In this work we present the construction of a magnetic field meter (gaussmeter) with high sensitivity and detection from 1 to 80 mT, consisting of simple electronic components, with a proposal of application in an experimental setup for the generation of pure spin currents through the effect spin Seebeck. Through a USB cable, the device is powered and exchanges data with a computer via communication in C + + language with Arduino Uno, together with a LabVIEW graphical interface. To perform measurements in deep environments, such as inside electromagnets, a Hall probe was developed. The equipment also has an LCD screen. The magnetic field sensor used is the SS49E, with which it was possible to obtain measurements with appropriate resolution and range. The developed gaussmeter was used in the development of an experimental setup for investigations of the spin Seebeck and spin Hall effects, where it was possible to estimate the spin Hall angle for bilayers formed by a platinum (Pt) film grown on a YIG insulating magnetic film. Therefore, the developed gaussmeter has the potential to be used both in teaching and research environments and its main advantage is the low production cost, approximately US$ 22.00.

Neste trabalho apresentamos a construção de um medidor de campo magnético (gaussímetro) com alta sensibilidade e detecção de 1 a 80 mT, constituído de componentes eletrônicos simples, com proposta de aplicação em uma montagem experimental para geração de correntes puras de spin por meio do efeito spin Seebeck. Através de um cabo USB, o dispositivo é alimentado e troca dados com um computador via comunicação em linguagem C + + com o Arduino Uno, em conjunto com uma interface gráfica LabVIEW. Para realizar medidas em ambientes de profundidade, como no interior de eletroímãs, desenvolveu-se uma sonda Hall. O equipamento também dispõe de uma tela LCD. O sensor de campo magnético utilizado é o SS49E, com o qual foi possível obter medidas com resolução e alcance apropriadas. O gaussímetro foi empregado no desenvolvimento de uma montagem experimental para investigações dos efeitos spin Seebeck e spin Hall, onde estimamos o ângulo Hall de spin para bicamadas formada por um filme de platina (Pt) crescido sobre um filme magnético isolante de YIG. Portanto, o gaussímetro desenvolvido tem potencial para ser utilizado tanto em ambientes de ensino como os de pesquisa e tem como principal vantagem o baixo custo de produção, de aproximadamente 22 dólares.

Abstract Background: Home-based virtual reality technology may become an alternative to cardiac rehabilitation. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of a specific, home-based exercise program, performed either through a virtual reality (Kinect) or a conventional format (booklet) in the maintenance stage of cardiac rehabilitation for six months on functional muscle strength of the lower limbs, physical activity and exercise tolerance. Methodology: This is a randomized clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT02753829) with individuals with coronary artery disease from a hospital in Porto, Portugal, randomly allocated to an experimental group “1” (EG1; n = 11), submitted to a virtual reality exercise program (Kinect); an experimental group “2” (EG2; n = 11), submitted to an exercise program described in a booklet (conventional format); or a control group (CG) (n=11), submitted to routine care. Parameters of functional muscle strength of the lower limbs (sit-to-stand test), physical activity (accelerometer) and exercise tolerance (stress test) were assessed and compared between the groups. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied, with 95% with a significance level of 0.05. Results: Significant improvements in functional muscle strength of the lower limbs were observed in EG1 compared to EG2, at three months (19.5 ± 7.7 versus 11.9 ± 4.7, p = 0.042), and at six months (23.0 ± 7.7 versus 14.6 ± 4.6, p = 0.027) of intervention. Conclusions: The program did not demonstrate superior results, in relation to the control group and among the different formats, in physical activity and effort tolerance. In relation to the functional muscle strength of the lower limbs, the virtual reality format showed significantly better results when compared to the conventional format only.

We report a rare case of a 39-year-old woman, twin pregnancy with 32 weeks’ gestation, who underwent an emergency caesarean section and subsequent exploratory laparotomy with splenectomy due to hypovolemic shock secondary to splenic artery aneurysm rupture. The patient was admitted for observation due to suspicion of threatened preterm labour. The final diagnosis was not considered due to its rarity. The postoperative course was favourable for the mother, the newborns died. Spontaneous rupture of splenic artery aneurysm during pregnancy is a life-threatening event. This condition is commonly asymptomatic, and diagnosis is often incidental: during an ultrasound, intraoperatively or at autopsy.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos De acordo com o fabricante, o índice bispectral (BIS) tem um tempo de processamento de cinco a dez segundos. Estudos que avaliaram esse tempo de processamento sugeriram atrasos mais longos. Nós avaliamos o tempo de atraso na resposta do BIS. Métodos Com base em dados clínicos de 45 pacientes, calculamos a diferença entre o tempo de atraso previsto e real do índice bispectral durante um período fixo de três minutos após o momento em que o BIS caiu abaixo de 80 durante a indução da anestesia geral com propofol e remifentanil. Resultados A diferença entre o BIS previsto e real foi em média 30,09 ± 18,73 segundos. Conclusão Nossos resultados sugerem que o atraso no processamento do índice bispectral pode ser muito maior do que o declarado pelo fabricante, um fato com implicações clínicas.

Abstract Background and objectives According to the manufacturer, the Bispectral Index (BIS) has a processing time delay of 5-10 s. Studies addressing this have suggested longer delays. We evaluated the time delay in the Bispectral Index response. Methods Based on clinical data from 45 patients, using the difference between the predicted and the real BIS, calculated during a fixed 3 minutes period after the moment the Bispectral Index dropped below 80 during the induction of general anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil. Results The difference between the predicted and the real BIS was in average 30.09 ± 18.73 s. Conclusion Our results may be another indication that the delay in BIS processing may be much longer than stated by the manufacture, a fact with clinical implications.