Smartphone App (2kmFIT-App) for Measuring Cardiorespiratory Fitness: Validity and Reliability Study

FBO research activity was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness—MINECO/FEDER DEP2016-79512-R; the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under Grant Agreement No. 667302; the University of Granada, Plan Propio de Investigación 2016, Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES); the Junta de Andalucía, Consejería de Conocimiento, Investigación y Universidades, and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), ref. SOMM17/6107/ UGR; the EXERNET Research Network on Exercise and Health in Special Populations (DEP2005-00046/ACTI); and the SAMID III network, RETICS, funded by the PN I+D+I 2017-2021 (Spain), ISCIII Sub-Directorate-General for Research Assessment and Promotion, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (Ref. RD16/002). AN was supported by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and the Instituto de Salud Carlos III through the CIBERFES (CB16/10/00239), the Seneca Foundation through the unit of excellence (Grant 19899/GERM/15), and the Ministry of Science Innovation and Universities RTI2018-093528-B-I00 (all of which are cofinanced by FEDER). CCS is supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (FJC2018-037925-I). The views expressed are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the institutions they belong to.Background: There is strong evidence suggesting that higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) are associated with a healthier metabolic profile, and that CRF can serve as a powerful predictor of morbidity and mortality. In this context, a smartphone app based on the 2-km walk test (UKK test) would provide the possibility to assess CRF remotely in individuals geographically distributed around a country or continent, and even between continents, with minimal equipment and low costs. Objective: The overall aim of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of 2kmFIT-App developed for Android and iOS mobile operating systems to estimate maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) as an indicator of CRF. The specific aims of the study were to determine the validity of 2kmFIT-App to track distance and calculate heart rate (HR). Methods: Twenty participants were included for field-testing validation and reliability analysis. The participants completed the UKK test twice using 2kmFIT-App. Distance and HR were measured with the app as well as with accurate methods, and VO2max was estimated using the UKK test equation. Results: The validity results showed the following mean differences (app minus criterion): distance (& ndash;70.40, SD 51.47 meters), time (& ndash;0.59, SD 0.45 minutes), HR (& ndash;16.75, SD 9.96 beats/minute), and VO2max (3.59, SD 2.01 ml/kg/min). There was moderate validity found for HR (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] 0.731, 95% CI & ndash;0.211 to 0.942) and good validity found for VO2max (ICC 0.878, 95% CI & ndash;0.125 to 0.972). The reliability results showed the following mean differences (retest minus test): app distance (25.99, SD 43.21 meters), app time (& ndash;0.15, SD 0.94 seconds), pace (& ndash;0.18, SD 0.33 min/km), app HR (& ndash;4.5, 13.44 beats/minute), and app VO2max (0.92, SD 3.04 ml/kg/min). There was good reliability for app HR (ICC 0.897, 95% CI 0.742-0.959) and excellent validity for app VO2max (ICC 0.932, 95% CI 0.830-0.973). All of these findings were observed when using the app with an Android operating system, whereas validity was poor when the app was used with iOS. Conclusions: This study shows that 2kmFIT-App is a new, scientifically valid and reliable tool able to objectively and remotely estimate CRF, HR, and distance with an Android but not iOS mobile operating system. However, certain limitations such as the time required by 2kmFIT-App to calculate HR or the temperature environment should be considered when using the app.Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness-MINECO/FEDER DEP2016-79512-REuropean Commission 667302University of Granada, Plan Propio de Investigacion 2016, Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES)Junta de AndaluciaEuropean Commission SOMM17/6107/UGR RD16/002EXERNET Research Network on Exercise and Health in Special Populations DEP2005-00046/ACTISAMID III network, RETICS - PN I+D+I 2017-2021 (Spain)ISCIII Sub-Directorate-General for Research Assessment and PromotionMinistry of Economy and Competitiveness CB16/10/00239Instituto de Salud Carlos III through the CIBERFES CB16/10/00239Fundacion Seneca 19899/GERM/15Ministry of Science Innovation and Universities - FEDER RTI2018-093528-B-I00Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities FJC2018-037925-

Apoyo a la toma de decisiones mediante el empleo de resúmenes lingüísticos

En una sociedad en la que el conocimiento es esencial nos surge la necesidad de manejar adecuadamente ingentes cantidades de datos. Lo podemos ver en nuestra vida diaria, pero cobra una mayor importancia en el ámbito empresarial.Empresas y organizaciones generan y consumen grandes volúmenes de datos con el fin de llevar a cabo sus actividades. Pero los datos en sí no tienen un impacto en el desempeño de las actividades si no somos capaces de obtener información a partir de ellos que al mismo tiempo sea útil e inteligible para nosotros.La posibilidad de generar resúmenes lingüísticos de series de datos en el ámbito empresarial se presenta como una poderosa herramienta que facilitará el proceso de toma de decisiones

Sensitivity to fungicides of Botrytis cinérea (Pers.) isolated from raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.)

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the sensitivity of B. cinerea isolated from raspberry to nine fungicides alone and in combination with potassium silicate. Design/methodology/approach: The sensitivity of four isolates was evaluated to nine fungicides alone and combined with potassium silicate, obtained from four raspberry plantations in October 2022, which were identified as B.cinerea based on morphological, morphometric and molecular characteristics, in a previous study. In PDA culture medium modified with fungicides plus potassium silicate, B. cinerea was planted, mycelial growth and mycelial growth inhibition percentage (PICM) were evaluated. A completely randomized design with six repetitions and two controls was used, an ANOVA and a Tukey mean comparison test were performed. Results: B. cinerea isolated from CITAP showed lower growth with fluazi-nam (PICM = 100 ), while azoxystrobin presented a PICM equal to 0 , B. cinerea isolated from Paso del Cristo and Sierra Negra 2 had lower growth with fluazinam (PICM = 100), while boscalid and azoxystrobin showed a PICM equal to 0, in Sierra Negra 1 iprodione controlled B. cinerea better with a PICM equal to 100, while azoxystrobin showed a PICM equal to 0, all the isolates were sensitive when fungicides were combined with potassium silicate. Findings/conclusions: All the isolates were sensitive to the fungicides fluazinam, fenhexamid, thiophanate methyl, captan, pyrimethanil, fludioxonil and iprodione. The isolates from Sierra Negra 1 and CITAP were sensitive to boscalid, while Sierra Negra 2 and Paso del Cristo were insensitive, 100 % of the isolates were insensitive to azoxystrobin which suggests that they could be resistant, potassium silicate potentiates the effect of fungicides. Keywords: potassium silicate, isolates, mycelial growth, PICMObjective: To evaluate the sensitivity of B. cinerea isolated from raspberry to nine fungicides alone and in combination with potassium silicate. Design/methodology/approach: The study evaluates the sensitivity of four isolates obtained from four raspberry plantations in October 2022, which were identified in a previous study as B.cinerea based on morphological, morphometric and molecular characteristics, to nine fungicides alone and combined with potassium silicate. B. cinerea was planted in PDA culture medium modified with fungicides plus potassium silicate, and mycelial growth and mycelial growth inhibition percentage (PICM) were evaluated. A completely randomized design with six repetitions and two controls was used, an ANOVA and Tukey’s mean comparison test were performed. Results: B. cinerea isolated from CITAP showed lower growth with fluazinam (PICM = 100 ), while with azoxystrobin it presented a PICM equal to 0. B. cinerea isolated from Paso del Cristo and Sierra Negra 2 had lower growth with fluazinam (PICM = 100), while with boscalid and azoxystrobin it showed a PICM equal to 0. In Sierra Negra 1, iprodione controlled B. cinerea better with a PICM equal to 100, while azoxystrobin showed a PICM equal to 0. All the isolates were sensitive when fungicides were combined with potassium silicate. Findings/conclusions: All the isolates were sensitive to the fungicides fluazinam, fenhexamid, thiophanate methyl, captan, pyrimethanil, fludioxonil and iprodione. The isolates from Sierra Negra 1 and CITAP were sensitive to boscalid, while those from Sierra Negra 2 and Paso del Cristo were insensitive; 100 % of the isolates were insensitive to azoxystrobin, which suggests that they could be resistant; finally, potassium silicate potentiates the effect of fungicides

Vaccination of Calves with the Mycobacterium bovis BCG Strain Induces Protection against Bovine Tuberculosis in Dairy Herds under a Natural Transmission Setting

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a zoonotic disease caused mainly by Mycobacterium bovis, of which control is based on culling infected animals and, without official compensations, is associated with major economic losses for milk and meat producers. The vaccination of cattle with the M. bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) strain, as a strategy for bTB control, might attenuate this situation. The objective of this trial was to assess the efficacy of the BCG Russia strain in a cohort study performed under field conditions, with the vaccination of 501 calves in seven dairy farms, including 441 non-vaccinated control animals. Peripheral blood was collected at 6, 12 and 18 months post-vaccination, and infection status was determined using a diagnostic procedure which discriminates the infected amongst vaccinated animals. On average, the BCG vaccine showed a low but significant level of protection (22.4%) at the end of the trial, although diverse levels of protection and duration of immunity were observed between trial herds, suggesting that the efficacy of the BCG vaccination could be influenced by the general health condition of calves and their exposition to non-tuberculous mycobacteria. These results support the use of BCG as a complementary tool in the control of the disease in high prevalence areas. ABSTRACT: Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a zoonotic disease caused mainly by Mycobacterium bovis, which is associated with major economic losses for milk and meat producers. The objective of this trial was to assess the efficacy of the BCG Russia strain in a cohort study performed under field conditions, with the vaccination of calves in seven dairy farms from a high prevalence area in central Chile. The trial was performed with 501 animals, subcutaneously vaccinated with 2–8 × 10(5) colony-forming units of BCG, whilst 441 matched control animals received a saline placebo. Peripheral blood was collected at 6, 12 and 18 months post-vaccination, and infection status was determined using the IFNγ release assay in conjunction with the DIVA (Detecting Infected amongst Vaccinated Animals) antigens ESAT-6, CFP-10 and Rv3615c. The BCG vaccine showed a low but significant level of protection of 22.4% (95% CI 4.0 to 36.4) at the end of the trial. However, diverse levels of protection and a variable duration of immunity were observed between trial herds. This diverse outcome could be influenced by the general health condition of calves and their exposition to non-tuberculous mycobacteria. These results suggest that BCG vaccination of dairy calves in a natural transmission setting confers variable protection to animals against bTB in a high prevalence area

Vaccination of Calves with the Mycobacterium bovis BCG Strain Induces Protection against Bovine Tuberculosis in Dairy Herds under a Natural Transmission Setting

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a zoonotic disease caused mainly by Mycobacterium bovis, of which control is based on culling infected animals and, without official compensations, is associated with major economic losses for milk and meat producers. The vaccination of cattle with the M. bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) strain, as a strategy for bTB control, might attenuate this situation. The objective of this trial was to assess the efficacy of the BCG Russia strain in a cohort study performed under field conditions, with the vaccination of 501 calves in seven dairy farms, including 441 non-vaccinated control animals. Peripheral blood was collected at 6, 12 and 18 months post-vaccination, and infection status was determined using a diagnostic procedure which discriminates the infected amongst vaccinated animals. On average, the BCG vaccine showed a low but significant level of protection (22.4%) at the end of the trial, although diverse levels of protection and duration of immunity were observed between trial herds, suggesting that the efficacy of the BCG vaccination could be influenced by the general health condition of calves and their exposition to non-tuberculous mycobacteria. These results support the use of BCG as a complementary tool in the control of the disease in high prevalence areas. Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a zoonotic disease caused mainly by Mycobacterium bovis, which is associated with major economic losses for milk and meat producers. The objective of this trial was to assess the efficacy of the BCG Russia strain in a cohort study performed under field conditions, with the vaccination of calves in seven dairy farms from a high prevalence area in central Chile. The trial was performed with 501 animals, subcutaneously vaccinated with 2-8 × 10 5 colony-forming units of BCG, whilst 441 matched control animals received a saline placebo. Peripheral blood was collected at 6, 12 and 18 months post-vaccination, and infection status was determined using the IFNγ release assay in conjunction with the DIVA (Detecting Infected amongst Vaccinated Animals) antigens ESAT-6, CFP-10 and Rv3615c. The BCG vaccine showed a low but significant level of protection of 22.4% (95% CI 4.0 to 36.4) at the end of the trial. However, diverse levels of protection and a variable duration of immunity were observed between trial herds. This diverse outcome could be influenced by the general health condition of calves and their exposition to non-tuberculous mycobacteria. These results suggest that BCG vaccination of dairy calves in a natural transmission setting confers variable protection to animals against bTB in a high prevalence area

REVISIÓN DE PARÁMETROS PARA EL DISEÑO DE UNA CELDA ELECTROLÍTICA ALCALINA (REVIEW OF PARAMETERS FOR THE DESIGN OF AN ALKALINE ELECTROLYTIC CELL)

En este artículo se presentan algunos parámetros considerados en el diseño de una celda electrolítica alcalina para garantizar una reacción de evolución del hidrógeno (HER por sus siglas en inglés) elevada; en los que se enlistan: composición de electrodos, principalmente por su porcentaje de níquel que trabaja como catalizador en la producción de hidrógeno; geometría de electrodos, donde intervienen sus dimensiones, que incluye espesor y área de trabajo;  separación entre electrodos, una distancia mínima es preferible para mantener una resistencia eléctrica baja; electrolito, es el medio por el cual viajan los electrones haciendo posible la ruptura de la molécula de agua, el álcali usado en la mezcla es de interés porque facilita el paso de corriente eléctrica; condiciones de trabajo, algunas propiedades dependen de la temperatura operación por lo que es importante definir estas variable al valor más óptimo posible; por último, unas observaciones con relación a propiedades, sólo si intervienen materiales además del utilizado en los electrodos. En el presente trabajo se obtuvo un listado de los parámetros de diseño y como afectan la producción de hidrógeno.Palabra(s) Clave: alcalina, celda electrolítica, diseño, parámetros. AbstractThis paper presents some parameters considered in the design of an alkaline electrolytic cell to guarantee a high hydrogen evolution reaction (HER); in which are listed: composition of electrodes, mainly by its percentage of nickel that works as a catalyst in the production of hydrogen; electrode geometry, where its dimensions intervene, which includes thickness and work area; gap between electrodes, a minimum distance is preferable to maintain a low electrical resistance; electrolyte, is the means by which the electrons travel making possible the rupture of the water molecule, the alkali used in the mixture is of interest because it facilitates the passage of electric current; working conditions, some properties depend on the operating temperature so it is important to define this variable at the most optimal value possible; Finally, some observations regarding properties, only if materials are involved in addition to the one used in the electrodes. In the present work a list of the design parameters was obtained and how they affect the production of hydrogen.Keywords: alkaline, design, electrolytic cell, parameters

USO DE HIDRÓGENO COMO ADITIVO PARA COMBUSTIÓN DOMÉSTICA. ANÁLISIS ESTEQUIOMÉTRICO

Resumen   En este artículo se estudió la estequiometría de la reacción de combustión para conocer la posibilidad de sustituir una parte del combustible doméstico, gas LP, por hidrógeno producido mediante electrólisis, HHO, para lograr una mezcla gas LP-hidrógeno con propiedades de combustión similares a las del gas licuado de petróleo y disminuir las emisiones directas de CO2 desprendidas por la reacción de combustión.Lo anterior se logró haciendo un balance de energía sobre la reacción de combustión para una temperatura adiabática de flama definida, analizando el requerimiento de aire necesario para que exista una reacción completa dependiendo de la fracción de HHO presente en la mezcla.Con el proceso anterior se obtuvo el aire necesario para cualquier porcentaje de gas LP sustituido por HHO, el porcentaje de aire necesario como porcentaje de aire teórico dependiendo de la fracción de gas LP sustituida y la cantidad de CO2 desprendida en función del HHO presente en la mezcla.Palabras Clave: Combustión, estequiometría, gas LP, hidrógeno USE OF HYDROGEN AS AN ADDITIVE FOR DOMESTIC COMBUSTION. STOICHIOMETRIC ANALYSISAbstractIn this article, the stoichiometry of the combustion reaction was studied to know the possibility of replacing a part of the domestic fuel, LP, by hydrogen produced by electrolysis, HHO, to achieve an LP gas-hydrogen gas mixture with combustion properties similar to the ones of the liquefied petroleum gas and reduce the direct emissions of CO2 released by the combustion reaction.The above was achieved by making an energy balance over the combustion reaction for a defined flame adiabatic temperature, analyzing the air requirement for a complete reaction depending on the HHO fraction present in the mixture.With the above process, the air required for any percentage of HHO-substituted LP gas was obtained, the percentage of air required as a percentage of theoretical air depending on the fraction of LP gas substituted and the amount of CO2 evolved as a function of HHO present in the mixture.Keywords: Combustion, hydrogen, LP gas, stoichiometry

MODELO DE ESPACIO–ESTADO DE UNA CELDA ALCALINA ELECTROLÍTICA PRODUCTORA DE HIDRÓGENO (STATE–SPACE MODEL OF AN ALKALINE ELECTROLYTIC CELL HYDROGEN PRODUCER)

En base a un estudio de los modelos existentes, se desarrolló en el presente artículo una propuesta de modelo de espacio – estado para una celda alcalina productora de hidrógeno. Para la constitución del modelo se consideró una celda bipolar de domo, tomando como variables de estado la presión y temperatura del sistema y como entrada la corriente de alimentación; consiguiendo con esto un modelo SISO no lineal, susceptible de ser analizado con la teoría de control moderno. El modelo se simuló con la herramienta Simulink de Matlab mostrando correspondencia con las respuestas del sistema presentadas en la bibliografía.Palabra(s) Clave: Electrolizador alcalino, Hidrogeno, Modelo de espacio-estado. AbstractBased on existing models’ study, a State-Space model proposal for a hydrogen-producing alkaline cell was developed in this paper. For the model constitution a bipolar dome cell was considered, taking system pressure and temperature as state variables and the power current as input, getting whit this a nonlinear SISO model susceptible to be analyzed whit modern control theory. The model was simulated whit Simulink, Matlab’s tool, showing correspondence whit system responses presented on the bibliography.Keywords: Alkaline electrolyzer, Hydrogen, State – Space model