Synthesis of Poly[(3-(6-(9-anthracenylmethoxy)hexyl)thiophene)-co-(3-(6-bromohexyl)thiophene)] Postfunctionalized from Poly(3-(6-bromohexyl)thiophene): A Comparative Study of the Base Polymer with Its Chlorinated Analogous

A synthetic method based on the postfunctionalization of a reactive homopolymer precursor, which allows for the preparation of different copolymers derived from poly(3-alkylthiophene), was studied. Although these groups decrease the solubility of the resultant material, they enable controlling the degree of substitution to obtain a material with improved spectroscopic (absorption and emission) properties making them useful for the fabrication of electronic devices, for example, solar cells and light-emitting diodes. Furthermore, a comparative study of two halogenated (Cl and Br) reactive poly(3-ω-haloalkyl)thiophenes was carried out

Assessment of Characteristics and Conditions before the End of Lockdown

After months of blockades and restriction, the decision of the best time to end the lockdown after the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is the big question for health rectors. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics and conditions for ending the blockade after the first wave of COVID-19. Data on the variables of interest were subjected to linear and non-linear regression studies to determine the curve that best explains the data. The coefficient of determination, the standard deviation of y in x, and the observed curve of the confidence interval were estimated. Regression which was estimated subsequently revealed the trend curve. The study found that all dependent variables tend to decrease over time in a quadratic fashion, except for the variable for new cases. In general, the R2 and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) estimates were satisfactory: gradual and cautious steps should be taken before ending the lockdown. The results suggested that a surveillance of crucial indicators (e.g., incidence, prevalence, and PCR test positivity) should be maintained before lockdown is terminated. Moreover, the findings indicated that long-term preparations should be made to contain future waves of new cases

Superconducting nitridized-aluminum thin films

We report the direct observation of superconductivity in nitridized-aluminum thin films. The films are produced by sputtering deposition of aluminum in a controlled mixture of nitrogen diluted in argon. The concentration of applied nitrogen directly determines the properties of the superconducting thin films. We observe samples displaying critical temperatures up to 3.38 ± 0.01 K and resilience to in-plane magnetic fields well above 1 T, with good reproducibility of the results. This work represents an unambiguous demonstration of tunable superconductivity in aluminum-based nitridized thin films. Our results put forward nitridized aluminum as a promising material to be employed in superconducting quantum circuits for quantum technology applications

Aspectos toxinológicos , clínicos y epidemiológicos del envenenamiento producido por el escorpión Tityus fuhrmanni Kraepelin

ResumenCon el objetivo de determinar las características toxinológicas, clínicas y epidemiológicas del envenenamiento producido por el escorpión T. fuhrmanni, se realizó durante un año un estudio prospectivo en un sector de la ciudad de Medellin(Cerro El volador y los barrios aledaños San germán y El Volador), en una muestra de 9,6% de las casas(180) y de 9,4% de la población del área (719 habitantes). Se incluyó también la recolección de especímenes vivos (128) y de veneno para la parte experimental.[Gómez JP, Otero R, Núñes V, Saldarriaga M, Díaz A, Velásques P. Aspectos toxinológicos , clínicos y epidemiológicos del envenenamiento producido por el escorpión Tityus fuhrmanni Kraepelin. MedUNAB 2002; 5(15):159-65].Palabras clave: Escorpión, Tityus fuhrmanni, envenenamiento, clínica, epidemiológia.&nbsp

Told through the wine: a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry interplatform comparison reveals the influence of the global approach on the final annotated metabolites in non-targeted metabolomics

This work focuses on the influence of the selected LC-HRMS platform on the final annotated compounds in non-targeted metabolomics. Two platforms that differed in columns, mobile phases, gradients, chromatographs, mass spectrometers (Orbitrap [Platform#1] and Q-TOF [Platform#2]), data processing and marker selection protocols were compared. A total of 42 wines samples from three different protected denomination of origin (PDO) were analyzed. At the feature level, good (O)PLS-DA models were obtained for both platforms (Q2[Platform#1]=0.89, 0.83 and 0.72; Q2[Platform#2]=0.86, 0.86 and 0.77 for Penedes, Ribera del Duero and Rioja wines respectively) with 100% correctly classified samples in all cases. At the annotated metabolite level, platforms proposed 9 and 8 annotated metabolites respectively which were identified by matching standards or the MS/MS spectra of the compound. At this stage, none of the suggested metabolites was coincident between platforms. When screened on the raw data, 6 and 5 of these compounds were detected on the other platform with a similar trend. Some of the detected metabolites showed complimentary information when integrated on biological pathways. Through the use of some examples at the annotated metabolite level, possible explanations of this initial divergence on the results are presented. This work shows the complications that may arise on the comparison of non-targeted metabolomics platforms even when metabolite focused approaches are used in the identificatio

Methodology of fault diagnosis for grid-connected photovoltaic systems of network connection

[ES] Esta investigación tiene como objetivo el diseño de una metodología de diagnóstico de fallos para contribuir al mejoramiento de los indicadores de eficiencia, mantenimiento y disponibilidad de los Sistemas Fotovoltaicos de Conexión a Red (SFVCR). Para lograr dicho objetivo, se realiza el estudio del inversor de conexión a red y del modelo matemático del generador fotovoltaico. Luego se cuantifican las pérdidas operacionales del generador fotovoltaico y se adapta el modelo matemático de éste a las condiciones reales del sistema a través de un ajuste polinomial. Un sistema real de conexión a red de potencia nominal 7.5 kWp, instalado en el Centro de Investigaciones de Energía Solar (CIES) en la provincia Santiago de Cuba, se utiliza para evaluar la metodología propuesta. Con los resultados obtenidos se valida el diseño propuesto para demostrar que éste supervisa con éxito el SFVCR. La metodología fue capaz de detectar e identificar el 100 % de los fallos simulados y los ensayos realizado[EN] The aim of the present research work is the design of a methodology of fault diagnosis as a contribution to the improvement of indicators about efficiency, maintenance and availability of Photovoltaic Systems of Network Connection (PVSNC). The network connection inverter and the mathematical model of the Photovoltaic Generator were firstly analyzed. Afterwards, the existing operational losses of the Photovoltaic Generator were quantified, and the mathematical model was adapted to the real conditions of the System through a polynomial adjustment. A real network connection system of nominal power 7.5 kWp installed at the Research Center of Solar Energy, in the province of Santiago de Cuba, was used to assess the proposed methodology. The results obtained were validated to show that the proposed design successfully supervises the PVSNC.100% of the simulated faults were detected and identified with the designed methodology, whose usefulness was additionally shown when having a maximum rateNúñez A., J.; Benítez P., I.; Proenza Y., R.; Vázquez S., L.; Díaz M., D. (2020). Metodología de diagnóstico de fallos para sistemas fotovoltaicos de conexión a red. Revista Iberoamericana de Automática e Informática industrial. 17(1):94-105. https://doi.org/10.4995/riai.2019.11449OJS94105171Alam, M., Khan, F., Johnson, J. & Flicker, J., 2015. A comprehensive review of catastrophic faults in PV arrays: types, detection, and mitigation techniques. IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics 5(3):1-16. https://doi.org/10.1109/JPHOTOV.2015.2397599Berbesi, T. Aplicacion de técnicas robustas para detección y diagnóstico de fallos. 2012. Tesis Doctoral. Universidad de Valladolid, España.Brooks, B. The bakersfield fire: a lesson in ground-fault protection. SolarPro, Issue 4.2, Feb/Mar 2011.Chao, K., Ho, S. & Wang, M. Modeling and fault diagnosis of a photovoltaic system. 2008. Electric Power Systems Research 78 (1), p. 97-105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsr.2006.12.012Chouder, A. & Silvestre. Automatic supervision and fault detection of PV systems based on power losses analysis. Energy Conversion and Management, Volume 51, Issue 10, October 2010, Pages 1929-1937. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2010.02.025Chouder, A. & Silvestre, S. Analysis model of mismatch power losses in PV systems. 2009. Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, 131(2), 024504 (Apr 02, 2009) (5 pages).https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3097275De Soto, W., Klein, W., Beckman, W. A. Improvement and Validation of a Model for Photovoltaic Array Performance. 2004. Solar Energy, 80(2), January 2006, Pages 78-88.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2005.06.010Duffie, J. A., Beckman, W. A. Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes. Fourth Edition. 2013. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118671603Farhat, M., Barambones, Ó., Ramos, J., Durán, E., & Andújar, J. (2015). Diseño e Implementación de un Sistema de Control estable basado en Lógica Borrosa para optimizar el rendimiento de un sistema de Generación Fotovoltaico. Revista Iberoamericana de Automática e Informática industrial, 12(4), 476-487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.riai.2015.07.006Firth, S. K. Raising Efficiency in Photovoltaic Systems: High Resolution Monitoring and Performance Analysis. 2006 Tesis Doctoral. Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development De Montfort University.Garoudja, E., Harrou, F., Sun, Y., Kamel, K., Chouder, A., Silvestre, S. Statistical fault detection in photovoltaic systems. 2017. Solar Energy, 150(1), July 2017, Pages 485-499.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2017.04.043González, G. N., De Angelo, C. H., Forchetti, D. G., Aligia, D. A., 2018. Detection and Isolation of Faults on the Rotor Side Converter of Doubly Fed Induction Generators. Revista Iberoamericana de Automática e Informática Industrial,15(3), 297-308. ISSN: 1697-7912, https://doi.org/10.4995/riai.2017.9042Grimaldo Guerrero, J. W., Mendoza Becerra, M. A., Reyes Calle, W. P., 2017. Modelo para pronosticar la demanda de energía eléctrica utilizando los producto interno brutos sectoriales: Caso de Colombia. Revista Espacios Vol. 38 (22), 38.Guerrero, J. W. G., Toscano, A. D. R., Pacheco, L. V., Tovar, J. O., 2018. Analysis of the Energetic and Productive Effects Derived by the Installation of a Conveyor Belt in the Metal-mechanic Industry. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, 8(6), 196-201. https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.7066Houssein, N. Héraud, I. Souleiman and G. Pellet, "Monitoring and fault diagnosis of photovoltaic panels," 2010 IEEE International Energy Conference, Manama, 2010, pp. 389-394. https://doi.org/10.1109/ENERGYCON.2010.5771711Lorenzo, E., Martínez F., Muñoz, J., Narvarte, L. Predicción y ensayo de la producción de la energía FV conectada a la red. Era solar: Energías renovables, ISSN 0212-4157, Nº. 139, 2007, págs. 22-31Mekki, H., Mellit, A., Salhi & H.H. Artificial neural network-based modelling and fault detection of partial shaded photovoltaic modules. 2016. Simulation Modelling Practice and Theory, vol 67, p. 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.simpat.2016.05.005Meyer. E. L., Van Dyk, E. E. Assessing the reliability and degradation of photovoltaic module performance parameters, in IEEE Transactions on Reliability, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 83-92, March 2004. https://doi.org/10.1109/TR.2004.824831Mikati, M., Santos, M., Armenta, C., 2013. Electric grid dependence on the configuration of a small-scale wind and solar power hybrid system. Renewable Energy, 57, 587-593. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2013.02.018Montgomery, D., 2009. Introduction to Statistical Quality Control. Sixth Edition 978-0-470-16992-6 Printed in the United States of America.Munoz, M., Alonso-García, M., Vela, N. & Chenlo, F., 2011. Early degradation of silicon pv modules and guaranty conditions. 2011. Solar Energy 85(9):2264-2274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2011.06.011Real Calvo, R., Moreno Muñoz, A., Pallares López, V., González Redondo, M., Moreno García, I., & Palacios García, E. (2017). Sistema Electrónico Inteligente para el Control de la Interconexión entre Equipamiento de Generación Distribuida y la Red Eléctrica. Revista Iberoamericana de Automática e Informática industrial, 14(1), 56-69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.riai.2016.11.002Romera Cabrerizo, J. A., Santos, M., 2017. ParaTrough: Modelica-based Simulation Library for Solar Thermal Plants. Revista Iberoamericana de Automática e Informática Industrial, 14(4):412-423. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.riai.2017.06.005Rubio, F. R., Navas, S. J., Ollero, P., Lemos, J. M., Ortega, M. G., 2018. Optimal Control Applied to Distributed Solar Collector Fields. Revista Iberoamericana de Automática e Informática Industrial, 15(3), 327-338. https://doi.org/10.4995/riai.2018.8944Sagastume Gutiérrez, A., Cabello Eras, J.J., Hens, L,. 2017. The Biomass Based Electricity Generation Potential of the Province of Cienfuegos, Cuba. Waste Biomass Valor. 8(6), 2075-2085. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-016-9687-xSagastume Gutiérrez, A., Cabello Eras, J.J., Huisinghc, D., Vandecasteeled, C., Hense, L., 2018. The current potential of low-carbon economy and biomass-based electricity in Cuba. The case of sugarcane, energy cane and marabu (Dichrostachys cinerea) as biomass sources. Journal of Cleaner Production. 17(2), Pages 716-723. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.11.209Stettler, S., Toggweiler, P., Wiemken, E., Heidenreich, W., Keizer, A.C., Sark, W.G., Feige, S., Schneider, M., Heilscher, G., É., Lorenz, R., Drews, A., Heinemann, D., 2005. Failure Detection Routine for Grid Connected Pv Systems as Part of the Pvsat2 Project. 20th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition.Tian, H., Mancilla-David, F., Ellis, K., Muljadi, E., & Jenkins, P. Detailed Performance Model for Photovoltaic Systems: Preprint. United States. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 2012 - 56 páginas.Vergura, S., Acciani, G., Amoruso, V., Patrono, G., 2008. Inferential statistics for monitoring and fault forecasting of pv plants. In Industrial Electronics IEEE International Symposium on, p. 2414-2419. https://doi.org/10.1109/ISIE.2008.4677264Vergura, S., Acciani, G., Amoruso, V., Patrono, G., Vacca, F. 2009. 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Hippo pathway effectors YAP1/TAZ induce an EWS–FLI1‐opposing gene signature and associate with disease progression in Ewing sarcoma

YAP1 and TAZ (WWTR1) oncoproteins are the final transducers of the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway. Deregulation of the pathway leads to YAP1/TAZ activation fostering tumorigenesis in multiple malignant tumor types, including sarcoma. However, oncogenic mutations within the core components of the Hippo pathway are uncommon. Ewing sarcoma (EwS), a pediatric cancer with low mutation rate, is characterized by a canonical fusion involving the gene EWSR1 and FLI1 as the most common partner. The fusion protein is a potent driver of oncogenesis, but secondary alterations are scarce, and little is known about other biological factors that determine the risk of relapse or progression. We have observed YAP1/TAZ expression and transcriptional activity in EwS cell lines. Analyses of 55 primary human EwS samples revealed that high YAP1/TAZ expression was associated with progression of the disease and predicted poorer outcome. We did not observe recurrent SNV or copy number gains/losses in Hippo pathway‐related loci. However, differential CpG methylation of the RASSF1 locus (a regulator of the Hippo pathway) was observed in EwS cell lines compared with mesenchymal stem cells, the putative cell of origin of EwS. Hypermethylation of RASSF1 correlated with the transcriptional silencing of the tumor suppressor isoform RASFF1A, and transcriptional activation of the pro‐tumorigenic isoform RASSF1C, which promotes YAP1/TAZ activation. Knockdown of YAP1/TAZ decreased proliferation and invasion abilities of EwS cells and revealed that YAP1/TAZ transcription activity is inversely correlated with the EWS–FLI1 transcriptional signature. This transcriptional antagonism could be explained partly by EWS–FLI1‐mediated transcriptional repression of TAZ. Thus, YAP1/TAZ may override the transcriptional program induced by the fusion protein, contributing to the phenotypic plasticity determined by dynamic fluctuation of the fusion protein, a recently proposed model for disease dissemination in EwS

Decontamination of filtering facepiece respirators using a low-temperature-steam–2%-formaldehyde sterilization process during a pandemic: a safe alternative for re-use

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has caused problems with respirator supplies. Re-use may minimize the impact of the shortage, but requires the availability of an efficient and safe decontamination method. Aim To determine whether low-temperature-steam–2%-formaldehyde (LTSF) sterilization is effective, preserves the properties of filtering facepiece (FFP) respirators and allows safe re-use. Methods Fourteen unused FFP2, FFP3 and N95 respirator models were subjected to two cycles of decontamination cycles. After the second cycle, each model was inspected visually and accumulated residual formaldehyde levels were analysed according to EN 14180. After one and two decontamination cycles, the fit factor (FF) of each model was tested, and penetration tests with sodium chloride aerosols were performed on five models. Findings Decontamination physically altered three of the 14 models. All of the residual formaldehyde values were below the permissible threshold. Irregular decreases and increases in FF were observed after each decontamination cycle. In the sodium chloride aerosol penetration test, three models obtained equivalent or superior results to those of the FFP classification with which they were marketed, both at baseline and after one and two cycles of decontamination, and two models had lower filtering capacity. Conclusion One and two decontamination cycles using LTSF did not alter the structure of most (11/14) respirators tested, and did not degrade the fit or filtration capacity of any of the analysed respirators. The residual formaldehyde levels complied with EN 14180. This reprocessing method could be used in times of shortage of personal protective equipment