Observed Surface Breakage due to Strike-Slip Faulting

This paper presents observations from field studies and physical model tests to investigate the response of soil deposits to strike-slip bedrock faulting. The study is relevant to developing mitigation technique against fault-induced damage in structures located near potentially active faults. Observations of ground rupture patterns in alluvial materials following the 1992 Landers earthquake are presented. Particularly important are the observations of significant deformation away from the main trace, the width of the shear zone, and the effects of the surficial geology on the fault expression. Preliminary results from small-scale model tests simulating strike-slip rupture are also presented. The tests results confirm that the width of the shear zone depends primarily on the ductility and height of the soil deposit. These studies provide insight regarding ground deformation patterns in the soil overlying strike-slip faulting

Propuesta metodológica para la enseñanza del Cálculo.

Es frecuente que los estudiantes de Cálculo separen lo conceptual de lo algorítmico, por ello, en un intento de mejorar el proceso de enseñanzaaprendizaje del Cálculo en alumnos del primer año de la Facultad de Ingeniería de la Universidad Nacional de Jujuy, hemos centrado nuestro interés en la búsqueda de estrategias adecuadas para enseñar y aprender matemática . En la enseñanza tradicional los temas desarrollados dependen de las definiciones conceptuales, lo que a menudo resulta poco significativo y se pierde valor en su aprendizaje cuando se debe realizar las conexiones entre las representaciones gráficas, numéricas y algebraicas. Así, hemos diseñado y ensayado secuencias didácticas para superar la dificultad observada en nuestros alumnos para conceptualizar. Empleamos Ingeniería Didáctica como metodología y objeto de la investigación; en particular ensayamos en 2007 y 2008 secuencias para: conceptualización de la definición de límite; aprehensión del concepto de derivada en la modelización mediante ecuaciones diferenciales y comprensión significativa del proceso límite de una suma asociado a la integral definida. Es importante trabajar en la búsqueda de la metodología más adecuada al entorno de los alumnos que contribuya a la construcción de los esquemas de conocimientos sólidos necesarios para emplear el Cálculo en los estudios posteriores

Costos de la analgesia epidural de parto. Instituto Nacional Materno Perinatal. Enero 2006

Objetivo: Determinar el costo unitario y el costo operacional, para identificar los elementos y más importantes variables. Material y método: Diseño: retrospectivo, descriptivo y transversal. Los pacientes fueron 53 mujeres en trabajo de parto. Ellas reciberon analgesia epidural en enero de 2006 en el Instituto Nacional Materno Perinatal INMP. El instrumento utilizado fue una encuesta para analizar los costos. Los tipos de costos fueron calculados por la metodología del sistema de“información de la gestión hospitalaria”, determinando el porcentaje que ocupa cada variable, el gasto conocido de cada unidad, el costo unitario y total de la producción obtenida. Resultados: Los honorarios profesionales es una variable que tiene el mayor peso y representa el 74% del costo en todo el servicio, los insumos terapéuticos y el costo de ropa representan el 14%, por último, la depreciación de los equipos médicos, mobiliario y la infraestructura representan el 12%.  Conclusión: La analgesia epidural durante el parto aumenta los costos de servicios en S /. 379,00, que es un precio asequible para las mujeres en trabajo de parto

Cysteine-based 3-substituted 1, 5-benzoxathiepin derivatives: Two new classes of anti-proliferative agents

Two distinct series of the 3-amino-1, 5-benzoxathiepin scaffold, derived from L-cysteine, were synthesized and evaluated for their anti-proliferative activity in the breast cancer MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells, and in the ovarian carcinoma SKOV-3 cell line. (3R)-Amino-3, 4-dihydro-2H-1, 5-benzoxathiepin [(R)-10] was diversified into two forms: (a) by incorporating different amino acids at its position 3, through an amide bond; and (b) by construction of the purine ring to give 6-chloro-9-[2-(3, 4-dihydro-2H-1, 5-benzoxathiepin-(3R)-yl)]-9H-purine [(R)-28]. Nevertheless, when the introduction of iodine was tried at position 2 of the purine ring of (R)-28, 2-{[2-(6-chloro-2-iodo-9H-purin-9-yl) prop-2-en-1-yl] thio} phenol (34) was obtained. Compound 34 shows activity against cancer cells. Interestingly, 34 inhibits mammosphere formation at the micromolar range, demonstrating activity against cancer stem cells. Although further studies of its targets and mechanism of action are needed, these findings support the therapeutic potential of this compound in cancer

Procesador a medida en FPGA para la navegación de un dispositivo móvil autónomo

El objetivo de este trabajo es diseñar y construir un controlador a medida para un Dispositivo Móvil Autónomo (DMA) implementado en una FPGA XC4010E de Xilinx [Xil01]. Este dispositivo debe ser capaz de recorrer un camino previamente establecido con la suficiente autonomía como para decidir, en ciertos puntos del recorrido, el camino a seguir. Dada la generalidad y amplitud del tema, se restringe el prototipo a un sistema de navegación por marcas artificiales, utilizado para representar ciertos recorridos con (re)abastecimientos múltiples. Todo esto, en entornos aptos para el desenvolvimiento del dispositivo.Eje: FPGARed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Biomimetic Citrate-Coated Luminescent Apatite Nanoplatforms for Diclofenac Delivery in Inflammatory Environments

Luminescent nanoparticles are innovative tools for medicine, allowing the imaging of cells and tissues, and, at the same time, carrying and releasing different types of molecules. We explored and compared the loading/release ability of diclofenac (COX-2 antagonist), in both undoped-and luminescent Terbium3+ (Tb3+)-doped citrate-coated carbonated apatite nanoparticles at different temperatures (25, 37, 40 °C) and pHs (7.4, 5.2). The cytocompatibility was evaluated on two osteosarcoma cell lines and primary human osteoblasts. Biological effects of diclofenac-loadednanoparticles were monitored in an in vitro osteoblast’s cytokine–induced inflammation model by evaluating COX-2 mRNA expression and production of PGE2. Adsorption isotherms fitted the multilayer Langmuir-Freundlich model. The maximum adsorbed amounts at 37 °C were higher than at 25 °C, and particularly when using the Tb3+-doped particles. Diclofenac-release efficiencies were higher at pH 5.2, a condition simulating a local inflammation. The luminescence properties of diclofenac-loaded Tb3+-doped particles were affected by pH, being the relative luminescence intensity higher at pH 5.2 and the luminescence lifetime higher at pH 7.4, but not influenced either by the temperature or by the diclofenac-loaded amount. Both undoped and Tb3+-doped nanoparticles were cytocompatible. In addition, diclofenac release increased COX-2 expression and decreased PGE2 production in an in vitro inflammation model. These findings evidence the potential of these nanoparticles for osteo-localized delivery of anti-inflammatory drugs and the possibility to localize the inflammation, characterized by a decrease in pH, by changes in luminescence

Validación experimental de un modelo que describe la etapa axial de un plasma focus sin electrodo externo

Se presenta una modificación al modelo de la barredora de nieve tradicional donde se supone que la lámina se forma sobre el aislante y tiene un espesor , pudiendo luego evolucionar tanto en la dirección radial como en la axial. La evolución se realiza planteando la ecuación de conservación de la cantidad de movimiento en la cual, para tener en cuenta la curvatura de la lámina, se agrega un segundo parámetro (eficiencia de transferencia de impulso, ) en el término que contabiliza la cantidad de movimiento cedida al gas barrido. El modelo incluye la ecuación del circuito eléctrico y el sistema de ecuaciones resultante se resuelve numéricamente. Los parámetros libres se ajustan a partir de mediciones de la cinemática de la lámina obtenidas con una sonda magnética inductiva en un equipo Plasma Focus con un electrodo central de 9,5 mm de diámetro y 90 mm de longitud. El segundo electrodo está formado por un disco plano sobre el que asienta el aislante y el electrodo central. Los gases empleados fueron hidrógeno y nitrógeno, en el rango 0,5 – 10 mbar. Se encuentra que tanto como decrecen al aumentar la presión del gas de llenado.An extension to the standard Snow Plow model is presented which assumes that the current sheath is formed along the insulator with a width , and it is then able to evolve both in the axial and radial directions. This evolution is modelled taking into account the conservation of momentum, but a second parameter is included (momentum transfer efficiency ) in order to consider the curvature of the current sheath. The model also includes an equation for the electric circuit. The resulting set of equations is solved numerically. Both parameters are fitted using measurements of sheath cinematics taken with magnetic probes. A Plasma Focus device with a central electrode of 9.5 mm in diameter, 90 mm long and with no outer electrode was used. The filling gas was either hydrogen or nitrogen and the filling pressure was varied in the range 0.5 – 10 mbar. We found that both and decrease as the filling gas pressure is increased.ISSN 0327-358

Hydroxypyridinones with enhanced iron chelating properties. Synthesis, characterization and in vivo tests of 5-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine-4(1H)-one

The synthesis of 5-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)pyridin-4(1H)-one (P1) is presented, together with the evaluation of its coordination ability towards Fe3+, studied by a combination of chemical, computational, and animal approaches. The use of complementary analytical techniques has allowed us to give evidence of the tautomeric changes of P1 as a function of pH, and to determine their influence on the coordinating ability of P1 towards Fe3+. The pFe3+ value 22.0 of P1–iron complexes is noticeably higher than that of deferiprone (20.6), one of the three clinical chelating agents in therapeutic use for iron overload diseases. This is due on one side to the tautomeric change to the catechol form, and on the other to the lower protonation constant of the OH group. Bio-distribution studies on mice allowed us to confirm in vivo the efficacy of P1. Furthermore the coordinating ability toward Al3+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ has been studied to evalu- ate the possible use of P1 against a second toxic metal ion (Al3+), and to envisage its potential influence on the homeostatic equilibria of essential metal ions. The chelating ability of P1 toward these ions, not higher than that of the corresponding deferiprone, contributes to render P1 a more selective iron chelato

Carborane bis-pyridylalcohols as linkers for coordination polymers : synthesis, crystal structures and guest-framework dependent mechanical properties

We report the synthesis and characterization of six novel coordination polymers (CPs) based on M(II) (M: Zn and Co), di-, tri-, and tetracarboxylate linkers and two novel bis-pyridylalcohol 1,7-bis{(pyridin-n'-yl)methanol}-1,7-dicarba-closo-dodecaboranes (n' = 3, L1; n' = 4, L2) ligands. The polycarboxylates are terephthalic acid (H₂BDC), 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid (H₃BTB), and 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)benzene (H₄TCPB). Structural description of CPs reveals the flexibility of the carborane ligands and their ability to construct extended structures. The CP containing Co(II), BTB, and L2 behaves as a crystalline sponge for a variety of guests, showing a higher affinity for aromatic guest molecules. Single-crystal nanoindentation experiments indicate that a high number of specific interactions between the guests and the CP framework result in a high elastic modulus and hardness values

New Multicomponent Forms of the Antiretroviral Nevirapine with Improved Dissolution Performance

In the pharmaceutical area, some drugs exhibit physicochemical properties that adversely affect the formulation processes for bioavailability and effectiveness. Nevirapine (NVP) is an antiretroviral drug that presents low aqueous solubility, which directly impacts its bioavailability. Among all possible modifications, multicomponent crystals, such as cocrystals and eutectic compositions, have been successfully used to improve the solubility of drugs. In this work, the propensity of the formation of multicomponent systems of NVP with seven possible coformers were predicted and tested: salicylic acid (SA), 3-hydroxybenzoic acid (3HBZC), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4HBZC), saccharin (SAC), theophylline (THEO), caffeine (CAF), and urea (URE). Results indicate that NVP-SA, NVP-SAC, NVP-3HBZC, and NVP-4HBZC are cocrystals, whereas NVP-THEO and NVP-CAF are eutectic materials, and NVP-URE is a solid physical mixture. A temperature-dependent disorder behavior was identified for NVP-SA cocrystal. Dissolution studies for the eutectic materials are reported, evidencing that these materials exhibit a significant increase in NVP dissolution kinetics.Fil: Costa, Rogeria Nunes. Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Reviglio, Ana Lucía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Matemática, Astronomía y Física; ArgentinaFil: Siedler, Sana. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; BrasilFil: Cardoso, Simone G.. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; BrasilFil: Garro Linck, Yamila. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Matemática, Astronomía y Física; ArgentinaFil: Monti, Gustavo Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Matemática, Astronomía y Física; ArgentinaFil: Carvalho, Alexandre Magnus G.. Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais; BrasilFil: Resende, Jackson A. L. C.. Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul; BrasilFil: Chaves, Marcelo H. C.. Fundación Oswaldo Cruz; BrasilFil: Rocha, Helvético Vinícius Antunes. Fundación Oswaldo Cruz; BrasilFil: Choquesillo Lazarte, Duane. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; España. Universidad de Granada; EspañaFil: Infantes, Lourdes. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; España. Instituto de Química Física Rocasolano; EspañaFil: Cuffini, Silvia Lucia. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasi