An approximation to the Remanufactured Electrical and Electronic Equipment Consumer

Remanufacturing of electrical and electronic products can be considered as an excellent business opportunity from an economic point of view. The success factor in these remanufacturing activities is the recovery process of the economic value of the end-of-use products in order to achieve energy savings, lower manufacturing costs and less dependency on raw materials. This way, our research aims to study the demand of Remanufactured Electrical and Electronic Equipment (REEE). In particular, the consumer profile of this kind of products is analyzed in this paper, in order to describe what variables can determine his/her purchasing intention. This is a work in progress so the results of this paper provide a very first approach to the profile of the REEE consumer by using a descriptive analysis of the main variables, which can become an important support for future research

Prevalence and risk factors for asthma, rhinitis, eczema, and atopy among preschool children in an Andean city.

BACKGROUND: Limited data are available on prevalence and associated risk factors for atopy and allergic diseases from high-altitude urban settings in Latin America. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of atopy, asthma, rhinitis, and eczema, and associations with relevant risk factors in preschool children in the Andean city of Cuenca. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was undertaken using a representative sample of 535 children aged 3-5 years attending 30 nursery schools in the city of Cuenca, Ecuador. Data on allergic diseases and risk factors were collected by parental questionnaire. Atopy was measured by skin prick test (SPT) reactivity to a panel of relevant aeroallergens. Associations between risk factors and the prevalence of atopy and allergic diseases were estimated using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Asthma symptoms were reported for 18% of children, rhinitis for 48%, and eczema for 28%, while SPT reactivity was present in 33%. Population fractions of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema attributable to SPT were 3.4%, 7.9%, and 2.9%, respectively. In multivariable models, an increased risk of asthma was observed among children with a maternal history of rhinitis (OR 1.85); rhinitis was significantly increased in children of high compared to low socioeconomic level (OR 2.09), among children with a maternal history of rhinitis (OR 2.29) or paternal history of eczema (OR 2.07), but reduced among children attending daycare (OR 0.64); eczema was associated with a paternal history of eczema (OR 3.73), and SPT was associated with having a dog inside the house (OR 1.67). CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema symptoms were observed among preschool children in a high-altitude Andean setting. Despite a high prevalence of atopy, only a small fraction of symptoms was associated with atopy. Parental history of allergic diseases was the most consistent risk factor for symptoms in preschool children

Has cupper ion any effect on Sinorhizobium Melitoili bacteria?

Proceedings of the I Congress PIIISA celebrado en la Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Granada, el 26 de abril de 2012.Sinorhizobium meliloti is a soil bacterium that in symbiosis with Alfalfa leguminous plants fixes N2 to ammonia. This process occurs after an intimate communication between host and microsimbiont in the rhizosphere niche. This soil bacterium may suffer biotic and abiotic stresses in this complex environment. Resistance to any of this stresses can be an advantage for this type of bacteria. In this work we test the effects of Cupper ion in the bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti. We found an effect on pigmentation and this effect is specific of each isolate (i.e. it is very pronounced for the isolate AK83 from Aral sea in Russia). On the other hand, comparison of Cupper ion resistance phenotype between isolates 1021 and GR4 suggests that the resistance of GR4 could be due to a set of 10 genes found in the cryptic plasmid pRmeGR4a of this strain. However, this resistance phenotype also appears in other isolates, and it could be explained by an alternative phenotype as Exopolysaccaride production (EPS+).It was supported mainly by research project MICINN Consolider‐Ingenio 2010. CSD2009‐00006; Scientific research by Young Students in Science (PIIISA2012; http://emc2astronomy.blogspot.com/).Peer reviewe

Data on the Amphidinium Carterae Dn241EHU Isolation and Morphological and Molecular Characterization

We present the data corresponding to the isolation and morphological and molecular characterization of a strain of Amphidinium carterae, isolated in Mallorca Island waters and now deposited in the microalgae culture collection of the Plant Biology and Ecology Department of the University of the Basque Country under the reference Dn241Ehu. The morphological characterization was made using two different techniques of microscopy and the molecular characterization by using the 28S rDNA sequences of D1 and D2 domains. This strain has been used for a culture study in an indoor LED-lighted pilot-scale raceway to determine its production of carotenoids and fatty acids, "Long-term culture of the marine dinoflagellate microalga Amphidinium carterae in an indoor LED-lighted raceway photobioreactor: Production of carotenoids and fatty acids." (Molina-Miras et al., 2018) [1]. (C) 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc.This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (CTQ2014-55888-C3-02), the European Regional Development Fund Program, and the projects PPG17/67 from the UPV/EHU and IT1040-16 from the Basque Government

Calculation of kinetic parameters βeff and Λ with modified open source Monte Carlo code OpenMC(TD)

This work presents the methodology used to expand the capabilities of the Monte Carlo code OpenMC for the calculation of reactor kinetic parameters: effective delayed neutron fraction βeff and neutron generation time Λ. The modified code, OpenMC(Time-Dependent) or OpenMC(TD), was then used to calculate the effective delayed neutron fraction by using the prompt method, while the neutron generation time was estimated using the pulsed method, fitting Λ to the decay of the neutron population. OpenMC(TD) is intended to serve as an alternative for the estimation of kinetic parameters when licensed codes are not available. The results obtained are compared to experimental data and MCNP calculated values for 18 benchmark configurations.Fil: Romero Barrientos, J.. Comision Chilena de Energia Nuclear; Chile. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Marquez Damian, Jose Ignacio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte; Argentina. European Spallation Source; SueciaFil: Molina, F.. Comision Chilena de Energia Nuclear; Chile. Universidad Andrés Bello; ChileFil: Zambra, M.. Comision Chilena de Energia Nuclear; Chile. Universidad Diego Portales; ChileFil: Aguilera, P.. Comision Chilena de Energia Nuclear; Chile. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: López Usquiano, F.. Comision Chilena de Energia Nuclear; Chile. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Parra, B.. Instituto de Física Corpuscular; EspañaFil: Ruiz, A.. Comision Chilena de Energia Nuclear; Chile. Universidad de Chile; Chil

Hipertiroidismo secundario a coriocarcinoma metastásico, reporte de caso

Aunque la enfermedad de Graves sigue siendo considerada la causa más frecuente de hipertiroidismo clínico en el embarazo, la producción desproporcionadamente alta de gonadotropina coriónica humana (HCG) como ocurre en la enfermedad trofoblástica gestacional (ETG), es otra de las posibles causas, debido a la analogía entre ésta (HCG) y la TSH. Presentamos el caso de una paciente de 23 años que consulta por presentar dolor pélvico de moderada intensidad, síntomas respiratorios, taquicardia, temblor, astenia y pérdida de peso; a quien se le diagnostica coriocarcinoma metastásico a pulmón, con tirotoxicosis asociada, por lo que requirió manejo quimioterapéutico y antitiroideo. Se presenta este caso, por ser el hipertiroidismo secundario a coriocarcinoma una patología poco frecuente pero que debe diagnosticarse y tratarse oportunamente, ya que de eso depende el pronóstico del paciente

HPV-negative Penile Intraepithelial Neoplasia (PeIN) With Basaloid Features.

Most human papillomavirus (HPV)-independent penile squamous cell carcinomas (PSCCs) originate from an intraepithelial precursor called differentiated penile intraepithelial neoplasia, characterized by atypia limited to the basal layer with marked superficial maturation. Previous studies in vulvar cancer, which has a similar dual etiopathogenesis, have shown that about one fifth of HPV-independent precursors are morphologically indistinguishable from high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs), the precursor of HPV-asssociated carcinomas. However, such lesions have not been described in PSCC. From 2000 to 2021, 55 surgical specimens of PSCC were identified. In all cases, thorough morphologic evaluation, HPV DNA detection, and p16, p53, and Ki-67 immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was performed. HPV-independent status was assigned based on both negative results for p16 IHC and HPV DNA. Thirty-six of the 55 PSCC (65%) were HPV-independent. An intraepithelial precursor was identified in 26/36 cases (72%). Five of them (19%) had basaloid features, morphologically indistinguishable from HPV-associated HSIL. The median age of the 5 patients was 74 years (range: 67 to 83 y). All 5 cases were p16 and DNA HPV-negative. Immunohistochemically, 3 cases showed an abnormal p53 pattern, and 2 showed wild-type p53 staining. The associated invasive carcinoma was basaloid in 4 cases and the usual (keratinizing) type in 1. In conclusion, a small proportion of HPV-independent PSCC may arise on adjacent intraepithelial lesions morphologically identical to HPV-associated HSIL. This unusual histologic pattern has not been previously characterized in detail in PSCC. p16 IHC is a valuable tool to identify these lesions and differentiate them from HPV-associated HSIL

Enriching strategic variety in new ventures through external knowledge

To build profitable market positions, new ventures have to address multiple challenges on several fronts. These ventures can compete by being simple (focused) or applying varied ways to compete. The likelihood of these ventures remaining competitive depends on their ability to build novelty into their products and operations, an activity that requires infusing knowledge into their operations. Most ventures, however, have limited knowledge bases and the reach (scope) of their external connections is limited, a factor that prompts them to tap into different external sources in their local areas. This article reports an empirical study of 140 new ventures located in seven regional clusters in Spain. The results show that new ventures can enrich the variety of their strategic repertoire by accessing diverse sources of external knowledge and being exposed to external novel knowledge, while absorptive capacity moderates this relationship. The degree of social development of these clusters also has a positive impact on the strategic variety of new ventures, exhibiting an inverted U-shape curve

El Gorrión Serrano (Xenospiza baileyi): síntesis sobre la historia natural, estudios científicos y acciones para la conservación de un ave micro endémica de México en peligro de extinción

La conservación enfocada en especies endémicas es prioritaria dada su alta vulnerabilidad. Para lograrla resulta imprescindible conocer la historia natural de las especies. El Gorrión Serrano (Xenospiza baileyi), catalogado en peligro de extinción, es una de las aves endémicas más vulnerables de México (valor de vulnerabilidad máximo = 20). Su estudio ha sido intermitente y la información asociada a su historia natural se encuentra dispersa, no publicada o es de difícil acceso. En este trabajo se sistematizó, examinó y actualizó el conocimiento relacionado con la historia natural de X. baileyi. Se compilaron estudios sobre esta especie para identificar vacíos en torno a su investigación. Se lograron integrar aspectos de la historia natural de X. baileyi relacionados con su taxonomía, descripción, distribución, hábitat, demografía, dispersión, territorialidad, alimentación, interacciones ecológicas, perchas, vocalizaciones, ciclo reproductivo, cortejo, nido, huevos, pollos y amenazas. Además, se incluyó información nueva resultante de actividades de monitoreo comunitario sobre esta especie, lo cual permitió denotar la importancia de la inclusión comunitaria para el manejo y conservación de la especie y su hábitat. Esta información resulta fundamental para optimizar su estudio y orientar las acciones urgentes en torno a su conservación.The conservation of endemic species deserves priority attention given their high vulnerability. Information about the natural history of species is essential for achieving conservation goals. The Sierra Madre Sparrow (Xenospiza baileyi) is an endangered species that is considered to be one of the most vulnerable endemic birds of Mexico (maximum vulnerability value = 20). Its study has been intermittent and the information about its natural history is disperse, unpublished, or difficult to access. This work systematized, evaluated, and updated the knowledge regarding the natural history, taxonomy, description, distribution, habitat, demography, dispersion, territoriality, feeding behavior, ecological interactions, perches, vocalizations, breeding cycle, courtship displays, nest, eggs, nestlings, and threats to the conservation of X. baileyi. In addition, we included novel information generated through community-based monitoring activities, which also highlighted the relevance of including local communities for managing and conserving the species and its habitat. This information is key for optimizing research and guiding urgent conservation actions on the species

Pathogenesis of Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Molecular Update and Systematic Review.

Penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) is a rare but aggressive neoplasm with dual pathogenesis (human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated and HPV-independent). The development of targeted treatment is hindered by poor knowledge of the molecular landscape of PSCC. We performed a thorough review of genetic alterations of PSCC focused on somatic mutations and/or copy number alterations. A total of seven articles have been identified which, overall, include 268 PSCC. However, the series are heterogeneous regarding methodologies employed for DNA sequencing and HPV detection together with HPV prevalence, and include, in general, a limited number of cases, which results in markedly different findings. Reported top-ranked mutations involve TP53, CDKN2A, FAT1, NOTCH-1 and PIK3CA. Numerical alterations involve gains in MYC and EGFR, as well as amplifications in HPV integration loci. A few genes including TP53, CDKN2A, PIK3CA and CCND1 harbor both somatic mutations and copy number alterations. Notch, RTK-RAS and Hippo pathways are frequently deregulated. Nevertheless, the relevance of the identified alterations, their role in signaling pathways or their association with HPV status remain elusive. Combined targeting of different pathways might represent a valid therapeutic approach in PSCC. This work calls for large-scale sequencing studies with robust HPV testing to improve the genomic understanding of PSCC