Reduced-order models of the Martian atmospheric dynamics

In this paper we explore the possibility of deriving low-dimensional models of the dynamics of the Martian atmosphere. The analysis consists of a Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) of the atmospheric streamfunction after first decomposing the vertical structure with a set of eigenmodes. The vertical modes were obtained from the quasi-geostrophic vertical structure equation. The empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) were optimized to represent the atmospheric total energy. The total energy was used as the criterion to retain those modes with large energy content and discard the rest. The principal components (PCs) were analysed by means of Fourier analysis, so that the dominant frequencies could be identified. It was possible to observe the strong influence of the diurnal cycle and to identify the motion and vacillation of baroclinic waves

Spanish validation of the revised depression attitude questionnaire (R-daq)

Purpose: The aim of the study was to develop and validate a Spanish version of the Revised Depression Attitude Questionnaire (R-DAQ). Methods: The R-DAQ was used as a baseline for the study. It was translated and tested to ensure the instrument was appropriate for the target population. 537 Ecuadorian healthcare professionals completed the revised Spanish version of the R-DAQ (SR-DAQ). Statistical and exploratory factor analyses were performed to examine construct validity, internal consistency, readability and floor and ceiling effects. Results: Three factors were obtained: “Professional confidence in depression care”; “Therapeutic optimism about depression”; and “Generalist perspective about depression occurrence, recognition, and management”. The internal consistency of the SR-DAQ was determined by means of Cronbach’s α coefficient, with values ranging between 0.61–0.8. The correlations with the English version reflected adequate validity. The model explained 39% of the variance. Subsequent analysis with a sample restricted to those who had received training in depression produced a model that explained 42% of the variance. Conclusion: The SR-DAQ meets the psychometric requirements for measuring depression attitude in a Spanish-speaking population and shows adequate internal consistency and validity

Formability of the 5754-aluminum alloy deformed by a modified repetitive corrugation and straightening process

Sheets of 5754-aluminum alloy processed by a modified repetitive corrugation and straightening (RCS) process were tested in order to measure their formability. For this purpose, forming limit curves were derived. They showed that the material forming capacity decreased after being processed by RCS. However, they kept good formability in the initial stages of the RCS process. The formability study was complemented with microstructural analysis (derivation of texture) and mechanical tests to obtain the strain-rate sensitivity. The texture analysis was done by employing X-ray diffraction, obtaining pole figures, and the orientation distribution function. It was noticed that the initial texture was conserved after successive RCS passes, but the intensity dropped. RCS process did not induce ß-fiber, contrary to common deformation process. The strain-rate sensitivity coefficient was measured through tensile tests at different temperatures and strain rates; the coefficient of the samples processed after one and two passes were still relatively high, indicating the capacity to delay necking, in agreement with the good formability observed in the initial passes of the RCS processPeer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Opinión de egresados en enfermería sobre la congruencia de los contenidos curriculares con los requerimientos laborales

ResumenLos perfiles profesionales de los egresados en área de la salud, y en particular de enfermería, requieren ajustarse a la compleja interacción que demandan las necesidades sociales y las exigencias del mercado laboral. Esto crea la necesidad de identificar fortalezas y debilidades durante su formación profesional a través de la sistematización de estudios de egresados, los cuales orientan a la mejora continua de los programas educativos, para facilitar la incorporación y desarrollo de los(as) egresados(as) en el ámbito laboral.ObjetivoDescribir la opinión de los egresados de enfermería de la Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala sobre la congruencia de los contenidos curriculares y requerimientos laborales al ofrecer el cuidado profesional.Material y métodosEstudio descriptivo, transversal. Incluyó 84 egresados de 3 generaciones, seleccionados por muestreo simple aleatorio. Se empleó un cuestionario adecuado y estructurado con base en la propuesta de la Asociación Nacional de Universidades e Instituciones de Educación Superior de 1998, organizado en 6 apartados.ResultadosEl 87% opinan que los contenidos curriculares son congruentes con las actividades que realizan al ofrecer el cuidado, el 86% perciben satisfacción de sus conocimientos, el 85% se consideran bien aceptados laboralmente, el 95% aprecian relevante su desempeño laboral, el 66% son contratados en 2.° y 3.er nivel de atención en el sector salud.ConclusionesLos egresados consideran que existe congruencia entre los contenidos curriculares con el desempeño profesional; se ubican mayormente en áreas asistenciales del 2.° y 3.er nivel de atención, y perciben satisfacción de los conocimientos adquiridos y aceptación laboral.AbstractProfessional profiles of graduates from the health areas, and particularly those from nursing, require adjustments in order to meet the complex interactions which social needs and labor market characteristics demand. This situation creates the need to identify strengths and weaknesses in the formation of these graduates. By systematizing and continuously improving their studies, a successful incorporation and development into the complex labor markets is more likely to be achieved.ObjectiveTo describe the opinion which the nursing graduates from the Tlaxcala Autonomous University have on the congruency of the curricular contents and the working requirements while providing professional care.Materials and methodsDescriptive and transversal study which included 84 graduates from 3 generations who were selected by random simple sampling, and which used a structured and convenient questionnaire following the 1998 ANUIES proposal organized in 6 dominions.Results87% of the participants opined the curricular contents are congruent with the activities they do while providing care; 86% perceive satisfaction with their knowledge; 85% consider they are well fit regarding labor; 95% consider their working performance relevant; 66% are hired into the Health Sector's 2nd and 3rd levels of attention.ConclusionsThere is congruency between the curricular contents and their professional performance; the graduates are mainly located within the assisting areas of the 2nd and 3rd levels of attention; they feel satisfied with their knowledge and perceive labor acceptance

Preliminary morphologic and molecular study of teh Entoloma rusticoides group (Agaricales - Basidiomycota)

Es presenta un estudi sobre el grup rusticoides del gènere Entoloma subgènere Claudopus a la Península Ibérica. L'anàlisi filogenètica, sobre la base de 48 seqüències d'ITS i 45 seqüències de LSU, entre les quals, les dels tipus de 8 dels tàxons analitzats, mostra una marcada diversitat genètica que concorda amb la notable variabilitat observada en aquest grup. D'acord amb aquest fet, es descriuen els següents nous tàxons: E. almeriense, E. graphitipes f. cystidiatum, E. halophilum, E. muscoalpinum i E. phaeocarpum. A més, es tipifiquen E. phaeocyathus i E. rusticoides. S'inclouen claus provisionals d'identificació. S'aporten descripcions macro i microscòpiques, dibuixos i fotografies de la majoria dels tàxons estudiats.A study of the Entoloma rusticoides-group (subgenus Claudopus) in the Iberian peninsula is presented. Phylogenetic inference, based on 48 nrITS and 45 28S nrLSU sequences, including those of 8 type specimens, revealed a high genetic diversity, in accordance with the observed morphological variability in this group. In addition new taxa are proposed to accomodate independent lineages (E. almeriense, E. graphitipes f. cystidiatum, E. halophilum, E. muscoalpinum and E. phaeocarpum) and the typification of E. phaeocyathus and E. rusticoides is proposed. Preliminary taxonomic keys are included to help identification. For most species macro and microscopic descriptions, drawings and photographs are presented

First identification of Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis sheep strain in Argentina

We here identified for the first time the presence of Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP) sheep (S) strain in Argentina. IS900 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was positive. The S strain was compared with MAP cattle (C) strains by using IS1311 PCR-restriction endonuclease analysis (PCR-REA), multiplex PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

First identification of Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis sheep strain in Argentina

We here identified for the first time the presence of Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP) sheep (S) strain in Argentina. IS900 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was positive. The S strain was compared with MAP cattle (C) strains by using IS1311 PCR-restriction endonuclease analysis (PCR-REA), multiplex PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Preliminary morphologic and molecular study of teh Entoloma rusticoides group (Agaricales - Basidiomycota)

Es presenta un estudi sobre el grup rusticoides del gènere Entoloma subgènere Claudopus a la Península Ibérica. L'anàlisi filogenètica, sobre la base de 48 seqüències d'ITS i 45 seqüències de LSU, entre les quals, les dels tipus de 8 dels tàxons analitzats, mostra una marcada diversitat genètica que concorda amb la notable variabilitat observada en aquest grup. D'acord amb aquest fet, es descriuen els següents nous tàxons: E. almeriense, E. graphitipes f. cystidiatum, E. halophilum, E. muscoalpinum i E. phaeocarpum. A més, es tipifiquen E. phaeocyathus i E. rusticoides. S'inclouen claus provisionals d'identificació. S'aporten descripcions macro i microscòpiques, dibuixos i fotografies de la majoria dels tàxons estudiats.A study of the Entoloma rusticoides-group (subgenus Claudopus) in the Iberian peninsula is presented. Phylogenetic inference, based on 48 nrITS and 45 28S nrLSU sequences, including those of 8 type specimens, revealed a high genetic diversity, in accordance with the observed morphological variability in this group. In addition new taxa are proposed to accomodate independent lineages (E. almeriense, E. graphitipes f. cystidiatum, E. halophilum, E. muscoalpinum and E. phaeocarpum) and the typification of E. phaeocyathus and E. rusticoides is proposed. Preliminary taxonomic keys are included to help identification. For most species macro and microscopic descriptions, drawings and photographs are presented

A design method for robust and quadratic optimal MIMO linear controllers

a b s t r a c t In this paper a design method was formulated to deal with robustness and performance specifications for any MIMO linear controller. The controller tuning procedure was expressed as an optimization problem in which novel time-domain integrals of the weighted squared error and weighted squared control signals, with initial state zero and inputs not necessarily defined over the Lebesgue normed space ðL 2 þ Þ, were minimized. The control robustness is achieved by constraining the minimization such that the maximum complex/real ratio of the closed-loop control system eigenvalues was lower than one. The proposed tuning method was applied in the design of linear controllers with PID structure for a CSTR with disturbance noise and a nonlinear CSTR with control signal saturations, both reported in literature. The results show that the proposed control systems surpass the performance and robustness characteristics of the controllers designed with other reported methods