Detection of Microbial sulfate-reduction associated with buried stainless steel coupons

The objective of this study was to demonstrate applicability of an innovative radioactive isotope method for imaging microbial activity in geological materials to a comprehensive study of metal corrosion. The method was tested on a sample of stainless steel coupons that had been buried as part of a corrosion study initiated by the National Institute of Standards and Testing or NIST (known as National Bureau of Standards prior to 1988) in 1970. The images showed evidence of microbial activity that could be mapped on a millimeter scale to coupon surfaces. A second more conventional isotope tracer method was also used to provide a quantitative measure of the same type of microbial activity in soil proximal to the buried coupons. Together the techniques offer a method for evaluating low metabolic levels of activity that have the potential for significant cumulative corrosion effects. The methods are powerful tools for evaluation of potential for microbial induced corrosion to buried steel components used on pipelines, in the power and communications infrastructure, and in nuclear waste repository containers

Metodología, herramientas y criterios de enseñanza de estructuras en Arquitectura

Trabajo presentado en el XXV Congreso Latinoamericano de Escuelas y Facultades de Arquitectura y Diseño. CLEFA 2014. Asunción del ParaguaySi bien no se puede hablar de una ?crisis? en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de las disciplinas de Estructuras en las facultades de Arquitectura, si se pueden reconocer ciertas dificultades que se manifiestan negativamente en la integración curricular, que el alumno debe realizar mientras desarrolla sus proyectos en las asignaturas de Diseño Arquitectónico. El presente trabajo expone la experiencia de visión compartida de la temática estructural puesta en práctica en las asignaturas Estructuras I A, II A, III de la FAUD, UNC. Este enfoque responde a acuerdos y, principalmente, a la formación docente conjunta de quienes son responsables de los respectivos equipos de trabajo. El eje en que se desarrollan las tres asignaturas es la aplicación práctica de los conocimientos estructurales al proceso de diseño arquitectónico. Lo expresado requiere que en cada nivel, adecuado a las habilidades adquiridas, se incorporen planteos estructurales, su análisis, evaluación y reformulación sobre construcciones diseñadas por los alumnos y, en ocasiones, con obras seleccionadas en las que la resolución estructural reviste una importancia significativa. Para lograr la continuidad buscada en este proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje se emplean en las tres asignaturas los mismos criterios, el mismo vocabulario y las mismas modalidades. Esto facilita al alumno a profundizar los conceptos y, permite, entre otras cosas, un rápido predimensionado con el fin de integrarlo al proceso de diseño sin constituir un capítulo separado. Para lograr el objetivo se pone a disposición de los alumnos una variedad de softwares, varios de ellos desarrollados por los integrantes de los equipos con fines didácticos, y presentados con códigos compartidos. Se estimula a través de una misma gráfica y esquemas a espacializar la estructura, relacionándola con las variables tecnológicas. También se realizan diversas experiencias con modelos, tendientes a facilitar la comprensión de distintos fenómenos, los alumnos trabajan en taller practicando la ejecución a escala de elementos estructurales.Fil: Bonaiuti, Hugo Oscar. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño; ArgentinaFil: Elicabe, Eduardo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño; ArgentinaFil: Fabre, Raquel. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño; ArgentinaFil: Adler, Alicia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño; ArgentinaFil: Wuthrich, Eduardo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño; ArgentinaIngeniería Arquitectónic

Language Barriers, Physician-Patient Language Concordance, and Glycemic Control Among Insured Latinos with Diabetes: The Diabetes Study of Northern California (DISTANCE)

BackgroundA significant proportion of US Latinos with diabetes have limited English proficiency (LEP). Whether language barriers in health care contribute to poor glycemic control is unknown.ObjectiveTo assess the association between limited English proficiency (LEP) and glycemic control and whether this association is modified by having a language-concordant physician.DesignCross-sectional, observational study using data from the 2005-2006 Diabetes Study of Northern California (DISTANCE). Patients received care in a managed care setting with interpreter services and self-reported their English language ability and the Spanish language ability of their physician. Outcome was poor glycemic control (glycosylated hemoglobin A1c > 9%).Key resultsThe unadjusted percentage of patients with poor glycemic control was similar among Latino patients with LEP (n = 510) and Latino English-speakers (n = 2,683), and higher in both groups than in whites (n = 3,545) (21% vs 18% vs. 10%, p < 0.005). This relationship differed significantly by patient-provider language concordance (p < 0.01 for interaction). LEP patients with language-discordant physicians (n = 115) were more likely than LEP patients with language-concordant physicians (n = 137) to have poor glycemic control (27.8% vs 16.1% p = 0.02). After controlling for potential demographic and clinical confounders, LEP Latinos with language-concordant physicians had similar odds of poor glycemic control as Latino English speakers (OR 0.89; CI 0.53-1.49), whereas LEP Latinos with language-discordant physicians had greater odds of poor control than Latino English speakers (OR 1.76; CI 1.04-2.97). Among LEP Latinos, having a language discordant physician was associated with significantly poorer glycemic control (OR 1.98; CI 1.03-3.80).ConclusionsLanguage barriers contribute to health disparities among Latinos with diabetes. Limited English proficiency is an independent predictor for poor glycemic control among insured US Latinos with diabetes, an association not observed when care is provided by language-concordant physicians. Future research should determine if strategies to increase language-concordant care improve glycemic control among US Latinos with LEP

Herramientas didácticas para la continuidad estructural

Ponencia presentada en el 6º Congreso Regional de Tecnología de las Facultades del ARQUISUR. San Miguel de Tucumán, 2013En este trabajo se presenta un conjunto de herramientas didácticas para la enseñanza de la deformación en vigas y losas continuas. Está orientado a alumnos del tercer nivel de la carrera de Arquitectura, los que han tenido un curso previo de la asignatura Estructuras. Se opta por recurrir a modelos, tanto computacionales como físicos. La innovación presentada consiste en que el modelo computacional, además del eje del elemento, permite visualizar la vista deformada del mismo, lo que facilita la comprensión del fenómeno. Se la acompaña con los diagramas de esfuerzos y de cargas, para una rápida interpretación por parte de los alumnos. Se han desarrollados dos modelos de este tipo: uno para viga con doble voladizo y otro para una viga continua de dos tramos. Los modelos físicos utilizados por la cátedra y por los alumnos en sus clases de taller, con los dispositivos necesarios para detectar la posición de las zonas traccionadas. El método, que utiliza elementos sencillos, permite visualizar el efecto beneficioso de las armaduras correctamente ubicadas, tanto por la disminución de deformaciones como por el aumento de resistencia.Fil: Elicabe, Alberto. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño; ArgentinaFil: Adler, Alicia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño; ArgentinaFil: Altamirano, Horacio. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño; ArgentinaFil: Torrisi, Gabriela. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño; ArgentinaFil: Aramburu, Dolores. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño; ArgentinaFil: Asís, Gabriela. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño; ArgentinaIngeniería Arquitectónic

Comparative genomics of Steinernema reveals deeply conserved gene regulatory networks

Background: Parasitism is a major ecological niche for a variety of nematodes. Multiple nematode lineages have specialized as pathogens, including deadly parasites of insects that are used in biological control. We have sequenced and analyzed the draft genomes and transcriptomes of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae and four congeners (S. scapterisci, S. monticolum, S. feltiae, and S. glaseri). Results: We used these genomes to establish phylogenetic relationships, explore gene conservation across species, and identify genes uniquely expanded in insect parasites. Protein domain analysis in Steinernema revealed a striking expansion of numerous putative parasitism genes, including certain protease and protease inhibitor families, as well as fatty acid- and retinol-binding proteins. Stage-specific gene expression of some of these expanded families further supports the notion that they are involved in insect parasitism by Steinernema. We show that sets of novel conserved non-coding regulatory motifs are associated with orthologous genes in Steinernema and Caenorhabditis. Conclusions: We have identified a set of expanded gene families that are likely to be involved in parasitism. We have also identified a set of non-coding motifs associated with groups of orthologous genes in Steinernema and Caenorhabditis involved in neurogenesis and embryonic development that are likely part of conserved protein–DNA relationships shared between these two genera

Práctica de resolución de un edificio con tabiques

En este trabajo se presenta el desarrollo práctico del diseño y evaluación correspondiente de un edificio con estructura conformada por tabiques en voladizo. Su objetivo es orientar al alumno del cuarto nivel de la carrera de arquitectura en el trabajo práctico correspondiente a un edificio en altura en zona sísmica. Se realiza ajustándose al CIRSOC 103 ? Parte 3 2005, reduciendo los pasos a ejecutar a fin de facilitar su comprensión por los alumnos. Se verifica la resistencia al corte y flexocompresión y las distorsiones de piso.Fil: Elicabe, Alberto. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño; ArgentinaFil: Simonetti, Isolda. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño; ArgentinaFil: Asís Ferri, Gabriela. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño; ArgentinaFil: González, Gustavo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño; ArgentinaFil: Adler, Alicia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño; ArgentinaFil: Fabre, Raquel. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño; ArgentinaFil: Wuthrich, Eduardo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño; ArgentinaFil: Rodríguez, Eduardo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño; ArgentinaFil: Ghezan, Nahuel. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño; ArgentinaFil: Bellmann, Laura. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño; ArgentinaIngeniería Arquitectónic

Ética profesional en educación superior : finalidades, estrategias y desafíos de la formación

Todo proyecto educativo que no responde a su época se expone a problemas de legitimidad y al duro escrutinio y sanción de los usuarios. Las instituciones de educación superior no son la excepción de esta premisa clásica, incluso más validada por eldinamismos, la versatilidad y ojo crítico en el mundo contemporáneo. La ética se ha convertido en el baremo principal para someter a juicio a las instituciones y a las personas que ahí actuan, como a las finalidades que se pretenden en sus acciones. En esta perspectiva, debe examinarse la función de las instituciones de educación superior.Este libro es el esfuerzo colectivo por acercarnos a esa problemática, en especial a las finalidades, estrategias y relaciones en juego para cumplir la tarea de la formación y sus nexos inevitables con la ética profesional

Testosterone and Cortisol Release among Spanish Soccer Fans Watching the 2010 World Cup Final

This field study investigated the release of testosterone and cortisol of a vicarious winning experience in Spanish fans watching the finals between Spain and the Netherlands in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Soccer. Spanish fans (n = 50) watched the match with friends or family in a public place or at home and also participated in a control condition. Consistent with hypotheses, results revealed that testosterone and cortisol levels were higher when watching the match than on a control day. However, neither testosterone nor cortisol levels increased after the victory of the Spanish team. Moreover, the increase in testosterone secretion was not related to participants' sex, age or soccer fandom, but the increase in total cortisol secretion during the match was higher among men than among women and among fans that were younger. Also, increases in cortisol secretion were greater to the degree that people were a stronger fan of soccer. Level of fandom further appeared to account for the sex effect, but not for the age effect. Generally, the testosterone data from this study are in line with the challenge hypothesis, as testosterone levels of watchers increased to prepare their organism to defend or enhance their social status. The cortisol data from this study are in line with social self-preservation theory, as higher cortisol secretion among young and greater soccer fans suggests that especially they perceived that a negative outcome of the match would threaten their own social esteem

Genetic Background of Prop1df Mutants Provides Remarkable Protection Against Hypothyroidism-Induced Hearing Impairment

Hypothyroidism is a cause of genetic and environmentally induced deafness. The sensitivity of cochlear development and function to thyroid hormone (TH) mandates understanding TH action in this sensory organ. Prop1df and Pou1f1dw mutant mice carry mutations in different pituitary transcription factors, each resulting in pituitary thyrotropin deficiency. Despite the same lack of detectable serum TH, these mutants have very different hearing abilities: Prop1df mutants are mildly affected, while Pou1f1dw mutants are completely deaf. Genetic studies show that this difference is attributable to the genetic backgrounds. Using embryo transfer, we discovered that factors intrinsic to the fetus are the major contributor to this difference, not maternal effects. We analyzed Prop1df mutants to identify processes in cochlear development that are disrupted in other hypothyroid animal models but protected in Prop1df mutants by the genetic background. The development of outer hair cell (OHC) function is delayed, but Prestin and KCNQ4 immunostaining appear normal in mature Prop1df mutants. The endocochlear potential and KCNJ10 immunostaining in the stria vascularis are indistinguishable from wild type, and no differences in neurofilament or synaptophysin staining are evident in Prop1df mutants. The synaptic vesicle protein otoferlin normally shifts expression from OHC to IHC as temporary afferent fibers beneath the OHC regress postnatally. Prop1df mutants exhibit persistent, abnormal expression of otoferlin in apical OHC, suggesting delayed maturation of synaptic function. Thus, the genetic background of Prop1df mutants is remarkably protective for most functions affected in other hypothyroid mice. The Prop1df mutant is an attractive model for identifying the genes that protect against deafness

Differential cross section measurements for the production of a W boson in association with jets in proton–proton collisions at √s = 7 TeV

Measurements are reported of differential cross sections for the production of a W boson, which decays into a muon and a neutrino, in association with jets, as a function of several variables, including the transverse momenta (pT) and pseudorapidities of the four leading jets, the scalar sum of jet transverse momenta (HT), and the difference in azimuthal angle between the directions of each jet and the muon. The data sample of pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV was collected with the CMS detector at the LHC and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 5.0 fb[superscript −1]. The measured cross sections are compared to predictions from Monte Carlo generators, MadGraph + pythia and sherpa, and to next-to-leading-order calculations from BlackHat + sherpa. The differential cross sections are found to be in agreement with the predictions, apart from the pT distributions of the leading jets at high pT values, the distributions of the HT at high-HT and low jet multiplicity, and the distribution of the difference in azimuthal angle between the leading jet and the muon at low values.United States. Dept. of EnergyNational Science Foundation (U.S.)Alfred P. Sloan Foundatio