Elimination of AB210 dye in residual textile water by glow-discharge plasma application

Artículo de investigaciónOwing to the global population growth and economic development in several developing countries, the availability of clean drinking water is a problem that has been growing in parallel with the continual increase in water consumption. Atmospheric nonthermal plasma discharge is inexpensive and safe in comparison of other toxic chemical methods of wastewater treatment. Here, the results of treating wastewater containing the Acid Black 210 (AB210) dye, at a concentration of 0.5 mM, are presented. In this process, Fe2+ filings are used as a catalyst. The treatment was carried out by means of plasma generated at atmospheric pressure on the surface of water. The effectiveness of the degradation of AB210 was quantified at different treatment times, 0–180 min, obtaining a 99.9% removal rate of the dye. The experiments were performed at an initial volume of 250 mL, and the electrical conductivity, pH, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and total organic carbon (TOC) were determined. The changes in the spectral range (200–1,100 nm) of the plasma during wastewater treatment were studied.UAEM 4307/2017/CI

Comparative study of the degradation process of Azo textile dyes AB52 and AB210 in water using a type-Corona electric discharge

Artículo completo Comparative study of the degradation process of Azo textile dyes AB52 and AB210 in water using a type-Corona electric dischargeIn this study, the effect of maintaining the same initial chemical and physical conditions in the mineralization process, (decomposition of organic pollutants in aqueous solutions to CO2 , mineral salts and water) was evaluated for 2 azo-type dyes (N=N) using a cold plasma as agent precursor to the mechanism of elimination of pollutants in water. This paper reports the treatment of water with Acid Black 52 (AB52) and Acid Black 210 (AB210), using as a reaction accelerator iron filing (analytical grade) (Fe2+). The kinetics of the reaction was determined by UV/VIS spectrophotometry, at the beginning and during the treatment of the samples the total organic carbon (TOC) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) value was determined. The discoloration values in 180 min are greater than 95% and the values of TOC and COD decrease, more than 90% depending upon the time of treatment. In addition, the optical emission spectrum of the plasma was obtained to determine the species present in the ionization processes of the corona discharge. The energy yield value was calculated in terms of G50, these results provide information for the subsequent application of this process to degradation of organic compounds4307/2017/ CI UAEMe

Optical and electrical characterization of AgInS2 thin films deposited by spray pyrolysis.

Silver indium sulfide (AgInS2) thin films have been prepared by spray pyrolysis (SP) technique using silver acetate, indium acetate, and N, N-dimethylthiourea as precursor compounds. Films were deposited onto glass substrates at different substrate temperatures (Ts) and Ag:In:S ratios in the starting solutions. Optical transmission and reflection as well as electrical measurements were performed in order to study the effect of deposition parameters on the optical and electrical properties of AgInS2 thin films. X-ray diffraction measurements were used to identify the deposited compounds. It was found that different compounds such as AgInS2, Ag2S, In2O3, and In2S3 can be grown only by changing the Ag:In:S ratio in the starting solution and Ts. So that, by carefully selecting the deposition parameters, single phase AgInS2 thin films can be easily grown. Thin films obtained using a molar ratio of Ag:In:S = 1:1:2 and Ts = 400 ◦C, have an optical band gap of 1.9 eV and n-type electrical conductivity with a value of 0.3 −1 cm−1 in the dark

A comparative study of the physical properties of Sb2S3 thin films treated with N2 AC plasma and thermal annealing in N2.

As-deposited antimony sulfide thin films prepared by chemical bath deposition were treated with nitrogen AC plasma and thermal annealing in nitrogen atmosphere. The as-deposited, plasma treated, and thermally annealed antimony sulfide thin films have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, UV–vis spectroscopy, and electrical measurements. The results have shown that post-deposition treatments modify the crystalline structure, the morphology, and the optoelectronic properties of Sb2S3 thin films. X-ray diffraction studies showed that the crystallinity of the films was improved in both cases. Atomic force microscopy studies showed that the change in the film morphology depends on the postdeposition treatment used. Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) analysis revealed the plasma etching on the surface of the film, this fact was corroborated by the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis. The optical band gap of the films (Eg) decreased after post-deposition treatments (from 2.36 to 1.75 eV) due to the improvement in the grain sizes. The electrical resistivity of the Sb2S3 thin films decreased from 108 to 106 V-cm after plasma treatments

Dendritic cell deficiencies persist seven months after SARS-CoV-2 infection

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 infection induces an exacerbated inflammation driven by innate immunity components. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in the defense against viral infections, for instance plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), have the capacity to produce vast amounts of interferon-alpha (IFN-α). In COVID-19 there is a deficit in DC numbers and IFN-α production, which has been associated with disease severity. In this work, we described that in addition to the DC deficiency, several DC activation and homing markers were altered in acute COVID-19 patients, which were associated with multiple inflammatory markers. Remarkably, previously hospitalized and nonhospitalized patients remained with decreased numbers of CD1c+ myeloid DCs and pDCs seven months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, the expression of DC markers such as CD86 and CD4 were only restored in previously nonhospitalized patients, while no restoration of integrin β7 and indoleamine 2,3-dyoxigenase (IDO) levels were observed. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the immunological sequelae of COVID-19

Digitalización y el Desarrollo sostenible de la MIPYME en Ecuador

La digitalización en las empresas, luego de la crisis vivida por la pandemia del COVID-19, es un proceso fundamental para la supervivencia y crecimiento de un entorno empresarial en constante evolución. De acuerdo a Brynjolfsson y McAfee (2014), autores del libro La segunda era de las máquinas, la digitalización permite a las empresas ser más ágiles y eficientes, lo que es esencial en una realidad que exige respuestas rápidas a los cambios del mercado. La capacidad de adaptarse y tomar decisiones informadas se ha vuelto aún más vital en la época actual.Con la pandemia del COVID-19, en el mundo se produjo una explosión de la digitalización de las transacciones y relaciones entre personas y/u organizaciones de todo tipo; lo que conlleva una serie de desafíos que para el caso de las micro, pequeñas y medianas empresas (MIPYME), significa canalizar recursos y, sobre todo, un cambio de actitud dirigida hacia la consolidación de una serie de acciones estratégicas soportadas en los principios de la proactividad y adaptabilidad organizacional encaminada a dar respuesta a cómo enfrentar un mundo que está cambiando a una velocidad imparable. De ahí, surge la necesidad de comprender el estado situacional de esa digitalización acelerada en el sector de la MIPYME, el cual, como complemento estratégico, también servirá de base para diseñar y poner en ejecución una serie de acciones multisectoriales que ayuden a reencausarla y así pasar de un proceso de digitalización de sobrevivencia para no morir en el camino de los efectos pandémicos a uno que, luego de los tres años de pandemia, permita tener una digitalización ordenada y alineada al perfil de las MIPYME y a las estrategias que actualmente tienen vigentes

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Phenotypic correlations between milk production and conformation traits in goats

In this work, we use the records from 643 goats in order to evaluate the phenotypic relationships between conformation traits and milk production in goats. Correlations were estimated using data on goats which included fifteen conformation traits and first lactation milk yield adjusted for age, calving month and 305 milking days (MY1). We also compared the average scores for type traits on the goats under study with those on a sample of goats from the United States of America (USA). Correlations between conformation traits and MY1 were estimated and an analysis was performed to evaluate the nonlinear relationships between them. The highest correlations were found between milk production and udder depth (0.22), stature (0.18) and rear udder side view (0.12) (p < 0.05), non-linear (cubic) effects for stature and strength being significant (p < 0.05). American goats had a better overall conformation than the Mexican ones but results indicated that goats with better body conformation were not the best for milk production

Design and implementation process of a pico-hydro power generation system for teaching and training

In Mexico the development of remote laboratories is incipient, in 2020 the National Council of Humanities, Sciences, and Technologies (CONAHCYT) created a network of virtual laboratories with nine of its public research centers in order to create a virtual space that enables the development of experimental and research activities in a distance modality. However, access to virtual laboratories is limited only to its members, and the platforms are still under development. With this motivation, this article presents a multi-institutional project for the design, development, and implementation of a pico-hydraulic system for small-scale power generation for teaching and training purposes with the aim of responding to the current need for distance or virtual teaching of practical knowledge due to the coronavirus disease (COVID‑19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. For the development of the system, technological innovation tools (QFD, TRIZ) were used, with which the design requirements were obtained considering the users (students and teachers) and the renewable energy-related competence of the curricula. Finally, the satisfaction of the users (students and teachers) with the use of the designed system shows the advantage of including it as part of the practical activities of the subjects to improve the development of power generation, transformation, and transmission system projects