Darwin Castillo

This study characterized the design, assembled mass, and analytical bending behavior of a non-commercial glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETG) laryngoscope for supervised academic simulation. A secondary cross-sectional analysis described responses from 314 novice medical students. After manikin laryngoscopy, each participant compressed a separate dynamometer with the same hand to reproduce the greatest perceived manual effort during the maneuver. This outcome is an instruction-defined recalled-effort response, not a measurement of laryngoscope loading or educational effectiveness. The prototype had a single assembled-mass reading of 95 g; two photographed commercial configurations had readings of 454 and 522 g, without established functional equivalence. Analytical cross-section integration yielded a minimum load-to-stress ratio of 2.483 N/MPa under homogeneous, fully bonded elastic bending assumptions. This ratio characterizes modeled stress demand; it does not establish structural capacity. Reproduced force averaged 12.58 ± 4.18 kgf (123.38 ± 40.97 N), ranging from 5.0 to 20.0 kgf. These observations document the prototype configuration and the distribution of responses to the reproduction task. Missing manufacturing settings limit reproducibility, while mechanical capacity, actual maneuver forces, functional performance, and educational effectiveness require separate validation.

Copper-modified screen-printed carbon electrodes require morphological and compositional assessment before further functionalization. This retrospective single-electrode study organizes SEM–EDX evidence into local composition, local coating interpretation, strip-region localization, and analytical traceability. The reported Phenom XL G2 record comprised three SEM fields, ten point spectra, and one 64 × 41-pixel map. Point Cu values ranged from 24.07 to 63.04 at.% in Image 1 at 15 kV and from 5.04 to 88.87 at.% in Image 2 at 10 kV; four additional points were reported for Image 3 at 10 kV without individual values in the article. The 15 kV map output contained 38.64 at.% Cu and 45.25 at.% C. These field-specific descriptors are consistent with a heterogeneous Cu-containing carbon surface, but do not isolate deposition variability from sampling and measurement effects. A matched bare-electrode control, complete quantification settings, and registered strip coordinates were not documented; manufacturing reproducibility was not evaluated. Previously published regional context was kept separate from the primary record. The contribution is a claim-bounded reporting framework that exposes these evidentiary gaps. Independent electrodes, native analytical exports, standardized acquisition, and uncertainty-based sampling are required for prospective validation.

Sustainable soft sensors are increasingly integral to wearable systems and human–machine interfaces; however, many current implementations depend on petroleum-derived elastomers and complex microfabrication. In this context, biopolymer-based conductive composites provide a complementary pathway toward low-cost, water-based processing and more environmentally responsible sensing architectures. This work reports a proof-of-concept pressure sensor based on a starch-derived biopolymer film doped with electrographite powder. The sensing layer, fabricated by spin coating, is integrated into an aluminum/biopolymer/aluminum sandwich configuration supported on an acetate substrate. Electrical resistance measurements under compressive loading (10–1000 g applied over 5.06 cm²; 0.2–20 kPa) show that the neat starch film remains electrically insulating, whereas the electrographite-doped film exhibits a clear piezoresistive response, with resistance decreasing as load increases. Compared with graphite-doped films, electrographite provides a more consistent response and a low hysteresis (<5%) in representative loading–unloading curves under the reported protocol. These results support the feasibility of using a biobased, starch-based sensing layer for low-cost flexible sensing concepts.

Portable non-enzymatic electrochemical glucose sensors offer potential for decentralized healthcare and medical education; however, their integration into simulation-based teleconsultation training workflows remains limited. This study presents the functional integration of a portable copper-modified electrochemical glucose sensor into a web- and Android-based telemedicine platform within a simulation-based medical education framework. Screen-printed carbon electrodes were electrochemically activated and modified via copper electrodeposition. Surface and electrochemical characterization were performed using SEM-EDX and cyclic voltammetry, respectively, followed by chronoamperometry for quantitative detection. Glucose solutions in PBS (pH 10) were measured using 70 µL samples, and the resulting signals were converted into glucose values (mg/dL) through a calibration model and incorporated into simulated gynecological teleconsultation workflows. The sensor exhibited a stable amperometric response at +0.60 V, with a linear range of 3.125–50 mM (R² = 0.9822), an area-normalized sensitivity of 0.061 µA·mM⁻¹·cm⁻², and a limit of detection of 1.39 mM. Implementation within the simulation scenario (n = 26) demonstrated 69% high/very high perceived usability and 88% high/very high educational value. These results support the feasibility of functionally integrating portable electrochemical sensing into simulation-based teleconsultation training and provide a proof-of-concept framework for future technical refinement and broader educational validation.

Introduction: Portable non-enzymatic electrochemical glucose sensors offer potential for decentralized healthcare and medical education; however, their integration into clinically meaningful teleconsultation workflows remains limited. This study presents the functional integration of a portable copper-modified electrochemical glucose sensor into a rural web- and Android-based telemedicine platform within a simulation-based medical education framework. Materials and Methods: Screen-printed carbon electrodes were electrochemically activated and modified via copper electrodeposition. Electrochemical characterization was performed using cyclic voltammetry to identify the glucose oxidation region and chronoamperometry for quantitative detection. Glucose solutions in PBS (pH 10) were measured using 70 µL samples, and the resulting signals were converted into glucose values (mg/dL) through a calibration model and incorporated into simulated gynecological teleconsultation workflows. Results: The sensor exhibited a stable amperometric response at +0.60 V, with a linear range of 3.125–50 mM (R2 = 0.9822), an area-normalized sensitivity of 0.061 µA·mM−1·cm−2, and a limit of detection of 1.39 mM. Implementation within the simulation scenario (n = 26) demonstrated 69% high/very high perceived usability and 88% high/very high educational value. Conclusion: These results support the feasibility of integrating portable electrochemical sensing into teleconsultation-based training environments and establishing a practical framework for future validation and deployment in rural telemedicine applications.

La pérdida de biodiversidad en los agrosistemas asociada a la intensificación agrícola, al uso de agroquímicos y a la fragmentación del hábitat, compromete los servicios ecosistémicos. En este contexto, la gestión y monitorización de la flora arvense en márgenes florales surge como una estrategia eficaz para evaluar la diversidad y riqueza de especies atractivas para diferentes grupos de polinizadores y fauna auxiliar. En la finca experimental “La Poveda” (ICA‑CSIC, Madrid) se desarrolló un experimento multipropósito durante los años 2023 y 2024 para monitorizar márgenes florales a 15 m de altura, empleando vehículos aéreos no tripulados (UAV). Se realizaron seis vuelos por campaña entre abril y julio, coincidiendo con el pico de floración de 11 especies objetivo pertenecientes a las familias Brassicaceae, Asteraceae y Fabaceae. Las particiones de las ortofotos (teselas de 640×640 px) se etiquetaron siguiendo dos esquemas: (a) unidad floral y (b) conjunto floral. El conjunto de datos resultantes se utilizó para entrenar al modelo Ultralytics YOLOv26 bajo una configuración experimental homogénea y técnicas de aumento de datos. Los mejores resultados se obtuvieron con la variante del modelo y aumento de datos bajo el esquema (b), alcanzando métricas de validación robustas en la precisión promedio media de objetos ( = 0.534), en precisión (P= 0.528) y en exhaustividad ( = 0.558). Estos resultados destacan la relevancia de definir adecuadamente la unidad de etiquetado en conjuntos de datos florísticos de muy alta resolución y ofrece directrices metodológicas para la monitorización de la biodiversidad en agricultura.

Natural dyes have emerged as a promising alternative to synthetic dyes for industrial applications due to their advantages, namely, easy availability, low cost, and environmental friendliness. In this sense, natural dyes, due to their potential to react over the pH range, could offer an alternative to conventional pH measuring techniques for industrial products, such as potentiometers, sensors, or indicator drops. Therefore, this project aims to evaluate the potential of several natural organic dyes in response to changes in pH and develop an indicator for determining pH grades. We extracted and analyzed the pigments of forty natural vegetable species using two extraction methods with a mixture of solvents, specifically 70% MeOH/30% H₂O. The results find that pigments of cabbage, hibiscus flower, radish, and turmeric in their dry state exhibit the best reaction over a broad pH range, and color can be easily distinguished according to its level. These findings demonstrate the potential of natural dyes as a novel approach for pH verification, providing a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to conventional techniques.

Background: Minimally invasive hyperthermia and regenerative therapies require materials that deliver precise, localized heat without compromising biocompatibility. Most conventional polymers are thermally insulating and challenging to control in vivo, motivating this review. Objectives: We aimed to (i) examine the use of thermally enhanced biopolymers in hyperthermia-based therapies, (ii) appraise evidence from clinical and preclinical studies, (iii) identify and classify principal applications in regenerative medicine. Methods: A PRISMA-guided systematic review (2020–2025) with predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria was conducted and complemented by a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer for mapping and visualization. Results: Modifying biopolymers—via functionalization with photothermal or magnetic nanoagents (Au; Fe₂O₃/Fe₃O₄/CoFe₂O₄; CuS; Ag; MXenes, e.g., Nb₂C), crosslinking strategies, and hybrid formulations—significantly increased thermal conductivity, enabling localized hyperthermia and controlled drug release. In vitro and in vivo studies showed that europium-doped iron oxide nanoparticles embedded in chitosan generated heat efficiently while sparing healthy tissues, underscoring the need to balance biocompatibility and thermal performance. Hydrogel systems enriched with carbon nanomaterials (graphene, carbon nanotubes) and matrices such as GelMA, PNIPAM, hyaluronic acid, and PLA/PLGA demonstrated tissue compatibility and effective thermal behavior; graphene was compatible with neural tissue without inducing inflammation. Conclusions: Thermally conductive biopolymers show growing potential for oncology and regenerative medicine. The evidence supports further academic and interdisciplinary research to optimize safety, performance, and translational pathways.