An investigation into wayside hot-box detector efficacy and optimization

Wayside hot-box detectors (HBDs) are devices used to assess the health of railcar components including bearings, axles, and brakes by monitoring their temperatures. HBDs use infrared (IR) sensors to record the temperatures of railroad bearings. Bearings that trigger an alarm or exhibit warm trending are removed and sent for inspection. In many cases, no discernable defects were found in the flagged bearings. Motivated by this finding, an investigation was conducted which included performing a controlled field test as well as exhaustive laboratory testing utilizing an HBD simulator. Data acquired from field and laboratory testing was used to evaluate the accuracy and efficacy of wayside HBDs. The results suggest that the scanning location on the bearing cup significantly affects the temperature measurement. Different calibrations for the field- and laboratory-acquired data were also explored. An optimized calibration technique along with proper IR sensor alignment can markedly improve the accuracy of HBD measurements

Prácticas de crianza como agentes favorecedores de la morbi-mortalidad infantil en el barrio Sinaí de la ciudad de Sincelejo

Pocos parámetros resultan tan demostrativos para valorar el desarrollo socio-económico y cultural de una comunidad como el estado de salud y nutricional de sus habitantes, en especial de la población infantil. La desnutrición, por lo común unida a la deficiente educación de la población, refleja en gran medida la falta de recursos económicos que se traduce en mayores índices de morbi-mortalidad por enfermedades potencialmente prevenibles en los niños menores de cinco años, situación que prevalece en los países en vías de desarrollo incrementándose esta situación en las comunidades marginadas donde la pobreza unida a deficientes hábitos de higiene, de alimentación además del deterioro de las relaciones intrafamiliares que se traducen en poco afectividad hacia el menor y maltrato físico y sicológico forman un conjunto de factores que llevan a un alto índice de morbi-mortalidad en la población infantil. La comunidad seleccionada para el presente trabajo investigativo fue el barrio Sinaí de la ciudad de Sincelejo, producto de una inversión fomentada por líderes politiqueros con fines electorales donde la mayoría de sus habitantes provienen del área rural, desplazados ya sea por la violencia que xvii impera en sus lugares de origen o deslumbrados en busca de nuevas y mejores oportunidades. Se trabajó lo referente a prácticas de crianza y su relación con los altos índices de morbi-mortalidad infantil porque ello involucra factores de orden cultural, social, educativo fisiológico y psicológico que tienen amplia repercusión en el proceso de crecimiento y desarrollo de los menores con el fin de ejecutar acciones que conlleven al mejoramiento de las condiciones de salubridad del sector infantil; para lo cual se realizó un diagnóstico previo con la intervención y cooperación de miembros de la comunidad ya que para iniciar un trabajo comunitario alrededor de las necesidades del niño no existen esquemas rígidos se utilizó Investigación, Acción, Participación porque busca que la comunidad conozca, se apropie de sus problemas y se comprometa en la evolución de los mismos mediante la autogestión comunitaria y con base en ello, se implementaron acciones educativas, asistenciales y de tipo organizativo alrededor de las necesidades del infante para lo cual se coordinaron acciones con instituciones gubernamentales y no gubernamentales que se involucraron en el proceso. Teniendo presente que proteger las mentes y cuerpos en desarrollo de la generación futura debe ser la prioridad de las sociedades del mundo de hoy

Mini Subcritical Nuclear Reactor

A mini subcritical nuclear reactor was designed using Monte Carlo methods. The reactor has light water as moderator, natural uranium as fuel, and a 239PuBe neutron source. In the design uranium fuel was modeled in an arrangement of concentric rings: 8.5, 14.5, 20.5 26.5, 32.5 cm-inner radius, 3 cm-thick, and 36 cm-high. Different models were made from a single ring of natural uranium to five rings. For each case, the neutron spectra, the neutron fluence distribution, the effective multiplication factor, the amplification factor, and the reactor power were estimated. The ambient dose equivalent rate outside the mini reactor was also estimated. The maximum value for the keff (0.78) was obtained when five rings of fuel were used; this value is close to 0.86 which belongs to a Nuclear Chicago subcritical reactor which requires almost twice the amount of uranium than the mini subcritical reactor

Evidences of volcanic unrest on high-temperature fumaroles by satellite thermal monitoring: The case of Santa Ana volcano, El Salvador

International audienceOn October 1st, 2005, Santa Ana volcano (El Salvador) underwent a VEI 3 phreatomagmatic eruption after approximately one century of rest. Casualties and damages to some of the local infrastructures and surrounding plantations were followed by the evacuation of the nearby communities. The analysis of MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) infrared data reveals that the main explosion was preceded by a one-year-long thermal unrest, associated to the development of a fumaroles field, located at the western rim of the summit crater lake. By combining space-based thermal flux and ground-based measurements (seismicity, sulfur emissions and lake temperatures), we suggest that the activity observed at Santa Ana between 2004 and 2005 was driven by the gradual intrusion of an undegassed magma body at a very shallow depth. Magma injection induced thermal anomalies associated with sustained degassing from the fumaroles field and promoted the interaction between the magmatic-hydrothermal system and the overlying water table. This process culminated into the VEI 3 phreatomagmatic eruption of October 2005 that strongly modified the shallow structure of the crater area. The subsequent three-years-long activity resulted from self-sealing of the fracture system and by the opening of a new fracture network directly connecting the deeper hydrothermal system with the crater lake. Our results show that satellite-based thermal data allow us to detect the expansion of the high-temperature fumarolic field. This may precede an explosive eruption and/or a lava dome extrusion. In particular, we show that thermal records can be analyzed with other geochemical (i.e. SO2 emissions) and geophysical (seismicity) data to track a shallow magmatic intrusion interacting with the surrounding hydrothermal system. This provides a remarkable support for volcano monitoring and eruption forecasting, particularly in remote areas where permanent ground data acquisition is hazardous, expensive and difficult

Response to Neutrons and γ-rays of Two Liquid Scintillators

UltimaGoldTM AB and OptiphaseTrisafe are two liquid scintillators made by Perkin Elmer and EG & G Company respectively. Both are commercially promoted as scintillation detectors for α and β particles. In this work, the responses to γ-rays and neutrons of UltimaGoldTM AB and OptiphaseTriSafe liquid scintillators, without and with reflector, have been measured aiming to use these scintillators as γ-rays and neutron detectors. Responses to γ-rays and neutrons were measured as pulse shape spectra in a multichannel analyzer. Scintillators were exposed to gamma rays produced by 137Cs, 54Mn, 22Na and 60Co sources. The response to neutrons was obtained with a 241AmBe neutron source that was measured to 25 and 50 cm from the scintillators. The pulse height spectra due to gamma rays are shifted to larger channels as the photon energy increases and these responses are different from the response due to neutrons. Thus, UltimaGoldTM AB and OptiphaseTrisafe can be used to detect γ-rays and neutrons

Conjugated probiotics dispensed from birth to weaning for the survival of goat kids

a) Objective: To prevent morbidities, mortalities and increase weight gain and growth of kids by administering oral probiotic conjugate (PC). b) Design/Methodology/Approach: A randomized design comparing treatments (supplemented dose), percentage of morbidity and percentage of mortality. Goats were administered weekly from birth to 56 days of age. PC of Bifidobacterium bifidum essensis, Lactococcus lactis, Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus were dosed weekly. Treatments, TC: Control, T2: 2.0 mL PC/kg body weight (BW). T3: 3 mL PC/Kg BW. T4: 4 mL PC/Kg BW. c) Results: Diarrhea was present in: TC = 16%, T2 = 1%, T3 and T4 = 0% (TC vs. T2, T3, T4, P <0.05). Mortality percentages: TC = 17%, T2, T3 and T4 = 0% (TC vs. T2, T3, T4, P <0.05). T2 and T3 had an increase (P <0.05) of 1.9 kg weight gain (WG) vs. TC. T3 was the best treatment at 56d (P <0.05). d) Study Limitations/Implications: The doses used were defined based on other studies and experimental doses were used; the results consider that the facilities and management are optimal and in accordance with animal welfare standards. e) Findings/Conclusions: The most adequate dose was 1014 CFU/kg BW since it improved WG and reduced mortality. It is suggested to compare oral doses of probiotics to reduce death due to enteric diseases.To prevent morbidities, mortalities and increase weight gain and growth of kids by administering oral probiotic conjugate (PC). Design/Methodology/Approach: A randomized design comparing treatments (supplemented dose), percentage of morbidity and percentage of mortality.  Goats were administered weekly from birth to 56 days of age. PC of Bifidobacterium bifidum essensis, Lactococcus lactis, Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus were dosed weekly. Treatments, TC: Control, T2: 2.0 mL PC/kg body weight (BW). T3: 3 mL PC/Kg BW. T4: 4 mL PC/Kg BW. Results: Diarrhea was present in: TC = 16%, T2 = 1%, T3 and T4 = 0% (TC vs. T2, T3, T4, P <0.05). Mortality percentages: TC = 17%, T2, T3 and T4 = 0% (TC vs. T2, T3, T4, P <0.05). T2 and T3 had an increase (P <0.05) of 1.9 kg weight gain (WG) vs. TC. T3 was the best treatment at 56d (P <0.05). Study Limitations/Implications: The doses used were defined based on other studies and experimental doses were used; the results consider that the facilities and management are optimal and in accordance with animal welfare standards. Findings/Conclusions: The most adequate dose was 1014 CFU/kg BW since it improved WG and reduced mortality. It is suggested to compare oral doses of probiotics to reduce death due to enteric diseases

Evaluation of the consumption of two integral diets for psittacines in captivity in a wildlife rescue unit

Objective To evaluate the consumption of nutrient intake in a traditional diet and a proposed diet for parrots in captivity. Design/methodology/approach The study was carried out in Pachuca de Soto, Hidalgo, Mexico. Twelve parrots were used in captivity. The traditional diet (TD) provided to the birds was evaluated and a proposed diet (PA) was alternative. The consumption and the amount of waste of each diet were recorded for 5 weeks. PA was formulated with fruits, vegetables, and seeds. Data were analyzed by Student's t test to significance of 0.5. Results TD lacked homogeneity in the ingredients offered during the five weeks of study. There were significant differences in consumption between the 2 diets evaluated. The individual consumption of each bird was 349 g for TD and 314 g for PA. The TD had 41.87% was of fruits and 58.12% of vegetables. The PA included supplementation with seeds. From the second to the fifth week there was less waste in the PA. Limitations of the study The age, weight, sex and collection of excreta of the parrots were not registered, due to the restriction rules of the conservation area. Findings/conclusions The PA offered the requirements that parrots need. It is necessary to train technical personnel in the preparation of diets. Feeding frequencies and food diversity stimulated consumption and decreased waste, improving the nutritional balance of birds in captivity.Objective: To evaluate the consumption of nutrients intake in a traditional and aproposed diet for parrots in captivity.Design / methodology / approach: The study took place at Pachuca de Soto,Hidalgo, Mexico. Twelve parrots were assessed in captivity. The traditional diet(TD) provided to the birds was evaluated and a proposed diet (PD) was thealternative. The consumption and the amount of waste of each diet were recordedfor five weeks. PD formula contained fruits, vegetables, and seeds. Data wereanalyzed with the Student's t-test at p< 0.5 significance.Results: TD lacked homogeneity in the ingredients offered during the five weeksevaluation. There were significant differences in the consumption between the two 2 evaluated diets. The individual bird consumption was 349 g for TD and 314 g forPD. The TD was 41.87% fruits and 58.12% vegetables. The PD diet includedseeds supplements. From the second to the fifth week of the evaluation PD hadless waste.Limitations of the study: The age, weight, sex and excreta collection from theparrots were not registered due to restriction rules in the conservation area.Findings / conclusions: The PD offered the requirements that parrots need. It isnecessary to train technical personnel on diet preparation. Feeding frequenciesand food diversity stimulated consumption and waste decreased, improving thenutritional balance of the birds in captivity

Ciencias de la Biología y Agronomía

Este volumen I contiene 17 capítulos arbitrados que se ocupan de estos asuntos en Tópicos Selectos de Ciencias de la Biología y Agronomía, elegidos de entre las contribuciones, reunimos algunos investigadores y estudiantes. Se presenta un Estudio Comparativo de los Recursos Hidrológico-Forestales de la Microcuenca de la Laguna de Epatlan, Pue. (1993 a 2014); la Situación Actual de la Mancha de Asfalto en Maíz (Zea mays L.) en los Municipios de Jiquipilas y Ocozocoautla, Chiapas, México; las poblaciones sobresalientes de maíz de la raza Zapalote Chico, en la Región Istmeña de Oaxaca; Se indica el índice de área foliar de cultivo de Chile Poblano mediante dos métodos en condiciones protegidas; Esquivel, Urzúa y Ramírez exploran el efecto de la biofertilización con Azospirillum en el crecimiento y producción de Jitomate; esbozan su artículo sobre la determinación del nivel de Heterosis en híbridos de Maíz para la Comarca Lagunera; una investigación sobre la estabilización de semilla de Solanum lycopersicum durante el almacenamiento y estimulación de la germinación; acotan sobre el CTAB como una nueva opción para la detección de Huanglongbing en cítricos, plantean su evaluación sobre el aluminio y cómo afecta la vida de florero de Heliconia psittacorum; indican sobre el impacto del H-564C, como un híbrido de maíz con alta calidad de proteina para el trópico húmedo de México; presetan su investigación sobre la producción de Piña Cayena Lisa y MD2 (Ananas comosus L.) en condiciones de Loma Bonita, en Oaxaca; acotan sobre el efecto de coberteras como control biológico por conservación contra áfidos en Nogal Pecanero; esbozan sobre la caracterización de cuatro genotipos de Frijol Negro en Martínez de la Torre, Veracruz, México; presentan una caracterización hidroecológica de la microcuenca de Arroyo Prieto, Yuriría, Gto., y alternativas para su restauración ambiental; presentan su investigación sobre el efecto del hongo Beauveria bassiana sobre solubilización de fosfatos y la disponibilidad de fósforo en el suelo; plantean su investigación sobre la Germinación y regeneración in vitro de Epidendrum falcatum LINDL; esbozan su artículo sobre genotipos de frijol negro y su tolerancia a sequía terminal en Veracruz, México

Performance of CMS muon reconstruction in pp collision events at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV

The performance of muon reconstruction, identification, and triggering in CMS has been studied using 40 inverse picobarns of data collected in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV at the LHC in 2010. A few benchmark sets of selection criteria covering a wide range of physics analysis needs have been examined. For all considered selections, the efficiency to reconstruct and identify a muon with a transverse momentum pT larger than a few GeV is above 95% over the whole region of pseudorapidity covered by the CMS muon system, abs(eta) < 2.4, while the probability to misidentify a hadron as a muon is well below 1%. The efficiency to trigger on single muons with pT above a few GeV is higher than 90% over the full eta range, and typically substantially better. The overall momentum scale is measured to a precision of 0.2% with muons from Z decays. The transverse momentum resolution varies from 1% to 6% depending on pseudorapidity for muons with pT below 100 GeV and, using cosmic rays, it is shown to be better than 10% in the central region up to pT = 1 TeV. Observed distributions of all quantities are well reproduced by the Monte Carlo simulation.Comment: Replaced with published version. Added journal reference and DO