Prevalence of asthma and allergies in 13–14-year-old adolescents from Luanda, Angola

SETTING: The few epidemiological studies on asthma and allergic diseases performed in Africa have shown that the prevalence of these diseases is high or increasing. No such studies have been performed in Angola. OBJECTIVE : To determine the prevalence of asthma and other allergic diseases in Angolan adolescents. DESIGN: This was a descriptive, observational, crosssectional study in the province of Luanda, Angola, using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood study methodology in adolescents aged 13 and 14 years. Twenty-three (12%) public schools were randomly selected. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 22.0 software. RESULTS : A total of 3128 adolescents were included. The prevalence of asthma (wheezing in the previous 12 months) was 13.4%. The prevalence of rhinitis (sneezing, runny or blocked nose in the previous 12 months) was 27% and that of eczema (itchy skin lesions in the previous 12 months) was 20%; both were more prevalent in girls. Rhinitis was associated with a greater number of episodes of night cough in adolescents with asthma. Rhinitis and eczema, a split-type air conditioning system, and frequent intake (more than once per month) of paracetamol were associated with a higher risk of having asthma. CONCLUSION: Asthma and related allergic diseases are a public health problem in adolescents from Luanda. Preventive and control measures should be implemented.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema in 6–7-year-old schoolchildren from Luanda, Angola

Background: Epidemiological data have shown that the prevalence of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema in children is still increasing, namely in Africa. However, there are no epidemiological studies on asthma or allergic diseases in Angolan children. Objective: To study the prevalence of asthma and other allergic diseases in Angolan children. Methods: Descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study, using the ISAAC study methodology, in the province of Luanda, Angola in 6-7-yearold children. Forty-six (8.3%) public schools were randomly selected. Data were analysed using the SPSS Statistics version 24.0 software. Results: A total of 3080 children were studied. Results showed that the prevalence of asthma (wheezing in the previous 12 months) was 15.8%, that of rhinitis (sneezing, runny or blocked nose in the previous 12 months) was 19% and that of eczema (itchy skin lesions in the previous 12 months) was 22%, without differences between sexes. Rhinitis was associated with a higher number of episodes of wheezing episodes, disturbed sleep and night cough, in children with asthma. Rhinitis, eczema, Split-type air conditioning system, antibiotic intake in the child's first year of life, frequent intake (more than once per month) of paracetamol and active maternal smoking were associated with a higher risk of having asthma, whereas electrical cooking was associated with a protective effect. Conclusion: Asthma and allergic diseases are highly prevalent in children from Luanda. A strategy for preventive and control measures should be implemented.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Análisis de Herramientas y Estrategias para las Nuevas Titulaciones en Informática

Antes de aplicar cualquier herramienta o estrategia para el proceso de enseñanzaaprendizaje en cualquier titulación, pensamos que es imprescindible reflexionar sobre la situación actual. Por ello presentamos unas pautas de análisis que pretenden descubrir las fortalezas y debilidades de los sistemas utilizados en las titulaciones actuales. Este estudio permite definir el conjunto de requisitos de las herramientas que puedan ser útiles en el proceso de docencia y aprendizaje. Destacamos como puntos relevantes la necesidad de abordar las asignaturas en el ámbito de la titulación, permitir la personalización del sistema a cada alumno o profesor y potenciar el seguimiento y evaluación global del alumno. Ante los cambios hacia nuevas estrategias docentes con la aparición de los créditos ECTS, planteamos la necesidad urgente de potenciar el enfoque de asignaturas hacia créditos presenciales, frente a la idea extendida de potenciar créditos no presenciales. Aunque las reflexiones se han realizado en base a la titulación de Ingeniería Informática en la Escuela Politécnica de Cáceres de la Universidad de Extremadura (UEX), pensamos que muchas de las conclusiones son extrapolables a cualquier Ingeniería en nuestro entorno universitario.Este trabajo ha sido financiado por el MEC a través del proyecto “Perspectivas de ICARO”: TIN2005-09098-C05-05 y TIN2005-25882-E

Hacia una metodología para el desarrollo de trabajos y Proyectos Fin de Carrera en Ingeniería Informática

En este trabajo se proporcionan las claves para el diseño de una metodología docente de trabajos y Proyectos Fin de Carrera en Ingeniería Informática. La metodología resultante se adapta a la complejidad del problema y propugna técnicas de trabajo en equipo. Se enfoca tanto desde la perspectiva del alumno, resaltando las normas que debe conocer y aplicar para obtener un resultado efectivo, como desde el punto de vista del profesor, que debe gestionar un número considerable de proyectos. Se destacan aquellos aspectos más relevantes para la evaluación del trabajo, distinguiéndose entre la evaluación del desarrollo del proyecto y la del producto que se genera. Finalmente se exponen las conclusiones de su aplicación en el desarrollado en algunos PFC y en trabajos de asignaturas de 4º y 5º de Ingeniería Informática en la Escuela Politécnica de Cáceres.Este trabajo ha sido financiado por el MEC a través del proyecto “Perspectivas de ICARO”: TIN2005-09098-C05-05 y TIN2005-25882-E

Effect of sugar cane straw ash (SCSA) as solid precursor and the alkaline activator composition on alkali-activated binders based on blast furnace slag (BFS)

[EN] Alkali-activated materials (AAM) comprise one of the solutions to diminish the use of Portland cement in building construction and, consequently, a reduction in the environmental problems related to CO2 emissions and energy consumption may be achieved. These kinds of binders are obtained when a mineral precursor (calcium silicate or aluminosilicate material) is mixed with an alkaline solution. In this study, the blast furnace slag (BFS) combined with a new waste from the sugar cane industry, sugar cane straw ash (SCSA), is utilised. This new residue was studied replacing partially the blast furnace slag in BFS/SCSA proportions of 100/0, 85/15, 75/25, 67/33 and 50/50. The alkaline solution concentration plays an important role in obtaining AAM with good mechanical properties. Therefore, this paper intends to assess the influence of the activating solution (composed of sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate) through different H2O/Na2O (called g) and SiO2/Na2O (called e) molar ratios. For BFS/SCSA proportions of 100/0 and 75/25, the g values assessed were 22, 28 and 37, whereas the e values selected were 0 and 0.75. In order to study the effects of SCSA in the mixture, other BFS/SCSA proportions (0¿50% replacement) were assessed by only g and e ratios of 28 and 0¿0.75, respectively. To reach these objectives, mortars and pastes were manufactured in order to study their behaviour in the following tests: compressive strength (3, 7, 28 and 90 days of curing at 25 C), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The results showed that the alkaline solution influenced the compressive strength development, and specimens reached more than 60 MPa after 90 days of curingThe authors would like to thanks to CNPq processo no 401724/2013-1 and the "Ministerio de Educacion, Cultura y Deporte" of Spain ("Cooperacion Interuniversitaria" program with Brazil PHB-2011-0016-PC). Thanks are also given to the Electron Microscopy Service of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia.Moraes, J.; Mitsuuchi Tashima, M.; Akasaki, JL.; J.L.P.Melges; Monzó Balbuena, JM.; Borrachero Rosado, MV.; Soriano Martínez, L.... (2017). Effect of sugar cane straw ash (SCSA) as solid precursor and the alkaline activator composition on alkali-activated binders based on blast furnace slag (BFS). Construction and Building Materials. 144:214-224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.03.166S21422414

Durability of glass fiber reinforced cement (GRC) containing a high proportion of pozzolans

[EN] Glass fiber reinforced cement (GRC) is an excellent composite for architects and engineers because it can be molded to produce laminar panels or to create complicated designs. GRC is a fine concrete reinforced with alkali-resistant glass fibers at 3¿5% per mass. However, fiber durability is limited because of the aggressiveness of the alkaline medium produced during Portland cement hydration (effect of portlandite). The objective of this study is to assess GRC with high Portland cement replacement with pozzolans (ground fly ash or a mixture of ground fly ash and sonicated silica fume) in order to reduce the corrosion of the fibers. The selected high-content pozzolan (60% replacement) composites were tested under different conditions: aging, drying¿wetting, freezing¿thawing, and chemical attack (ammonium chloride and sulfuric acid). The modulus of rupture and toughness were determined. Composite behavior showed that the samples with pozzolans not only better resisted aging, but also physical and chemical attacks, and specimens presented a better modulus of rupture and toughness than the samples prepared with 100% Portland cement (control specimens). Due to the good behavior in durability terms, the high pozzolan content GRC products are suitable in potential corrosive environments for sunscreens, drainage channels, cable trays, sound barriers, or pavements.This research was funded by Spanish Ministry of Education and Science and FEDER funds (Project BIA 2004-00520)Lalinde, LF.; Mellado Romero, AM.; Borrachero Rosado, MV.; Monzó Balbuena, JM.; Paya Bernabeu, JJ. (2022). Durability of glass fiber reinforced cement (GRC) containing a high proportion of pozzolans. Applied Sciences. 12(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/app1207369612

Evaluation of the Pozzolanic Activity of Uncontrolled-Combusted Sewage Sludge Ash

[EN] Waste management is a crucial issue facing modern society. The generation of sewage sludge is increasing annually due to the urbanization and improvement of sanitation systems of cities. The construction sector has emerged as a solution for the elimination of waste due to the enormous volume of materials that this sector can absorb. This paper evaluates the pozzolanic activity of sewage sludge ash (USSA) obtained following an uncontrolled-combustion process, a simple and economic procedure. Compressive strength of Portland cement/USSA mortars with 5%¿25% by weight USSA were evaluated. Calcium hydroxide/USSA and Portland cement/USSA pastes were chemically and physically characterized through thermogravimetric/differential-thermogravimetric (TG/DTG), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. The increase in the replacement of Portland cement by USSA is associated with an increase in the compressive strength of mortars. These values for USSA containing mortars cured for 90 days were in the range of 49.6¿55.4 MPa, higher than the one reached by the reference mortar. According to the microstructural analysis, the increment on the compressive strength can be attributed to the formation of hydrated products (C¿S¿H, C¿A¿S¿H, and C¿A¿H) by the pozzolanic reaction of USSA.This research was financed in part by the Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior-Brasil (Capes)Finance Code 001, and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq) (Processo Nos. 309015/2015-4 and 478057/2013-0). Thanks go to the Scanning Electron Microscopy Service of FEIS/UNESP, Servico Municipal Autonomo de Agua e Esgoto (SEMAE) from the Sao Jose do Rio Preto city (Sao Paulo, Brazil).Istuque, DB.; Reig, L.; Soriano Martinez, L.; Borrachero Rosado, MV.; Pinheiro Melges, JL.; Akasaki, JL.; Paya Bernabeu, JJ.... (2021). Evaluation of the Pozzolanic Activity of Uncontrolled-Combusted Sewage Sludge Ash. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering. 33(6):1-12. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.000376511233

Propuesta de sistema de cobertura universal de salud en el Per?, y evaluaci?n de los costos y beneficios asociados

Implementaci?n del Sistema de Cobertura Universal de Salud en el Per?, basada en la experiencia del modelo colombiano, proponiendo la implementaci?n de un marco de gesti?n basado en el an?lisis de los costos de implementaci?n, la estructura org?nica, el financiamiento, la demanda objetivo, la oferta disponible y el servicio a brindar que en esta investigaci?n abarcan las tres enfermedades no transmisibles con mayor mortalidad en el Per? aplicando la metodolog?a AVISA

Pozzolanic reactivity studies on a miomass-derived waste from sugar cane production: sugar cane straw ash (SCSA)

"This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, copyright © American Chemical Society after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021%2Facssuschemeng.6b00770.”Biomass has gained in importance as an energy source in recent years. One of the crops that presents interesting opportunities with regard to biomass is sugar cane. In Brazil, sugar cane production is increasing for alcohol and sugar manufacture. Some by-products, such as sugar cane straw, also are obtained during harvesting. Due the calorific value of the sugar cane straw, its use as biomass is increasing. After the straw is burned to produce energy, an ash is obtained: sugar cane straw ash (SCSA). This waste needs an appropriate destination and, since the recent publication of successful studies using biomass derived-ashes as pozzolanic material, the present study aimed to assess the pozzolanic reactivity of sugar cane straw ash. The pozzolanic activity was assessed using a new and simple recently proposed method: evaluation of the electrical conductivity of calcium hydroxide (CH) and pozzolan suspensions, in which solid CH is initially present. These results were compared to those of two other well-established techniques: Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The evaluation by all three techniques is similar and shows that sugar cane straw ash is a good pozzolanic material: high lime fixation values for CH:SCSA mixes were determined by thermogravimetric analysis and unsaturation respect to CH in 3.5:6.5 CH:SCSA suspension was achieved at 60ºC. According to this behaviour, a bright future for SCSA as a replacement for Portland cement is expected.We thank CNPq (processo no. 401724/2013-1) and the "Ministerio de Education, Cultura y Deporte" of Spain ("Cooperacion Interuniversitaria" program with Brazil PHB-2011-0016-PC). Thanks are also due to the Electron Microscopy Service of the Universitat Politecnica de ValenciaMoraes, J.; Melges, JLP.; Akasaki, JL.; Tashima, MM.; Soriano Martínez, L.; Monzó Balbuena, JM.; Borrachero Rosado, MV.... (2016). Pozzolanic reactivity studies on a miomass-derived waste from sugar cane production: sugar cane straw ash (SCSA). ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering. 4(8):4273-4279. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.6b00770S427342794