Muros de escollera en urbanizaciones

The uneven and slopes terrain force us to intervene with rigid or flexible containment structures. Containment structures tend to be mostly of reinforced concrete or steel sheet piling. For some time, the use of stone jetties as containment structures and permanent stabilization in housing estates is being imposed. This type of structure has been used successfully in slopes of roads and jetties on port. When moving it to suburbia has disparaged some aspects, both design and calculation, not taking into account actions in risk areas, or eliminating essential components as filters and drain components. This document analyzes the work of intervention in two works affected in Motril (Granada, Spain) and Almeria (Spain), where the breakwaters were utilized, reaching recidivism in one of them. Guide for the design and construction of breakwaters in roadworks from the Ministry of Public Works in 1998, revised in 2006, [3] is a valuable document but requires a Decalogue of specific instructions for use in works of urbanization, in general of lower volume, and with the largest number of meetings of surfaces. Three-dimensionality is usually an important factor to take into account.Los desniveles y pendientes del terreno nos obligan a intervenir mediante estructuras de contención, rígidas o flexibles. Las estructuras de contención suelen ser en su mayor parte de hormigón armado o tablestacas metálicas. Desde hace algún tiempo se está imponiendo la utilización de escolleras de piedra como estructuras de contención y estabilización permanentes en urbanizaciones. Este tipo de estructuras ya habían sido usadas con éxito en taludes de carreteras y espigones de puerto. Al trasladarse a las urbanizaciones se ha menospreciado algunos aspectos, tanto de diseño y cálculo, no teniendo en cuenta las acciones sísmicas en zonas de riesgo como Motril, o eliminando componentes esenciales como filtros y drenajes. El presente documento analiza los trabajos de intervención realizados en dos obras siniestradas en Motril y Almería (España), donde se utilizaron las escolleras, uno de ellos incluso reincidente. La Guía para el diseño y construcción de escolleras en obras de carreteras del Ministerio de Fomento de 1998, revisada en 2006, es un valioso documento pero precisa de un decálogo de instrucciones precisas para su uso en obras de urbanización, en general de menor volumen, y con mayor número de encuentros de superficies. La tridimensionalidad suele ser un factor importante a tener en cuenta

Factores asociados al intento suicida e ideación suicida persistente en un Centro de Atención Primaria. Bogotá, 2004-2006

Objective: Characterising patients attempting suicide who were evaluated by psychiatry at the Primary Care Unit (PCU) 'La Estrella' from October/2004 to October/2005 and determining persistent suicidal ideation and associated factors. Methods: An initial description of attempted suicide patients (n=156). A subsequent case control study (n=77) determined persistent suicidal ideation cases (n=27). A multivariate model was used for determining the remaining factors associated with persistent suicide ideation. Results: Cases increased from 6 in October/2004 to 10 in October/2005, average 12 ± 3,6 cases monthly. 80 % were aged 30 or younger, 66,7 % were female, 24,4 % were students and 20,5 % were unemployed. 35,2 % suffered family dysfunction and 35.2% had conflicts between couples as precipitant factors. 49 % had consumed alcohol prior to the suicide attempt. Persistent suicidal ideation was associated with being 31 years old or older, being unemployed and having a higher number of previous suicide attempts, unresolved conflicts and family dysfunction. Logistical regression revealed unresolved conflicts (OR=106.7; 6,8; 1 668,4 95 % CI) and family dysfunction (OR=11.05; 1,7; 71,2 95 % CI) as predictor variables for persistent suicidal ideation. Conclusion Unresolved conflicts and family dysfunction were found to be predictor factors for persistent suicidal ideation in subjects who had attempted suicide. Consuming alcohol and other associated factors should be controlled by mental health prevention and promotion programmes

Coseismic seafloor deformation in the trench region during the Mw8.8 Maule megathrust earthquake

The Mw 8.8 megathrust earthquake that occurred on 27 February 2010 offshore the Maule region of central Chile triggered a destructive tsunami. Whether the earthquake rupture extended to the shallow part of the plate boundary near the trench remains controversial. The up-dip limit of rupture during large subduction zone earthquakes has important implications for tsunami generation and for the rheological behavior of the sedimentary prism in accretionary margins. However, in general, the slip models derived from tsunami wave modeling and seismological data are poorly constrained by direct seafloor geodetic observations. We difference swath bathymetric data acquired across the trench in 2008, 2011 and 2012 and find ∼3-5 m of uplift of the seafloor landward of the deformation front, at the eastern edge of the trench. Modeling suggests this is compatible with slip extending seaward, at least, to within ∼6 km of the deformation front. After the Mw 9.0 Tohoku-oki earthquake, this result for the Maule earthquake represents only the second time that repeated bathymetric data has been used to detect the deformation following megathrust earthquakes, providing methodological guidelines for this relatively inexpensive way of obtaining seafloor geodetic data across subduction zone

Taller de resolución de problemas: desarrollando habilidades en matemática

El taller Resolución de Problemas en Acción busca proveer de una experiencia colectiva, práctica y replicable de resolución de problemas a sus participantes, además de dar la oportunidad de una discusión acerca de la importancia de la resolución de problemas en la enseñanza de la matemática escolar y la importancia que ha adquirido la resolución de problemas en el nuevo currículo. Este taller en su versión corriente tiene una extensión de 5 horas y se realiza usualmente un día sábado con la participación de un número de profesores que va de 21 hasta 120. En esta oportunidad se propone una versión reducida de 90 minutos para 42 participantes

Experimental and theoretical assessment of native oxide in the superconducting TaN

In this manuscript, we show through an experimental-computational proof of concept the native oxide formation into superconducting TaN films. First, TaN was synthesized at an ultra-high vacuum system by reactive pulsed laser deposition and characterized in situ by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The material was also characterized ex situ by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and the four-point probe method. It was detected that TaN contained considerable oxygen impurities (up to 26 %O) even though it was grown in an ultra-high vacuum chamber. Furthermore, the impurified TaN evidence a face-centered cubic crystalline structure only and exhibits superconductivity at 2.99 K. To understand the feasibility of the native oxide in TaN, we study the effect of incorporating different amounts of O atoms in TaN using ab-initio calculations. A thermodynamic stability analysis shows that a TaOxN1-x model increases its stability as oxygen is added, demonstrating that oxygen may always be present in TaN, even when obtained at ultra-high vacuum conditions. All analyzed models exhibit metallic behavior. Charge density difference maps reveal that N and O atoms have a higher charge density redistribution than Ta atoms. The electron localization function maps and line profiles indicate that Ta-O and Ta-N bonds are mainly ionic. As expected, stronger ionic behavior is observed in the Ta-O bonds due to the electronegativity difference between O and N atoms. Recent evidence points to superconductivity in bulk TaO, confirming the asseverations of superconductivity in our samples. The results discussed here highlight the importance of considering native oxide when reporting superconductivity in TaN films since the TaO regions formed in the compound may be key to understanding the different critical temperatures reported in the literature.Comment: 23 pages, 7 figure

Adhesion mechanisms of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae to the porcine respiratory system and biofilm formation

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae is a Gram-negative bacterium and the causative agent of porcine pleuropneumonia, a highly contagious disease of pigs characterised by fibrinohaemorrhagic necrotising pneumonia. Although it has been well controlled in some developed countries, outbreaks can occur in pigs of all ages in contact with asymptomatic carriers, leading to significant economic losses to the swine industry due to the high morbidity and mortality rates. Adhesion is a critical step in the colonisation of the swine respiratory tract and the pathogenesis of the porcine pleuropneumonia; however, a literature review of this process is not available to date. Therefore, this review aims to provide information regarding the molecules that have been described in the adhesion of A. pleuropneumoniae to cells and tissues of the porcine respiratory tract. Since adhesion is the first step in biofilm formation, we included a section to describe the genes involved in this process; some of these genes could participate directly or indirectly in the adhesion of A. pleuropneumoniae to the porcine respiratory system. Although the role of biofilms in porcine pleuropneumonia is still not clear, these molecules could be considered in the future as candidates for vaccine development

An educational environment based on digital image processing to support the learning process of biomaterials degradation in stem cells

[Abstract] The Poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) copolymers (PDLGA) have designed and performed as biomaterials, taking into account their biodegradability and biocompatibility properties. These materials have a wide range of application in medicine such as orthopedic implants, general surgical implants (suture materials), osteosynthesis, bone cement, among many others. For these reasons, in this paper, we present an intelligent educational environment that can be used for both, researchers and students interested in the analysis of the biomaterial behavior under certain conditions. Our platform includes a Learning Objects (LOs) for MOODLE, and in the same way, implements several digital image processing techniques as well as a decision support module based on a random forest algorithm and statistical modeling. With the aim of determining the real feasibility of this proposal, we have presented the system to 34 Ecuadorian engineering students. After testing the platform, the students answered a survey aimed at determining their perception of the system. The results provide several guidelines to continue with the developing of the platform

Monitoring Physiological Responses in Giant Toad (Rhinella marina) from Coatzacoalcos, Mexico: A Comparative Study after 8 Years

The objective of this chapter is to present the results of a monitoring study carried out with physiological responses (biomarkers) in Rhinella marina (giant toad) for two different years, inhabiting the low basin of Coatzacoalcos river, one of the most contaminated regions in Mexico. A decrease in delta aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (δ-ALAD) (considered inhibition) and in the condition factor (1.2–1.5 times) found in toads of the industrial zone compared with reference organisms, each year. As for the hematological parameters, the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations (MCHC), in the amphibians of industrial zone of the first sampling year show a decrease, while for the second sampling year, show an increment of 1.5 times than organisms of reference site. These effects could be associated with exposure to pollutants such as heavy metals (mainly Pb), which have been registered in different studies. This study demonstrates the usefulness of giant toads as biomonitors of contaminated sites

Self-assembling peptides as an emerging platform for the treatment metabolic syndrome

open access articleMetabolic syndrome comprises a cluster of comorbidities that represent a major risk of developing chronic diseases, such as type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and stroke. Alarmingly, metabolic syndrome reaches epidemic proportions worldwide. Today, lifestyle changes and multiple drug-based therapies represent the gold standard to address metabolic syndrome. However, such approaches face two major limitations: complicated drug therapeutic regimes, which in most cases could lead to patient incompliance, and limited drug efficacy. This has encouraged scientists to search for novel routes to deal with metabolic syndrome and related diseases. Within such approaches, self-assembled peptide formulations have emerged as a promising alternative for treating metabolic syndrome. In particular, self-assembled peptide hydrogels, either as acellular or cell-load three-dimensional scaffoldings have reached significant relevance in the biomedical field to prevent and restore euglycemia, as well as for controlling cardiovascular diseases and obesity. This has been possible thanks to the physicochemical tunability of peptides, which are developed from a chemical toolbox of versatile amino acids enabling flexibility of designing a wide range of self-assembled/co-assembled nanostructures forming biocompatible viscoelastic hydrogels. Peptide hydrogels can be combined with several biological entities, such as extracellular matrix proteins, drugs or cells, forming functional biologics with therapeutic ability for treatment of metabolic syndrome-comorbidities. Additionally, self-assembly peptides combine safety, tolerability, and effectivity attributes; by this presenting a promising platform for the development of novel pharmaceuticals capable of addressing unmet therapeutic needs for diabetes, cardiovascular disorders and obesity. In this review, recent advances in developing self-assembly peptide nanostructures tailored for improving treatment of metabolic syndrome and related diseases will be discussed from basic research to preclinical research studies. Challenges facing the development of approved medicinal products based on self-assembling peptide nanomaterials will be discussed in light of regulatory requirement for clinical authorization