Monotherapy with boosted protease inhibitors as antiretroviral treatment simplification strategy in the clinical setting

Antiretroviral treatment simplification with darunavir/ritonavir or lopinavir/ritonavir monotherapy maintains sustained HIV viremia suppression in clinical trials. However, data about the efficacy of this strategy in routine clinical practice is still limited, and no direct comparison between darunavir/ritonavir and lopinavir/ritonavir has been performed to date. We retrospectively studied all HIV-1-infected subjects who initiated monotherapy with darunavir/ritonavir or lopinavir/ritonavir while having plasma VL<50 c/mL, and had at least 1 subsequent follow-up visit in our clinic. When two consecutive PI-monotherapy regimens were used, each regimen was considered separately. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients who maintained virological suppression (HIV-1 VL <50 c/mL) through follow-up. Virological failure was defined as at least two consecutive HIV-1 VL >50 c/mL. We also evaluated other reasons for treatment discontinuation. Analyses were performed considering all regimens (full dataset analysis) either as “on treatment” or as “treatment switch equals failure”. Five hundred and seventy-three PI-monotherapy regimens corresponding to 520 subjects were included, 262 with darunavir/ritonavir and 311 with lopinavir/ritonavir. Medians (IQR) follow-up were 50 (26.3–107.6) and 85.6 (36.9–179.1) weeks for subjects on darunavir/ritonavir and lopinavir/ritonavir, respectively (p<0.001). Overall, 67 (11.7%) subjects experienced virological failure, 23 (8.7%) were on darunavir/ritonavir and 42 (13.5%) were on lopinavir/ritonavir (p=0.796). Two hundred and three (77.5%) patients on darunavir/ritonavir and 154 (49.5%) on lopinavir/ritonavir maintained virological suppression in the “treatment switch equals failure” (p=0.002). Other reasons for treatment discontinuation were gastrointestinal toxicity and dyslipidemia in 7.2% and 5.9% of cases, respectively. Gastrointestinal toxicities and dyslipidemia leading to treatment discontinuation were more frequent in patients on lopinavir/ritonavir (10.6% and 10.3%, respectively) than in patients on darunavir/ritonavir (3.1% and 0.8%, respectively). Monotherapy with darunavir/ritonavir or lopinavir/ritonavir as simplification strategy appears to be effective and safe in subjects with virological suppression in clinical practice. Virological efficacy seems to be similar between regimens. However, rates of discontinuation due to toxicities were higher in subjects on lopinavir/ritonavir than darunavir/ritonavir

BASIC GEOMETRY AND POOL A THREE BANDS FOR BEGINNERS

En este artículo se muestra como mediante el uso de geometría básica y la utilización  de un software de geometría dinámica (Geogebra) para la manipulación de propiedades y transformaciones geométricas sencillas se simplifica el método de práctica de billar a tres bandas conocido como la “Teoría de los diamantes para sistemas a tres bandas”. Haciendo uso de movimientos rígidos en el plano y las propiedades de la reflexión de los cuerpos, se obtiene la “composición de rebotes” que no es más que la composición de isometrías, más exactamente de simetrías para determinar con anticipación el recorrido de la bola tiradora en tiros especiales llamados bricoles. This article shows how using basic geometry and the use of a dynamic geometry software (Geogebra) for handling properties and geometric transformations simple method of practice pool is simplified to three bands known as the ”Theory of diamonds tripartite systems ”. Making use of rigid motions in the plane and reflection properties of bodies, c¸omposition bounce”which is only obtained the composition of isometries, more precisely of symmetries to determine in advance the path of the cue ball Bricoles called special shots

Factores de calidad de un programa de Inglés como Medio de Instrucción asociados con la satisfacción de los estudiantes

This study examines the association between key quality factors of an English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) program delivered at a Spanish university with the students’ satisfaction. The significant growth of demand and offer of bilingual and plurilingual studies in Higher Education in the last decade in many non-Anglo-Saxon countries, recommends conducting more evaluation research studies aimed at measuring quality and impact of EMI programs on students’ performance and satisfaction. To respond to that need, this ex-post facto research study included a sample of 131 self-selected students. The dependent variable student satisfaction was measured with a questionnaire (α=0.82 and a ω= 0.85) delivered through a computer-assisted web interviewing technique. Nonparametric regression analysis results confirm partially two out of the four hypotheses tested with an average of the mean estimate of 3.7 (on a 5 points scale) and the (only) average marginal significant effect of teachers teaching practices estimated to be 0.7, p < 0.01. The model (M6) with all predictions and controls explains 40.69% of the variation of the dependent variable. Finally, some conclusions and recommendations are drawn to increase future students’ satisfaction about this type of Higher Education.Este estudio examina la asociación entre factores clave de la modalidad de enseñanza denominada inglés como medio de instrucción (EMI por sus siglas en inglés) en un Grado de Educación Primaria de una universidad española y la satisfacción de los estudiantes. El crecimiento importante de la demanda y oferta de programas plurilingües en la Educación Superior en la última década en muchos países no anglosajones recomienda realizar más estudios de evaluación de la calidad y el impacto de los programas EMI en el rendimiento y satisfacción de los estudiantes. Este estudio adopta un diseño ex-post facto en una muestra de 131 estudiantes auto seleccionados. La variable dependiente satisfacción de los estudiantes se midió mediante un cuestionario  (α=0.82 and a ω= 0.85) administrado online. La regresión no paramétrica confirma parcialmente dos de las hipótesis planteadas con un valor medio de 3.72 puntos (en una escala de 5 puntos) y un efecto marginal significativo en la variable enseñanza de los profesores en el aula de 0.7, p < 0.01. El modelo (M6) con todos los predictores y controles explica el 40.69% de la variabilidad de la variable dependiente. Finalmente, se proponen algunas recomendaciones dirigidas a mejorar los niveles de satisfacción del estudiantado

Self-assembly of a drop pattern from a two-dimensional grid of nanometric metallic filaments

We report experiments, modeling, and numerical simulations of the self-assembly of particle patterns obtained from a nanometric metallic square grid. Initially, nickel filaments of rectangular cross section are patterned on a SiO2 flat surface, and then they are melted by laser irradiation with ∼18-ns pulses. During this time, the liquefied metal dewets the substrate, leading to a linear array of drops along each side of the squares. The experimental data provide a series of SEM images of the resultant morphology as a function of the number of laser pulses or cumulative liquid lifetime. These data are analyzed in terms of fluid mechanical models that account for mass conservation and consider flow evolution with the aim to predict the final number of drops resulting from each side of the square. The aspect ratio, δ, between the square sides' lengths and their widths is an essential parameter of the problem. Our models allow us to predict the δ intervals within which a certain final number of drops are expected. The comparison with experimental data shows a good agreement with the model that explicitly considers the Stokes flow developed in the filaments neck region that lead to breakup points. Also, numerical simulations that solve the Navier-Stokes equations along with slip boundary condition at the contact lines are implemented to describe the dynamics of the problem.Fil: Cuellar Berrio, Ingrith Paola. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. - Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Ravazzoli, Pablo Damián. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. - Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Diez, Javier Alberto. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. - Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez, Alejandro Guillermo. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. - Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Roberts, Nicholas A.. State University of Utah; Estados UnidosFil: Fowlkes, Jason D.. Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Estados UnidosFil: Rack, Philip D.. Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Estados UnidosFil: Kondic, Lou. New Jersey Institute of Technology; Estados Unido

Generalidades de la responsabilidad social corporativa empresarial en la gran industria de energía, minería y petróleo en Colombia

El artículo establece la composición de la estructura general de Responsabilidad Social Corporativa Empresarial y Ambiental,  que abriga a la Gran Industria de los sectores de generación de energía, minería y petróleo en Colombia. Estas industrias son más reconocidas por las afectaciones, problemas que presentan o servicios que generan, que por la estructura que sobre ellas debe contener en materia de la estructura compleja de la Responsabilidad Social Corporativa. El documento, se apoya en primer lugar, en la correlación del análisis exploratorio, descriptivo y explicativo del tema en dichas industrias, como método. Segundo, se suma como metodología, el análisis de estudios de casos, para identificar la estructura general de la Responsabilidad Social Corporativa Empresarial de estos sectores.

A mid-20th century stratigraphical Anthropocene is recognisable in the birth-area of the industrial revolution

The formalisation of the Anthropocene as a subdivision of the Geological Time Scale has been under debate. Its stratigraphic boundary has been proposed as a precise Global boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) in the mid-20th century, but it is part of an episode of human-induced changes to the Earth System that have unfolded over millennia. Here we attempt to identify stratigraphical patterns of the Anthropocene from a previously well studied lake sedimentary archive from the English Midlands, located in one of the most heavily human-modified landscapes in the UK, and the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. Our analysis is predicated on the sedimentary succession of Groby Pool, a small lake situated to the immediate northwest of Leicester. We have found that whilst proxy signals for biotic change are indicative of significant landscape and consequent ecological changes prior to the 20th century, the signal from radiogenic fallout and rapid increase in spheroidal carbonaceous particles indicative of fossil-fuel combustion yield a clear mid and later 20th century stratigraphical signature that corresponds with the Great Acceleration of the post-WWII period. We therefore demonstrate clear stratigraphical signatures in the oldest Industrial Revolution landscape on Earth that are consistent with a mid-20th century start point for the Anthropocene

A mid-20th century stratigraphical Anthropocene is recognisable in the birth-area of the industrial revolution

The formalisation of the Anthropocene as a subdivision of the Geological Time Scale has been under debate. Its stratigraphic boundary has been proposed as a precise Global boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) in the mid-20th century, but it is part of an episode of human-induced changes to the Earth System that have unfolded over millennia. Here we attempt to identify stratigraphical patterns of the Anthropocene from a previously well studied lake sedimentary archive from the English Midlands, located in one of the most heavily human-modified landscapes in the UK, and the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. Our analysis is predicated on the sedimentary succession of Groby Pool, a small lake situated to the immediate northwest of Leicester. We have found that whilst proxy signals for biotic change are indicative of significant landscape and consequent ecological changes prior to the 20th century, the signal from radiogenic fallout and rapid increase in spheroidal carbonaceous particles indicative of fossil-fuel combustion yield a clear mid and later 20th century stratigraphical signature that corresponds with the Great Acceleration of the post-WWII period. We therefore demonstrate clear stratigraphical signatures in the oldest Industrial Revolution landscape on Earth that are consistent with a mid-20th century start point for the Anthropocene

Aplicación del estudio de métodos y tiempos a la mejora de procesos: Caso fábrica La Milagrosa (imágenes religiosas en yeso).

The study of work is a technique widely used in each of the organizations, since through its tools, such as the study of times and methods, among others, its objective is to optimize each of the resources and processes carried out in an organization and thus propose actions to improve productivity. This article presents an application of the study of work to a manufacturing process of large plaster images in a light industry factory using the techniques of study of methods and time. A critical analysis was performed on the process of the previously selected large-size images, due to its high potential for improvement. The results allowed to reduce the percentage of losses that the company presented due to lack of means to ship its goods, as well as the time management of a stage of the process in which there was excess work. In addition, excessive times were eliminated in stages of the process to increase the percentage of production. Our results showed that work study techniques are adequate tools to be applied in most economic sectors to improve productivity. However, the technique itself will not be effective if there is no commitment from top management to implement the proposed corrective actions.El estudio del trabajo es una técnica muy utilizada en cada una de las organizaciones, ya que a través de sus herramientas, como estudio de tiempos y métodos, entre otros, su objetivo es optimizar cada uno de los recursos y procesos llevados a cabo en una organización y de esta manera proponer acciones de mejora a la productividad. Este articulo presenta una aplicación del estudio del trabajo a un proceso de fabricación de imágenes en yeso de tamaño grande dentro de una fábrica de industria ligera utilizando las técnicas de estudio de métodos y tiempos. Se realizó un análisis crítico al proceso de las imágenes de tamaño grande previamente seleccionada, debido a su alto potencial de mejora. Los resultados permitieron reducir el porcentaje de perdidas que presentaba la empresa por falta de medios para realizar el envío de sus mercancías, así como la gestión de tiempos de una etapa del proceso en el que se presentaba exceso de trabajo. Además, se eliminaron tiempos excesivos en etapas del proceso, para aumentar el porcentaje de producción Nuestros resultados demostraron que las técnicas de estudio del trabajo son herramientas adecuadas para ser aplicadas en la mayoría de los sectores económicos para mejorar la productividad. Sin embargo, la técnica en sí misma no será eficaz si no existe un compromiso por parte de la alta dirección para aplicar las acciones correctivas propuestas

Colombian consensus on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of candida Spp. disease in children and adults

La Candidiasis Invasora (CI) y la candidemia, como su manifestación más frecuente, se ha convertido en la principal causa de micosis oportunista a nivel hospitalario. Este manuscrito realizado por miembros de la Asociación Colombiana de Infectología (ACIN), tuvo como objetivo proporcionar un conjunto de recomendaciones para manejo, seguimiento y prevención de la CI/candidemia y de la infección candidiásica de mucosas, en población adulta, pediátrica y neonatal, en un entorno hospitalario, incluyendo las unidades hemato-oncológicas y unidades de cuidado crítico. Todos los datos obtenidos mediante una búsqueda exhaustiva, fueron revisados y analizados de manera amplia por todos los miembros del grupo, y las recomendaciones emitidas se elaboraron luego de la evaluación de la literatura científica disponible, y el consenso de todos los especialistas involucrados, reconociendo el problema de la emergencia de las infecciones por Candida Spp. y brindando una correcta orientación a los profesionales de la salud sobre el manejo de pacientes con enfermedad candidiásica, de una forma racional y práctica, enfatizando en la evaluación del paciente, estrategias de diagnóstico, profilaxis, tratamiento empírico, tratamiento dirigido y terapia preventiva.Invasive Candidiasis (IC) and candidemia (as its most frequent manifestation) have become the main cause of opportunistic mycosis at hospital settings. This study, made by members of the Colombian Association of Infectious Diseases (ACIN), was aimed at providing a set of recommendations for the management, follow-up and prevention of IC / candidemia and mucous membrane candida infection in adult, pediatric and neonatal patients in a hospital setting, including the hemato-oncological and critical care units. All the data obtained through an exhaustive search were reviewed and analyzed in a comprehensive manner by all the members of the group, and the recommendations issued are being made after a careful review of the scientific literature available and the consensus of all specialists involved; the emergence of Candida Spp. problem is highlighted and a correct orientation to health professionals regarding the management of patients with candidiasis is provided in a rational and practical way, emphasizing patient evaluation, diagnostic strategies, prophylaxis, empirical treatment, directed treatment and preventative therap

Planetary-scale change to the biosphere signalled by global species translocations can be used to identify the Anthropocene

We examine three distinctive biostratigraphic signatures of humans associated with hunting and gathering, landscape domestication and globalization. All three signatures have significant fossil records of regional importance that can be correlated inter-regionally and help describe the developing pattern of human expansion and appropriation of resources. While none have individual first or last appearances that provide a globally isochronous marker, all three signatures overlap stratigraphically, in that they are part of a continuum of change, with complex regional patterns. Here we show that during the later stages of globalization, late nineteenth to twentieth century records of species translocations can be used to build an interconnected web of palaeontological correlation with decadal or sub-decadal precision that dovetails with other stratigraphic markers for the Anthropocene. This palaeontological web is also a proxy for accelerating species extinction and of a state shift in the biosphere in the twentieth century