Smart Sound Processing for Defect Sizing in Pipelines Using EMAT Actuator Based Multi-Frequency Lamb Waves.

Pipeline inspection is a topic of particular interest to the companies. Especially important is the defect sizing, which allows them to avoid subsequent costly repairs in their equipment. A solution for this issue is using ultrasonic waves sensed through Electro-Magnetic Acoustic Transducer (EMAT) actuators. The main advantage of this technology is the absence of the need to have direct contact with the surface of the material under investigation, which must be a conductive one. Specifically interesting is the meander-line-coil based Lamb wave generation, since the directivity of the waves allows a study based in the circumferential wrap-around received signal. However, the variety of defect sizes changes the behavior of the signal when it passes through the pipeline. Because of that, it is necessary to apply advanced techniques based on Smart Sound Processing (SSP). These methods involve extracting useful information from the signals sensed with EMAT at different frequencies to obtain nonlinear estimations of the depth of the defect, and to select the features that better estimate the profile of the pipeline. The proposed technique has been tested using both simulated and real signals in steel pipelines, obtaining good results in terms of Root Mean Square Error (RMSE).

Spatial relationship between Taenia solium tapeworm carriers and necropsy cyst burden in pigs.

BACKGROUND: Taenia solium, a parasite that affects humans and pigs, is the leading cause of preventable epilepsy in the developing world. Geographic hotspots of pigs testing positive for serologic markers of T. solium exposure have been observed surrounding the locations of human tapeworm carriers. This clustered pattern of seropositivity in endemic areas formed the basis for geographically targeted control interventions, which have been effective at reducing transmission. In this study, we further explore the spatial relationship between human tapeworm carriers and infected pigs using necroscopic examination as a quantitative gold-standard diagnostic to detect viable T. solium cyst infection in pigs. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We performed necroscopic examinations on pigs from 7 villages in northern Peru to determine the number of viable T. solium cysts in each pig. Participating humans in the study villages were tested for T. solium tapeworm infection (i.e., taeniasis) with an ELISA coproantigen assay, and the distances from each pig to its nearest human tapeworm carrier were calculated. We assessed the relationship between proximity to a tapeworm carrier and the prevalence of light, moderate, and heavy cyst burden in pigs. The prevalence of pig infection was greatest within 50 meters of a tapeworm carrier and decreased monotonically as distance increased. Pigs living less than 50 meters from a human tapeworm carrier were 4.6 times more likely to be infected with at least one cyst than more distant pigs. Heavier cyst burdens, however, were not more strongly associated with proximity to tapeworm carriers than light cyst burdens. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Our study shows that human tapeworm carriers and pigs with viable T. solium cyst infection are geographically correlated in endemic areas. This finding supports control strategies that treat humans and pigs based on their proximity to other infected individuals. We did not, however, find sufficient evidence that heavier cyst burdens in pigs would serve as improved targets for geographically focused control interventions.

Assessing Ultrasonography as a Diagnostic Tool for Porcine Cysticercosis.

BACKGROUND: Taenia solium inflicts substantial neurologic disease and economic losses on rural communities in many developing nations. "Ring-strategy" is a control intervention that targets treatment of humans and pigs among clusters of households (rings) that surround pigs heavily infected with cysticerci. These pigs are typically identified by examining the animal's tongue for cysts. However, as prevalence decreases in intervened communities, more sensitive methods may be needed to identify these animals and to maintain control pressure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate ultrasonography as an alternative method to detect pigs heavily infected with T. solium cysts. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We purchased 152 pigs representing all seropositive animals villagers were willing to sell from eight communities (pop. 2085) in Piura, Peru, where T. solium is endemic. Tongue and ultrasound examinations of the fore and hind-limbs were performed in these animals, followed by necropsy with fine dissection as gold standard to determine cyst burden. We compared the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography with tongue examination for their ability to detect heavy infection (≥ 100 viable cysts) in pigs. Compared to tongue examination, ultrasonography was more sensitive (100% vs. 91%) but less specific (90% vs. 98%), although these differences were not statistically significant. The greater sensitivity of ultrasound resulted in detection of one additional heavily infected pig compared to tongue examination (11/11 vs. 10/11), but resulted in more false positives (14/141 vs. 3/141) due to poor specificity. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Ultrasonography was highly sensitive in detecting heavily infected pigs and may identify more rings for screening or treatment compared to tongue examination. However, the high false positive rate using ultrasound would result in substantial unnecessary treatment. If specificity can be improved with greater operator experience, ultrasonography may benefit ring interventions where control efforts have stalled due to inadequate sensitivity of tongue examination.

Determinantes de adherencia al tratamiento antihipertensivo de adultos ≥ 35 años de edad / Determinants of adherence to antihypertensive treatment in adults ≥ 35 years of age

Introducción: La hipertensión es una condición prevalente y un factor de riesgo que conduce a morbi-mortalidad alrededor del mundo. El objetivo de este estudio es establecer los determinantes de adherencia al tratamiento hipertensivo en adultos sobre 35 años de edad de Pasto, Colombia. Método: Un estudio transversal fue llevado a cabo para establecer los determinantes de adherencia a la terapia farmacológica antihipertensiva en 128 adultos del "Centro de Salud Lorenzo de Aldana". La evaluación de la adherenci��0ue hecha a través del test de Morisky-Green versión en Español. Un análisis descriptivo fue usado para variables demográficas y una regresión logística fue ejecutada para calcular un resultado dicotómico para los determinantes de adherencia. Resultados: La muestra de estudio consistió en 40 (31,3%) hombres y 88 (68,8%) mujeres pacientes hipertensos. El porcentaje de adherencia a la medicación fue 41.4%. Los pacientes hombres tenían mayor probabilidad de estar adheridos al tratamiento hipertensivo cuando ellos usaban más de un medicamento antihipertensivo, tal como inhibidores de la enzima convertidora de angiotensina, bloqueadores de los canales de calcio y diuréticos (OR:4,16; IC al 95%:0,34-5,61), ellos estaban casados (OR:2,97; IC al 95%: 0,72- 11,73) y ellos estaban hospitalizados (OR:1,92; IC al 95%: 0,11- 33,30). Sin embargo, las pacientes mujeres cuando ellas no tenían comorbilidad (OR:4,27; IC al 95%: 0,81-22,49), ellas estaban entre 35 y 45 años (OR:4.0; IC al 95%:0,39-40,05) y ellas eran solteras (OR:2,56; IC al 95%:1,03-6,38) fueron más adherentes. Conclusiones: Estos hallazgos sugieren que los determinantes de la adherencia a tratamientos antihipertensivos podrían depender del género.

Introduction: Hypertension is a prevalent condition and a risk factor for morbidity and mortality around the world. The aim of this study is to establish the adherence determinants to antihypertensive treatment in adults over 35 from Pasto, Colombia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to establish the adherence determinants to antihypertensive pharmacotherapy in 128 adults at "Centro de Salud Lorenzo de Aldana". The adherence evaluation was made through the Morisky-Green test in its Spanish version. A descriptive analysis was used for demographic variables, and a logistic regression was performed to calculate a dichotomous outcome by adherence determinants. Results: The study sample consisted of 40 (31.3%) men and 88 (68.8%) women who are hypertensive patients. The percentage of adherence to medication was 41.4%. Male patients were more likely to be adherent to hypertensive treatment when they used more than one antihypertensive drugs such as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium channel blockers and diuretics (OR:4.16; 95% CI:0.34, 5.61), when they were married (OR:2.97; 95% CI:0.72, 11.73), and when they were hospitalized (OR:1.92; 95 % CI:0.11, 33.30). However, female patients were adherent when they did not have comorbidity (OR: 4.27; 95% CI: 0.81, 22.49), when they were 35 to 45 years old (OR:4.0; 95% CI:0.39, 40.05), and when they were single (OR:2.56; 95% CI:1.03, 6.38). Conclusions: These findings suggest that adherence determinants to antihypertensive treatment may depend on gender.

Effects of aqueous extract of origanum vulgare l. (lamiaceae) on the preimplantational mouse embryos

The use of medicinal plants for the treatment of illnesses is widely known. However, there are not many scientific reports about the properties of these plants and their side effects. In this study, the effect of the aqueous extract of Origanum vulgare on the preimplantational mouse embryo development was investigated. The oregano aqueous extract was given ad libitum to four separated groups (n= 10) of pregnant mice: O, 9, 18 y 36 mg/mL respectively. When the embryos were evaluated, a slight delay in the embryo development was observed, but only with the highest dose. With respect to embryo quality, an increase of degenerated embryos was observed but this was not significant. These results showed that the aqueous extract of O. vulgare does not have a toxic effect on preimplantational mouse embryo, and it only produces a slight delay in embryo development.

Evaluación preliminar del efecto de Lepidium meyenii Walp en el desarrollo embrionario de ratón / Preliminary evaluation effect of Lepidium meyenii Walp on the embryonic development of mouse

La "maca", Lepidium meyenii Walp, especie vegetal nativa del Perú, es un recurso de gran valor nutricional. Además son varias las investigaciones realizadas en la última década en las cuales se ha comprobado sus efectos sobre la fertilidad de mamíferos. En este trabajo, evaluamos el posible efecto del extracto liofilizado del hipocótilo de L. meyenii Walp en el desarrollo de los embriones preimplantacionales de Mus musculus. Se suministró el liofilizado intra-peritonealmente, en una concentración de 0 g/Kg (grupo control) y 1 g/Kg de peso corporal a dos grupos de ratonas preñadas respectivamente, desde el día 1 hasta el día 4 de preñez. Se evaluaron el estadio de desarrollo, condición y morfología embrionarias, no encontrándose efectos tóxicos del extracto acuoso liofilizado de "maca" en el desarrollo normal de los embriones pre-implantacionales de ratón.

Factores de permanencia laboral Corte Nacional Electoral / sss

El trabajo pretende determinar los factores de permanencia laboral en la Corte Nacional Electoral (CNE), entidad estatal que por sus características propias es elemento de estudio y aplicación de políticas modernas de gestión de personal

Evaluación toxicológica preliminar de ruta graveolens, origanum vulgare y persea americana sobre embriones preimplantacionales de ratón / Preliminar toxicological assessment of Ruta graveolens, origanum vulgare and Persea americana on the preimplantational mouse embryos

El creciente interés por la medicina natural hace necesaria la evaluación de las propiedades de las plantas, así como de sus posibles efectos secundarios. En años recientes se ha reportado los efectos tóxicos de varias plantas medicinales sobre el desarrollo preimplantacional de ratón (Benavides et al., 1998; Benavides et al., 1999), muchas de las cuales producen malformaciones y alteraciones en el desarrollo embrionario. Ruta graveolens "ruda", origanum vulgare "orégano" y Persea americana "palta" son usadas folkloricamente para aliviar cólicos menstruales y como abortivos (Estrella, 1995). El objetivo del presente trabajo es evaluar in vivo el efecto del extracto acuoso de orégano, ruda y palta al 20 por ciento sobre la morfología y el desarrollo de embriones preimplantacionales de ratón.