Synthesis of TiB2 -Ni3 B nanocomposite coating by DC magnetron sputtering for corrosion-erosion protection

The research and development of functional coatings of new metal-ceramic materials using a new route of processing that combines Mechanical Alloying and PVD Sputtering offer great possibilities for protecting components exposed to aggressive environments where the wear and corrosion at high temperature are the leading root cause of failures.Significant contribution on corrosion-erosion resistance of Ni3B-TiB2 nanocomposite coating of 1 μm of thickness, deposited by DC magnetron Sputtering on stainless steel 304 substrates was studied. Nickel phase (γ Ni) plus Ni3B-TiB2 phases were synthesized previously by Mechanical Alloying (MA). Solid cathode (76.2 mm of diameter and 3 mm of thickness) used to grow thin films was manufactured with the alloyed powders, applying a uniaxial load of 70 MPa at room temperature and sintered at 900 °C for two hours. Microstructure and mechanical properties of the coatings were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), nanoindentation, and wear test with a ball-on-disc tribometer. Compact coating of Ni3B-TiB2with a microstructure of prismatic crystals after annealing treatment, showing a uniform coating with good adherence and low friction coefficient of 0.5, correlated with a low roughness of Ra ≈ 0.0439 ± 0.0069 μm. The average hardness of 537.4 HV(5265.0 MPa) and wear coefficient at room temperature of 2.552E-10 m2 N−1 correspond with medium-hard phases with an elastic-plastic behavior suitable for fatigue applications. Geothermal fluid modified was synthesized in the lab with NaCl/Na2SO4 to evaluate the corrosion resistance of the films in a standard three electrodes cell, characterizing a corrosion rate of 0.0008 and 0.001 mm* year−1 at 25 and 80 °C respectively during 86.4 ks(24 h) of exposition; showing a resistive coating without corrosion products and with good response to the geothermal environmen

Isolamento e confinamento: A outra pandemia na esfera social

Introduction: Isolation and confinement are measures of high social impact that –worldwide and to a greater or lesser degree of intensity– have brought about temporary or permanent changes in how social interactions are conducted. Objective: To conduct a study on the domestic sphere and the external modifications that forced a drastic lockdown in the Colombian population during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: A qualitative study was carried out by conducting in-depth interviews with 45 participants living in the city of Bucaramanga, Colombia, reconstructing life pathways to evaluate the most drastic moment in the population’s lockdown. Results: From the findings, the ability to assimilate strong lockdown measures, the collectivization of the medical discourse’s most legitimate justifications, and the construction of self-care measures in the domestic sphere –a key place and relational space to face social uncertainty in the absence of effective responses to control contagion and disease– are highlighted. Conclusion: The drastic lockdown of the Colombian population due to the transitory measures entailed a high level of uncertainty for family groups but also a generally positive response. How to cite this article: Hernández Quirama Andrea, Rojas Betancur Hector Mauricio, Linares García Johana. Aislamiento y confinamiento: La otra pandemia en el ámbito social. Revista Cuidarte. 2023;14(1):e2124. http://dx.doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.2124Highlights: El drástico encierro de la población colombiana, conlleva una alta incertidumbre, pero también una respuesta positiva. Las personas, dan cuenta de un interesante proceso de afrontamiento y de reacomodación de las interacciones sociales. Las afectaciones a la salud, a las finanzas y a las relaciones sociales, se compensan con esa capacidad de resignificación. Las drásticas medidas por la pandemia, es la suspensión momentánea, pero abrupta, de la participación social, aunque, simbólicamente, esa participación se traslada al uso de tecnologías de la comunicación. Introducción: El aislamiento y el confinamiento son medidas de alto impacto social que, a nivel mundial y en mayor o menor grado de intensidad, han provocado cambio, temporales o permanentes, respecto a la forma en que se realizan las interacciones sociales. Objetivo: realizar un estudio en el ámbito de lo doméstico y de las modificaciones externas que obligaron a un encierro drástico en la población colombiana en los primeros meses de la pandemia por la COVID-19. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio con enfoque cualitativo a partir de la aplicación de entrevistas en profundidad a 45 participantes residentes en la ciudad de Bucaramanga, Colombia, logrando la reconstrucción de rutas de vida para evaluar el momento más drástico del encierro de la población. Resultados: Desde los hallazgos, se resalta la capacidad de asimilación de las fuertes medidas de confinamiento, la colectivización de las justificaciones más legitimadas desde el discurso médico y la construcción de medidas de autocuidado constituidas en el ámbito de lo doméstico como lugar y espacio relacional clave para enfrentar la incertidumbre social frente a la ausencia de respuestas efectivas para el control del contagio y de la enfermedad. Conclusión: El drástico encierro de la población colombiana a partir de las medidas transitorias, conlleva una alta incertidumbre de los grupos familiares, pero también una respuesta generalmente positiva. Como citar este artículo: Hernández Quirama Andrea, Rojas Betancur Hector Mauricio, Linares García Johana. Aislamiento y confinamiento: La otra pandemia en el ámbito social. Revista Cuidarte. 2023;14(1):e2124. http://dx.doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.2124Introdução: Isolamento e confinamento são medidas de alto impacto social que, em todo o mundo e em maior ou menor grau de intensidade, têm causado mudanças temporárias ou permanentes na forma como as interações sociais são realizadas. Objetivo: realizar um estudo no âmbito doméstico e as modificações externas que forçaram um confinamento drástico na população colombiana nos primeiros meses da pandemia de COVID-19. Materiais e Métodos: Realizou-se um estudo com abordagem qualitativa a partir da aplicação de entrevistas em profundidade a 45 participantes residentes na cidade de Bucaramanga, Colômbia, realizando a reconstrução de rotas de vida para avaliar o momento mais drástico do confinamento de a população.  Resultados: A partir dos achados, destaca-se a capacidade de assimilação das medidas de confinamento forte, a coletivização das justificativas mais legítimas do discurso médico e a construção de medidas de autocuidado constituídas na esfera doméstica como lugar e espaço relacional fundamental. enfrentam a incerteza social na ausência de respostas eficazes para controlar o contágio e a doença. Conclusão: O confinamento drástico da população colombiana como resultado das medidas transitórias acarreta um alto grau de incerteza para os grupos familiares, mas também uma resposta geralmente positiva. Como citar este artigo: Hernández Quirama Andrea, Rojas Betancur Hector Mauricio, Linares García Johana. Aislamiento y confinamiento: La otra pandemia en el ámbito social. Revista Cuidarte. 2023;14(1):e2124. http://dx.doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.212

FPGA embedded multichannel analyzer

An multichannel analyzer has been designed, and its performance has been evaluated. The multichannel analyzer is embedded into a Field programmable gate array. The design incudes the virtual instrument in order to hand and to visualize the pulse height spectrum. Two commercially available multichannel analyzers using a NaI(Tl) and HPGe detectors were used to obtain the pulse height spectra of 137Cs, 60Co and 152Eu sources and were compared with the pulse height spectra obtained with the embedded multichannel analyzer, being alike the spectra obtained with the commercial multichannel analyzer. Our design is smaller, low cost and it has options to add other features

Enfrentamento espacial de alunos com deficiências físicas

In order to know the forms of daily territorial appropriation of students with physical and visual disabilities in the city of Bucaramanga, Colombia, a study is carried out from a qualitative approach, where ethnographic techniques, interviews and cartographic analysis are combined with the participation of six students of a public university. It is concluded that there are great mobility limitations, increased by the lack of citizen awareness and the spatial discontinuity of the actions implemented, highlighting the capacity of coping and resilience of young people with disabilities and their interpretation of the cultural barriers that prevent them from right to education and social participation. Finally, attention is drawn to the effectiveness and sustainability of urban planning for inclusion, which is achieved when instrumental public management is transcended to become an exercise in reflection and action based on the understanding of the human being, beyond control and explanation of behavior.Para conocer las formas de apropiación territorial cotidiana de estudiantes con discapacidad física y visual en la ciudad de Bucaramanga, Colombia, se realizó un estudio desde un enfoque cualitativo, en donde se combinan técnicas etnográficas, entrevistas y análisis cartográfico con la participación de seis estudiantes de una universidad pública. Se concluyó que existen grandes limitaciones de movilidad, incrementadas por la falta de conciencia ciudadana y la discontinuidad espacial de las acciones implementadas, destacando la capacidad de afrontamiento y resiliencia de los jóvenes en situación de discapacidad y su interpretación sobre las barreras culturales que les impide el derecho a la educación y la participación social. Finalmente se llama la atención sobre la efectividad y sostenibilidad de ordenamiento urbano para la inclusión, el cual se logra cuando se trasciende la gestión pública instrumental para convertirse en ejercicio de reflexión y acción basado en la comprensión del ser humano, más allá del control y explicación del comportamiento.Para conhecer as formas de apropriação territorial diária de estudantes com deficiência física e visual na cidade de Bucaramanga, Colombia, foi realizado um estudo de abordagem qualitativa, onde técnicas etnográficas, entrevistas e análises cartográficas são combinadas com a participação de seis estudantes de Uma universidade pública. Concluiu-se que existem grandes limitações de mobilidade, aumentadas pela falta de conscientização do cidadão e pela descontinuidade espacial das ações implementadas, destacando a capacidade de enfrentamento e resiliência dos jovens com deficiência e sua interpretação das barreiras culturais que os impedem de direito à educação e participação social. Finalmente, chama-se atenção para a eficácia e sustentabilidade do planejamento urbano para a inclusão, o que é alcançado quando a gestão pública instrumental é transcendida para se tornar um exercício de reflexão e ação com base na compreensão do ser humano, além de controle e explicação de comportamento

Accesibilidad espacial e inclusión social

La accesibilidad espacial es el primer elemento necesario para garantizar la inclusión social de las personas con discapacidad. El objetivo de esta disertación se centra en reflexionar acerca de la necesidad de alcanzar el acceso total al medio físico por parte de este grupo humano. El debate se plantea responder a los interrogantes de ¿cuáles son las estrategias empleadas por los gobiernos para superar la exclusión social de este grupo humano al medio físico? y ¿En qué difieren las estrategias de América Latina y Europa? Para tal fin se generó un diálogo entre veintitrés fuentes consultadas. Como conclusión se destaca que las ciudades tienen en común la voluntad política para proponer y desarrollar estrategias de accesibilidad a fin de avanzar en la inclusión social y garantizar el derecho a la ciudad de las personas con discapacidad. Es así como, a pesar de las limitaciones que aún persisten, se resalta el incremento en la sensibilización en estos temas que los han llevado a pensarse un desarrollo territorial considerando la singularidad de sus ciudadanos

Política Internacional, Nacional y Local: la gestión pública de la accesibilidad espacial para las personas con discapacidad

A reflection on the interrelationship between territorial appropriation, accessibility, mobility and space develops as elements that determine the social inclusion of the population groups that make up a city and share a territory, in particular persons with disabilities, who are looking for their autonomous development and claim their chances of participation. Based on the different public instruments for land-use planning, an analysis is carried out for the city of Bucaramanga, Colombia, focused on the implementation of regulatory frameworks that promote a public policy of inclusion of the people with disabilities in the development of their possibilities for social participationSe desarrolla una reflexión sobre la interrelación entre apropiación territorial, la accesibilidad, el espacio y la movilidad como elementos que determinan la inclusión social de los grupos poblacionales que integran una ciudad y comparten un territorio, en especial de las personas con discapacidad, que buscan su desarrollo autónomo y reclaman sus posibilidades de participación. A partir de los diferentes instrumentos públicos para el ordenamiento territorial, se realiza un análisis para la ciudad de Bucaramanga, Colombia, centrado en el cumplimiento de los marcos normativos que promueven una política pública de inclusión de las personas con discapacidad en el pleno desarrollo de sus posibilidades de participación socia

International, national and local policy: public management of spatial accessibility for people with disabilities

Se desarrolla una reflexión sobre la interrelación entre apropiación territorial, la accesibilidad, el espacio y la movilidad como elementos que determinan la inclusión social de los grupos poblacionales que integran una ciudad y comparten un territorio, en especial de las personas con discapacidad, que buscan su desarrollo autónomo y reclaman sus posibilidades de participación. A partir de los diferentes instrumentos públicos para el ordenamiento territorial, se realiza un análisis para la ciudad de Bucaramanga, Colombia, centrado en el cumplimiento de los marcos normativos que promueven una política pública de inclusión de las personas con discapacidad en el pleno desarrollo de sus posibilidades de participación socialA reflection on the interrelationship between territorial appropriation, accessibility, mobility and space develops as elements that determine the social inclusion of the population groups that make up a city and share a territory, in particular persons with disabilities, who are looking for their autonomous development and claim their chances of participation. Based on the different public instruments for land-use planning, an analysis is carried out for the city of Bucaramanga, Colombia, focused on the implementation of regulatory frameworks that promote a public policy of inclusion of the people with disabilities in the development of their possibilities for social participatio

Caracterização clínico-patológica de pacientes com câncer de esôfago avançado no Hospital Princess Marina, Botswana

Introduction: advanced esophageal cancer is one of the most aggressive neoplasms with high morbidity and mortality. Botswana ranks 14th in the world for deaths from this disease. Objective: to determine the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with advanced esophageal cancer at the Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone, Botswana. Method: a prospective-descriptive study was carried out, where 45 patients with endoscopic and histological diagnosis of advanced esophageal cancer were characterized clinically and pathologically, from January to September 2019. Results: males predominated (86.7%), and also patients older than 60 years (60.0%). Dysphagia, anorexia and weight loss were the most frequent symptoms, and prevailed patients with three to six months between the appearance of symptoms and endoscopic diagnosis; inadequate diet, chronic alcoholism, and smoking were the predominant risk factors. The most frequent anatomical location was the middle third (51.1%), the predominant endoscopic type was the vegetative (46.7%) and most of the patients presented the histological type squamous cell carcinoma (95.6%) well differentiated (84.4%). Conclusions: the study of the clinical-pathological characteristics of patients with advanced esophageal cancer allows its correct staging, being a useful tool in the multidisciplinary assessment of treatment due to its complex clinical and institutional management.Introducción: el cáncer de esófago avanzado es una de las neoplasias más agresivas con una elevada morbilidad y mortalidad. Botsuana ocupa el duodécimo cuarto puesto mundial con respecto a las muertes ocasionadas por esta enfermedad. Objetivo: determinar las características clínico-patológicas de los pacientes con cáncer esofágico avanzado en el Hospital Princess Marina de Gaborone, Botsuana. Método: se realizó un estudio prospectivo-descriptivo donde se caracterizó clínica y patológicamente a 45 pacientes con el diagnóstico endoscópico e histológico de cáncer de esófago avanzado en el periodo de enero a septiembre de 2019. Resultados: predominó el sexo masculino (86,7 %) y los pacientes mayores de 60 años (60,0 %). La disfagia, la anorexia y la pérdida de peso fueron los síntomas más frecuentes y prevalecieron los pacientes con un tiempo entre la aparición de los síntomas y el diagnóstico-endoscópico entre tres y seis meses; la dieta inadecuada, el etilismo crónico y el hábito de fumar fueron los factores de riesgo predominantes. La localización anatómica más frecuente fue el tercio medio (51,1 %), el tipo endoscópico predominante fue el vegetante (46,7 %) y la mayoría de los pacientes presentó el tipo histológico carcinoma epidermoide (95,6 %) bien diferenciado (84,4 %).Conclusiones: el estudio de las características clínico-patológicas de los pacientes con cáncer esofágico avanzado permite su correcta estadificación, siendo una herramienta útil en la valoración multidisciplinaria del tratamiento debido a su complejo manejo clínico e institucional.Introdução: o câncer de esôfago avançado é uma das neoplasias mais agressivas com alta morbimortalidade. Botswana ocupa o 14º lugar no mundo em mortes por esta doença. Objetivo: determinar as características clínico-patológicas de pacientes com câncer de esôfago avançado no Hospital Princess Marina em Gaborone, Botsuana. Método: foi realizado estudo prospectivo-descritivo em que 45 pacientes com diagnóstico endoscópico e histológico de câncer de esôfago avançado foram caracterizados clínica e patologicamente de janeiro a setembro de 2019.Resultados: predominou o sexo masculino (86,7%) e pacientes com mais de 60 anos (60,0%). Disfagia, anorexia e perda de peso foram os sintomas mais frequentes e prevaleceram os pacientes com tempo entre o aparecimento dos sintomas e o diagnóstico endoscópico entre três e seis meses; dieta inadequada, alcoolismo crônico e tabagismo foram os fatores de risco predominantes. A localização anatômica mais frequente foi o terço médio (51,1%), o tipo endoscópico predominante foi o vegetativo (46,7%) e a maioria dos pacientes apresentou o tipo histológico carcinoma espinocelular (95,6%) bem diferenciado (84,4%). Conclusões: o estudo das características clínico-patológicas dos pacientes com câncer de esôfago avançado permite seu correto estadiamento, sendo uma ferramenta útil na avaliação multidisciplinar do tratamento devido ao seu complexo manejo clínico e institucional

Predictors of Global Non-Motor Symptoms Burden Progression in Parkinson's Disease. Results from the COPPADIS Cohort at 2-Year Follow-Up

Malaltia de Parkinson; Símptomes no motors; ProgressióEnfermedad de Parkinson; Sintomas no motores; ProgresiónParkinson’s disease; Non-motor symptoms; ProgressionBackground and Objective: Non-motor symptoms (NMS) progress in different ways between Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. The aim of the present study was to (1) analyze the change in global NMS burden in a PD cohort after a 2-year follow-up, (2) to compare the changes with a control group, and (3) to identify predictors of global NMS burden progression in the PD group. Material and Methods: PD patients and controls, recruited from 35 centers of Spain from the COPPADIS cohort from January 2016 to November 2017, were followed-up with after 2 years. The Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS) was administered at baseline (V0) and at 24 months ± 1 month (V2). Linear regression models were used for determining predictive factors of global NMS burden progression (NMSS total score change from V0 to V2 as dependent variable). Results: After the 2-year follow-up, the mean NMS burden (NMSS total score) significantly increased in PD patients by 18.8% (from 45.08 ± 37.62 to 53.55 ± 42.28; p < 0.0001; N = 501; 60.2% males, mean age 62.59 ± 8.91) compared to no change observed in controls (from 14.74 ± 18.72 to 14.65 ± 21.82; p = 0.428; N = 122; 49.5% males, mean age 60.99 ± 8.32) (p < 0.0001). NMSS total score at baseline (β = −0.52), change from V0 to V2 in PDSS (Parkinson’s Disease Sleep Scale) (β = −0.34), and change from V0 to V2 in NPI (Neuropsychiatric Inventory) (β = 0.25) provided the highest contributions to the model (adjusted R-squared 0.41; Durbin-Watson test = 1.865). Conclusions: Global NMS burden demonstrates short-term progression in PD patients but not in controls and identifies worsening sleep problems and neuropsychiatric symptoms as significant independent predictors of this NMS progression.This research was funded by Fundación Española de Ayuda a la Investigación en Parkinson y otras Enfermedades Neuro-degenerativa

Maternal Blood, Plasma, and Breast Milk Lead: Lactational Transfer and Contribution to Infant Exposure

Background: Human milk is a potential source of lead exposure. Yet lactational transfer of lead from maternal blood into breast milk and its contribution to infant lead burden remains poorly understood. Objectives: We explored the dose–response relationships between maternal blood, plasma, and breast milk to better understand lactational transfer of lead from blood and plasma into milk and, ultimately, to the breastfeeding infant. Methods: We measured lead in 81 maternal blood, plasma, and breast milk samples at 1 month postpartum and in 60 infant blood samples at 3 months of age. Milk-to-plasma (M/P) lead ratios were calculated. Multivariate linear, piecewise, and generalized additive models were used to examine dose–response relationships between blood, plasma, and milk lead levels. Results: Maternal lead levels (mean ± SD) were as follows: blood: 7.7 ± 4.0 μg/dL; plasma: 0.1 ± 0.1 μg/L; milk: 0.8 ± 0.7 μg/L. The average M/P lead ratio was 7.7 (range, 0.6–39.8) with 97% of the ratios being > 1. The dose–response relationship between plasma lead and M/P ratio was nonlinear (empirical distribution function = 6.5, p = 0.0006) with the M/P ratio decreasing by 16.6 and 0.6 per 0.1 μg/L of plasma lead, respectively, below and above 0.1 μg/L plasma lead. Infant blood lead level (3.4 ± 2.2 μg/dL) increased by 1.8 μg/dL per 1 μg/L milk lead (p < 0.0001, R2 = 0.3). Conclusions: The M/P ratio for lead in humans is substantially higher than previously reported, and transfer of lead from plasma to milk may be higher at lower levels of plasma lead. Breast milk is an important determinant of lead burden among breastfeeding infants. Citation: Ettinger AS, Roy A, Amarasiriwardena CJ, Smith DR, Lupoli N, Mercado-García A, Lamadrid-Figueroa H, Tellez-Rojo MM, Hu H, Hernández-Avila M. 2014. Maternal blood, plasma, and breast milk lead: lactational transfer and contribution to infant exposure. Environ Health Perspect 122:87–92; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.130718