Eficiencia energética en la administración de flotas vehiculares. Caso buses del Metro de Medellín

En este trabajo se propone a la empresa Metro de Medellín un sistema de gestión de la energía para sus buses BRT (en inglés Bus Rapid Transit) enfocado a optimizar el consumo de combustible, el cual se ha desarrollado bajo el ciclo de mejora continua P-H-V-A que incluye diversos parámetros que establece la norma ISO 50001 tales como el planteamiento de objetivos energéticos, caracterización energética de la flota, plan de acción y evaluación de indicadores sobre eficiencia energética. Trazado este horizonte se han realizado pruebas de ruta en vehículos durante la prestación del servicio comercial para obtener datos sobre las variables asociadas a su funcionamiento mediante el uso de softwares de diagnóstico, además de una recopilación de otros datos acerca de su operación tomados de las diferentes áreas administrativas de esta empresa. Posteriormente se estructuran bases de datos que luego son procesadas mediante una metodología de análisis multivariante de datos, la cual permite dar información sobre el comportamiento e importancia que tiene cada variable respecto al consumo de combustible y de esta manera simplificar el número de variables que serán objeto de estudio para el sistema de gestión de la energía. Finalmente, el sistema de gestión de la energía basa el desarrollo de su ciclo P-H-V-A sobre aquellas variables que son influyentes para el consumo de combustible de los buses, con lo que se busca que un plan de acción pueda ser estructurado de manera concreta y efectiva, y sobre todo que permita el cumplimiento de los objetivos que se plantean.Abstract: This work proposes to the company Metro de Medellín an energy management system for its BRT buses focused on optimizing fuel consumption, which has been developed under the continuous improvement cycle PHVA which includes various parameters established by the standard ISO 50001 such as energy targets, fleet energy characterization, action plan and evaluation of energy efficiency indicators. Traced to this horizon, vehicle route tests were performed during the commercial service to obtain data on the variables associated with its operation through the use of diagnostic software, as well as a compilation of other data about its operation taken from the different Administrative areas of this company. Subsequently, data bases are structured and then processed using a multivariate data analysis methodology, which allows information on the behavior and importance of each variable with respect to fuel consumption and thus simplify the number of variables that will be object for the energy management system. Finally, the energy management system bases the development of its P-H-V-A cycle on those variables that are influential for the fuel consumption of the buses. This means that an action plan can be structured in a concrete and effective way, and above all that allows the fulfillment of the objectives that are proposed.Maestrí

Microvascular free flap in a pregnant patient after resection ofahigh-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma

Free !ap reconstruction is seldom performed during pregnancy. Not only does the prolonged operative time pose a risk for the mother and the fetus, but also the hypercoagulable state of pregnancy predisposes the mother to a greater risk of complications in the transplanted tissue. We present a case of a 29-year-old patient in week 27 of gestation with a rapidly progressive neuroendocrine tumor in the left nasal fossa with involve-ment of the nasal sinus, pterygopalatine fossa, dura, and left orbit, associated with neurological symptoms and recurrent epistaxis. The aggressive and rapidly progressive character of the tumor made surgical excision by a multidisciplinary team as the "rst option. We performed immediate reconstruction with an anterolateral thigh free !ap. Free tissue transfer was performed successfully, with satisfactory results on the mother and later delivery without complications.Free !ap reconstruction is seldom performed during pregnancy. Not only does the prolonged operative time pose a risk for the mother and the fetus, but also the hypercoagulable state of pregnancy predisposes the mother to a greater risk of complications in the transplanted tissue. We present a case of a 29-year-old patient in week 27 of gestation with a rapidly progressive neuroendocrine tumor in the left nasal fossa with involve-ment of the nasal sinus, pterygopalatine fossa, dura, and left orbit, associated with neurological symptoms and recurrent epistaxis. The aggressive and rapidly progressive character of the tumor made surgical excision by a multidisciplinary team as the "rst option. We performed immediate reconstruction with an anterolateral thigh free !ap. Free tissue transfer was performed successfully, with satisfactory results on the mother and later delivery without complications.Revista Internacional - No indexad

Parameter estimation of a thermoelectric generator by using salps search algorithm

Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) have the potential to convert waste heat into electrical energy, making them attractive for energy harvesting applications. However, accurately estimating TEG parameters from industrial systems is a complex problem due to the mathematical complex non-linearities and numerous variables involved in the TEG modeling. This paper addresses this research gap by presenting a comparative evaluation of three optimization methods, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Salps Search Algorithm (SSA), and Vortex Search Algorithm (VSA), for TEG parameter estimation. The proposed integrated approach is significant as it overcomes the limitations of existing methods and provides a more accurate and rapid estimation of TEG parameters. The performance of each optimization method is evaluated in terms of root mean square error (RMSE), standard deviation, and processing time. The results indicate that all three methods perform similarly, with average RMSE errors ranging from 0.0019 W to 0.0021 W, and minimum RMSE errors ranging from 0.0017 W to 0.0018 W. However, PSO has a higher standard deviation of the RMSE errors compared to the other two methods. In addition, we present the optimized parameters achieved through the proposed optimization methods, which serve as a reference for future research and enable the comparison of various optimization strategies. The disparities observed in the optimized outcomes underscore the intricacy of the issue and underscore the importance of the integrated approach suggested for precise TEG parameter estimation

Prenatal Exposure to Nitrogen Oxides and its Association with Birth Weight in a Cohort of Mexican Newborns from Morelos, Mexico

Background: The Child-Mother binomial is potentially susceptible to the toxic effects of pollutants because some chemicals interfere with placental transfer of nutrients, thus affecting fetal development, and create an increased the risk of low birth weight, prematurity and intrauterine growth restriction. Objective: To evaluate the impact of prenatal exposure to nitrogen oxides (NOx) on birth weight in a cohort of Mexican newborns. Methodology: We included 745 mother-child pair participants of the POSGRAD cohort study. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, obstetric history, health history and environmental exposure during pregnancy were readily available and the newborns’ anthropometric measurements were obtained at delivery. Prenatal NOx exposure assessment was evaluated using a Land-Use Regression predictive models considering local monitoring from 60 sites on the State of Morelos. The association between prenatal exposure to NOx and birth weight was estimated using a multivariate linear regression models. Results: The average birth weight was 3217 ± 439 g and the mean of NOx concentration was 21 ppb (Interquartile range, IQR = 6.95 ppb). After adjusting for maternal age and other confounders, a significant birthweight reduction was observed for each IQR of NOx increase (ß = −39.61 g, 95% CI: −77.00; −2.21; p = 0.04). Conclusions: Our results provides evidence that prenatal NOx exposure has a negative effect on birth weight, which may influence the growth and future development of the newborn.<p

Familial hypercholesterolaemia in children and adolescents from 48 countries: a cross-sectional study

Background: Approximately 450 000 children are born with familial hypercholesterolaemia worldwide every year, yet only 2·1% of adults with familial hypercholesterolaemia were diagnosed before age 18 years via current diagnostic approaches, which are derived from observations in adults. We aimed to characterise children and adolescents with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH) and understand current approaches to the identification and management of familial hypercholesterolaemia to inform future public health strategies. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, we assessed children and adolescents younger than 18 years with a clinical or genetic diagnosis of HeFH at the time of entry into the Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Studies Collaboration (FHSC) registry between Oct 1, 2015, and Jan 31, 2021. Data in the registry were collected from 55 regional or national registries in 48 countries. Diagnoses relying on self-reported history of familial hypercholesterolaemia and suspected secondary hypercholesterolaemia were excluded from the registry; people with untreated LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) of at least 13·0 mmol/L were excluded from this study. Data were assessed overall and by WHO region, World Bank country income status, age, diagnostic criteria, and index-case status. The main outcome of this study was to assess current identification and management of children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia. Findings: Of 63 093 individuals in the FHSC registry, 11 848 (18·8%) were children or adolescents younger than 18 years with HeFH and were included in this study; 5756 (50·2%) of 11 476 included individuals were female and 5720 (49·8%) were male. Sex data were missing for 372 (3·1%) of 11 848 individuals. Median age at registry entry was 9·6 years (IQR 5·8-13·2). 10 099 (89·9%) of 11 235 included individuals had a final genetically confirmed diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia and 1136 (10·1%) had a clinical diagnosis. Genetically confirmed diagnosis data or clinical diagnosis data were missing for 613 (5·2%) of 11 848 individuals. Genetic diagnosis was more common in children and adolescents from high-income countries (9427 [92·4%] of 10 202) than in children and adolescents from non-high-income countries (199 [48·0%] of 415). 3414 (31·6%) of 10 804 children or adolescents were index cases. Familial-hypercholesterolaemia-related physical signs, cardiovascular risk factors, and cardiovascular disease were uncommon, but were more common in non-high-income countries. 7557 (72·4%) of 10 428 included children or adolescents were not taking lipid-lowering medication (LLM) and had a median LDL-C of 5·00 mmol/L (IQR 4·05-6·08). Compared with genetic diagnosis, the use of unadapted clinical criteria intended for use in adults and reliant on more extreme phenotypes could result in 50-75% of children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia not being identified. Interpretation: Clinical characteristics observed in adults with familial hypercholesterolaemia are uncommon in children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia, hence detection in this age group relies on measurement of LDL-C and genetic confirmation. Where genetic testing is unavailable, increased availability and use of LDL-C measurements in the first few years of life could help reduce the current gap between prevalence and detection, enabling increased use of combination LLM to reach recommended LDL-C targets early in life

Efecto de la osmolaridad, sobre el diámetro y la calidad de oocitos bovinos madurados in vitro

Ooocytes are susceptible to osmolar changes, and show some phenomena that affect the plasma membrane Objective. To evaluate the effect of hypo and hyperosmolarity from the culture�s environment on the diameter and the quality of in vitro matured oocytes. Materials and methods. 75 oocytes of excellent and good quality were use in the study. As a control the M 199 was used, suplemented with 10 % of FCS, 30 ìg of FSH and 30 ìg of LH (290 mOsm/l T2). The oocytes were evaluated under two osmolar concentrations: Hyperosmotic media, 497mOsm/L (T1), and hyposmotic media 150mOsm/L (T3). The diameter and the quality were measured at 0 hours and after 24 hours. Results. The oocyte diameter at 24 hours was bigger in the T3 (148,7±9.7) and smaller in the T1 (134,6±1.2). Regarding the control (147.9±11.5) (p <0.05.), no difference was found between the percentage of excellent and good quality oocytes after 24 hours of treatment T1 in comparison to the control (56 % and 60 %) (p> 0.05.), but the quality in the T3 was lower (36 %). Conclusions. It was demonstrated that the hyperosmotic media had a bigger detrimental effect on the oocytes than the hyposmotic media. It is possible that the oocytes show more mechanisms to avoid the water flow into the cytoplasm than to avoid the exit of solutes and water flow towards the outside. The necessity to adopt rigorous measurements in the quality control of osmolarity for the culture mediums used in the processes of in vitro maturation for oocytes, is evident.Los oocitos son susceptibles a cambios osmolares, presentando fenomenos que afectan la membrana plasmatica. Objetivo. Evaluar el efecto de la hipo y la hiperosmolaridad del medio de cultivo sobre el diametro y la calidad de oocitos madurados in vitro. Materiales y metodos. Se utilizaron 75 oocitos de excelente y buena calidad, como medio de control se empleo el M 199 suplementado con suero fetal bovino, 10%, hormona foliculo estimulante (30 �Êg ) y hormona luteinizante (30 �Êg), piruvato, cuya osmolaridad es 290 mOsm/l (T2). Los oocitos fueron sometidos a dos concentraciones osmolares: medio hiperosmotico 497mOsm/L (T1), y medio hiposmotico 150mOsm/L (T3), se midio el diametro y calidad a las 0 y 24 horas. Resultados. El diametro de los oocitos a las 24 horas fue mayor en el T3 (148,7�}9.7) y menor en el T1 (134,6�}1.2) con respecto al control (147.9�}11.5) (p<0.05.). No se encontro diferencia entre el porcentaje de oocitos de excelente y buena calidad a las 24 horas del tratamiento T1 respecto al control (56% y 60%) (p>0.05.), pero la calidad en el T3 fue menor (36%). Conclusiones. El medio hiperosmotico presenta un mayor detrimento sobre los oocitos que el medio hiposmotico, posiblemente porque los oocitos presenten mas mecanismos para evitar la entrada de agua del medio extracelular, que para evitar la salida de solutos y agua intracelular. Se evidencia la necesidad de adoptar medidas rigurosas en el control de calidad de osmolaridad de los medios de cultivo empleados en los procesos de maduracion in vitro de oocitos