Radiation and Dust Sensor for Mars Environmental Dynamic Analyzer Onboard M2020 Rover.

The Radiation and Dust Sensor is one of six sensors of the Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer onboard the Perseverance rover from the Mars 2020 NASA mission. Its primary goal is to characterize the airbone dust in the Mars atmosphere, inferring its concentration, shape and optical properties. Thanks to its geometry, the sensor will be capable of studying dust-lifting processes with a high temporal resolution and high spatial coverage. Thanks to its multiwavelength design, it will characterize the solar spectrum from Mars' surface. The present work describes the sensor design from the scientific and technical requirements, the qualification processes to demonstrate its endurance on Mars' surface, the calibration activities to demonstrate its performance, and its validation campaign in a representative Mars analog. As a result of this process, we obtained a very compact sensor, fully digital, with a mass below 1 kg and exceptional power consumption and data budget features.

A novel contact-free atrial fibrillation monitor: a pilot study.

Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Current guidelines support performing electrocardiogram (ECG) screenings to spot AF in high-risk patients. The purpose of this study was to validate a new algorithm aimed to identify AF in patients measured with a recent FDA-cleared contact-free optical device. Methods and results: Study participants were measured simultaneously using two devices: a contact-free optical system that measures chest motion vibrations (investigational device, 'Gili') and a standard reference bed-side ECG monitor (Mindray®). Each reference ECG was evaluated by two board certified cardiologists that defined each trace as: regular rhythm, AF, other irregular rhythm or indecipherable/missing. A total of 3582, 30-s intervals, pertaining to 444 patients (41.9% with a history of AF) were made available for analysis. Distribution of patients with active AF, other irregular rhythm, and regular rhythm was 16.9%, 29.5%, and 53.6% respectively. Following application of cross-validated machine learning approach, the observed sensitivity and specificity were 0.92 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.91-0.93] and 0.96 (95% CI: 0.95-0.96), respectively. Conclusion: This study demonstrates for the first time the efficacy of a contact-free optical device for detecting AF.

Large-scale clinical validation of noncontact and continuous extraction of blood pressure via multipoint defocused photonic imaging.

Blood pressure (BP) is usually measured either invasively, by an intra-arterial catheter, or noninvasively, by a cuff-based sphygmomanometer. While the invasive method is continuous and more accurate, it has the risk of infection and generally is not comfortable for the patient. On the other hand, the cuff-based measurement is safer but less reliable and infrequent. Therefore, a reliable continuous noninvasive BP measurement is highly desirable. In this work, we propose a remote optical system, based on temporal analysis of secondary reflected speckle patterns, for computing a subject's pulse transit time (PTT). Afterward, a model is proposed and clinically validated for converting the PTT value into systolic and diastolic blood pressure. A full statistical analysis is performed over a comparison to a reference device (SOMNOtouch).

Efficiency assessment of the one-step production of astaxanthin by the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis.

Continuous cultivation of Haematococcus pluvialis under moderate nitrogen limitation represents a straightforward strategy, alternative to the classical two-stage approach, for astaxanthin production by this microalga. Performance of the one-step system has now been validated for more than 40 combinations of dilution rate, nitrate concentration in the feed medium, and incident irradiance, steady state conditions being achieved and maintained in all instances. Specific nitrate input and average irradiance were decisive parameters in determining astaxanthin content of the biomass, as well as productivity of the system. The growth rate of the continuous photoautotrophic cultures was a hyperbolic function of average irradiance. As long as specific nitrate input was above the threshold value of 2.7 mmol/g day, cells performed green and astaxanthin was present at basal levels only. Below the threshold value, under moderate nitrogen limitation conditions, astaxanthin accumulated to reach cellular levels of up to 1.1% of the dry biomass. Increasing irradiance resulted in enhancement of astaxanthin accumulation when nitrogen input was limiting, but never under nitrogen sufficiency. Mean daily productivity values of 20.8 +/- 2.8 mg astaxanthin/L day (1.9 +/- 0.3 g dry biomass/L day) were consistently achieved for a specific nitrate input of about 0.8 mmol/g day and an average irradiance range of 77-110 microE/m(2) s. Models relating growth rate and astaxanthin accumulation with both average irradiance and specific nitrate input fitted accurately experimental data. Simulations provided support to the contention of achieving efficient production of the carotenoid through convenient adjustment of the determining parameters, and yielded productivity estimates for the one-step system higher than 60 mg astaxanthin/L day. The demonstrated capabilities of this production system, as well as its product quality, made it a real alternative to the current two-stage system for the production of astaxanthin-rich biomass.

El Gestor de Guías de Estudio (GGE): Versión 1.5 un organizador de preguntas para pruebas y generador de autoinstructivos para alumnos / The Studying Guide Generato (SGG): Version 1.5 an organizer of questions of tests and generator of autoinstructive for students

El software (Gestor de Guías de Estudio) es un programa diseñado para facilitar el proceso de enseñanza aprendizaje, y cuenta con tres secciones. En la primera es posible crear, editar y guardar preguntas de pruebas, con imágenes histológicas anatómicos o embriológicas y organizarías según tema. Entre los variados tipos de preguntas que se pueden crear están las de: 1) desarrollo, 2) alternativas múltiples con imágenes, 3) alternativa múltiple sin imágenes. 4) Verdadero Falso, 5) Asociación de ideas. Pudiendo agruparse según grados de dificultad. En la segunda sección llamada editor de guías, se puede generar una guía temática, donde se escogen preguntas puntuales sobre la materia que se desea reforzar. La tercera sección permite entregar a los alumnos conjuntos de preguntas dirigidas, con el fin de que estos se autoevalúen y realicen estudios de autoaprendizaje. De esta manera, el alumno recibe estas guías y contesta las preguntas contenidas en ella. El programa se encarga de revisar las respuestas y le dará la opción al alumno de comparar sus respuestas con las correctas. El sistema opera sin necesidad de acceder a Internet y la plataforma es Windows 98 XP Para utilizar el gestor de preguntas se requiere de un procesador Pentium 300MHz o superior, 64MB de Ram o superior. 3MB libres de disco duro para versión académicos y 2MB para la versión alumnos, Java 1.4.2 o superior instalado. Las preguntas puedan distribuirse en Internet en archivos comprimidos, que procesa fácilmente. Este software fue validado por 44 profesores de la Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile, quienes lo evaluaron positivamente.

This software Studying Guide Generator is a program designed to facilitate the teaching process, and has three sections. In the first it is possible to generate, edit and store questions with histological, anatomical or embryological images, organized according to the subject between the various types of questions, that are: l)Text. 2) Multiple Choice 3) Multiple Choice (with images).4) True or False.5) Association of Ideas. They can be grouped by degree of difficulty. In the second section, or guide editor, a tematic guide can be generated to choose specific questions about the subject to be reinforced. The third section gives to the students sets of specific questions so that they can self-evaluate to perform self-teaching. The student receive this guides and answers the questions. The program check the answers and provide the options of comparing them with the correct answers. The system works without access to the Internet and its platform is Windows 98/XP. To use the question editor, a Pentium 500mhz or up is needed, 64 Mb of RAM or more, 3 Mb free in the hard disk for the version for teachers and 2 Mb for the version for students, with Java 1.4 or higher installed. The question may be published on the Web in compressed files, for easy processing. This software was validated by 44 teaching staff of the Medical School, University of Chile, and was positively evaluated.

Outdoor cultivation of lutein-rich cells of Muriellopsis sp. in open ponds.

The growth performance of the chlorophycean microalga Muriellopsis sp. outdoors in open tanks agitated with a paddlewheel and its ability to accumulate carotenoids have been evaluated throughout the year. The cells grown in the open system had free lutein as the main carotenoid, with violaxanthin, beta-carotene, and neoxanthin also present. Lutein content of the dry biomass ranged from 0.4 to 0.6%, depending on the growth and environmental conditions. In addition, the biomass of Muriellopsis sp. had a high content in both protein and lipids with about half of the fatty acids being of the polyunsaturated type, with alpha-linolenic acid accounting for almost 30% of the total fatty acids. The effect of determinant parameters on the performance of the cultures in open tanks was evaluated. Operating conditions that allow the maintenance of productive cultures were established under semicontinuous regime for 9 months throughout the year. Biomass and lutein yields in the open system were not far from those in closed tubular photobioreactors, and reached productivity values of 20 g dry biomass, containing around 100 mg lutein m(-2) day(-1) in summer. The outdoor culture of Muriellopsis sp. in open ponds thus represents a real alternative to established systems for the production of lutein.

Efficient one-step production of astaxanthin by the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis in continuous culture.

The performance of Haematococcus pluvialis in continuous photoautotrophic culture has been analyzed, especially from the viewpoint of astaxanthin production. To this end, chemostat cultures of Haematococcus pluvialis were carried out at constant light irradiance, 1,220 microE/m2.s, and dilution rate, 0.9/d, but varying the nitrate concentration in the feed medium reaching the reactor, from 1.7 to 20.7 mM. Both growth and biomass composition were affected by the nitrate supply. With saturating nitrate, the biomass productivity was high, 1.2 g/L.d, but astaxanthin accumulation did not take place, the C/N ratio of the biomass being 5.7. Under moderate nitrate limitation, biomass productivity was decreased, as also did biomass concentration at steady state, whereas accumulation of astaxanthin developed and the C/N ratio of the biomass increased markedly. Astaxanthin accumulation took place in cells growing and dividing actively, and its extent was enhanced in response to the limitation in nitrate availability, with a recorded maximum for astaxanthin cellular level of 0.8% of dry biomass and of 5.6 mg/L.d for astaxanthin productivity. The viability of a significant continued generation of astaxanthin-rich H. pluvialis cells becomes thus demonstrated, as also does the continuous culture option as an alternative to current procedures for the production of astaxanthin using this microalga. The intensive variable controlling the behavior of the system has been identified as the specific nitrate input, and a mathematical model developed that links growth rate with both irradiance and specific nitrate input. Moreover, a second model for astaxanthin accumulation, also as a function of irradiance and specific nitrate input, was derived. The latter model takes into account that accumulation of astaxanthin is only partially linked to growth, being besides inhibited by excess nitrate. Simulations performed fit experimental data and emphasize the contention that astaxanthin can be efficiently produced under continuous mode by adjustment of the specific nitrate input, predicting even higher values for astaxanthin productivity. The developed models represent a powerful tool for management of such an astaxanthin-generating continuous process, and could allow the development of improved systems for the production of astaxanthin-rich Haematococcus cells.

Outdoor cultivation of a nitrogen-fixing marine cyanobacterium, Anabaena sp. ATCC 33047.

Optimization of conditions for outdoor production of the nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. ATCC 33047 has been pursued. In open ponds operated under semi-continuous regime biomass productivity values achieved ranged from 9 g (dry weight) m(-2) per day, in winter, to over 20 g m(-2) per day, in summer, provided that key operation parameters, including cell density, were optimized. Under these conditions the efficiency of solar energy conversion by the cells was fairly constant throughout the year, with photosynthetic efficiency values higher than 2%. The cyanobacterial biomass was rich in high-value phycobiliproteins, namely allophycocyanin and phycocyanin, for which open cultures of marine Anabaena represent a most interesting production system. The performance of Anabaena cultures operated under continuous regime in a closed tubular reactor has also been assessed outdoors, in winter. Biomass productivity values similar to those obtained in the ponds have been recorded for the closed system. Additionally, under these conditions, the cells excreted to the medium large amounts of a previously characterized exopolysaccharide, at production rates as high as 35 g m(-2) per day (1.4 g l(-1) per day). Properly operated closed cultures of this strain of Anabaena appear most suitable for outdoor mass production of valuable extracellular polysaccharides.

Diagnóstico de situación de salud Distrito Maturín 1982-1992 / Diagnosis of health situation District Maturin 1982-1992

Se destaca los aspectos geográficos educativos y económicos de la región (Estado Monagas). Se analizan las estadísticas de salud tasas de natalidad, morbilidad, mortalidad