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Monitoring chemical substances is of paramount importance in various industries and environmental contexts. In industrial settings, the presence of certain chemical substances may indicate leaks, spills, or malfunctioning equipment, posing immediate threats to both human health and the environment. Moreover, continuous monitoring of chemical compounds is crucial for ensuring compliance with safety regulations and environmental standards. In the context of air quality management, monitoring chemical compounds helps identify sources of pollution, assess the impact on public health, and implement effective pollution control measures. Timely detection and response to chemical compounds also play a vital role in preventing long-term environmental degradation. Overall, monitoring chemical substances is an indispensable component of proactive risk management, environmental stewardship, and the safeguarding of human well-being. The development of automatic and portable devices for online monitoring is an important need in the chemical industry. The smartwatch designed and presented is a home-developed prototype and built from commercially available components. All components of the smartwatch are protected with a plastic casing capable of allowing air to pass to the sensors, the device is also capable of measuring temperature and relative humidity, magnitudes that influence the detection of different odors or volatile compounds. This device is based on a microcontroller that offers low-power performance, integrated Bluetooth low energy at an affordable price, and the measurements of four digital MOX gas sensors, models BME680 SGP40, ENS160 and STC31 through I2C interface. Data are shown on a LCD display and also transmitted via Bluetooth to a smartphone at a sampling period time of 2 s. It is powered using a 3.7 V lithium polymer battery. The smartwatch has a graphical interface to show the user the data provided by the sensors. The designed smartwatch has been validated by measuring different industrial gases like toluene, xylene, and ethylbenzene at low concentrations. Toluene was measured at 6 ppm, xylene at 8 ppm, and ethylbenzene at 10 ppm. Good discrimination between the three different gases was achieved using Principal Component Analysis as multivariable analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in developing portable and personal devices for measuring air quality and surrounding pollutants, partly due to the need for ventilation in the aftermath of COVID-19 situation. Moreover, the monitoring of hazardous chemical agents is a focus for ensuring compliance with safety standards and is an indispensable component in safeguarding human welfare. Air quality measurement is conducted by public institutions with high precision but costly equipment, which requires constant calibration and maintenance by highly qualified personnel for its proper operation. Such devices, used as reference stations, have a low spatial resolution since, due to their high cost, they are usually located in a few fixed places in the city or region to be studied. However, they also have a low temporal resolution, providing few samples per hour. To overcome these drawbacks and to provide people with personalized and up-to-date air quality information, a personal device (smartwatch) based on MEMS gas sensors has been developed. The methodology followed to validate the performance of the prototype was as follows: firstly, the detection capability was tested by measuring carbon dioxide and methane at different concentrations, resulting in low detection limits; secondly, several experiments were performed to test the discrimination capability against gases such as toluene, xylene, and ethylbenzene. principal component analysis of the data showed good separation and discrimination between the gases measured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioactive compounds in food and beverages, including fruit juices, are susceptible to degradation or oxidation during processing and storage. This vulnerability can lead to a reduction in nutritional value and overall quality of the products. The objective of this research is to explore the potential of encapsulation techniques in preserving and enhancing the nutritional value of fruit juices. The encapsulation of natural compounds, enzymes, and probiotics is seen as a promising approach to fortifying fruit juices, improving their preservation and processing of these encapsulated natural compounds as additives in food packaging. The study involves a comprehensive review of various encapsulation techniques and materials used for encapsulating bioactive compounds. It also investigates the current applications of encapsulated natural products in the preservation of food and beverages. The encapsulation of bioactive compounds has shown the potential in improving the nutritional value and functional properties of fruit juice products and foods. It has also been found to enhance the preservation and processing of these products, contributing to their overall quality and safety. Encapsulation techniques offer a promising avenue for revolutionizing the fruit juice industry by enhancing the nutritional value and shelf life of products. They also present an opportunity for the development of more functional food products. Despite the promising results, more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of encapsulation, determine the optimal conditions for encapsulating different ingredients, and assess the effects of encapsulation on the quality and safety of fruit juices. Future studies should focus on these areas to further advance the application of encapsulation techniques in the food and beverage industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, indoor air pollution is a major problem that affects human health. For that reason, measuring indoor air quality has an increasing interest. Electronic noses are low-cost instruments (compared with reference methods) capable of measuring air components and pollutants at different concentrations. In this paper, an electro-optical nose (electronic nose that includes optical sensors) with non-dispersive infrared sensors and metal oxide semiconductor sensors is used to measure gases that affect indoor air quality. To validate the developed prototype, different gas mixtures (CH4 and CO2) with variable concentrations and humidity values are generated to confirm the discrimination capabilities of the device. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used for dimensionality reduction purposes to show the measurements in a plot. Partial Least Squares Regression (PLS) was also performed to calculate the predictive capabilities of the device. PCA results using all the measurements from all the sensors obtained PC1 = 47% and PC2 = 10%; results are improved using only the relevant information of the sensors obtaining PC1 = 79% and PC2 = 9%. PLS results with CH4 using only MOX sensors received an RMSE = 118.8. When using NDIR and MOX sensors, RMSE is reduced to 19.868; this tendency is also observed in CO2 (RMSE = 116.35 with MOX and RMSE = 20.548 with MOX and NDIR). The results confirm that the designed electro-optical nose can detect different gas concentrations and discriminate between different mixtures of gases; also, a better correlation and dispersion is achieved. The addition of NDIR sensors gives better results in measuring specific gases, discrimination, and concentration prediction capabilities in comparison to electronic noses with metal oxide gas sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) exhibits several pharmacological activities with potential benefits for human health, however, it has low oral bioavailability. A promising approach is to transport EGCG in a nanostructured system to protect it until it reaches the site of action and also allow combining chemotherapy with phototherapy to improve its therapeutic efficiency. The aim of this work was to synthesize GNR@mSiO 2 -NH 2 /EGCG and characterize the adsorption process, its antioxidant activity, properties and photothermal stability, for its potential use in chemo-photothermal therapy. The nanosystem presented good encapsulation efficiency (19.2 %) and EGCG loading capacity (6.0 %). The DPPH• free radical scavenging capacity (RSA) and chelating activity of the nanosystem was 60.7 ± 6.9 % and 71.0 ± 6.4 % at an EGCG equivalent concentration of 1 µg/mL and 30 µg/mL, respectively. The core–shell NPs presented a good photothermal transduction efficiency of 17 %. EGCG free, as well as its RSA and chelating activity, remained stable after NIR irradiation (808 nm, 7 W/cm2). The morphology of GNR@mSiO 2 remained intact after being irradiated with NIR, however, ultrasmall gold NPs could be observed, probably a product of photocracking of GNR. In summary, the nanosystem has good antioxidant activity, photothermal stability, and photothermal transduction ability making it potentially useful for chemo-photothermal therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A significant proportion of classes in modern software introduce or use object protocols, prescriptions on the temporal orderings of method calls on objects. This article studies search-based test generation techniques that aim to exploit a particular abstraction of object protocols (enabledness preserving abstractions (EPAs)) to find failures. We define coverage criteria over an extension of EPAs that includes abnormal method termination and define a search-based test case generation technique aimed at achieving high coverage. Results suggest that the proposed case generation technique with a fitness function that aims at combined structural and extended EPA coverage can provide better failure-detection capabilities not only for protocol failures but also for general failures when compared to random testing and search-based test generation for standard structural coverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bromeliads are a numerous family of vascular epiphytes, though only one epiphytic species inhabits South-American temperate rainforests: the endemic Fascicularia bicolor. This bromeliad is an important driver of canopy biodiversity, but attributes of its hosts are mostly unknown. Here we report (i) the tree species colonized by F. bicolor, (ii) the relationship between tree size and presence of F. bicolor and (iii) the relation between tree size and the number of mats of F. bicolor inhabiting each colonized tree. We sampled 231 trees in seven forest plots recording their species, diameter, heights, and the number of F. bicolor mats growing on them. The dataset was analyzed with a zero-inflated model to relate host tree attributes with F. bicolor occurrence and abundance in a single statistical approach. The occurrence and abundance of F. bicolor depend on host-species identity and diameter. F. bicolor colonization in slow-growing trees started at smaller DBH than that required for other tree species. Nonetheless, the overall occurrence of F. bicolor relies on large trees above 50 cm DBH for most host species. The number of mats occurring on each colonized tree depends on the interaction between tree height and species suggesting the importance of space available for colonization along the tree-trunk, and differential effects due to species' traits. Currently, large trees and old-growth forests are scarce within the distribution range of F. bicolor, which could seriously affect the long-term conservation of this endemic epiphyte, along with the canopy properties and species associated with it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Most inhabitants in Latin America are concentrated in large urban foci with different access to facilities. Although the main hospitals offer specialized services, economically vulnerable populations cannot easily afford these services, the pediatric population being most affected. This article presents the design and implementation of a low cost telepediatric system, applied to primary care hospitals through a study in Bogotá, Colombia, mainly aimed to reduce the number of unnecessary transfers commonly sent to specialized medical services. Materials and Methods: The system was carried out over 6 months with a higher incidence of acute respiratory illness in children between 0 and 5 years in nine primary care hospitals in Bogotá. Nineteen (n = 19) pediatricians were trained by a group of engineers that supports the system permanently. The reduction of patient transfers was compared with previous reports of the National Statistical Department in Colombia. Results: The system reduced both the number of patient transfers to higher level hospitals by 83% and the waiting times for patient transfer, improving healthcare in pediatric patients at a reasonable cost, affecting more than 700 patients. At the same time, a decrease of about 17% in the use of antibiotics was observed, which is an important current public health issue. Conclusions: The use of telemedicine improves the efficiency of public health resources, even in big cities such as Bogotá, reducing the number of unnecessary patient transfers and the optimization and appropriate use of medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Salud Pública is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Mechanical ventilation is one of the most commonly applied interventions in intensive care units. Despite its life-saving role, it can be a risky procedure for the patient if not applied appropriately. To decrease risks, new ventilator modes continue to be developed in an attempt to improve patient outcomes. Advances in ventilator modes include closed-loop systems that facilitate ventilator manipulation of variables based on measured respiratory parameters. Adaptive support ventilation (ASV) is a positive pressure mode of mechanical ventilation that is closed-loop controlled, and automatically adjust based on the patient's requirements. In order to deliver safe and appropriate patient care, clinicians need to achieve a thorough understanding of this mode, including its effects on underlying respiratory mechanics. This article will discuss ASV while emphasizing appropriate ventilator settings, their advantages and disadvantages, their particular effects on oxygenation and ventilation, and the monitoring priorities for clinicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Chilena de Pediatría is the property of Revista Chilena de Pediatria and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Grape canes, the main byproducts of the viticulture industry, contain high-value bioactive phenolic compounds, whose application is limited by their instability and poorly solubility in water. Encapsulation in cyclodextrins allows these drawbacks to be overcome. In this work, a grape cane pilot-plant extract (GCPPE) was encapsulated in hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) by a spray-drying technique and the formation of an inclusion complex was confirmed by microscopy and infrared spectroscopy. The phenolic profile of the complex was analyzed by LC-ESI-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS and the encapsulation efficiency of the phenolic compounds was determined. A total of 42 compounds were identified, including stilbenes, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, and a complex of (epi)catechin with β-CD was detected, confirming the interaction between polyphenols and cyclodextrin. The encapsulation efficiency for the total extract was 80.5 ± 1.1%, with restrytisol showing the highest value (97.0 ± 0.6%) and (E)-resveratrol (32.7 ± 2.8%) the lowest value. The antioxidant capacity of the inclusion complex, determined by ORAC-FL, was 5300 ± 472 µmol TE/g DW, which was similar to the value obtained for the unencapsulated extract. This formulation might be used to improve the stability, solubility, and bioavailability of phenolic compounds of the GCPPE for water-soluble food and pharmaceutical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]