideas sit in the documents consulted and which provide the general meaning included in those documents and, as a third phase implemented, it was included the systematization of the information obtained to update the new information contained in the current article. Results: general aspects, such as: Mobile health in Cuba in line with the country's technological development, Safety and use compatibility, legal aspects for properly development were described; aspects which help in the process of creating mobile health applications. It was also proposed the Mobincube platform, as an easy to learn and use tool for health professionals, allowing them to create their own applications without the need for programming. Conclusions: Cuba has sufficient technological and intellectual development to venture into the development of mobile health field. The main challenge is to gain sufficient informatics culture among Cuban health professionals in the field of mobile health

Salud móvil: conceptos generales y potencialidades de implementación en Cuba

Introduction:The use of Digital and Communication Technologies are currently part of the daily activities of society. Mobile health (mHealth) is one of the most developed nowadays, on one hand, due to the new normality generated by the COVID-19 pandemic, but also far away, due to the relevant advantages acquired for mobile telephone technologies over other technologies. Objective: To systematize the theories concerning mobile health and to assess its developing potential in Cuba. Method: A documentary analysis was carried out in response to the authors' information needs, comprising three phases: exploration of the priority areas and the current problematic issues, determination of the essential ideas sit in the documents consulted and which provide the general meaning included in those documents and, as a third phase implemented, it was included the systematization of the information obtained to update the new information contained in the current article. Results: General aspects, such as: Mobile health in Cuba in line with the country's technological development, Safety and use compatibility, legal aspects for properly development were described; aspects which help in the process of creating mobile health applications. It was also proposed the Mobincube platform, as an easy to learn and use tool for health professionals, allowing them to create their own applications without the need for programming. Conclusions: Cuba has sufficient technological and intellectual development to venture into the development of mobile health field. The main challenge is to gain sufficient informatics culture among Cuban health professionals in the field of mobile health

Saúde móvel: conceitos gerais e potencialidades de implementação em Cuba

Introduction: the use of Digital and Communication Technologies are currently part of the daily activities of society. Mobile health (mHealth) is one of the most developed nowadays, on one hand, due to the new normality generated by the COVID-19 pandemic, but also far away, due to the relevant advantages acquired for mobile telephone technologies over other technologies.Objective: to systematize the theories concerning mobile health and to assess its developing potential in Cuba. Method: a documentary analysis was carried out in response to the authors' information needs, comprising three phases: exploration of the priority areas and the current problematic issues, determination of the essential ideas sit in the documents consulted and which provide the general meaning included in those documents and, as a third phase implemented, it was included the systematization of the information obtained to update the new information contained in the current article. Results: general aspects, such as: Mobile health in Cuba in line with the country's technological development, Safety and use compatibility, legal aspects for properly development were described; aspects which help in the process of creating mobile health applications. It was also proposed the Mobincube platform, as an easy to learn and use tool for health professionals, allowing them to create their own applications without the need for programming. Conclusions: Cuba has sufficient technological and intellectual development to venture into the development of mobile health field. The main challenge is to gain sufficient informatics culture among Cuban health professionals in the field of mobile health.Introducción: actualmente el uso de las Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones forma parte del quehacer diario de la sociedad. La salud móvil es una de las que más desarrollo presenta, por un lado, debido a la nueva normalidad generada por la pandemia de la COVID-19, pero en gran medida, por las ventajas que tienen los dispositivos móviles frente a otras tecnologías. Objetivo: sistematizar las teorías acerca de la salud móvil y evaluar las potencialidades de desarrollo en Cuba. Método: se realizó un análisis documental respondiendo a las necesidades informativas de los autores, comprendido en tres fases: exploración del área de interés y problemática actual, determinación de las ideas esenciales de los documentos consultados y que aportan el significado general de estos y, la tercera fase, que incluyó la sistematización de la información para actualizar la nueva información contenida en el actual artículo. Resultados: se describieron aspectos generales, tales como:  Salud móvil en Cuba de la mano del desarrollo tecnológico del país, Seguridad y compatibilidad de uso, Aspectos legales de desarrollo; aspectos que inciden en el proceso de creación de las aplicaciones de salud móvil. Se propuso, además, la plataforma Mobincube, como herramienta de fácil aprendizaje y manejo para los profesionales de salud, permitiéndoles crear sus propias aplicaciones sin necesidad de programar. Conclusiones: Cuba cuenta con el desarrollo tecnológico e intelectual suficiente para incursionar en el desarrollo de la salud móvil. El reto fundamental es ganar en cultura informática suficiente por parte de los profesionales de la salud cubanos en materia de salud móvil.Introdução: atualmente o uso das Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação faz parte do cotidiano da sociedade. A saúde móvel é uma das mais desenvolvidas, por um lado, devido à nova normalidade gerada pela pandemia do COVID-19, mas, em grande medida, pelas vantagens que os dispositivos móveis têm sobre outras tecnologias. Objetivo: sistematizar as teorias sobre saúde móvel e avaliar o potencial de desenvolvimento em Cuba. Método: foi realizada uma análise documental respondendo às necessidades informativas dos autores, composta por três fases: exploração da área de interesse e problemas atuais, determinação das ideias essenciais dos documentos consultados e que fornecem o significado geral de estas e, a terceira fase, que incluiu a sistematização das informações para atualização das novas informações contidas no artigo atual. Resultados: foram descritos aspectos gerais, tais como: Saúde móvel em Cuba de mãos dadas com o desenvolvimento tecnológico do país, Segurança e compatibilidade de uso, Aspectos legais do desenvolvimento; aspectos que afetam o processo de criação de aplicativos móveis de saúde. Além disso, a plataforma Mobincube foi proposta como uma ferramenta de fácil aprendizado e gerenciamento para profissionais de saúde, permitindo que eles criem seus próprios aplicativos sem programação. Conclusões: Cuba tem desenvolvimento tecnológico e intelectual suficiente para se aventurar no desenvolvimento da saúde móvel. O desafio fundamental é ganhar suficiente cultura informática por parte dos profissionais de saúde cubanos no campo da saúde móvel

A needle in a haystack: A new metabarcoding approach to survey diversity at the species level of Arcellinida (Amoebozoa: Tubulinea)

Environmental DNA-based diversity studies have increased in popularity with the development of high throughput sequencing technologies. This permits the potential simultaneous retrieval of vast amounts of molecular data from many different organisms and species, thus contributing to a wide range of biological disciplines. Environmental DNA protocols designed for protists often focused on the highly conserved small subunit of the ribosome gene, that does not permit species-level assignments. On the other hand, eDNA protocols aiming at species-level assignments allow a fine level ecological resolution and reproducible results. These protocols are currently applied to organisms living in marine and shallow lotic freshwater ecosystems, often in a bioindication purpose. Therefore, in this study, we present a species-level eDNA protocol designed to explore diversity of Arcellinida (Amoebozoa: Tubulinea) testate amoebae taxa that is based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI). These organisms are widespread in lentic water bodies and soil ecosystems. We applied this protocol to 42 samples from peatlands, estuaries and soil environments, recovering all the infraorders in Glutinoconcha (with COI data), except for Hyalospheniformes. Our results revealed an unsuspected diversity in morphologically homogeneous groups such as Cylindrothecina, Excentrostoma or Sphaerothecina. With this protocol we expect to revolutionize the design of modern distributional Arcellinida surveys. Our approach involves a rapid and cost-effective analysis of testate amoeba diversity living in contrasted ecosystems. Therefore, the order Arcellinida has the potential to be established as a model group for a wide range of theoretical and applied studie

Erratum to: Greenhouse crop residues: energy potential and models for the prediction of their higher heating value [Renew. Sust. Energy Rev. 15 (2) (2011) 948–955]

Erratum to: Greenhouse crop residues: energy potential and models for the prediction of their higher heating value [Renew. Sust. Energy Rev. 15 (2) (2011) 948–955

Estimación de parámetros genéticos para características de crecimiento en borregos Katahdin usando diferentes modelos

Genetic parameters for growth traits of Katahdin lambs were estimated using six variants of the animal model. Data on birth weight (BW; n= 13,099), weaning weight adjusted to 75 d (WW; n=11,509) and postweaning weight adjusted to 120 d (AW; n=6,886) were collected for seven years (2004-2010) in 20 states across Mexico. Analyses were carried out by ignoring or including maternal effects. The simplest model included the direct additive genetic effect as the only random effect. The most complete model included direct and maternal genetic effects, their covariance, and the maternal permanent environmental effect. Selection of the best model was based on likelihood-ratio test. When maternal effects were not taken into account, estimates of direct heritability and direct genetic variance were overestimated for all traits. Direct heritability estimates for the best model were 0.18 ± 0.03, 0.30 ± 0.04, and 0.20 ± 0.05 for BW, WW and AW, respectively. Maternal heritability estimates also varied depending on the model; estimates ranged from 0.05 to 0.23, 0.00 to 0.12, and 0.09 to 0.25 for BW, WW and AW. Ignoring maternal effects in the model would result in inaccurate genetic evaluation for growth traits in Katahdin sheep.Se estimaron parámetros genéticos para características de crecimiento en corderos Katahdin, usando seis variantes del modelo animal. Se usó información de pesos al nacimiento (BW; n= 13,099), al destete ajustado a 75 d (WW; n= 11,509) y posdestete ajustado a 120 d (AW; n= 6,886) tomada durante 7 años (2004-2010) en 20 estados de la República Mexicana. Los análisis se hicieron ignorando o incluyendo efectos maternos. El modelo más sencillo incluyó el efecto genético aditivo directo como el único efecto aleatorio. El modelo más completo incluyó los efectos genéticos directo y materno, la covarianza entre ellos, y el efecto del ambiente permanente materno. Para seleccionar el mejor modelo se usó la prueba de razón de verosimilitud. Cuando los efectos maternos no fueron incluidos en el modelo, los estimadores de la heredabilidad directa y de la varianza genética directa resultaron sobreestimados. Las heredabilidades directas con el mejor modelo fueron 0.18 ± 0.03, 0.30 ± 0.04 y 0.20 ± 0.05 para BW, WW y AW, respectivamente. Las heredabilidades maternas también variaron dependiendo del modelo, de 0.05 a 0.23, 0.00 a 0.12, y 0.09 a 0.25 para BW, WW y AW. El ignorar los efectos maternos en el modelo resultaría en una evaluación genética equivocada para las características de crecimiento en borregos Katahdin