Characterization of microfluidic systems with Doppler optical coherence tomography

Doppler Optical Coherence Tomography (DOCT) is a biomedical imaging technique that allows simultaneous structural imaging and flow monitoring inside biological tissues and materials with spatial resolution in the micrometer scale. It has recently been applied to the characterization of microfluidic systems. Structural and flow imaging of novel microfluidics platforms for cytotoxicologic applications were obtained with a real-time, Near Infrared Spectral Domain DOCT system. Characteristics such as flow homogeneity in the chamber, which is one of the most important parameters for cell culture, are investigated. OCT and DOCT images were used to monitor flow inside a specific platform that is based on microchannel division for a better flow homogeneity. In particular, the evolution of flow profile at the transition between the microchannel structure and the chamber is studied.

Characteristics and stomach contents of Greenland sharks (Somniosus microcephalus) caught in Svalbard during June 2008-2009

Harbour seals in Svalbard have short longevity, despite being protected from human hunting and having limited terrestrial predation at their haulout sites, low contaminant burdens and no fishery by-catch issues. This led us to explore the diet of Greenland sharks (Somniosus microcephalus) in this region as a potential seal predator. We examined gastrointestinal tracts (GITs) from 45 Greenland sharks in this study. These sharks ranged from 229 to 381 cm in fork length and 136-700 kg in body mass; all were sexually immature. Seal and whale tissues were found in 36.4 and 18.2%, respectively, of the GITs that had contents (n = 33). Based on genetic analyses, the dominant seal prey species was the ringed seal (Pusa hispida); bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus) and hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) tissues were each found in a single shark. The sharks had eaten ringed seal pups and adults based on the presence of lanugo-covered prey (pups) and age determinations based on growth rings on claws (<1 year and adults). All of the whale tissue was from minke whale (Balenoptera acutorostrata) offal, from animals that had been harvested in the whale fishery near Svalbard. Fish dominated the sharks' diet, with Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) being the most important fish species. Circumstantial evidence suggests that these sharks actively prey on seals and fishes, in addition to eating carrion such as the whale tissue. Our study suggests that Greenland sharks may play a significant predatory role in Arctic food webs.

Nutritive value of palm kernel meal in diets for growing rabbits

The aim of this work was to determine the nutritive value of palm kernel meal (PKM) in diets for growing rabbits. In Experiment 1, 20 New Zealand × Californian growing rabbits 50 d-old were used to determine energy, crude protein, fibre and fat digestibility of PKM. The nutritive value was estimated by the difference method using a basal diet and another diet made by substituting 200 g/kg of basal diet with PKM. Energy, crude protein, ether extract and neutral detergent fibre of PKM digestibilities were, respectively, 0.549 (±0.056, SE), 0.541 (±0.069), 0.850 (±0.048) and 0.430 (±0.101), and the digestible energy concentration was 10.9 MJ/kg (±1.03) DM. In Experiment 2, 412 rabbits were allocated at random to the two experimental diets to measure growing performance. Inclusion of 200 g PKM/kg in the diet did not affect feed or digestible energy intake but decreased slightly (by around 5%) average daily gain (P = 0.003) and feed efficiency (P < 0.001). Neither mortality nor Clostridium perfringens counts in soft faeces were affected by type of diet. Palm kernel meal can be considered a palatable source of fibre, protein and fat for rabbits and can substitute significant amounts of other fibrous ingredients in the diet without adverse effects on growth performance.

Detección y seguimiento de objetos en vídeos de actividades de vida diaria para rehabilitación de pacientes con daño cerebral adquirido

Las técnicas de rehabilitación permiten la recuperación y mejora de las funciones dañadas o deterioradas y ayuda al paciente con DCA a adaptarse a su nueva situación. El avance tecnológico que se ha producido en las últimas décadas, ha impulsado la investigación en el diseño y desarrollo de nuevos modelos de rehabilitación. La tecnología de vídeo interactivo se convierte en un elemento de apoyo en estos nuevos modelos rehabilitadores. Se hace necesario desarrollar nuevos algoritmos de segmentación y seguimiento que permitan dotar de información adicional a los vídeos. En este trabajo se han implementado y evaluado dos métodos que permiten realizar la detección y el seguimiento de objetos de interés.

2D-Tasks for Cognitive Rehabilitation

Neuropsychological Rehabilitation is a complex clinic process which tries to restore or compensate cognitive and behavioral disorders in people suffering from a central nervous system injury. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Biomedical Engineering play an essential role in this field, allowing improvement and expansion of present rehabilitation programs. This paper presents a set of cognitive rehabilitation 2D-Tasks for patients with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). These tasks allow a high degree of personalization and individualization in therapies, based on the opportunities offered by new technologies.

Study of the Influence of Reference System in Surface Finishing Parameters Evaluation.

In the present paper the influence of the reference system with regard to the characterization of the surface finishing is analyzed. The effect of the reference system’s choice on the most representative surface finishing parameters (e.g. roughness average Ra and root mean square values Rq) is studied. The study can also be applied to their equivalent parameters in waviness and primary profiles. Based on ISO and ASME standards, three different types of regression lines (central, mean and orthogonal) are theoretically and experimentally analyzed, identifying the validity and applicability fields of each one depending on profile’s geometry. El presente trabajo realiza un estudio de la influencia que supone la elección del sistema de referencia en la determinación los valores de los parámetros más relevantes empleados en la caracterización del acabado superficial tales como la rugosidad media aritmética Ra o la rugosidad media cuadrática Rq y sus equivalentes en los perfiles de ondulación y completo. Partiendo de la definición establecida por las normas ISO y ASME, se analizan tres tipos de líneas de regresión cuadrática (línea central, línea media y línea ortogonal), delimitando los campos de validez y de aplicación de cada una de ellas en función de la geometría del perfil. Para ello se plantean diversos tipos de perfiles y se desarrolla un estudio teórico y experimental de los mismos.

How has Spain become a leader in the wind energy industry during the last decade?

During the last decade, wind energy has been the fastest growing renewable source of energy worldwide. Limited sources of fossil fuel in addition to the negative effects of greenhouse gas emissions on the environment have led many countries to support development of renewable energies such as wind energy. Spain as the fourth biggest producer of wind energy plays an important global role in wind industry. In this paper, some important factors in the rapid growth of wind energy in Spain such as policy design, industry and technology, economic environment and social acceptance have been studied. The objective of this study is to introduce a model based on the successful development of wind energy in Spain which can be implemented by other countries

Estudio de la influencia del sistema de referencia en la evaluación de parámetros de acabado superficial

In the present paper the influence of the reference system with regard to the characterization of the surface finishing is analyzed. The effect of the reference system’s choice on the most representative surface finishing parameters (e.g. roughness average Ra and root mean square values Rq) is studied. The study can also be applied to their equivalent parameters in waviness and primary profiles. Based on ISO and ASME standards, three different types of regression lines (central, mean and orthogonal) are theoretically and experimentally analyzed, identifying the validity and applicability fields of each one depending on profile’s geometry

On Cup Anemometer Rotor Aerodynamics

The influence of anemometer rotor shape parameters, such as the cups’ front area or their center rotation radius on the anemometer’s performance was analyzed. This analysis was based on calibrations performed on two different anemometers (one based on magnet system output signal, and the other one based on an opto-electronic system output signal), tested with 21 different rotors. The results were compared to the ones resulting from classical analytical models. The results clearly showed a linear dependency of both calibration constants, the slope and the offset, on the cups’ center rotation radius, the influence of the front area of the cups also being observed. The analytical model of Kondo et al. was proved to be accurate if it is based on precise data related to the aerodynamic behavior of a rotor’s cup.