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

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

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

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

Early diagnosis of frailty: Technological and non-intrusive devices for clinical detection

This work analyses different concepts for frailty diagnosis based on affordable standard technology such as smartphones or wearable devices. The goal is to provide ideas that go beyond classical diagnostic tools such as magnetic resonance imaging or tomography, thus changing the paradigm; enabling the detection of frailty without expensive facilities, in an ecological way for both patients and medical staff and even with continuous monitoring. Fried's five-point phenotype model of frailty along with a model based on trials and several classical physical tests were used for device classification. This work provides a starting point for future researchers who will have to try to bridge the gap separating elderly people from technology and medical tests in order to provide feasible, accurate and affordable tools for frailty monitoring for a wide range of users.This work was sponsored by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) across projects RTC-2017-6321-1 AEI/FEDER, UE, TEC2016-76021-C2-2-R AEI/FEDER, UE and PID2019-107270RB-C21/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, UE

¿Cuál es el protocolo de exploración más adecuado a la hora de valorar la primera articulación metatarsofalángica?

A lo largo de los años, numerosos autores han descrito diferentes maniobras exploratorias de la primera articulación metatarsofalángica para analizar su movimiento y comprender, de este modo, su funcionamiento en dinámica. Hoy día parece no existir consenso acerca de cuál es la maniobra más acertada para valorar el movimiento de la primera articulación metatarsofalángica en el plano sagital. Dato que se ve reflejado en la diversidad de resultados diferentes obtenidos por los distintos autores que han estudiado dicha articulación. Desde nuestro punto de vista, pensamos que este hecho puede venir determinado por la inexistencia de un protocolo de exploración específico dónde se detallen cuáles son los puntos de referencia que debemos tener en cuenta a la hora de realizar la exploración. Por ello nos planteamos realizar este trabajo, con el que a través de una revisión bibliográfica, pretendemos reflejar todas las maniobras exploratorias de la primera articulación metatarsofalángica que se han descrito hasta el momento, para conocer cuál es la más fiable válida, favoreciendo el espíritu crítico entre los profesionales, intentando que, de este modo, podamos unificar criterios y establecer así un protocolo de exploración adecuado.Over the years, numerous authors have described different maneuvers exploratory first metatarsophalangeal joint to analyze and understand his movement, thus its dynamic operation. Today seems to be no consensus on what is the most successful maneuver to evaluate the movement of the first metatarsophalangeal joint in the sagittal plane. Data that is reflected in the diversity of different results obtained by different authors who have studied the joint. From our standpoint, we think this may be determined by the absence of a specific examination protocol that details what are the benchmarks that we must consider when scanning. So we decided to do this work, with which through a literature review, we intend to reflect all exploratory maneuvers the i rst metatar sophalangeal joint as described so far, to know what is the most reliable and valid, encouraging the spirit critical among professionals, trying thus, we can unify criteria and to establish a proper examination protocol

Sleep time estimated by an actigraphy watch correlates with CSF tau in cognitively unimpaired elders: the modulatory role of APOE

There is increasing evidence of the relationship between sleep and neurodegeneration, but this knowledge is not incorporated into clinical practice yet. We aimed to test whether a basic sleep parameter, as total sleep estimated by actigraphy for 1 week, was a valid predictor of CSF Alzheimer’s Disease core biomarkers (amyloid-β-42 and –40, phosphorylated-tau-181, and total-tau) in elderly individuals, considering possible confounders and effect modifiers, particularly the APOE ε4 allele. One hundred and twenty-seven cognitively unimpaired volunteers enrolled in the Valdecilla Study for Memory and Brain Aging participated in this study. Seventy percent of the participants were women with a mean age of 65.5 years. After adjustment for covariates, reduced sleep time significantly predicted higher t-tau and p-tau. This association was mainly due to the APOE ε4 carriers. Our findings suggest that total sleep time, estimated by an actigraphy watch, is an early biomarker of tau pathology and that APOE modulates this relationship. The main limitation of this study is the limited validation of the actigraphy technology used. Sleep monitoring with wearables may be a useful and inexpensive screening test to detect early neurodegenerative changes.This work was supported by grants from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Fondo de Investigación Sanitario, PI08/0139, PI12/02288, PI16/01652, and PI20/01011), the JPND (DEMTEST PI11/03028), the CIBERNED, and the Siemens Healthineer

Educational intervention on blood pressure in hypertensive patients

Se realiza un estudio sobre hipertensión arterial (HTA) en el consultorio médico de La Sombrilla de Paraguay, Guantánamo, en el período mayo de 2012 a mayo de 2013, con el objetivo de modificar el nivel de conocimiento sobre HTA en pacientes que padecen esta enfermedad. El universo de estudio y, a su vez, la muestra lo constituyeron todos los pacientes hipertensos mayores de 15 años (n= 59). Se recogieron datos como: edad, sexo, escolaridad y ocupación de los mismos, se identificó el nivel de conocimiento relacionado con la enfermedad antes y después del estudio y se realizaron encuentros educativos acerca de esta entidad. Hubo predominio del sexo femenino, en edades superiores a los 50 años de edad y con nivel de escolaridad medio y obreros. Existía gran desconocimiento y descontrol sobre la enfermedad, aspecto que mejoró luego de la intervención.A study on arterial hypertension in done at the clinical office, Paraguay, Guantanamo, from May 2012 to May 2013, with the aim of changing the level of knowledge about arterial hypertension on patients suffering from this disease. The universe and sample of studied sample were all those hypertensive patients older than 15 years (n = 59). Data were collected: age, gender, education and occupation of the same, the level of knowledge was identified and associated with the disease after and before the study doing educational meetings about this entity. There was a predominance of women older than 50 years of age, elemental level of education and work. There was great ignorance and lack of control concerning to disease, improving after the intervention

Salvar a la Dra. Arnold: un escaperoom para ingeniería química

Se ha diseñado e implementado un Escaperoom para ser aplicado como herramienta de gamificación en la educación superior. El objetivo principal ha sido involucrar a los estudiantes en su propio aprendizaje, aumentando así la motivación, para cerrar la brecha entre la Ingeniería Química del aula y el mundo real, así como permitir el trabajo en equipo y el aprendizaje entre pares. Además, también se abordaron los desafíos actuales que preocupan a la sociedad en la actualidad como son la Energía, el Transporte, la Contaminación y la Seguridad y el mejor aprovechamiento de los Recursos. En el proyecto participaron estudiantes de los últimos años del Grado en Ingeniería Química y del primer año del Máster.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech