Construct validity and reliability of the BARRIERS scale in the Spanish context.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the construct validity of the Spanish version of the BARRIERS scale. METHOD: Methodological study of validation of a measurement instrument based on data from previously published studies. The study population consisted of nurses from the Basque Health Service and the Canary Health Service. The following variables were extracted and unified: Years of professional experience, possession of a specialist nursing degree, possession of a doctorate, type of activity performed by the professional and field of work. For construct validation, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed based on the initial model proposed for the scale and RASCH analysis. A polychoric correlation matrix, factor extraction by unweighted least squares and PROMIN oblique rotation were used. For the RASCH analysis, the Joint Maximun Likelihood estimation (JMLE) method was used; the fit of the items and persons were estimated by means of outfit - Unweighted Mean Square fit statistic (UMS) and infit -Weighted Mean Square Fit Statistic (WMS), as well as the reliability and separation of items and persons. RESULTS: A total of 1200 nurses and midwives made up the final validation sample (n = 1200), with a mean professional experience of 21.22 ± 9.26 years. The CFA presented a good fit to the data (KMO = 0.935 [95%CI:0.921-0.945]), changing the factorial assignment in 6 items, while 5 items received factorial scores in more than one factor. The fit values for the 4-factor solution were RMSEA = 0.026 [95% CI:0.026-0.027] and GFI = 0.991 [95% CI = 0.986-0.991]. In the RASCH analysis most items presented infit-WMS and outfit-UMS values with a good fit. CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish version of the BARRIERS scale has adequate construct validity although there are changes in the assignment of items to the dimensions compared to the original model. The RASCH analysis indicates adequate fit for both persons and items.

Overvaluation of weight and shape in obesity: a comparative study between people with and without binge eating disorder.

Introduction: The overvaluation of weight and shape is a diagnostic criterion in eating disorders, except in binge eating disorder (BED), where it has received less attention. This aspect is also not usually analyzed in people with overweight or obesity without an eating disorder. This research aims to identify the indicators of symptomatology, as well as those of self-construction and cognitive structure, that are associated with overvaluation in obesity, either alone or in conjunction with BED. Method: A sample of 102 overweight or obese participants was accessed. The sample was divided into four groups: one without overvaluation or BED (n = 33); a second with overvaluation and without BED (n = 21); a third with BED, but without overvaluation (n = 15), and a fourth with BED and overvaluation (n = 33). The groups completed instruments regarding eating symptomatology, anxiety, depression, and stress. In addition, they were administered the Repertory Grid Technique, a semi-structured interview to evaluate the cognitive structure involved in the construal of the self and others. Results: The factors of overvaluation and the presence of BED independently explained eating symptomatology, and the latter also showed a tendency to influence anxiety, depression, and stress. In terms of cognitive structure, weight polarization was explained by overvaluation, while BED was associated with a high presence of cognitive conflicts. In self-construction, BED was the factor that explained the differences, particularly in Self-Ideal discrepancy. Discussion: The results highlight the importance of overvaluation in obesity, even in the absence of BED. Its evaluation and treatment are recommended. Furthermore, in the case of BED, it is also advisable to evaluate the overvaluation of weight and shape since it can be a severity specifier.

Evaluation of nutritional status using the minimum dietary diversity for women of reproductive age (MDD-W) tool in breastfeeding mothers in Madagascar.

OBJECTIVES: Women of reproductive age in low-income countries are especially nutritionally vulnerable given the strain that pregnancy and lactation places on the body. The aim of this study was to identify dietary diversity and its associated factors among mothers with young children. METHODS: It is a cross-sectional study conducted in Ampefy, Madagascar from 1 November 2022 to 31 March 2023. Dietary diversity was determined using the minimum dietary diversity for women of reproductive age tool. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using validated structured questionnaires, and anthropometric status was examined. Frequencies and percentages were calculated, and the comparison of variables was performed between mothers with acceptable and unacceptable dietary diversity using the chi-square test for qualitative variables. A logistic regression analysis was also conducted. RESULTS: A total of 437 mothers with young children participated in the study, resulting in a response rate of 95.0%. The mean age of the participants was 25.84 years (SD = 6.30). The study revealed that 32.95% of participants had unacceptable dietary diversity scores and the associated profile included low education, no transport, homebirth not by personal choice, not breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, not breastfeed exclusively for 6 months, no dietary changes during pregnancy or lactation, and no use of folic acid supplements. CONCLUSION: This study's findings underscore the importance of providing nutrition information to women, in order to improve dietary diversity and overall maternal and child health.

Effectiveness of "Escape Room" Educational Technology in Nurses' Education: A Systematic Review.

Escape room games are educational gamification technologies that consist of introducing a team of players into a physical or digital space in search of clues to answer puzzles, riddles or enigmas and solve a mystery or problem. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of escape room games on the training of nursing students in an international context. A systematic review was carried out in MEDLINE, WOS, SCOPUS, CINAHL and LILACS databases using the MeSH terms "Education, Nursing" and "Educational Technology", and the free term "Escape room", combined with Boolean operators AND/OR. Intervention studies in Spanish, English and Portuguese were included, without limitation for the year of publication. Selection and critical appraisal were conducted by two independent reviewers. A total of n = 13 interventional studies were included (n = 2 Randomized Clinical Trials and n = 11 quasi-experimental design). Escape rooms are a recent and growing educational methodology, increasingly used in academia and in the training of nurses and nursing students. However, it is necessary to expand their use and the quality of the studies in a greater number of contexts. Furthermore, it is necessary to homogenize and standardize validated instruments to evaluate the effectiveness of escape rooms in the nursing education area.

Long-lasting symptoms in borderline personality disorder: Defining an emergent population with differential clinical and therapeutic features.

Although the clinical symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD) tend to remit over time, a substantial proportion continues to present "long-lasting symptoms" (LLS). This term refers to individuals who present some degree of clinical improvement, but low mood, feelings of emptiness, and poor psychosocial adjustment typically persist. The aim of this study was to compare the sociodemographic, clinical, and therapeutic variables in individuals with BPD with and without LLS. A total of 620 participants with BPD were included and subdivided into two groups: non-LLS group (n = 549, mean age = 28.02 [6.1] and range, 18-40 years) and LLS group (n = 71, mean age = 44.69 [3.6] and range, 41-56 years). The groups were compared in sociodemographic, clinical, and drug treatment characteristics. We also evaluated the impact of dialectical behavioral therapy-skills training (DBT-ST) on polypharmacy. The prevalence of individuals with long-lasting BPD symptoms increased significantly over a 20-year period (from <1% to 16%). The LLS group was characterized by less clinical severity, higher comorbidity with affective disorders but lower comorbidity with eating disorders, more disability, and more medication taking. Patients with LLS who received DBT-ST experienced a significant decrease in the use of benzodiazepines and the number of medications prescribed compared with those who did not receive DBT-ST. Clinicians should be aware of the specific features of older patients with BPD in order to better identify and address their specific therapeutic needs.

Analysis of Fluid Balance and Urine Values in Elite Soccer Players: Impact of Different Environments, Playing Positions, Sexes, and Competitive Levels.

Exercise can disrupt the fluid balance, hindering performance and athlete health. Limited data exist on fluid balance responses in varying climates, sexes, and ages. This study aimed to measure and compare fluid balance and urine values among elite soccer players during training at high and low temperatures, examining the differences between sexes, playing positions, and competitive levels within men's soccer. During the 2022-2023 competitive season, a descriptive observational study was conducted on 87 soccer players from an elite Spanish soccer team. The study found that none of the groups exceeded weight loss values of 1.5% of their body mass. Additionally, the soccer players studied experienced higher weight loss, fluid intake, and a higher sweat rate (SR) during summer training compared to winter training. During the summer, male U23-21 soccer players exhibited higher levels of weight loss, fluid intake, and a higher SR compared to female soccer players or the U19-17 male category. No significant differences were found between playing positions. In conclusion, differences in the fluid balance were observed based on the climatic conditions, competitive level, and sex.

Supplement Consumption by Elite Soccer Players: Differences by Competitive Level, Playing Position, and Sex.

Soccer is a sport practiced all over the world and whose practice begins in young athletes. Currently, the consumption of nutritional supplements is essential to achieve the maximum performance of players. The aim of this study was to describe the consumption of sports supplements (CSS) by elite soccer players and its association with their competitive level, playing position, and sex. A comparative descriptive and non-experimental study was performed during the 2021-2022 competitive season. A total of 70 elite players completed one online questionnaire about their CSS. We found that sports drinks (55.7%), sports bars (50.0%), whey protein (48.6%), caffeine (47.1%), and creatine (60.0%) were the most consumed supplements by the total sample. Relative to the categories, the CSS was higher in the senior teams for both men and women. Regarding playing positions, caffeine was more consumed by midfielders and forwards (p = 0.013). Finally, in relation to sex, significant differences were found in the consumption of sports confectionery (p = 0.036), whey protein (p = 0.002), ß-alanine (p = 0.013), and melatonin (p = 0.016). Soccer club SS questionnaires gather data to understand patterns, assess effectiveness and risks, and aid research. In conclusion, differences were found in the CSS according to competitive level, sex, and playing position.

Assessment and Solutions to Food Waste at Congress Events: A Perspective of the MagNuS Project.

Addressing global food waste is a formidable challenge, requiring comprehensive efforts across the food supply chain, particularly in sectors prone to waste like HoReCa (Hotel, Restaurant, and Catering). In MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) tourism, where gastronomy is a major attraction, overlooked meal services during working meetings contribute significantly to food waste. The MagNuS (Magnitude, Nutritional value, and Sustainability) project aims to assess and address food waste during conference events at the Valencia Conference Center in Spain. This study quantifies waste, categorizes it by food groups, estimates the potential number of individuals that could be fed with discarded food, and assesses energy and nutritional values. Across three events, 104.4 kg of food waste was documented, with cereals having the highest wastage, followed by legumes, fish, and others. Acknowledging potential underestimation due to reliance on cooked values, this study suggests using residues for vermicomposting or composting as sustainable waste management alternatives. These findings have implications for future initiatives, advocating diverse strategies to minimize food waste during congress events, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals. The MagNuS project contributes valuable insights to sustainable practices in MICE tourism, informing policies and operational decisions to reduce the environmental impact of food waste.

Termografía infrarroja como método de diagnóstico en quemaduras: una revisión exploratoria de la literatura / Infrared thermography as a method of diagnosis in burns: an exploratory review of the literature

Objetivos: Revisar el uso y eficacia de la termografía infrarroja como instrumento diagnóstico y de medida de las quemaduras. Metodología: Se realizan 2 búsquedas, una general y otra específica, utilizando estrategia de búsqueda mediante un lenguaje controlado con términos MESH. Para seleccionar los artículos se filtra por título, resumen y palabras clave, además de aplicarse los criterios de inclusión y exclusión. Resultados: Durante la búsqueda general, se encontraron 165 artículos en PubMed, de los cuales 7 han sido seleccionados y 6 han sido incluidos. Mientras que con la búsqueda específica se obtienen 28 artículos, de los cuales se seleccionan 7 que no aparecían en la búsqueda general y se incluyen finalmente 6 de ellos. Conclusiones: La termografía infrarroja es un instrumento con mucho potencial y que ha mostrado buenos resultados, pero en ocasiones mucha variabilidad e inconsistencia, por lo que es necesaria la estandarización de una serie de medidas que nos permitan contrarrestar las dificultades a las que se expone y minimizar los sesgos, hecho que podrá mejorar más los resultados. Además, es necesaria una mayor investigación aplicando las variables térmicas encontradas para identificar el grado de influencia e importancia que tienen y comparar las diferentes modalidades de termografía infrarroja, estática y dinámica.(AU)

Objectives: To review the use and efficacy of infrared thermography as a diagnostic instrument and measurement of burns. Methodology: Two searches were carried out, one general and the other specific, using a controlled language search strategy with MESH terms. To select the articles we filtered them by title, abstract and key words, besides applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: During the general search, 165 articles were found in PubMed, of which 7 were selected and 6 were included. The specific search yielded 28 articles, of which 7 were selected that did not appear in the general search and 6 were finally included. Conclusions: Infrared thermography is an instrument with great potential that has shown good results but much variability and inconsistency at times, so it is necessary to standardize a series of measures that allow us to counteract the difficulties to which it is exposed and minimize biases, a fact that could further improve the results. In addition, further research is needed by applying the thermal variables found to identify the degree of influence and importance that they have and by comparing the different infrared thermography modalities, static and dynamic.(AU)

Impact of weight loss after treatment on survival outcomes of overweight and obese patients with early­stage endometrial cancer.

Despite the fact that obesity is the main risk factor for endometrial cancer, there is limited evidence regarding the effects of body weight change on overweight and obese women treated for early-stage endometrial can its impact on cancer outcomes. A retrospective cohort study was performed including all overweight and obese patients with early-stage type-I endometrial cancer that were treated at the Insular University Hospital of Las Palmas (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain) between January 2007 and December 2019. Body weight change at 12 months of treatment was evaluated, as well as its impact on cancer outcomes. Weight loss ≥5% was independently evaluated regarding its impact on survival. A total of 526 women were studied, of which 152 (28.90%) were overweight (BMI ≥25 and <30) and 374 (71.10%) were obese (BMI ≥30). The median follow-up was 76.17 months, during which time 77 (14.64%) women died. In the survivor group, body weight at initial diagnosis was 86.4±17.9 kg compared with 84.6±16.4 kg 1 year after treatment, which corresponded to a significant mean weight loss of 1.47 kg (P<0.001). However, in the group of non-survivors, body weight at initial diagnosis was 84.7±15.7 kg compared with 84.7±14.6 kg 1 year after treatment, which demonstrated a non-significant mean weight loss of 0.63 kg (P=0.180). When comparing between the patients who maintained or gained ≥5% weight and those who lost ≥5% weight, there were no significant differences taking into account the whole cohort and follow-up time; however, when adjusting for the period between 32 and 98 months, survival was significantly higher in those patients that lost ≥5% of their initial body weight (P=0.025; log-rank test). Based on the final univariate and cer and multivariate analyses, body weight change at 12 months was not indicated to be a factor significantly affecting overall survival; adjusted hazard ratio was 1.01 (95% CI 0.97-1.05, P=0.723). In conclusion, even if greater weight loss is observed in patients with endometrial cancer that survive the disease, no significant impact on survival outcomes is observed based on multivariate analysis.

Sarcopenic Obesity in Community-Dwelling Spanish Adults Older than 65 Years.

Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is diagnosed when sarcopenia and obesity coexist in patients. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of SO under different diagnostic criteria in community-dwelling Spanish adults aged over 65 years residing in Valencia (Spain). The research was conducted as an observational and cross-sectional study with a sample size of 202 subjects. To diagnose sarcopenia, we used the tests proposed by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People in 2019 (EWGSOP2): SARC-F, grip strength, sit-to-stand, gait speed, Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Mass (ASMM), and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). For obesity diagnosis, we used body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), total body fat percentage (%TBF), and tricipital skinfold (TS). The prevalence of SO was 16.5% in women and 29% in men, according to any of the diagnostic criteria used to determine obesity. A higher proportion of SO was observed as age increased in both groups, although no significant differences were found. Most values obtained in tests related to SO diagnosis were worse in the group affected by the disease; however, there were two exceptions related to the amount of ASMM. In total, 18.8% of the participants presented SO according to any diagnostic criteria related to obesity. Our results suggest significant differences in the number of SO cases depending on diagnostic criteria used to determine the participants' obesity. BMI, WC, and TBF% were shown as principal variables to be included in obesity diagnosis within the SO construct. These findings underscore the need to unify criteria to standardize the diagnosis of SO in the global population.

Spray Momentum Flux Novel Estimation Procedure through the Fuel Rate of Injection Using Hydrogenated Fuels with Single Hole Nozzle Diesel Injector.

Sustainable means of transport require the innovation or development of propulsive systems more respectful of the environment. Despite current criticism, modern compression-ignition engines are efficient alternatives also in light aviation and surveillance drones (such as small helicopters), as means of air transport. Currently, the improvement of the injection, air-fuel mixture formation, and combustion processes using sustainable synthetic fuels, produced from renewable raw materials or by carbon dioxide capture, is a reality. For improving the air-fuel mixture formation inside the combustion chamber, one of the key parameters is knowledge of the spray momentum flux because of its effect on the air entrainement. To measure this parameter is complex. However, the experimental determination of the fuel mass flow rate is a common procedure. The objective of this work is the proposal of a novel but robust methodology for the momentum flux estimation of fuel sprays from measurement of the rate of injection. In this work, single-hole nozzles of 115, 130, and 150 µm in diameter are studied. The implemented methodology is applied to three fuels: a diesel fuel without biodiesel, used as reference, and two sustainable synthetic fuels: a gas to liquid fuel and a hydrotreated vegetable oil. With the fuel injection rates and the simple model proposed, the spray momentum flux is estimated under different operating conditions of a common-rail injection system. The results of the spray momentum flux show a very good precision compared with those experimentally and previously obtained with similar fuels but with multihole nozzle. With the method proposed in this work, an adequate forecast of spray momentum flux is obtained in the case of not having an experimental setup that allows direct measurement of the momentum flux. This study can help investigators for fuel spray modeling with novel and renewable fuels in modern propulsive systems.

Hard-to-Heal Wound Healing: Superiority of Hydrogel EHO-85 (Containing Olea europaea Leaf Extract) vs. a Standard Hydrogel. A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Chronic wounds, especially those that are hard-to-heal, constitute a serious public-health problem. Although progress has been made in the development of wound dressings for healing, there is little high-quality evidence of their efficacy, with no evidence of superiority in the use of one hydrogel over another. To evaluate the superiority of a hydrogel (EHO-85), containing Olea europaea leaf extract (OELE), over a standard hydrogel (SH), the promotion and/or improvement of healing of difficult-to-heal wounds was compared in a prospective, parallel-group multicenter, randomized, observer-blinded, controlled trial ("MACAON"). Non-hospitalized patients with pressure, venous or diabetic foot-ulcers difficult-to-heal were recruited and treated with standard care, and EHO-85 (n = 35) or VariHesive (n = 34) as SH. Wound-area reduction (WAR; percentage) and healing rate (HR; mm2/day) were measured. EHO-85 showed a statistically significant superior effect over VariHesive. At the end of the follow-up period, the relative WAR decreased by 51.6% vs. 18.9% (p < 0.001), with a HR mean of 10.5 ± 5.7 vs. 1.0 ± 7.5 mm2/day (p = 0.036). EHO-85 superiority is probably based on its optimal ability to balance the ulcer bed, by modulating pH and oxidative stress. That complements the wetting and barrier functions, characteristics of conventional hydrogels. These results support the use of EHO-85 dressing, for treatment of hard-to-heal ulcers. Trial Registration AEMPS:PS/CR623/17/CE.

Cultural Adaptation, Validation and Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of an Obstetric Violence Scale in the Spanish Context.

Obstetric violence refers to dehumanized or derogative treatment of women in their pregnancy, childbirth or postpartum periods and may be manifested in different ways. Currently, there is no tool validated in Spain to measure women's perception of obstetric violence. The objective of this study was to carry out the cultural adaptation and validation of an existing 14-item obstetric violence scale in the Spanish context and to evaluate its psychometric properties. The research was conducted in two phases: first, a methodological study designed to evaluate content validity, through assessments by eight experts (calculating the Aiken V coefficient) and face validity in a sample of 20 women; second, a cross-sectional study to evaluate construct validity (through confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch analysis), divergent validity against a scale of birth satisfaction, known-groups validity and, finally, reliability. In Phase 1, Aiken V values higher than 0.71 were obtained for all items. Phase 2 was conducted on a sample of 256 women and the fit values for the unidimensional model were RMSEA: 0.070 (95% CI: 0.059-0.105) and GFI: 0.982 (95% CI: 0.823-0.990). The Rasch analysis indicated poor performance of item 2, which was removed. The Omega and Cronbach's Alpha coefficients were 0.863 and 0.860, respectively. A final 13-item version of the Obstetric Violence Scale was produced, with a total score ranging from 0 (no obstetric violence perception) to 52 (maximum obstetric violence perception). The Obstetric Violence Scale is a reliable and useful tool to measure women's perception of obstetric violence. This study was not registered.

Dietary Habits of Elite Soccer Players: Variations According to Competitive Level, Playing Position and Sex.

Soccer is a sport practiced worldwide by both men and women, where nutrition plays a fundamental role in the performance of soccer players, providing them with the nutrients necessary for energy, muscle recovery and injury prevention. The aim of this study is to describe the dietary habits in elite soccer players and their association with their competitive level, playing position and sex. A descriptive and non-experimental comparative study was conducted during the 2021-2022 competitive season. A total of 105 players belonging to a Spanish elite soccer team completed a food frequency questionnaire (FCFQ). It was observed that male players presented a higher consumption of carbohydrate-rich foods (p < 0.05), fermented foods (p = 0.014), frozen foods (p = 0.049) and red meat (p = 0.012) compared to female players, with the exception of lean meats, which were higher in females (p = 0.012). Furthermore, the U16-15 categories stand out for consuming carbohydrate-rich foods such as pasta (p = 0.000), bread (p = 0.004) and sweets (p = 0.046), as well as frozen foods (p = 0.002). Finally, alcohol consumption is higher in the senior categories (42.9%), where men are more likely to drink mixed drinks (6.2%), and beer and wine by women (10.7%). Practically no differences were found between the playing positions. In conclusion, differences were found in FCFQ according to competitive level and sex.

Simultaneous Salmonella and bacteriophage isolation on Modified Semisolid Rappaport Vassiliadis media.

Salmonella represents a food safety concern worldwide. Despite the application of National Control Programs (NCP) against Salmonella, regulated by the European Union, every year the European Food Safety Authority reports new cases. On the look for new alternatives to antibiotics, bacteriophages, or phages, rise as a promising alternative to treat multidrug resistance infections. Although they are known to be ubiquitous in the environment, their high specificity to host cells hinders their isolation and usage for phage therapy. The ISO 6579-1:2017 is performed as a reference method in the NCP and uses an unspecific media to enrich the sample the same way most phage isolation protocols do. Later, the protocol uses a more selective media to isolate the Salmonella, Modified Semisolid Rappaport Vassiliadis (MSRV). This paper aims to find out whether, due to the similarity between phage isolation protocols and the ISO 6579-1:2017, this last one could be used as a protocol to also isolate phages against the same bacterium that is being simultaneously isolated. To do so, 2 experiments were performed to assess phage isolation from MSRV media in in-vivo conditions. The results from experiments 1 and 2 proved that the MSRV media was usable for simultaneous phage and pathogen isolation through a single procedure. Additionally, there is a correlation between the antigenic formulae from the bacteria and the phage's host range, seeming to be effective against bacteria with similar antigenic formulae.

Radioprotective Effects from Propolis: A Review.

Propolis is a natural bee-produced substance with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties, containing some components from the leaves, buds and resins of plants. It has been used for centuries for various health benefits. In this manuscript, our group reviewed the radioprotective effect of propolis using PubMed and Embase, and our review was conducted according to the PRISMA statement. Finally, 27 articles were included in this review, which includes the radioprotective effect of propolis from cell-based studies (n = 8), animal models (n = 14), and human trials (n = 5). Results reflected that the dosage forms of propolis extracted in the scientific literature were ethanolic extracts of propolis, a water-soluble derivate of propolis, or capsules. The efficacy of the radioprotective properties from propolis is extracted from the bibliography, as several compounds of this resinous mixture individually or synergistically are possible candidates that have the radioprotective effect. In fact, studies prior to 2011 lacked a comprehensive characterization of propolis due to the variability in active compounds among different batches of propolis and were limited to analytical techniques. Furthermore, in this manuscript, we have selected studies to include primarily propolis types from Brazil, Croatia, Egypt, European countries, and those commercialized in Spain. They all contained ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) and were influenced by different dosage forms. EEP showed a significant presence of lipophilic bioactive compounds like flavones, flavonols, and flavanones.

Macroscopic Parameters of Fuel Sprays Injected in an Optical Reciprocating Single-Cylinder Engine: An Approximation by Means of Visualization with Schlieren Technique.

This paper proposes a sensor system for an internal combustion engine based on a new vision-based algorithm supported by the Schlieren sensorization technique, which allows to acquire the macroscopic parameters of the fuel spray injected in a reciprocating internal combustion engine under unmanned aerial vehicle-like conditions. The sensor system proposed here is able to automatically determine the spray cone angle, its area and its penetration. In addition, the external surface and the volume of the fuel spray is estimated together with the injector opening delay and the ignition delay. The developed algorithm was experimentally tested using a conventional diesel fuel in a single-cylinder engine with an optically adapted head but with easy application and other configurations of reciprocating internal combustion engines. These spray macroscopic parameters allow to analyze, among others, the effect of the spray on the development of both the injection and combustion processes under different operating conditions. The estimation of the external surface of the spray makes it possible to determine the amount of fuel in the spray that is in contact with the surrounding air, with the possibility to link this parameter to the combustion efficiency and emission reduction. Consequently, obtaining the injector opening delay and the ignition delay are important parameters in the combustion phenomenon. In addition, the ignition delay has a great influence on both the engine design and its performance in the study of the air-fuel blending process, in the efficient combustion process and in the reduction of emissions.

A Narrative Review of the Herbal Preparation of Ayurvedic, Traditional Chinese, and Kampo Medicines Applied as Radioprotectors.

In recent years, there has been growing scientific interest in the search for natural radioprotectors that can be used to mitigate the effects of radiation on patients, healthcare personnel, and even for space travel. This narrative review covers the past fifty years and focuses on herbal preparations of Ayurvedic, Traditional Chinese, and Kampo Medicines that have the potential to reduce or eliminate the harmful effects of radiation. Our findings highlight ten herbal preparations, namely Abana, Amalakyadi Churna, Amritaprasham, Brahma, Bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang (BZYQT), Chyavanaprasha, Cystone, Geriforte, Mentat, and Triphala, which have demonstrated potential radioprotective effects. This review examines their composition, properties, and possible mechanisms of action in relation to their radioprotective properties. Exploring the ethnobotany of traditional Asian medicine is particularly interesting as it may lead to the discovery of new active compounds with radioprotective properties.