Synergy between magneto-rheological fluids and aluminum foams. Prospective alternative for seismic damping

This is the accepted manuscript. Access to the published article can be gained at: http://jim.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/1045389X15596624v1.pdf?ijkey=SyFHNQwE4XMQqBF&keytype=finiteThis article presents the experimental study of a preliminary investigation of a seismic damper device aimed at improving the behavior of structures when subjected to earthquakes. The damper is the result of a binomial material formed by aluminum foam with pores 1 mm in diameter, wetted by a magnetorheological fluid (MRF). The objective of the present work is to explore the synergy between the two components in a magnetorheological test, and to evaluate the effect of the Al foam pores in the structure buildup of the fluid. The analysis is completed with a compressive test carried out on the MRF-filled foam in the presence of a magnetic field. This kind of test demonstrates that the deformation of the foam for very small loads is limited by the hardening of the fluid because of its MR response. The results of this research suggest that there is a mutual benefit between the components of the device, presumably leading to an enhanced dissipation of vibration energy.Proyectos PE2012-FQM694 (Junta de Andalucía, Spain), FIS2013-47666-C3-1-R (MINECO, Spain), SENER-CONACYT "151496" (UNAM Mexico), CONACYT National Quality Graduate Progra

Pleiotropic functions of the tumor- and metastasis-suppressing Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 in mammary cancer in MMTV-PyMT transgenic mice

Matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8; neutrophil collagenase) is an important regulator of innate immunity which has onco-suppressive actions in numerous tumor types

Six sigma, absorptive capacity and organisational learning orientation

"This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in International Journal of Production Research, available online: http://wwww.tandfonline.com/10.1080/00207543.2010.543175."The importance of the Six Sigma methodology in industry is growing constantly. However, there are few empirical studies that analyze the advantages of this methodology and its positive effects on organizational performance. The purpose of this paper is to extend understanding of the success of Six Sigma quality management initiatives by investigating the effects of Six Sigma teamwork and process management on absorptive capacity. It also seeks to understand the relation between absorptive capacity and organizational learning as two sources of sustainable competitive advantage. The information used comes from a larger study, the data for which were collected from a random sample of 237 European firms. Of these 237 organizations, 58 are Six Sigma organizations. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was used to test the hypotheses. The main findings show that Six Sigma teamwork and process management positively affect the development of absorptive capacity. A positive and significant relationship is also observed between absorptive capacity and organizational learning orientation. The findings of this study justify Six Sigma implementation in firms. This study provides us with an in-depth understanding of some structural elements that characterize the Six Sigma methodology, enabling us to provide an explanation for its success

Effect on the demand and stock returns: cross-sectional of Big Data and time-series analysis

For reducing the degree of uncertainty caused by constant change in the environment, large, medium or small, private or public organizations must support their decisions in something more than experience or intuition; they must be supported by the development of accurate and reliable forecasts in order to meet the needs in the organization planning tasks. This case study presents a growing company dedicated to the storage of perishable products and incorporates time series forecasting techniques to estimate the volume of storage to foresee the requirements of additional facilities, personnel and materials needed for product mobility

Increased chromosomal radiosensitivity in asymptomatic carriers of a heterozygous BRCA1 mutation

Background: Breast cancer risk increases drastically in individuals carrying a germline BRCA1 mutation. The exposure to ionizing radiation for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes of BRCA1 mutation carriers is counterintuitive, since BRCA1 is active in the DNA damage response pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate whether healthy BRCA1 mutations carriers demonstrate an increased radiosensitivity compared with healthy individuals. Methods: We defined a novel radiosensitivity indicator (RIND) based on two endpoints measured by the G2 micronucleus assay, reflecting defects in DNA repair and G2 arrest capacity after exposure to doses of 2 or 4 Gy. We investigated if a correlation between the RIND score and nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) could be established. Results: We found significantly increased radiosensitivity in the cohort of healthy BRCA1 mutation carriers compared with healthy controls. In addition, our analysis showed a significantly different distribution over the RIND scores (p = 0.034, Fisher’s exact test) for healthy BRCA1 mutation carriers compared with non-carriers: 72 % of mutation carriers showed a radiosensitive phenotype (RIND score 1–4), whereas 72 % of the healthy volunteers showed no radiosensitivity (RIND score 0). Furthermore, 28 % of BRCA1 mutation carriers had a RIND score of 3 or 4 (not observed in control subjects). The radiosensitive phenotype was similar for relatives within several families, but not for unrelated individuals carrying the same mutation. The median RIND score was higher in patients with a mutation leading to a premature termination codon (PTC) located in the central part of the gene than in patients with a germline mutation in the 5′ end of the gene. Conclusions: We show that BRCA1 mutations are associated with a radiosensitive phenotype related to a compromised DNA repair and G2 arrest capacity after exposure to either 2 or 4 Gy. Our study confirms that haploinsufficiency is the mechanism involved in radiosensitivity in patients with a PTC allele, but it suggests that further research is needed to evaluate alternative mechanisms for mutations not subjected to NMD

Unusually thick dinosaur eggshell fragments from the Spanish Late Cretaceous

[EN] Fieldwork carried out recently in the southeastern branch of the Iberian Range (Valencia Province, Spain) has led to the collection of a large volume of dinosaur eggshell fragments of unusual thickness. These specimens, up to 4.9 mm thick, were recovered from palustrine grey marls of the upper Campanian-lower Maastrichtian Sierra Perenchiza Formation, which comprises a wetland paleoenvironment deposit. These eggshell fragments have a characteristic compactituberculate ornamentation, dinosauroid-spherulitic organisation, and exhibit a complex canaliculate respiratory system. The external tuberculate surface of the shell as well as the internal microstructure enable referral to Megaloolithus aff. siruguei, the most common megaloolithid oospecies known from the Iberian Peninsula and southern France. The biostratigraphic range of M. siruguei matches the temporal distribution of titanosaurid dinosaurs across the Iberian Range, tentatively considered to be potential producers.This work was supported by the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad of Spain [Secretaria de Estado de Investigacion, Desarrollo e Innovacion, projects CGL2013-47521-P and CGL2014-53548-P]Company Rodríguez, J. (2017). Unusually thick dinosaur eggshell fragments from the Spanish Late Cretaceous. Historical Biology (Online). 31(2):203-210. https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2017.1357717S203210312Allain, R., & Suberbiola, X. P. (2003). Dinosaurs of France. Comptes Rendus Palevol, 2(1), 27-44. doi:10.1016/s1631-0683(03)00002-2Bravo, A. M., & Gaete, R. (2014). Titanosaur eggshells from the Tremp Formation (Upper Cretaceous, Southern Pyrenees, Spain). Historical Biology, 27(8), 1079-1089. doi:10.1080/08912963.2014.934231Canudo, J. I., Oms, O., Vila, B., Galobart, À., Fondevilla, V., Puértolas-Pascual, E., … Blanco, A. (2016). The upper Maastrichtian dinosaur fossil record from the southern Pyrenees and its contribution to the topic of the Cretaceous–Palaeogene mass extinction event. Cretaceous Research, 57, 540-551. doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2015.06.013Cruzado-Caballero, P., Ruiz-Omeñaca, J. I., Gaete, R., Riera, V., Oms, O., & Canudo, J. I. (2013). A new hadrosaurid dentary from the latest Maastrichtian of the Pyrenees (north Spain) and the high diversity of the duck-billed dinosaurs of the Ibero-Armorican Realm at the very end of the Cretaceous. Historical Biology, 26(5), 619-630. doi:10.1080/08912963.2013.822867Chiappe, L. M., Coria, R. A., Dingus, L., Jackson, F., Chinsamy, A., & Fox, M. (1998). Sauropod dinosaur embryos from the Late Cretaceous of Patagonia. Nature, 396(6708), 258-261. doi:10.1038/24370Company J. 2004. Vertebrados continentales del Cretácico superior (Campaniense-Maastrichtiense) de Valencia [PhD dissertation]. Valencia: Universidad de Valencia.Company, J., & Szentesi, Z. (2012). Amphibians from the Late Cretaceous Sierra Perenchiza Formation of the Chera Basin, Valencia Province, Spain. Cretaceous Research, 37, 240-245. doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2012.04.003Csiki-Sava, Z., Buffetaut, E., Ősi, A., Pereda-Suberbiola, X., & Brusatte, S. L. (2015). Island life in the Cretaceous - faunal composition, biogeography, evolution, and extinction of land-living vertebrates on the Late Cretaceous European archipelago. ZooKeys, 469, 1-161. doi:10.3897/zookeys.469.8439Erben, H. K., Hoefs, J., & Wedepohl, K. H. (1979). Paleobiological and isotopic studies of eggshells from a declining dinosaur species. Paleobiology, 5(4), 380-414. doi:10.1017/s0094837300016900García, R. A. (2007). An «egg-tooth»–like structure in titanosaurian sauropod embryos. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 27(1), 247-252. doi:10.1671/0272-4634(2007)27[247:aesits]2.0.co;2Garcia, G., & Vianey-Liaud, M. (2001). Dinosaur eggshells as biochronological markers in Upper Cretaceous continental deposits. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 169(1-2), 153-164. doi:10.1016/s0031-0182(01)00215-2Grellet-Tinner, G., Chiappe, L. M., & Coria, R. (2004). Eggs of titanosaurid sauropods from the Upper Cretaceous of Auca Mahuevo (Argentina). Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 41(8), 949-960. doi:10.1139/e04-049Grigorescu, D., Garcia, G., Csiki, Z., Codrea, V., & Bojar, A.-V. (2010). Uppermost Cretaceous megaloolithid eggs from the Haţeg Basin, Romania, associated with hadrosaur hatchlings: Search for explanation. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 293(3-4), 360-374. doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2010.03.031Izquierdo LA, Montero D, Pérez G, Urién V, Meijide M. 2001. Macroestructura de huevos de dinosaurios en el Cretácico superior de “La Rosaca” (Burgos, España). Actas de las I Jornadas Internacionales Sobre Paleontología de Dinosaurios y su Entorno. Ed. Colectivo Arqueológico y Paleontológico de Salas. Salas de los Infantes. p. 389–395.Jackson FD. 2007. Titanosaur reproductive biology: comparison of the Auca Mahuevo Titanosaur nesting locality (Argentina), to the Pinyes Megaloolithus nesting locality (Spain) [PhD dissertation]. Bozeman (MT): Montana State University.Jackson, F. D., Garrido, A., Schmitt, J. G., Chiappe, L. M., Dingus, L., & Loope, D. B. (2004). Abnormal, multilayered titanosaur (Dinosauria: Sauropoda) eggs from in situ clutches at the Auca Mahuevo locality, Neuquen Province, Argentina. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 24(4), 913-922. doi:10.1671/0272-4634(2004)024[0913:amtdse]2.0.co;2Jackson, F. D., Varricchio, D. J., Jackson, R. A., Vila, B., & Chiappe, L. M. (2008). Comparison of water vapor conductance in a titanosaur egg from the Upper Cretaceous of Argentina and a Megaloolithus siruguei egg from Spain. Paleobiology, 34(2), 229-246. doi:10.1666/0094-8373(2008)034[0229:cowvci]2.0.co;2López-Martı́nez, N., Moratalla, J. J., & Sanz, J. L. (2000). Dinosaurs nesting on tidal flats. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 160(1-2), 153-163. doi:10.1016/s0031-0182(00)00063-8Mohabey, D. M. (1998). Systematics of Indian Upper Cretaceous dinosaur and chelonian eggshells. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 18(2), 348-362. doi:10.1080/02724634.1998.10011063Moratalla JJ. 1993. Restos indirectos de dinosaurios del registro español: paleoicnología de la Cuenca de (Jurásico superior-Cretácico inferior) y paleoología del Cretácico superior [PhD dissertation]. Madrid: Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.Moreno-Azanza, M., Bauluz, B., Canudo, J. I., Gasca, J. M., & Torcida Fernández-Baldor, F. (2016). Combined Use of Electron and Light Microscopy Techniques Reveals False Secondary Shell Units in Megaloolithidae Eggshells. PLOS ONE, 11(5), e0153026. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0153026Moreno-Azanza, M., Bauluz, B., Canudo, J. I., Puértolas-Pascual, E., & Sellés, A. G. (2013). A re-evaluation of aff. Megaloolithidae eggshell fragments from the uppermost Cretaceous of the Pyrenees and implications for crocodylomorph eggshell structure. Historical Biology, 26(2), 195-205. doi:10.1080/08912963.2013.786067Oms, O., Dinarès-Turell, J., Vicens, E., Estrada, R., Vila, B., Galobart, À., & Bravo, A. M. (2007). Integrated stratigraphy from the Vallcebre Basin (southeastern Pyrenees, Spain): New insights on the continental Cretaceous−Tertiary transition in southwest Europe. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 255(1-2), 35-47. doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2007.02.039Ortega, F., Bardet, N., Barroso-Barcenilla, F., Callapez, P. M., Cambra-Moo, O., Daviero- Gómez, V., … Sanz, J. L. (2015). The biota of the Upper Cretaceous site of «Lo Hueco» (Cuenca, Spain). Journal of Iberian Geology, 41(1). doi:10.5209/rev_jige.2015.v41.n1.48657Rasskin-Gutman, D., Elez, J., Esteve-Altava, B., & López-Martínez, N. (2020). Reconstruction of the internal structure of the pore system of a complex dinosaur eggshell (Megaloolithus siruguei). Spanish Journal of Palaeontology, 28(1), 61. doi:10.7203/sjp.28.1.17831Riera, V., Oms, O., Gaete, R., & Galobart, À. (2009). The end-Cretaceous dinosaur succession in Europe: The Tremp Basin record (Spain). Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 283(3-4), 160-171. doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2009.09.018Sellés, A. G., Bravo, A. M., Delclòs, X., Colombo, F., Martí, X., Ortega-Blanco, J., … Galobart, À. (2013). Dinosaur eggs in the Upper Cretaceous of the Coll de Nargó area, Lleida Province, south-central Pyrenees, Spain: Oodiversity, biostratigraphy and their implications. Cretaceous Research, 40, 10-20. doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2012.05.004Tanaka, K., & Zelenitsky, D. K. (2014). Comparisons between experimental and morphometric water vapor conductance in the eggs of extant birds and crocodiles: implications for predicting nest type in dinosaurs. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 92(12), 1049-1058. doi:10.1139/cjz-2014-0078Vianey-Liaud, M., Khosla, A., & Garcia, G. (2003). Relationships between European and Indian dinosaur eggs and eggshells of the oofamily Megaloolithidae. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 23(3), 575-585. doi:10.1671/0272-4634(2003)023[0575:rbeaid]2.0.co;2Vianey-Liaud, M., & Lopez-Martinez, N. (1997). Late Cretaceous dinosaur eggshells from the Tremp Basin, southern Pyrenees, Lleida, Spain. Journal of Paleontology, 71(6), 1157-1171. doi:10.1017/s002233600003609xVila, B., Galobart, À., Canudo, J. I., Le Loeuff, J., Dinarès-Turell, J., Riera, V., … Gaete, R. (2012). The diversity of sauropod dinosaurs and their first taxonomic succession from the latest Cretaceous of southwestern Europe: Clues to demise and extinction. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 350-352, 19-38. doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2012.06.008(2010). Lethaia, 43(2). doi:10.1111/let.2010.43.issue-2Vila, B., Jackson, F. D., Fortuny, J., Sellés, A. G., & Galobart, À. (2010). 3-D Modelling of Megaloolithid Clutches: Insights about Nest Construction and Dinosaur Behaviour. PLoS ONE, 5(5), e10362. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0010362Vila, B., Riera, V., Bravo, A. M., Oms, O., Vicens, E., Estrada, R., & Galobart, À. (2011). The chronology of dinosaur oospecies in south-western Europe: Refinements from the Maastrichtian succession of the eastern Pyrenees. Cretaceous Research, 32(3), 378-386. doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2011.01.009Vila, B., Sellés, A. G., & Brusatte, S. L. (2016). Diversity and faunal changes in the latest Cretaceous dinosaur communities of southwestern Europe. Cretaceous Research, 57, 552-564. doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2015.07.003Vissers, R. L. M., & Meijer, P. T. (2012). Iberian plate kinematics and Alpine collision in the Pyrenees. Earth-Science Reviews, 114(1-2), 61-83. doi:10.1016/j.earscirev.2012.05.001Wright, V. P., & Platt, N. H. (1995). Seasonal wetland carbonate sequences and dynamic catenas: a re-appraisal of palustrine limestones. Sedimentary Geology, 99(2), 65-71. doi:10.1016/0037-0738(95)00080-

A canine leishmaniasis pilot survey in an emerging focus of visceral leishmaniasis: Posadas (Misiones, Argentina)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>An increasing number of reports are calling our attention to the worldwide spread of leishmaniasis. The urbanization of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has been observed in different South American countries, due to changes in demographic and ecological factors. In May 2006, VL was detected for the first time in the city of Posadas (Misiones, Argentina). This event encouraged us to conduct a clinical and parasitological pilot survey on domestic dogs from Posadas to identify their potential role as reservoirs for the disease.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>One hundred and ten dogs from the city of Posadas were included in the study. They were selected based on convenience and availability. All dogs underwent clinical examination. Symptomatology related to canine leishmaniasis was recorded, and peripheral blood and lymph node aspirates were collected. Anti-<it>Leishmania </it>antibodies were detected using rK39-immunocromatographic tests and IFAT. Parasite detection was based on peripheral blood and lymph node aspirate PCR targeting the <it>SSUrRNA </it>gene. Molecular typing was addressed by DNA sequence analysis of the PCR products obtained by <it>SSUrRNA </it>and ITS-1 PCR.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>According to clinical examination, 69.1% (76/110) of the dogs presented symptoms compatible with canine leishmaniasis. Serological analyses were positive for 43.6% (48/110) of the dogs and parasite DNA was detected in 47.3% (52/110). A total of 63 dogs (57.3%) were positive by serology and/or PCR. Molecular typing identified <it>Leishmania infantum </it>(syn. <it>Leishmania chagasi</it>) as the causative agent.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This work confirms recent findings which revealed the presence of <it>Lutzomyia longipalpis</it>, the vector of <it>L. infantum </it>in this area of South America. This new VL focus could be well established, and further work is needed to ascertain its magnitude and to prevent further human VL cases.</p

Eligibility for and outcome of treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in a cohort of HIV-infected people in Spain

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of treatment for latent tuberculosis infection (TLTBI) in persons infected with the human immunodeficiency virus, but few studies have investigated the operational aspects of implementing TLTBI in the co-infected population.The study objectives were to describe eligibility for TLTBI as well as treatment prescription, initiation and completion in an HIV-infected Spanish cohort and to investigate factors associated with treatment completion.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Subjects were prospectively identified between 2000 and 2003 at ten HIV hospital-based clinics in Spain. Data were obtained from clinical records. Associations were measured using the odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 1242 subjects were recruited and 846 (68.1%) were evaluated for TLTBI. Of these, 181 (21.4%) were eligible for TLTBI either because they were tuberculin skin test (TST) positive (121) or because their TST was negative/unknown but they were known contacts of a TB case or had impaired immunity (60). Of the patients eligible for TLTBI, 122 (67.4%) initiated TLTBI: 99 (81.1%) were treated with isoniazid for 6, 9 or 12 months; and 23 (18.9%) with short-course regimens including rifampin plus isoniazid and/or pyrazinamide. In total, 70 patients (57.4%) completed treatment, 39 (32.0%) defaulted, 7 (5.7%) interrupted treatment due to adverse effects, 2 developed TB, 2 died, and 2 moved away. Treatment completion was associated with having acquired HIV infection through heterosexual sex as compared to intravenous drug use (OR:4.6; 95% CI:1.4-14.7) and with having taken rifampin and pyrazinamide for 2 months as compared to isoniazid for 9 months (OR:8.3; 95% CI:2.7-24.9).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A minority of HIV-infected patients eligible for TLTBI actually starts and completes a course of treatment. Obstacles to successful implementation of this intervention need to be addressed.</p

Effectiveness of an implementation strategy for a breastfeeding guideline in Primary Care: cluster randomised trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The protection and promotion of breastfeeding is considered a priority in Europe where only 22% of infants less than 6 months old are exclusively breastfed. In Spain this percentage reaches 24.8% but in our city it falls to 18.26%. Various studies emphasise that the improvement of these results should be based upon the training of health professionals. Following the recommendations of a breastfeeding guide can modify the practice of health professionals and improve results with respect to exclusively or predominatly breastfed children at 6 months of age.</p> <p>Method/Design</p> <p>This study involves a community based cluster randomized trial in primary healthcare centres in Leganés (Madrid, Spain). The project aims to determine whether the use of an implementation strategy (including training session, information distribution, opinion leader) of a breastfeeding guideline in primary care is more effective than usual diffusion.</p> <p>The number of patients required will be 240 (120 in each arm). It will be included all the mothers of infants born during the study period (6 months) who come to the health centre on the first visit of the child care programme and who give their consent to participate. The main outcome variable is the exclusive o predominant breastfeeding at 6 moths of age..</p> <p>Main effectiveness will be analyzed by comparing the percentage of infants with exclusive or predominant breastfeeding at 6 months between the intervention group and the control group. All statistical tests will be performed with intention to treat. Logistic regression with random effects will be used to adjust for prognostic factors. Confounding factors or factors that might alter the effect recorded will be taken into account in this analysis.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Strategies need to be found which facilitate the giving of effective advice on breastfeeding by professionals and which provide support to women during the breastfeeding period. By applying the guide's recommendations, clinical variability can be reduced and the care received by patients can be improved.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01474096">NCT01474096</a></p