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The development of a non-invasive, cuffless, continuous, wearable device for the measurement of blood pressure is a complex endeavour due to the high specificity at each measuring site and the need for high accuracy. Proof-ofconcept and validation of a prototype should be performed at an early stage for functionality assessment. Additionally, the emergence of biological computer models allows for in-silico research, which results should be verified in a practical experiment. To grant an optimal preliminary assessment of a prototype, this work aimed to develop and validate accurate in-vitro and ex-vivo arterial models, with simple construction and easily available components. The comparison between a silicone tube and a porcine artery as a mimicked human radial artery was based on the stiffness parameter. Flow pressure is controlled by a centrifugal heart-like pump. Pressure values are extracted with ultrasound and a commercial piezoresistive pressure sensor is used for pressure validation. The porcine artery showed much more realistic stiffness values (·=15.360) than the silicon tube (·=543.420), which was very stiff in comparison to the typical in-vivo radial artery stiffness (·=9.5). The decrease in stiffness of 97.173 % (from the silicone tube to the porcine artery) led to an acute decrease in the derived pressure error. This work serves as guidelines for the development of a low-budget arm phantom, as the simple setup allowed for a primary validation of a proof-of-concept ultrasound-based sensor for the measurement of pressure.

Ludmila Pierdevara,1 Ana María Porcel-Gálvez,2 Alexandra Maria Ferreira da Silva,1 Sérgio Barrientos Trigo,3 Margarida Eiras4 1Escuela Internacional de Doctorado, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain; 2Nursing Department, Escuela Internacional de Doctorado, University of Seville, Sevilla, Spain; 3Department of Nursing, Escuela Internacional de Doctorado, University of Seville, Sevilla, Spain; 4H&RC ESTeSL-IPL, Lisbon, PortugalCorrespondence: Ludmila Pierdevara Praça do Poder Local, Lote 7ª, 6º Frente, Lagos 8600-524, PortugalTel +351 963605271Email pierdevara@hotmail.comPurpose: To adapt and validate the Global Trigger Tool (IHI-GTT), which identifies and analyzes adverse events (AE) in hospitalized patients and their measurement properties in the Portuguese context.Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was based on a random sample of 90 medical records. The stages of translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the IHI-GTT were based on the Cross-Cultural Adaptation Protocol that originated from the Portuguese version, GTT-PT, for the hospital context in medical-surgical departments. Internal consistency, reliability, reproducibility, diagnostic tests, and discriminatory predictive value were investigated.Results: The final phase of the GTT-PT showed insignificant inconsistencies. The pre-test phase confirmed translation accuracy, easy administration, effectiveness in identifying AEs, and relevance of integrating it into hospital risk management. It had a sensitivity of 97.8% and specificity of 74.8%, with a cutoff point of 0.5, an accuracy of 83%, and a positive predictive value of 69.8% and a negative predictive value of 0.98%.Conclusion: The GTT-PT is a reliable, accurate, and valid tool to identify AE, with robust measurement properties.Keywords: medical errors, patient safety, risk management

Snakes have diverse feeding and living habits, being exposed to a variety of endoparasite communities. However, more studies are still necessary to document these relationships. We examined 18 specimens of the cat-eyed snake Leptodeira annulata from a semi-arid region in Northeast Brazil. Eight taxa of parasites were found, with higher prevalence of cystacanths (Acanthocephala). Five nematode species (Hexametra boddaertii, Oswaldocruzia sp., Oxyascaris sp., Physaloptera sp. and Raillietnema spectans) and the pentastome Raillietiella furcocerca represent a new parasitism record for the host studied. Our results also showed that L. annulata could act as paratenic host for acanthocephalans. These results contribute to the knowledge of the helminth fauna of L. annulata.

Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) is a polyolefin known for its superior low-temperature heat seal ability, low-temperature tolerance, and bag-tear resistance which are important features for the polymeric packaging sector. In this work, to improve the mechanical properties and expand the range of applications of LLDPE, the microfibrillar clay mineral palygorskite (PAL) was added. However, the use of PAL as a reinforcing agent for polymers depends on its purification process to extract accessory minerals such as calcite, dolomite, and quartz. In addition to this purification process, two surface modifications were used on the purified PAL (PALp) to improve interactions with LLDPE: silanization with aminosilane (PALs) and organophilization by incorporating an organic compound (PALo). The PAL were characterized according to their morphological properties using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The films of LLDPE/PAL, with varying levels (1, 3, and 5 wt%) and types of PAL (raw PAL, PALp, PALs, and PALo), were prepared by an extrusion process, and films were prepared by compression molding, without preferred orientation. The films were characterized by rheological analyses, tensile tests, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and water vapor permeability. Incorporating modified PAL was significant in enhancing the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites. LLDPE/PALs with the addition of 3 wt% PALs showed a 14% increase in elastic modulus (281.08 [+ or -] 8.25 MPa) compared to the nanocomposite with 3 wt% of raw PAL (243.43 [+ or -] 15.01 MPa). Highlights * The PAL is a clay mineral with a fibrous morphology and has a low cost. * The technique to purify PAL is a quick, simple, and inexpensive technique. * Comparison between of two technique surface modification of PAL. * The effectiveness of modifications of PAL was confirmed in LLDPE films. * The surface modification with silanization was more effective. KEYWORDS linear low-density polyethylene, organophilization, palygorskite, silanization, surface modification, 1 | INTRODUCTION The global plastic packaging market has been growing steadily, attracting significant investments aimed at developing packaging solutions that meet increasingly specific demands, from the electronics industry to [...]

The present work seeks to analyze the herding behavior phenomenon as a destabilizing factor of the capital market, while studying the relation between the herding behavior phenomenon and market profitability and volatility. The results allow us to verify the existence of a significant intensity of herding, especially when price variation occurs. Conversely, asymmetrical and elevated volatility levels ensue, with a higher probability of profit than losses of the same magnitude. However, results are less visible when one looks at the causality relation between herding and market volatility. This paper contributes to a deeper understanding of herding behavior and its relation with market efficiency. || El presente trabajo busca analizar el fenómeno del comportamiento gregario como un factor desetabilizante en el mercado de capitales, estudiando la relación entre el fenómeno del comportamiento gregario y la rentabilidad y volatilidad del mercado. Los resultados nos permiten verificar la existencia de una intensidad significativa de gregarismo, especialmente cuando tienen lugar variaciones de precios. Recíprocamente, sobrevienen niveles elevados y asimétricos de volatilidad cuando hay mayor probabilidad de beneficios que de pérdidas con la misma magnitud. Sin embargo, los resultados son menos visibles cuando se observa la realidad de causalidad entre gregarismo y volatilidad de mercado. Este artículo contribuye a una comprensión más profunda del comportamiento gregario y su relación con la eficiencia del mercado.

Introdução. A pessoa idosa necessita de demandas de cuidado específicas, o que impulsiona as famílias a buscarem internações para estes em Instituições de Longa Permanência. Objetivo: investigar, à luz da literatura, os determinantes da institucionalização e as características sociodemograficas dos idosos institucionalizados. Métodos. Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura, realizada nas bases de dados LILACS, MEDILINE e BDENF, com os Descritores em Ciênias da Saúde e seus respectivos correspondentes do Medical Subject Headings: idoso (aged), institucionalização (institutionalization), envelhecimento (aging). A amostra final foi constituída por 30 estudos. A análise dos dados foi feita por meio da análise categorial temática proposta por Bardin. Resultados. Os determinantes da institucionalização da pessoa idosa identificados foram: falta de cuidador formal; falta de disponibilidade dos familiares; abandono; decisão do idoso; problemas de saúde; morar na rua e restrições financeiras. Quanto às caracteristicas sociodemográficas ocorreu predominância do sexo feminino; idade entre 65 e 75 anos; solteiros e viúvos; baixa escolaridade e baixa renda. Considerações finais. Estudos, como este, cooperam para o planejamento de cuidados de enfermagem mais eficaz fortalecendo as ações voltadas à prevençao deste desfecho.

Abstract Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a significant public health problem and it is known that the identification of molecular markers involved in glycemic control can impact disease control. Although the rs266729 polymorphism located in the promoter of the adiponectin gene (ADP) has been shown to be a candidate for involvement in glycemic control, the genotypic groups have never been characterized in terms of metabolomic aspects. Objective: Analyze the metabolites present in the rs266729 genotype groups. 127 diabetic individuals were compared according to the rs266729 genotype groups CC and GC + GG (RFLP-PCR). Blood plasma metabolites were classified by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and the metabolic pathways of each group using the MetaboAnalyst tool. Insulin therapy (p = 0.049) was more frequent in the GC + GG rs266729 group. Lactate, alanine, glutamine, aspartate, lipid, lysine, isoleucine, citrulline, cholesterol, and fucose impacted the CC group and aspartate, beta-glucose, glutamate, pyruvate, proline, and 2-oxoglutarate impacted the CG + GG group. The glucose-alanine pathway, malate-aspartate transport, and urea cycle impacted the CC group (D-glucose, glutamic acid, L-alanine, oxoglutaric acid, and pyruvic acid). The glutamine/glutamate ratio is likely to be related to the causes of rs266729 influencing the risk of diabetes.