Circumstellar effects on the Rb abundances in O-rich AGB stars

For the first time we explore the circumstellar effects on the Rb (and Zr) abundance determination in O-rich asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars by considering the presence of a gaseous circumstellar envelope with a radial wind. A modified version of the spectral synthesis code Turbospectrum was used to deal with extended atmosphere models and velocity fields. The Rb and Zr abundances were determined from the resonant 7800A Rb I line and the 6474A ZrO bandhead, respectively, in five representative O-rich AGB stars with different expansion velocity and metallicity. By using our new dynamical models, the Rb I line profile (photospheric and circumstellar components) is very well reproduced. Interestingly, the derived Rb abundances are much lower (by 1-2 dex) in those O-rich AGB stars showing the higher circumstellar expansion velocities. The Zr abundances, however, remain close to the solar values. The Rb abundances and Rb/Zr ratios derived here significantly alleviate the problem of the present mismatch between the observations of intermediate-mass (4-8 solar masses) Rb-rich AGB stars and the AGB nucleosynthesis theoretical predictions.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics Letters (7 pages, 5 figures, and 2 tables); final version (language corrected

Crowd synchrony and quorum sensing in delay-coupled lasers

Crowd synchrony and quorum sensing arise when a large number of dynamical elements communicate with each other via a common information pool. Previous evidence in different fields, including chemistry, biology and civil engineering, has shown that this type of coupling leads to synchronization, when coupling is instantaneous and the number of coupled elements is large enough. Here we consider a situation in which the transmission of information between the system components and the coupling pool is not instantaneous. To that end, we model a system of semiconductor lasers optically coupled to a central laser with a delay. Our results show that, even though the lasers are non-identical due to their distinct optical frequencies, zero-lag synchronization arises. By changing a system parameter, we can switch between two different types of synchronization transition. The dependence of the transition with respect to the delay-coupling parameters is studied.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Development of a species-specific coproantigen ELISA for human taenia solium taeniasis

Taenia solium causes human neurocysticercosis and is endemic in underdeveloped countries where backyard pig keeping is common. Microscopic fecal diagnostic methods for human T. solium taeniasis are not very sensitive, and Taenia saginata and Taenia solium eggs are indistinguishable under the light microscope. Coproantigen (CoAg) ELISA methods are very sensitive, but currently only genus (Taenia) specific. This paper describes the development of a highly species-specific coproantigen ELISA test to detect T. solium intestinal taeniasis. Sensitivity was maintained using a capture antibody of rabbit IgG against T. solium adult whole worm somatic extract, whereas species specificity was achieved by utilization of an enzyme-conjugated rabbit IgG against T. solium adult excretory-secretory (ES) antigen. A known panel of positive and negative human fecal samples was tested with this hybrid sandwich ELISA. The ELISA test gave 100% specificity and 96.4% sensitivity for T. solium tapeworm carriers (N = 28), with a J index of 0.96. This simple ELISA incorporating anti-adult somatic and anti-adult ES antibodies provides the first potentially species-specific coproantigen test for human T. solium taeniasis

Rubidium and zirconium abundances in massive Galactic asymptotic giant branch stars revisited

Luminous Galactic OH/IR stars have been identified as massive (>4-5 M_s) AGB stars experiencing HBB and Li production. Their Rb abundances and [Rb/Zr] ratios derived from hydrostatic model atmospheres, are significantly higher than predictions from AGB nucleosynthesis models, posing a problem to our understanding of AGB evolution and nucleosynthesis. We report new Rb and Zr abundances in the full sample of massive Galactic AGB stars, previously studied with hydrostatic models, by using more realistic extended model atmospheres. We use a modified version of the spectral synthesis code Turbospectrum and consider the presence of a circumstellar envelope and radial wind. The Rb and Zr abundances are determined from the 7800 A Rb I resonant line and the 6474 A ZrO bandhead, respectively, and we explore the sensitivity of the derived abundances to variations of the stellar (Teff) and wind (M_loss, beta and vexp) parameters in the extended models. The Rb and Zr abundances derived from the best spectral fits are compared with the most recent AGB nucleosynthesis theoretical models. The new Rb abundances are much lower (even 1-2 dex) than those derived with the hydrostatic models, while the Zr abundances are similar. The Rb I line profile and Rb abundance are very sensitive to the M_loss rate but much less sensitive to variations of the wind velocity-law and the vexp(OH). We confirm the earlier preliminary results based on a smaller sample of massive O-rich AGB stars, that the use of extended atmosphere models can solve the discrepancy between the AGB nucleosynthesis theoretical models and the observations of Galactic massive AGB stars. The Rb abundances, however, are still strongly dependent of the M_loss, which is unknown in these AGB stars. Accurate M_loss rates in these massive Galactic AGB stars are needed in order to break the models degeneracy and get reliable Rb abundances in these stars.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A, 14 pages, 12 figures, 4 table

Procedimientos de Control Interno Administrativo y Financiero en la mediana empresa “Industrias San Carlos, S. A.” del municipio de Matagalpa, en el I Semestre del año 2011

El presente tema está orientado al estudio de los Sistemas Contables y Control Interno en las empresas del municipio de Matagalpa, en el I semestre del año 2011, el cual tiene el propósito de evaluar los Procedimientos de Control Interno administrativo y financiero en la mediana empresa Industria San Carlos S.A. Su importancia es que nos permite implementar un Control Interno eficiente y eficaz el cual es una herramienta importante en la empresa, de acuerdo a la estructura organizacional predominante siempre y cuando se adecue al sistema COSO. En Industrias San Carlos no tiene un Control Interno establecido por que desconoce la importancia que este representa para la entidad, no se aplican los procedimientos administrativos y financieros en cuanto efectivo, bancos, cuentas por cobrar, inventario e inventario todo se realiza empíricamente por ordenes de la gerencia. El resultado del trabajo indica que Industria San Carlos carece de un Manual de Control Interno lo que le proporciona muchas dificultades a la hora de realizar sus funciones, por lo que se analiza cada una de las debilidades que se presentan en ellas. Por lo que se presenta la propuesta de un Manual de Control Interno, su éxito depende de que todos los involucrados tengan la voluntad e interés de regirse por é

Utilidad de la implantación de catgut en pacientes con asma bronquial persistente moderada y severa

Introduction: bronchial asthma is a frequent condition; it is considered a health problem due to the high morbidity and mortality rates. The lack of success of Western therapies has caused a high number of patients to turn to Traditional Medicine. The implantation of catgut in acupuncture points is one of the newest techniques applied in the treatment of this disease.Objective: to determine the efficacy of Catgut implantation in patients with Moderate or Severe Persistent Bronchial Asthma.Methods: experimental and prospective intervention research in 82 patients with moderate or severe persistent bronchial asthma who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, randomly divided into two groups of equal numbers. The study group received pharmacological and acupunctural treatment, with implantation of catgut in chosen points according to the traditional diagnosis, following a monthly session from 6 to 8 months. The control group only included pharmacological treatment. The clinical evolution, therapeutic response and use of medications in both groups were compared.Results: in the study group the clinical evolution was favorable in 61 % of the patients, requiring up to three treatment sessions, and 75 % decreased the use of medications. The therapeutic response was good in 65,8 %. In the control group, 41,5% evolved favorably and 68,3 % increased the use of medications.Conclusions: it was evidenced that the implantation of catgut as an alternative therapy in moderate or severe persistent bronchial asthma is useful and shortens the treatment period, as well as reducing the use of medications.Introducción: el asma bronquial es una afección frecuente, considerada un problema sanitario por los altos índices de morbimortalidad. La falta de éxito de las terapias occidentales ha provocado que un elevado número de pacientes acudan a la Medicina Tradicional. La implantación de catgut en puntos de acupuntura es una de las técnicas más novedosas empleadas en el tratamiento de esta enfermedad.Objetivo: determinar la utilidad de la implantación de Catgut en pacientes con Asma Bronquial Persistente Moderada o Severa.Métodos: se realizó una investigación experimental de intervención y prospectiva en 82 pacientes con asma bronquial persistente moderada o severa que cumplieron los criterios de inclusión y exclusión, divididos al azar en dos grupos de igual cantidad. El grupo estudio recibió tratamiento farmacológico y acupuntural, con implantación de catgut en puntos seleccionados según el diagnóstico tradicional, en sesión mensual durante 6 a 8 meses. El grupo control solo recibió tratamiento farmacológico. Se comparó la evolución clínica, respuesta terapéutica y consumo de medicamentos en ambos grupos.Resultados: en el grupo estudio la evolución clínica fue favorable en el 61% de los pacientes, necesitando hasta tres sesiones de tratamiento, y el 75 % disminuyó el consumo de medicamentos. la respuesta terapéutica fue buena en el 65,8 %. En el grupo control evolucionó favorablemente el 41,5 % y el 68,3 % aumentó el consumo de medicamentos.Conclusiones: se evidenció que la implantación de catgut como terapia alternativa en el asma bronquial persistente moderada o severa, es útil y acorta el período de tratamiento, así como disminuye el consumo de medicamentos

App-licable Techology

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has seen an increase in prevalence in the United States presenting in 1 in 59 children. ASD presents with an array of symptoms that impact various aspects of life including but not limited to, social interaction, attention, and behavioral modulation (Voss et al., 2019). Meristem is a transitional program for individuals ages 18-28 that prepares young adults on the transition of adulthood while coping with the various symptoms of ASD. At our fieldwork site, our collective mission has been to focus on sensory and mood self-regulation to improve the individual\u27s independence during situations. Technology can play a vital role in helping achieve this goal through the utilization of personal device applications

Clear evidence for the presence of second-generation asymptotic giant branch stars in metal-poor Galactic globular clusters

Galactic globular clusters (GCs) are known to host multiple stellar populations: a first generation with a chemical pattern typical of halo field stars and a second generation (SG) enriched in Na and Al and depleted in O and Mg. Both stellar generations are found at different evolutionary stages (e.g., the main-sequence turnoff, the subgiant branch, and the red giant branch). The non detection of SG asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars in several metal-poor ([Fe/H] < -1) GCs suggests that not all SG stars ascend the AGB phase, and that failed AGB stars may be very common in metal-poor GCs. This observation represents a serious problem for stellar evolution and GC formation/evolution theories. We report fourteen SG-AGB stars in four metal-poor GCs (M 13, M 5, M 3, and M 2) with different observational properties: horizontal branch (HB) morphology, metallicity, and age. By combining the H-band Al abundances obtained by the APOGEE survey with ground-based optical photometry, we identify SG Al-rich AGB stars in these four GCs and show that Al-rich RGB/AGB GC stars should be Na-rich. Our observations provide strong support for present, standard stellar models, i.e., without including a strong mass-loss efficiency, for low-mass HB stars. In fact, current empirical evidence is in agreement with the predicted distribution of FG and and SG stars during the He-burning stages based on these standard stellar models.Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal Letters (16 pages, 4 figures, and 1 table

OPTIMIZACIÓN INDUSTRIAL Y ESTRATEGIA DE CONTROL DE UNA ENFRIADORA DE ABSORCIÓN DE AMONIACO/NITRATO DE LITIO CON DISIPACIÓN POR AIRE

Se describe el proceso seguido para el desarrollo de un prototipo pre-industrial de enfriadora de absorción de amoniaco / nitrato de litio de disipación por aire y su caracterización experimental. Tras un proceso de mejora se concluye como adecuados la supresión del intercambiador de refrigerante, el empleo de una bomba de solución rotativa de paletas y la reducción de los caudales de agua fría y de agua de generación. Se analiza experimentalmente el comportamiento a carga parcial del nuevo desarrollo, con un control todo/nada de la capacidad frigorífica. Se prueba que dicho control en condiciones de carga parcial, resulta más efectivo que mantener en marcha el proceso de absorción reduciendo la temperatura de suministro de agua caliente. Se desarrolla un método de control de la enfriadora que maximiza el COP eléctrico. Finalmente, se obtienen analíticamente las expresiones de las curvas de degradación del COP a carga parcial.This thesis describes the development process of a pre-industrial prototype of an air-cooled ammonia / lithium nitrate absorption chiller and its experimental characterization. After an upgrading process it is concluded as adequate the suppression of the refrigerant exchanger, the use of a rotary vane solution pump and the reduction of chilled water flow and the generation water flow. The part load behaviour of the new development, with an on / off control of the cooling capacity, is experimentally analysed. It is shown that an on / off control of the cooling capacity at partial load conditions, is more effective than maintaining the absorption process while reducing the temperature of the hot water supply. Therefore, the control method consists in determining the fan speed which maximizes the electrical COP. Finally, there is provided an analytical expression for the COP degradation partial load curves, which allows their incorporation into the simulation programs