Flexible Pressure Sensors for Integration into Karate Body Protector.

The increasing interest in karate has also attracted the attention of researchers, especially in combining the equipment used by practitioners with technology to prevent injuries, improve technical skills and provide appropriate scoring. Contrary to the sport of taekwondo, the development of a smart body protector in the sport of karate is still a niche field to be researched. This study focused on developing piezoresistive, textile-based pressure sensors using piezoresistive film, conductive fabric as well as different bonding materials and methods. Primarily, small-scale sensors were produced using ultrasonic welding, hot press welding and oven curing. These were characterized using a universal testing machine and specific conditioning and data-acquisition hardware combined with custom processing software. Large-scale sensors were then manufactured to be placed inside the karate body protector and characterized using cyclic testing. The conditioning circuit allows flexible gain adjustment, and it was possible to obtain a stable signal with an output of up to 0.03 V/N, an adequate signal for the tested force range. The transfer function shows some drift over the cycles, in addition to the expected hysteresis and slight nonlinearity, which can be compensated for. Finally, the configuration with the best results was tested in real practice tests; during these tests the body protector was placed on a dummy as well as on a person. The results showed that the piezoresistive textile-based pressure sensor produced is able to detect and quantify the impact of even light punches, providing an unobtrusive means for performance monitoring and score calculation for competitive practice of this sport.

Country learning on maintaining quality essential health services during COVID-19 in Timor-Leste: a qualitative analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This case study examines the enabling factors, strengths, challenges and lessons learnt from Timor-Leste (TLS) as it sought to maintain quality essential health services (EHS) during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: A qualitative case study triangulated information from 22 documents, 44 key informant interviews and 6 focus group discussions. The framework method was used to thematically examine the factors impacting quality EHS in TLS. SETTING: National, municipal, facility levels in Baucau, Dili and Ermera municipalities in TLS. RESULTS: Based on the TLS National Health Statistics Reports, a reduction in outpatient, emergency department and primary care service delivery visits was observed in 2020 when compared with 2019. However, in contrast, maternal child health services simultaneously improved in the areas of skilled birth attendants, prenatal coverage and vitamin A distribution, for example. From the thematic analysis, five themes emerged as contributing to or impeding the maintenance of quality EHS including (1) high-level strategy for maintaining quality EHS, (2) measurement for quality and factors affecting service utilisation, (3) challenges in implementation of quality activities across the three levels of the health system, (4) the impact of quality improvement leadership in health facilities during COVID-19 and (5) learning systems for maintaining quality EHS now and for the future. CONCLUSION: The maintenance of quality EHS is critical to mitigate adverse health effects from the COVID-19 pandemic. When quality health services are delivered prior to and maintained during public health emergencies, they build trust within the health system and promote healthcare-seeking behaviour. Planning for quality as part of emergency preparedness can facilitate a high standard of care by ensuring health services continue to provide a safe environment, reduce harm, improve clinical care and engage patients, facilities and communities.

Development of Piezoresistive Sensors Based on Graphene Nanoplatelets Screen-Printed on Woven and Knitted Fabrics: Optimisation of Active Layer Formulation and Transversal/Longitudinal Textile Direction.

Although the force/pressure applied onto a textile substrate through a uniaxial compression is constant and independent of the yarn direction, it should be noted that such mechanical action causes a geometric change in the substrate, which can be identified by the reduction in its lateral thickness. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the influence of the fabric orientation on both knitted and woven pressure sensors, in order to generate knowledge for a better design process during textile piezoresistive sensor development. For this purpose, these distinct textile structures were doped with different concentrations of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), using the screen-printing technique. The chemical and physical properties of these screen-printed fabrics were analysed using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, Ground State Diffuse Reflectance and Raman Spectroscopy. Samples were subjected to tests determining linear electrical surface resistance and piezoresistive behaviour. In the results, a higher presence of conductive material was found in woven structures. For the doped samples, the electrical resistance varied between 105 Ω and 101 Ω, for the GNPs' percentage increase. The lowest resistance value was observed for the woven fabric with 15% GNPs (3.67 ± 8.17 × 101 Ω). The samples showed different electrical behaviour according to the fabric orientation. Overall, greater sensitivity in the longitudinal direction and a lower coefficient of variation CV% of the measurement was identified in the transversal direction, coursewise for knitted and weftwise for woven fabrics. The woven fabric doped with 5% GNPs assembled in the weftwise direction was shown to be the most indicated for a piezoresistive sensor, due to its most uniform response and most accurate measure of mechanical stress.

Is Cholecystectomy Really Harmful? A Long-Term Quality of Life Study in Living Donor Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is an accepted option for patients with end-stage liver disease. However, it potentially carries the risk of donor morbi-mortality, as well as long-term functional impairment. Cholecystectomy is performed routinely in the donor intervention, but the long-term effect on gastrointestinal (GI)-related quality of life (QoL) has never been explored previously. This study evaluated living donors' overall, abdominal wall-related, activity-level, and GI-related QoL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 21 living liver donors (LLD) (57% women, mean age 45 ± 9 years) were compared to a control group (29 patients) undergoing cholecystectomy for gallbladder polyps (45% women, mean age of 46 ± 7 years). LLD and controls (Ctl) were divided into 2 age groups: LLD-Y and Ctl-Y (25-45 years); and LLD-O and Ctl-O (46-65 years). Generic SF-36, Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index, EuraHS for abdominal wall status assessment, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire were performed. Standard age-adjusted Portuguese population SF-36 scores were used. RESULTS: Global QoL results were better than Portuguese population scores and not inferior when compared to controls, scoring higher in the LLD-Y group in domains as vitality and mental health (P < .05). The abdominal wall impact was minimal among LLD. The activity level was significantly higher in LLD-Y than in Ctl-Y. Overall GI-related QoL was very close to the maximum score, and GI symptoms were significantly less in LLD-O compared with Ctl-O. CONCLUSION: LDLT had no impact on donors' general, abdominal wall-related QoL or activity level. The performance of cholecystectomy apparently had no impact on the development of GI-related symptoms.

Management of afferent loop syndrome after Roux-en-Y subtotal gastrectomy and choledocolithiasis with recurrent cholangitis.

Afferent loop syndrome is a rare complication after gastrectomy with Billroth II or Roux-en-Y reconstruction, caused by an obstruction in the proximal loop. The biliary stasis and bacterial overgrowth secondary to this obstruction can lead to repeated episodes of acute cholangitis. We present the case of a male patient who had previously undergone gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction and later experienced multiple episodes of acute cholangitis secondary to choledocolithiasis. He underwent an open exploration of the bile ducts with choledocolitotomy, but the events of cholangitis persisted. Further investigation permitted to identify a dilation of the biliary loop of the Roux-en-Y anastomosis, suggesting enterobiliary reflux as the cause of recurrent acute cholangitis. Therefore, a bowel enterectomy and new jejunojejunostomy were undertaken, and normal biliary flow was re-established. The surgical treatment is mandatory in benign causes, leading to the resolution of the obstruction and subsequent normalisation of bile flow.

Femoral Hernia Containing the Right Fallopian Tube: A Rare Finding.

Femoral hernias comprise a small proportion of all groin hernias. They are more common in women and have a high rate of incarceration and strangulation, leading to emergency repair. A 61-year-old female patient was admitted to the emergency department complaining of a 2-day painful lump in the right groin, that had become more intense in the last 24 hours. Physical examination suggested the presence of a strangulated femoral hernia, and the patient underwent emergency surgical repair. Intraoperatively, the right fallopian tube was observed in the hernia sac. Since there were no signs of ischemia, the tube was reduced back into the pelvic cavity and the hernia was repaired. The postoperative period was uneventful, and the patient was discharged without complications, 3 days after surgery.

As hérnias femorais representam uma pequena fração de todas as hérnia da região inguinal. Elas são mais comuns entre as mulheres e estão associadas a elevadas taxas de complicações, como encarceramento e estrangulamento, com necessidade de cirurgia urgente. Uma paciente do sexo feminino, de 61 anos, recorreu ao serviço de emergência por quadro de dor e tumefação da região inguinal direita com 2 dias de evolução e agravamento nas últimas 24 horas. O exame objetivo sugeria a presença de uma hérnia femoral encarcerada, e a paciente foi submetida a cirurgia urgente. Intraoperatoriamente, confirmou-se o diagnóstico de hérnia femoral encarcerada, que continha a trompa de falópio direita no interior do saco herniário. Uma vez que a que a trompa não apresentava sinais de isquemia, o conteúdo da hérnia foi reduzido, e procedeu-se à sua reparação. O período pós-operatório decorreu sem intercorrências, e a paciente teve alta no 3° dia após a cirurgia.

Femoral hernia containing the right fallopian tube: a rare finding / Hérnia femoral contendo a trompa de falópio direita: um achado raro

Abstract Femoral hernias comprise a small proportion of all groin hernias. They are more common in women and have a high rate of incarceration and strangulation, leading to emergency repair. A 61-year-old female patient was admitted to the emergency department complaining of a 2-day painful lump in the right groin, that had become more intense in the last 24 hours. Physical examination suggested the presence of a strangulated femoral hernia, and the patient underwent emergency surgical repair. Intraoperatively, the right fallopian tube was observed in the hernia sac. Since there were no signs of ischemia, the tube was reduced back into the pelvic cavity and the hernia was repaired. The postoperative period was uneventful, and the patient was discharged without complications, 3 days after surgery.

Resumo As hérnias femorais representamuma pequena fração de todas as hérnia da região inguinal. Elas são mais comuns entre as mulheres e estão associadas a elevadas taxas de complicações, como encarceramento e estrangulamento, com necessidade de cirurgia urgente. Uma paciente do sexo feminino, de 61 anos, recorreu ao serviço de emergência por quadro de dor e tumefação da região inguinal direita com 2 dias de evolução e agravamento nas últimas 24 horas. O exame objetivo sugeria a presença de uma hérnia femoral encarcerada, e a paciente foi submetida a cirurgia urgente. Intraoperatoriamente, confirmou-se o diagnóstico de hérnia femoral encarcerada, que continha a trompa de falópio direita no interior do saco herniário. Uma vez que a que a trompa não apresentava sinais de isquemia, o conteúdo da hérnia foi reduzido, e procedeu-se à sua reparação. O período pós-operatório decorreu sem intercorrências, e a paciente teve alta no 3° dia após a cirurgia.

Parametric and energy consumption optimization of Basic Red 2 removal by electrocoagulation/egg shell adsorption coupling using response surface methodology in a batch system.

In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) model was applied for optimization of Basic Red 2 (BR2) removal using electrocoagulation/eggshell (ES) coupling process in a batch system. Central composite design was used to evaluate the effects and interactions of process parameters including current density, reaction time, initial pH and ES dosage on the BR2 removal efficiency and energy consumption. The analysis of variance revealed high R(2) values (≥85%) indicating that the predictions of RSM models are adequately applicable for both responses. The optimum conditions when the dye removal efficiency of 93.18% and energy consumption of 0.840 kWh/kg were observed were 11.40 mA/cm(2) current density, 5 min and 3 s reaction time, 6.5 initial pH and 10.91 g/L ES dosage.

Removal of Acid Black 1 and Basic Red 2 from aqueous solutions by electrocoagulation/Moringa oleifera seed adsorption coupling in a batch system.

The removal of Acid Black 1 (AB1) and Basic Red 2 (BR2) from aqueous solutions via an electrocoagulation (EC)/Moringa oleifera seeds (MOS) adsorption coupling process by using aluminum and stainless steel electrode in a batch reactor is described in this study. The influences of the operational parameters, i.e. current density, MOS dosage, and dye initial concentration, on degree of color removal were studied, and the unit energy demand, the unit electrode material demand, and the charge loading were calculated and discussed. The amounts of adsorbent and energy consumption were considered as main criteria of process evaluation, and ideal conditions were chosen. The addition of an appropriate MOS dosage (0.6 g/L for AB1 and 5 g/L for BR2) resulted in faster decolorization of dyes especially at lower current densities and was simultaneously accompanied by a significant reduction in contact time compared to the conventional simple EC process. The coupling process achieved degree of removals above 99.3% and 94% for AB1 and BR2, respectively. The EC/MOS coupling technique could be recommended to replace the conventional simple EC because of its high degree of removal, short contact time, and low energy consumption.

As Evidências dos Benefícios do Consumo das Isoflavonas da Soja na Saúde da Mulher: Revisão de Literatura / Evidences of the Benefits of Consumption of Soy Isoflavones in Women's Health: A Literature Review

O aumento do consumo de alimentos funcionais tem sido foco no meio científico, Neste contexto, a soja se destaca, especificamente as isoflavonas nela contidas, com foco na saúde e uma melhor qualidade de vida da mulher. O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar os benefícios do consumo das isoflavonas da soja para saúde da mulher. Foi realizada uma revisão de literatura, através da legislação, teses, dissertações acadêmicas e artigos publicados na língua portuguesa, inglesa e espanhola, correlacionando o tema supracitado, nas bases de dados eletrônicas Medline, Scielo e Lilacs, considerando o período dos últimos 15 anos, utilizando-se como palavras-chave: soja, isoflavona, fogacho, climatério, colesterol, fitoestrógeno, lipídios. Havendo muito a ser pesquisado e especificado quanto às propriedades e efeitos, grande parte dos estudos indica que o consumo de soja e das isoflavonas nela contidas tem apresentado efeitos benéficos muito importantes na prevenção e alternativa terapêutica dos sintomas do climatério, em doenças metabólicas, osteoporose e fatores de risco para doenças cardiovasculares na saúde da mulher.

The increased consumption of functional foods has been the focus in the scientific research, in which soybean stands out, specifically its isoflavones for better health and quality of life of women. The aim of this study was to analyze the benefits of consumption of soy isoflavones for women's health. Literature review on current Brazilian law, theses, dissertations and academic articles published in Portuguese, English and Spanish was performed, correlating the above subject, the electronic databases Medline, SciELO and Lilacs, considering the period of last 15 years using as keywords: soy isoflavone, hot flash, menopause, cholesterol, lipids. Although further studies concerning the properties and effects of isoflavones are needed, most studies have evidenced that consumption of soy and isoflavones has shown beneficial effects for alternative therapy for climacteric symptoms in metabolic disorders, osteoporosis and risk factors for cardiovascular disease in women's health