Thermoelectric Figure of Merit of Strongly Correlated Superlattice Semiconductors

We solved the Anderson Lattice Hamiltonian to get the energy bands of a strongly correlated semiconductor by using slave boson mean field theory. The transport properties were calculated in the relaxation-time approximation,and the thermoelectric figure of merit was obtained for the strongly correlated semiconductor and its superlattice structures. We found that at room temperature $ZT$ can reach nearly 2 for the quantum wire lattice structure.We believe that it is possible to find high values of thermoelectric figure of merit from strongly correlated semiconductor superlattice systems.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Fuzzy Control Strategy for an Anaerobic Wastewater Treatment Process

In this paper, a fuzzy control strategy (FCS) for an anaerobic wastewater treatment process is proposed in order to reject large disturbances on input substrate allowing a high methane production. This strategy is composed of: i) a state observer, which is based on a principal components analysis (PCA) and Takagi-Sugeno (TS) algorithm; it is designed to estimate variables hard to measure: biomass and substrate, ii) proportional-integral (PI) controllers based on a combination of the L/A(logarithm/antilogarithm) and fuzzy approaches; these controllers have variable gains and are designed to regulate bicarbonate in the reactor by two control actions: a base supplying (binc) and dilution rate (D) changes, iii) a TS supervisor which detects the process state, selects and applies the most adequate control action, allowing a smooth switching between open loop and closed loop. Applicability of the proposed structure in a completely stirred tank reactor (CSTR) is illustrated via simulations. The obtained results show that the process works in open loop in presence of small disturbances. For large disturbances, the supervisor allows the control actions to be applied avoiding washout; after that, the process returns to open loop operation. In general, the FCS improves the performances of the anaerobic process and is feasible for application in real processes, since the control scheme shows a good compromise between efficiency and complexity

Size-Controlled Water-Soluble Ag Nanoparticles

Ag nanoparticles of two different sizes (1 and 4 nm) were prepared within an apoferritin cavity by using an Ag+-loaded apoferritin as a nanoconfined environment for their construction. The initial amount of Ag' ions injected in the apoferritin cavity dictates the size of the final Ag particles. The protein shell prevents bulk aggregation of the metal particles, which renders them water soluble and extremely stable

Implementacion de un establecimiento de larga estadia para el adulto mayor en la ciudad de Talca.

127 p.En este trabajo se realiza un estudio para la Implementación de un Establecimiento de Larga Estadía para el Adulto Mayor en la Ciudad de Talca, enfocado especialmente a los segmentos socioeconómicos ABC1 C2. Se lleva a cabo este proyecto porque en el actual escenario no existe un establecimiento que proporcione este tipo de servicio con una alta calidad, existen clientes por abastecer los cuales están en aumento por la transición demográfica que vive el país. Para lograr conocer el atractivo del mercado se utilizan dos herramientas en particular, el Análisis Porter de las fuerzas competitivas del que se genera una estrategia a nivel de negocio, y el Análisis Situacional FODA del que se genera una matriz con el fin crear estrategias para aprovechar las fortalezas internas, las oportunidades externas, disminuir las debilidades y enfrentar las amenazas. Una vez definido el atractivo del mercado se procede a realizar un análisis económico-financiero para evaluar si es factible llevar a cabo el proyecto y como reacciona al disminuir las principales variables de las que depende el ingreso del establecimiento. Una vez llevado a cabo el estudio se logra concluir que el proyecto es factible puesto que presenta un VAN positivo y además una TIR muy por sobre el costo de oportunidad utilizado para la evaluación del proyecto

Biofilm and planktonic pneumococci demonstrate disparate immunoreactivity to human convalescent sera

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Streptococcus pneumoniae </it>(the pneumococcus) is the leading cause of otitis media, community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), sepsis, and meningitis. It is now evident that <it>S. pneumoniae </it>forms biofilms during nasopharyngeal colonization; the former which facilitates persistence, the latter, a prerequisite for subsequent development of invasive disease. Proteomic evaluation of <it>S. pneumoniae </it>suggests the antigen profile available for host-recognition is altered as a consequence of biofilm growth. This has potentially meaningful implications in regards to adaptive immunity and protection from disseminated disease. We therefore examined the antigen profile of biofilm and planktonic pneumococcal cell lysates, tested their reactivity with human convalescent sera and that generated against biofilm pneumococci, and examined whether immunization with biofilm pneumococci protected mice against infectious challenge.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Biofilm pneumococci have dramatically altered protein profiles versus their planktonic counterparts. During invasive disease the humoral immune response is skewed towards the planktonic protein profile. Immunization with biofilm bacteria does not elicit a strong-cross-reactive humoral response against planktonic bacteria nor confer resistance against challenge with a virulent isolate from another serotype. We identified numerous proteins, including Pneumococcal serine-rich repeat protein (PsrP), which may serve as a protective antigens against both colonization and invasive disease.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Differential protein production by planktonic and biofilm pneumococci provides a potential explanation for why individuals remain susceptible to invasive disease despite previous colonization events. These findings also strongly suggest that differential protein production during colonization and disease be considered during the selection of antigens for any future protein vaccine.</p

The impact of perceived CSR on corporate reputation and purchase intention

Fil: Bianchi, Enrique Carlos. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas. Departamento de Administración y Tecnología de la Información; Argentina.Fil: Bianchi, Enrique Carlos. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Unidad Asociada al CONICET; Argentina.Fil: Bruno, Juan Manuel. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas. Departamento de Administración y Tecnología de la Información; Argentina.Fil: Sarabia-Sanchez, Francisco J. Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche; España.The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of consumers’ perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR). The aim is to provide insight into the effect of perceived CSR on purchase intention (short-term effect) and corporate reputation (long-term effect), whilst considering the role of brand image, satisfaction (affective and cognitive) and brand loyalty.https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/full/10.1108/EJMBE-12-2017-0068info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersionFil: Bianchi, Enrique Carlos. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas. Departamento de Administración y Tecnología de la Información; Argentina.Fil: Bianchi, Enrique Carlos. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Unidad Asociada al CONICET; Argentina.Fil: Bruno, Juan Manuel. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas. Departamento de Administración y Tecnología de la Información; Argentina.Fil: Sarabia-Sanchez, Francisco J. Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche; España.Negocios y Administració