Effective and neutral stresses in soils using boundary element methods

The evaluation of neutral pressures in soil mechanics problems is a fundamental step to evaluate deformations in soils. In this paper, we present some results obtained by using the boundary element method for plane problems, describing the undrained situation as well as the consolidation problem

Analysis of penitentiary, social and legal operators’ perceptions of prison inmates with intellectual disabilities

Objective: To analyze the different perceptions of professionals about the problem of intellectual disability in the prison setting. Material and method: Exploratory-descriptive type. In-depth interviews with legal, social and prison operators of Centro Penitenciario de Zuera (Zaragoza). Results: The narratives of the interviewed subjects point to the aggravating circumstances that a closed social environment can entail for inmates with intellectual disabilities. Communications in the prison administration are written in a technical language that is not understandable for inmates with intellectual deficits. Discusion: There is a need to give more visibility to the case of inmates with intellectual disabilities. Procedures also need to be applied that favour greater cognitive accessibility for this profile of inmates, along with the promotion of awareness raising and training for professionals to enable them to deal with this issue

El método de geometría de cauces aplicado a la estimación de caudales máximos de crecida en la Vega Alta del Segura

[Resumen] En condiciones naturales, la forma del cauce suele ser la expresión más clara de su adaptación a corrientes de régimen alto. Esta adaptación implica normalmente cambios en la configuración del lecho y modificación de la anchura y profundidad del cauce asociados a caudales dominantes y extremos. El presente trabajo dedica especial atención a dichas relaciones, eligiendo para su estudio el método de geometría de cauces, ya utilizado por numerosos autores como método indirecto de estimación de caudales de inundación. Aquí ha sido aplicado al tramo de la Vega Alta del Segura, cuyo cauce presenta niveles de referencia geomórfica netos y un modelo de cauce meandriforme bien definido. Para el conjunto del tramo se han obtenido empíricamente ecuaciones de tipo potencial que relacionan los datos de corriente de las estaciones de aforo con las dimensiones del cauce medidas a partir de secciones transversales naturales próximas a ellas. Los resultados constituyen una aproximación teórica compara-ble a las ecuaciones regionales desarrolladas en otros medios fluviales semiáridos.[Abstract] Under natural conditions, the channel geometry is usually the clearest expression of its adjustments to high-water flows. These adjustments often implie changes in the bed-forms and changes in width and depth of the channel related to extreme and dominant discharges. This work devotes special attention to that relationship, choosing the channel geometry method, in order to study it. Method has been used by a lot of authors as an inderect method to estimate flood discharges. Here, it has been applied to the sector in the 'Vega Alta' of Segura, where the channel shows net geomorphic reference levels and a meandering pattern which is well defined.For the set of reaches potential equations have been obtained empirically. Equations that relate discharge records in gauge stations to channel dimension measurements based in cross-sections near them. The results are a theoretica

Consolidation problems

The analysis of deformation in soils is of paramount importance in geotechnical engineering. For a long time the complex behaviour of natural deposits defied the ingenuity of engineers. The time has come that, with the aid of computers, numerical methods will allow the solution of every problem if the material law can be specified with a certain accuracy. Boundary Techniques (B.E.) have recently exploded in a splendid flowering of methods and applications that compare advantegeously with other well-established procedures like the finite element method (F.E.). Its application to soil mechanics problems (Brebbia 1981) has started and will grow in the future. This paper tries to present a simple formulation to a classical problem. In fact, there is already a large amount of application of B.E. to diffusion problems (Rizzo et al, Shaw, Chang et al, Combescure et al, Wrobel et al, Roures et al, Onishi et al) and very recently the first specific application to consolidation problems has been published by Bnishi et al. Here we develop an alternative formulation to that presented in the last reference. Fundamentally the idea is to introduce a finite difference discretization in the time domain in order to use the fundamental solution of a Helmholtz type equation governing the neutral pressure distribution. Although this procedure seems to have been unappreciated in the previous technical literature it is nevertheless effective and straightforward to implement. Indeed for the special problem in study it is perfectly suited, because a step by step interaction between the elastic and flow problems is needed. It allows also the introduction of non-linear elastic properties and time dependent conditions very easily as will be shown and compares well with performances of other approaches

Improvements for B.E.M. implementation in micros

This paper presents a computer program developed to run in a micro I.B.M.-P.C. wich incorporates some features in order to optimize the number of operations needed to compute the solution of plane potential problems governed by Laplace's equation by using the Boundary Integral Equation Method (B.I.E.M.). Also incorporated is a routine to plot isolines inside the domain under study

Arteriovenous Tumor: Dermoscopic Clues

Case Presentation A 78-year-old man consulted for an asymptomatic cutaneous lesion on the external aspect of his left arm that had first appeared 7 months earlier. The lesion, which was firm and measured 15?mm in diameter, was papulonodular, dome-shaped, and erythematous-violaceous in color (Fig. 1A). Figure 1. A, Firm erythematous-violaceous, papulonodular lesion on the external aspect of the left arm. B, Dermoscopic image showing whitish structures on an erythematous base, nonarborizing telangiectasias, vessels with a glomerular appearance, and a slight brown reticular pattern mainly on the periphery. What Is Your Diagnosis? Arteriovenous tumor. Comment Polarized light dermoscopy revealed the presence of whitish structures, a slightly brown reticular pattern mainly on the periphery, and vascular structures (nonarborizing telangiectasias in areas with a glomerular appearance), all on an erythematous base (Fig. 1A). Given the clinical and dermoscopic characteristics of the lesion, the differential diagnosis was made with a vascular lesion, including arteriovenous tumor, aneurysmal dermatofibroma, and hypomelanotic nodular melanoma. ..

Aging and hyponutrition; A challenge for the sustainability of the NHS: Conclusions of the 9th abbot-SENPE debate forum

La desnutrición es un problema común en todos los niveles de atención sanitaria, desde atención primaria a especializada y en centros de atención geriátrica. Su incidencia en los hospitales es del 40% y en las residencias de mayores supera el 60%. Esto último es de gran importancia, tienen una alta relación con el progresivo envejecimiento de la población europea, y es la mayor y más frecuente causa de discapacidad en la población anciana que vive en su domicilio o en instituciones. Países como Holanda, Dinamarca o el Reino Unido han desarrollado Planes Estratégicos Integrales para luchar contra la desnutrición desarrollando e implantando guías, estableciendo cribados obligatorios en los ingresos y altas hospitalarias, en las residencias en ancianos, etc. En nuestro país, en una acción conjunta de SENPE y la Fundación Abbott, estamos desarrollando un Plan Estratégico Integral (Proyecto + nutridos) en el que establecemos recomendaciones claras, precisas y validadas para efectuar cribaje nutricional tanto en pacientes hospitalizados, como en los institucionalizados y en los mayores ambulatorios. En este tema deben de ser tenidos en cuenta los aspectos sociales y financieros. La desnutrición es con mucha frecuencia deficientemente reconocida y tratada. Ello tiene un impacto negativo sobre los pacientes individuales en términos de morbilidad, mortalidad, independencia y calidad de vida, y sobre los sistemas de cuidado sanitario en términos de uso de recursos y costesHyponutrition is a common problem at all health care levels, from primary to specialized care, as well as in geriatric care. Its incidence in a hospital setting is 40% and 60% in nursing homes. This is very important, it is highly related with progressive aging of the European population, and is the biggest and most frequent cause of disability among the elderly population living at home or institutions. Countries such as Holland, Denmark, or the United Kingdom have developed Comprehensive Strategic Plans to fight against hyponutrition by developing and implementing guidelines, establishing mandatory screenings at the moment of hospital admission and discharge, at nursing homes, etc. In our country, a combined action of SENPE and Abbott Foundation is developing a Comprehensive Strategic Plan (+ nutridos Project) in which clear, precise, and validated recommendations are established to perform nutritional screening both in hospitalized patients and institutionalized and ambulatory elderly people. This issue has to take into account the social and financial aspects. Hyponutrition is many times insufficiently recognized and treated. This has a negative impact on the individual patient in terms of morbidity, mortality, independence, and quality of life, as well as on the health care systems in terms of use of health care resources and cost

Toxicity of ZnO nanoparticles, ZnO bulk and ZnCl2 on earthworms in a spiked natural soil and toxicological effects of leachates on aquatic organisms

The present study assessed the uptake and toxicity of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), ZnO bulk, and ZnCl2 salt in earthworms in spiked agricultural soils. In addition, the toxicity of aqueous extracts to Daphnia magna and Chlorella vulgaris was analyzed to determine the risk of these soils to the aquatic compartment. We then investigated the distribution of Zn in soil fractions to interpret the nature of toxicity. Neither mortality nor differences in earthworm body weight were observed compared with the control. The most sensitive end point was reproduction. ZnCl2 was notably toxic in eliminating the production of cocoons. The effects induced by ZnO-NPs and bulk ZnO on fecundity were similar and lower than those of the salt. In contrast to ZnO bulk, ZnO-NPs adversely affected fertility. The internal concentrations of Zn in earthworms in the NP group were greater than those in the salt and bulk groups, although bioconcentration factors were consistently <1. No relationship was found between toxicity and internal Zn amounts in earthworms. The results from the sequential extraction of soil showed that ZnCl2 displayed the highest availability compared with both ZnO. Zn distribution was consistent with the greatest toxicity showed by the salt but not with Zn body concentrations. The soil extracts from both ZnO-NPs and bulk ZnO did not show effects on aquatic organisms (Daphnia and algae) after short-term exposure. However, ZnCl2 extracts (total and 0.45-μm filtered) were toxic to Daphnia