Characterization and Strategies for Implementing Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems in Consolidated Cities with High Flood Risk. Case Study: Barranquilla - Colombia

Urban Water Managemen

Titanium Carbide (TiC) Production by Mechanical Alloying

This chapter presents the process for obtaining titanium carbides (TiC) from elemental powders of titanium dioxide, aluminum, and graphite by means of the mechanical alloying technique, using a semi-industrial attritor mill. Three grindings were performing: a wet, a dry, and a vacuum grinding. The mass relations between grinding elements and powders used were 20:1 to wet grinding and 40:1 to dry and vacuum grinding. Each grinding took 36 h with a control stop at 18 h. The samples were analyzed using X-ray diffraction analysis and the characteristics peak were detected on 2θ = 41, 60, 72, and 76°. Targets of TiC were produced using compaction and sintering processes. The particle size (between 200 nm and 1 μm) was measure using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After the milling process, the particle size showed a huge distribution. However, after the sintered process, the particle size (lower than 5 μm) distribution had a low dispersion and their shape trends to be spherical. It is necessary to highlight that the precursors used were low cost compared to the high cost and purity powders used for this purpose; so this method is an excellent alternative to implement as a low-cost industrial process

Rapid and on-site simultaneous electrochemical detection of copper, lead and mercury in the Amazon river

In poor and remote zones of the world, such as the Amazon region, the lack of analytical infrastructures prevents regular quality assessments of water systems. The access to affordable, portable and robust analytical technologies for real-time and on-site water monitoring is, therefore, key to safeguard vulnerable communities and the environment. In this context, we have developed and successfully implemented an electrochemical methodology for the rapid (60 s) and effective simultaneous electrochemical detection of heavy metal ions of concern (Pb2+, Cu2+ and Hg2+) in water, with a single screen-printed electrode probe. In particular, we show a wide quantification range for each pollutant (5−300 μg L−1), and detection limits below the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maximum contaminant levels for drinking water: 0.015, 1.3 and 0.002 mg L−1 for Pb2+, Cu2+ and Hg2+, respectively. The electrochemical sensors were tested in high temperature and humidity conditions in remote areas of the Amazon river, highly affected by mining-related heavy metal pollution. The field measurements were validated against standard lab-based analytical methods, showing excellent agreement. Our methodology can lead to an affordable and portable diagnostic tool for rapid and on-site monitoring of heavy metals pollution in remote areas.</p

Rapid and on-site simultaneous electrochemical detection of copper, lead and mercury in the Amazon river

In poor and remote zones of the world, such as the Amazon region, the lack of analytical infrastructures prevents regular quality assessments of water systems. The access to affordable, portable and robust analytical technologies for real-time and on-site water monitoring is, therefore, key to safeguard vulnerable communities and the environment. In this context, we have developed and successfully implemented an electrochemical methodology for the rapid (60 s) and effective simultaneous electrochemical detection of heavy metal ions of concern (Pb2+, Cu2+ and Hg2+) in water, with a single screen-printed electrode probe. In particular, we show a wide quantification range for each pollutant (5−300 μg L−1), and detection limits below the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maximum contaminant levels for drinking water: 0.015, 1.3 and 0.002 mg L−1 for Pb2+, Cu2+ and Hg2+, respectively. The electrochemical sensors were tested in high temperature and humidity conditions in remote areas of the Amazon river, highly affected by mining-related heavy metal pollution. The field measurements were validated against standard lab-based analytical methods, showing excellent agreement. Our methodology can lead to an affordable and portable diagnostic tool for rapid and on-site monitoring of heavy metals pollution in remote areas.</p

Talleres de habilidades profesionales para jóvenes en ciencia de América Latina

una de las iniciativas promovidas en los Congresos Internacionales de Mujeres en la Física, organizados por la unión Internacional de Física Pura y Aplicada, fue brindar apoyo a las mujeres que se desenvuelven en esta disciplina a través de talleres de habilidades profesionales. Estos talleres se implementaron en algunos países a nivel nacional y también durante la realización de los icwip. Gracias al trabajo conjunto de un grupo de científicas latinoamericanas, también ha sido posible organizarlos en la región. En este trabajo se describen las características que han tenido los talleres organizados hasta el momento en tres países latinoamericanos, la realimentación dada por los y las jóvenes que participaron de los mismos y las lecciones aprendidas de cada experiencia.Fil: Avila, Alba. Universidad de Los Andes; ColombiaFil: Lilia Meza Montes. Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla; MéxicoFil: Ponce Dawson, Silvina Martha. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Física de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Física de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Física; Argentin

Escola do Campo e Agricultura Sustentável: uma via contra hegemônica

A problemática da degradação ambiental vem se tornando cada vez mais evidente diante da contínua exploração do ser humano. As secas e os desastres ambientais são consequências do abuso do modo de produção capitalista, que no meio rural é identificado no agronegócio, na monocultura e no uso de agrotóxicos provindos da chamada Revolução Verde. Diante disso, a agricultura sustentável vem como uma categoria de contraposição à hegemonia do capital. Por isso, objetivo principal deste artigo é demonstrar o funcionamento da agricultura sustentável, assim como evidenciar a importância de seu debate ser realizado no chão das escolas do campo

El Grupo de Trabajo sobre Mujeres en Física de la Unión Internacional de Física Pura y Aplicada y su Impacto en Latinoamérica

La Unión Internacional de Física Pura y Aplicada (IUPAP por sus siglas en inglés) creó en 1999 el Grupo de Trabajo sobre Mujeres en Física y le otorgó la misión de relevar e informar la situación de las mujeres físicas y la de sugerir medidas para mejorar dicha situación. Una de las primeras tareas del grupo fue la conformación de grupos análogos en cada país miembro de la IUPAP encargados de abordar la problemática en su ámbito local. El trabajo y colaboración en red de estos grupos locales con la coordinación del Grupo de Trabajo de la IUPAP permitió avanzar notablemente tanto en el relevamiento como en el diseño e implementación de políticas destinadas a disminuir la brecha de género en la disciplina. El Grupo de Trabajo tuvo un gran impacto en Latinoamérica donde llevó a la conformación de redes y a la organización de diversos eventos de carácter regional. Presentamos acá una breve descripción de la historia y tareas del Grupo de Trabajo sobre Mujeres en Física de la IUPAP en general. Describimos luego algunas de las redes y actividades que tuvieron lugar en Latinoamérica derivadas de la existencia del grupo de trabajo creado por la IUPAP.Fil: Avila Bernal, Alba. Universidad de los Andes; ColombiaFil: Barbosa, Marcia C.. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Ceron Loayza, Maria Luisa. Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos; PerúFil: Meza Montes, Lilia. Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla; MéxicoFil: Ponce Dawson, Silvina Martha. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Física de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Física de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Física; Argentin

Learning and Memory Impairments in Patients with Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy are Associated with Structural and Functional Connectivity Alterations in Hippocampus

Patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) show mild cognitive impairment associated with alterations in attentional and executive networks. There are no studies evaluating the relationship between memory in MHE and structural and functional connectivity (FC) changes in the hippocampal system. This study aimed to evaluate verbal learning and long-term memory in cirrhotic patients with (C-MHE) and without MHE (C-NMHE) and healthy controls. We assessed the relationship between alterations in memory and the structural integrity and FC of the hippocampal system. C-MHE patients showed impairments in learning, long-term memory, and recognition, compared to C-NMHE patients and controls. Cirrhotic patients showed reduced fimbria volume compared to controls. Larger volumes in hippocampus subfields were related to better memory performance in C-NMHE patients and controls. C-MHE patients presented lower FC between the L-presubiculum and L-precuneus than C-NMHE patients. Compared to controls, C-MHE patients had reduced FC between L-presubiculum and subiculum seeds and bilateral precuneus, which correlated with cognitive impairment and memory performance. Alterations in the FC of the hippocampal system could contribute to learning and long-term memory impairments in C-MHE patients. This study demonstrates the association between alterations in learning and long-term memory and structural and FC disturbances in hippocampal structures in cirrhotic patients