Low-cost, microcontroller-based phase shift measurement system for a wireless power transfer prototype.

Seeking to characterize and mitigate the adverse effects of misalignment in WPT applications, we present the design and construction of a low-cost wireless charger prototype and a novel phase-shift measurement system. The first is built using a half-bridge inverter and antennas with series-series compensation, while a microcontroller (Teensy 4.1) supplies high-frequency PWM signals. The measurement system comprises high-speed operational amplifiers and an exclusive OR gate. A resistor was used as load. On the other hand, the maximum power transfer efficiency occurs at the resonance frequency, nevertheless, this depends physically on the geometry of the coupling system. Using a 3D-printed displacement system, we created controlled vertical misalignments between the coils, thereby obtaining variations in the resonance frequency of the system and consequently, producing a proportional phase shift between the voltage and current waves of the transmitting antenna. As the experimental results demonstrate, the measurement system can process this high-frequency signal for the phase shift estimation and subsequently use it as a control variable in a proportional-integral controller, which adjusts the operation frequency of the system and brings it back to optimal conditions. This precise yet inexpensive implementation could find its application in EVs and biomedical devices' efficient wireless chargers.

Medical Spanish Endocrinology Educational Module.

Introduction: Hispanic/Latinx patients experience health disparities in endocrine disease, such as higher rates of mortality due to diabetes mellitus, worse outcomes in the surgical treatment of thyroid cancer, and lack of knowledge about bone health and osteoporotic fracture prevention. Educational strategies to teach cultural and linguistic medical Spanish knowledge to medical students have the potential to improve Hispanic/Latinx endocrine health. Methods: We created an 8-hour medical Spanish endocrine module targeting language and cultural skills acquisition. Specifically, students practiced obtaining a past medical history, obtaining a medications history, providing and explaining a diagnosis, explaining discharge instructions, and discussing sociocultural aspects of endocrine health. We divided the module into four 2-hour sessions: (1) preclass self-study, (2) class period, (3) role-play/interviewing practice session, and (4) case/cultural activity assignment. Participants completed a pre- and postassessment to measure student confidence level and knowledge. Results: We implemented the module four times at one medical school, with 47 fourth-year medical students with intermediate or higher general Spanish skills. Confidence increased for all learners in the endocrine-focused interview and exam in Spanish. Heritage Spanish learners, who were exposed to Spanish at home as children, reported higher postmodule confidence in eliciting the past medical history of endocrine problems. Discussion: The medical Spanish endocrine module improved the communication skills of medical students with intermediate through advanced Spanish proficiency. Future study should evaluate learner clinical performance metrics and applications to other groups of learners, such as resident physicians or health professions involved in the care of patients with endocrine disease.

Quantitative assessment of protein activity in orphan tissues and single cells using the metaVIPER algorithm.

We and others have shown that transition and maintenance of biological states is controlled by master regulator proteins, which can be inferred by interrogating tissue-specific regulatory models (interactomes) with transcriptional signatures, using the VIPER algorithm. Yet, some tissues may lack molecular profiles necessary for interactome inference (orphan tissues), or, as for single cells isolated from heterogeneous samples, their tissue context may be undetermined. To address this problem, we introduce metaVIPER, an algorithm designed to assess protein activity in tissue-independent fashion by integrative analysis of multiple, non-tissue-matched interactomes. This assumes that transcriptional targets of each protein will be recapitulated by one or more available interactomes. We confirm the algorithm's value in assessing protein dysregulation induced by somatic mutations, as well as in assessing protein activity in orphan tissues and, most critically, in single cells, thus allowing transformation of noisy and potentially biased RNA-Seq signatures into reproducible protein-activity signatures.

Glove port, how do we do it? A low-cost alternative to the single-port approach.

BACKGROUND: The need for cosmetic results in our society and the necessity of an early recovery have promoted the development of minimally invasive techniques, including single-port approach. Some studies have tried to demonstrate the advantages of this access compared with conventional laparoscopic approach. This type of approach requires a high-cost multi-port device, so that some surgeons have tried to create a low-cost homemade device. MATERIALS AND METHODS: With this video we intend to show how to build a glove port, a low-cost alternative for the approach by a single port. CONCLUSIONS: A glove port is a cost effective approach that could be use instead of multi-port device.

Assessment of processing and polymorphic form effect on the powder and tableting properties of microcrystalline celluloses I and II.

Microcrystalline cellulose I (MCCI) is an excipient used as a diluent, disintegrant, glidant and binder for the production of pharmaceutical tablets. In this work, microcrystalline cellulose II (MCCII) was obtained from cotton fibers by basic treatment with 7.5 N NaOH followed by an acid hydrolysis. MCCI and MCCII materials were processed by wet granulation, dry granulation and spray drying. Either the polymorphic form or processing had no effects on the particle morphology or particle size. However, MCCII powders had a higher porosity, less packing tendency, degree of crystallinity, degree of polymerization and density, but a faster disintegration than MCCI. The tensile strength of MCCI was highly affected by the wet and dry granulation processes. Most of the resulting powder and tableting properties were dependent on the polymorphic form of cellulose, rather than on the processing employed.

Rate responsive pacemakers: a rapid assessment protocol.

BACKGROUND: Rate responsive (RR) pacemakers are commonly implanted with nominal conservative factory-set responsiveness, which is usually accepted because established exercise protocols are time-consuming. We aimed for efficient assessment of RR pacemaker settings. METHODS: We tested exercise heart rates in controls and paced patients using a brief exercise test that approximates real-life levels of exertion. The test used a nonmotorized treadmill: 30 seconds walking at patient-determined speed followed by 15 seconds brisk exertion. Subjects totaled 110: 26 with RR pacemakers; 22 with non-RR pacers; 27 "sick" nonpaced control patients; and 35 healthy controls. Heart rate (HR) was measured prior to exercise, after 30 seconds of casual walk, after 15 seconds of brisk walk, and 1 minute into recovery. Testing required <5 minutes from set-up to recovery. RESULTS: The 26 RR pacer patients had a mean HR at rest = 74 +/- 10 beats per minute (bpm), walk = 87 +/- 14, and brisk = 94 +/- 18 (increase 27%). Non-RR pacer patients (n = 22): rest = 73 +/- 12 bpm, walk = 88 +/- 14, and brisk = 94 +/- 17 (increase 24.3%, P = 0.60 vs RR patients). "Sick" controls (n = 27): rest = 78 +/- 14 bpm, walk = 102 +/- 17, and brisk = 117 +/- 18 (increase 51.9%, P< 0.001 vs RR pts). For the healthy controls, HRs were at rest 83+/11 bpm, walk = 104 +/- 12, and brisk = 117 +/- 13 (P< 0.001 compared to both paced groups; P = NS vs sick controls). CONCLUSIONS: Nominal RR settings may be suboptimal for many patients. The nonmotorized treadmill test allows quick and inexpensive assessment of RR programming, with the potential for efficient RR optimization.