1,563 research outputs found

    Prevalence of Resistant Strains of Rhipicephalus microplus to Acaricides in Cattle Ranch in the Tropical Region of Tecpan of Galeana, Guerrero, Mexico

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    Tick and tick borne diseases cause many problems to the cattle industry worldwide. The prevalence of resistant strains of Rhipicephalus microplus to different acaricides on cattle farms in the tropical region of Tecpan of Galeana, Guerrero, Mexico, and risk factors related to prevalence of resistant strains of R. microplus. Sixty one ranches infested were sampled; in each ranch were collected 30-50 fully-engorged female R. microplus ticks, of 10 cattle randomly selected, and evaluated in their progeny resistance to acaricides, using the larval packet test. The prevalence of resistant strains was total pyrethroids and amitraz. In organophosphorus 31.1, 48.3 and 82.2% of strains were resistant to clorpyriphos, coumaphos and diazinon, respectively. Risk factors favored (P<0.05) the development of resistant strains of acaricides. We concluded that the resistance of R. microplus to acaricides used to control a problem, and risk factors (livestock management) have accelerated the development of resistance

    Low dose electron tomography of novel nanocomposites for additive manufacturing

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    This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND licenseThe development of new nanocomposites with added functionalities for Additive Manufacturing (AM) requires of a deep understanding of the 3D distribution of the selected nano-additives within the polymeric matrix, in order to optimize their performance. For this, electron tomography (ET) is an outstanding analysis technique that requires the material to withstand the electron exposure needed for the acquisition of several tens of images, becoming challenging for beam-sensitive materials. In this work, we analyse the parameters involved in the successful analysis by low dose ET of nanocomposites based in acrylic resins for stereolithography (SLA). Needleshape electron-transparent specimens have been fabricated by focused ion beam (FIB), minimizing surface damage due to the high energy Ga+ ions. Microscope settings for tuning the electron dose applied during the ET analysis of these nanoneedles are discussed. A phenomenological study of the effect of increasing the electron dose in the scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) analysis of the material has been carried out, showing that ET can be effectively performed at low electron doses. Two case studies are presented, to illustrate the relevance of these analyses in the development of nanocomposites with added functionalities. Our results have revealed the crucial role of the dose rate and of inaccuracies in the calculation of critical electron doses for the design of ET experiments.Junta de Andalucía 00955Universidad de Cádiz PR2022-00

    Modelo competitivo de variables jerárquicas de empresas exportadoras

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    el objetivo de esta ponencia es describir la competitividad de empresas exportadoras del sector aguacatero, mostrando sus problemáticas, organización, objetivos, producción, y la capacidad de exportar de manera eficiente a Estados Unidos. Se considera el estudio de la competitividad de 25 empresas exportadoras de aguacate, con información de su organización, sus objetivos, su producción y la capacidad de exportar de manera eficiente. La investigación documental se enfocó en el conocimiento de las principales teorías sobre la competitividad empresarial y obtener como resultado su conceptualización y la medición de las variables que lo afectan. la técnica de jerarquización analítica se utiliza para evaluar la importancia de los problemas planteados y las causas del mismo. el método consiste en realizar comparaciones por pares entre cada una de las alternativas, que en este caso son variables, y por medio de una escala previamente específica se evalúan las magnitudes de preferencia

    Induced damage during STEM-EELS analyses on acrylic-based materials for Stereolithography

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    (Scanning) transmission electron microscopy, (S)TEM, offers a powerful characterization tool based on electron-matter interactions, highly valuable in materials science. However, the possible electron beam induced damage during (S)TEM measurements hinders the analysis of soft materials, such as acrylic resins. Importantly, acrylic resins offer an appealing playground for the development of novel composites with customized properties and convenient processing capabilities for 3D-printing technologies, including Stereolithography (SLA). There are several factors preventing the optimal performance of TEM measurements applied to acrylic resins, among which we focus on the quality of the analyzed specimen (i.e., compromise between thickness and robustness, to achieve electron transparency while keeping the material integrity), particularly challenging when working with soft materials; the electrostatic charging/discharging effects, resulting in sample drift and related noise/artefacts; and the radiolysis and knock-on electron-induced damage, which directly degrade the material under study. We explore and compare different methodologies to obtain resin specimens suitable for (S)TEM analysis, employed for the subsequent study of the electron–beam damage induced during STEM-EELS measurements. Furthermore, we propose likely underlying mechanisms explaining the acrylic resin degradation based on the different EELS monitored signals. On one hand, we assess the evolution of the carbon and oxygen content, as well as the material thinning as a function of the accumulated electron dose. On the other hand, we extract meaningful information from the spectral shape of carbon and oxygen K-edges upon increasing electron doses, unraveling likely degradation pathways. The earned understanding on the electron-beam induced damage and the determination of critical doses provide a useful framework for the implementation of (S)TEM techniques as useful tools to help in the smart engineering of acrylic-based composites for SLA.DME-SC-ICyT-ELECMI-UCAUnión Europea - Junta de Andalucía - INNANOMAT TEP94

    Cost-effectiveness of introducing a rotavirus vaccine in developing countries: The case of Mexico

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    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In developing countries rotavirus is the leading cause of severe diarrhoea and diarrhoeal deaths in children under 5. Vaccination could greatly alleviate that burden, but in Mexico as in most low- and middle-income countries the decision to add rotavirus vaccine to the national immunisation program will depend heavily on its cost-effectiveness and affordability. The objective of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of including the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine in Mexico's national immunisation program.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cost-effectiveness model was developed from the perspective of the health system, modelling the vaccination of a hypothetical birth cohort of 2 million children monitored from birth through 60 months of age. It compares the cost and disease burden of rotavirus in an unvaccinated cohort of children with one vaccinated as recommended at 2, 4, and 6 months.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Including the pentavalent vaccine in the national immunisation program could prevent 71,464 medical visits (59%), 5,040 hospital admissions (66%), and 612 deaths from rotavirus gastroenteritis (70%). At US10perdoseandacostofadministrationofUS10 per dose and a cost of administration of US13.70 per 3-dose regimen, vaccination would cost US122,058perdeathprevented,US122,058 per death prevented, US4,383 per discounted life-year saved, at a total net cost of US74.7milliondollarstothehealthcaresystem.Keyvariablesinfluencingtheresultswere,inorderofimportance,casefatality,vaccineprice,vaccineefficacy,serotypeprevalence,andannuallossofefficacy.Theresultsarealsoverysensitivetothediscountrateassumedwhencalculatedperlifeyearsaved.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>AtpricesbelowUS74.7 million dollars to the health care system. Key variables influencing the results were, in order of importance, case fatality, vaccine price, vaccine efficacy, serotype prevalence, and annual loss of efficacy. The results are also very sensitive to the discount rate assumed when calculated per life-year saved.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>At prices below US 15 per dose, the cost per life-year saved is estimated to be lower than one GNP per capita and hence highly cost effective by the WHO Commission on Macroeconomics and Health criteria. The cost-effectiveness estimates are highly dependent upon the mortality in the absence of the vaccine, which suggests that the vaccine is likely to be significantly more cost-effective among poorer populations and among those with less access to prompt medical care – such that poverty reduction programs would be expected to reduce the future cost-effectiveness of the vaccine.</p

    Empirical leucine-to-carbon conversion factors for estimating heterothrophic bacterial production in surface waters of the world oceans

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    Comunicación oralBacterial biomass production is a key parameter for evaluating the role of bacterioplankton in ocean carbon cycling. However, bacterial production cannot be directly measured and is typically estimated from the incorporation rates of radiolabelled leucine. The conversion of leucine uptake rates into bacterial carbon production rates requires the use of conversion factors (CFs) which must be empirically determined. Despite the empirical leucine-to-carbon CFs vary widely across environments very little is known about its potential controlling factors. We conducted a set of 10 surface seawater cultures experiments where the growth of the natural bacterial assemblage was promoted by filtration (removal of grazers) or by both filtration and dilution. Sampling stations were located between 30 ºN and 30 ºS, including the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. CFs varied from 0.13 to 1.47 Kg C mol Leu-1, being higher in the filtrated than in the filtrated and diluted treatment. The abundance of picocyanobacteria explained 60% of the observed variability. Our results further suggest that the composition of bacterioplankton, as assessed by ARISA fingerprinting, may partially explain the observed variation in CFs

    Sample dilution and bacterial community composition influence empirical leucine-to-carbon conversion factors in surface waters of the world's oceans

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    Research articleThe transformation of leucine incorporation into prokaryotic carbon production rates requires the use of either theoretical or empirically determined conversion factors. Empirical leucine-to-carbon conversion factors (eCFs) vary widely across environments, and little is known about their potential controlling factors. We conducted 10 surface seawater manipulation experiments across the world’s oceans, where the growth of the natural prokaryotic assemblages was promoted by filtration (i.e. removal of grazers; F treatment) or filtration combined with dilution (i.e. relieving also resource competition; FD treatment). The impact of sunlight exposure was also evaluated in the FD treatments, and we did not find a significant effect on the eCFs. The eCFs varied from 0.09 to 1.47 kg C mol Leu-1 and were significantly lower in the filtered and diluted (FD) than in the filtered (F) treatments. Also, changes in bacterial community composition during the incubations, as assessed by Automated Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer Analysis (ARISA), were stronger in the FD than in the F treatments, as compared to unmanipulated controls. Thus, we discourage the common procedure of diluting samples (in addition to filtration) for eCFs determination. The eCFs in the filtered treatment were negatively correlated with the initial chlorophyll a concentration, picocyanobacterial abundance (mostly Prochlorococcus) and the percentage of heterotrophic prokaryotes with high nucleic acid content (%HNA). The latter two variables explained 80% of the eCFs variability in the F treatment, supporting the view that both Prochlorococcus and HNA prokaryotes incorporate leucine in substantial amounts although resulting into relatively low carbon production rates in the oligotrophic ocean.En prensa3,829

    Use of agroindustrial waste to obtain cellulose from oil palm bagasse (Elaeis guinnensis)

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    Obtain cellulose from oil palm agro-industrial waste that meets standard physicochemical characteristics to produce value-added products. Bagasse fibers from the palm agroindustry were used to obtain cellulose, by means of the acid – alkaline hydrolysis methodology. The samples obtained in each stage and the cellulose obtained were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) technique and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The final characterized product presented a band corresponding to 1370 cm1 characteristic of cellulose. The peak at 1731 cm-1 is related to C=O bonds of unconjugated ketones present in hemicellulose. Major thermal event for treated fiber near to 355 °C, and a high residual mass indicate a good chemical treatment for hemicellulose and lignin elimination. During the process, a fiber yield of 39.3% cellulose was obtained from oil palm bagasse. Obtaining cellulose from a highly polluting residue such as palm bagasse and with high production figures in our state, this makes it a potential for use to generate biopolymers in combination with natural polysaccharides providing sustainable benefits and economic impact promoting sustainable development by replacing conventional fossil plastics. In addition to obtaining value-added products for the same agribusiness and in sectors such as the food industry.Objective: To obtain cellulose from oil palm agroindustrial waste that meets standard physicochemical characteristics to produce value-added products.   Design/methodology/approach: Bagasse fibers from the palm agroindustry were used to obtain cellulose, by means of the acid – alkaline hydrolysis methodology. The samples obtained in each stage and the cellulose obtained were characterized by the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) technique and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Results: The final characterized product presented a band corresponding to 1370 cm1 which is a characteristic value of cellulose. The peak at 1731 cm-1 is related to C=O bonds of unconjugated ketones present in hemicellulose. A major thermal event for treated fiber near 355 °C and the high residual mass indicate a good chemical treatment for hemicellulose and lignin elimination. Study limitations/implications: A fiber yield of 39.3% cellulose was obtained during the process from oil palm bagasse. Findings/conclusions: Obtaining cellulose from a highly polluting residue such as palm bagasse and with high production figures in our state, makes it a potential for use to generate biopolymers in combination with natural polysaccharides, providing sustainable benefits and economic impact and promoting sustainable development by replacing conventional fossil plastics, in addition to obtaining value-added products for the same agribusiness and in sectors such as the food industry

    Towards Harmonisation in Landscape Unit Delineation: An Analysis of Spanish Case Studies

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    [EN] The European Landscape Convention has encouraged member states to develop tools for landscape planning and management. Landscape character assessment is the most widespread approach. The aim of this paper is to identify the main trends in landscape unit delineation in Spain. For this purpose, 29 works are analysed by the Multiple Correspondence technique (MCA). Each work is characterised by a category of the variables: scale, type of extent, geomorphology, land matrix and visual boundaries. Results show that there is an implicit hierarchy in the way Spanish professionals are mapping landscape units. It is more apparent in variables related to geomorphology and less evident in variables related to land matrix. Regarding visual boundaries, they are not usually used at small scales and are more frequent at intermediate and large scales. The definition of clear criteria that allow comparable classifications and the increased consideration of cultural and perceptual factors is encouraged for future landscape character classifications.This work was supported by DGI and FEDER grant n8 AGL–2004-03263/AGR. We would like to thank Paz Aramburu, Rafael Escribano, Jordi Puig, the enterprise P&G and Florencio Zoido and Valencia Regional Department of Environment for the data provided for this research and also the R&D&I Linguistic Assistance Office at the Universidad Polite´cnica de Valencia for their help in revising and correcting this paper.Vallés-Planells, M.; Galiana, F.; Bru García, R. (2012). Towards Harmonisation in Landscape Unit Delineation: An Analysis of Spanish Case Studies. Landscape Research. 38(3):329-346. https://doi.org/10.1080/01426397.2011.647896S32934638
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