Applying a Green Solvent with Microwave, Ultrasound, and Soxhlet Extraction Techniques to Quantify the Slip Additive Cis-1,3-docosenamide and Nine Oxidative Degradation Byproducts in Polypropylene Samples

Erucamide is used as an important slip agent for polymers. However, erucamide can degrade during processing and long-term storage, forming various oxidation products. These degra dation products can affect the recovery rates of erucamide. In this study, investigated different solid–liquid extraction methods (Soxhlet, microwave, and ultrasound) and used gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to quantify erucamide and its degradation byproducts in polypropy lene (PP). A multivariable experiment was designed, and a mixed-effect approach was used to analyze the results. Various extraction variables were examined, such as temperature, time, solvents, and PP pretreatments. Using a mixed-effect model with a Kenward–Roger approximation, an R2 of the model of 97% and p values of 0.168, 0.000, and 0.000 were obtained for the technical, solvent, and type of PP pretreatment variables, respectively. The highest average recoveries of erucamide were found with the microwave technique and were 96.4% using dichloromethane, 94.57% using cyclohexane, and 93.05% using limonene. With ultrasound, recoveries ranged between 85 and 92% for dichloromethane and limonene. In addition, it was observed that the extraction method had better recovery results in ground PP than in films and in pellets. Nine oxidative degradation byproducts of erucamide were identified and semi-quantified by GC-MS. The reaction mechanisms for forming each byproduct were proposed. The byproducts that experienced a higher rate of degradation of erucamide were erucamide with a hydroxyl group at position one and 12-amino-6-12-oxo-dodecanoic acid, showing more prominent peaks using the Soxhlet method with cyclohexane and dichloromethane as solvents and polypropylene (PP) films as the type of material used.Universidad Tecnológica de Bolivar, Universidad de Cartagena, Universidad de la Cost

Quasiclassical dynamics and kinetics of the N + NO → N+O, NO+N atmospheric reactions

The kinetics and dynamics of the title reactions was studied, using the quasiclassical trajectory (QCT) method and two ab initio analytical potential energy surfaces (PESs) developed by our group. In addition to the rate constant (T: 10-5000 K), we also considered a broad set of dynamic properties as a function of collision energy (up to 1.0 eV) and the rovibrational state of NO(v=0-2,j=1,8,12). The production of N2 + O, reaction (1), dominates the reactivity of the N + NO system over the conditions studied, as expected from the large energy barriers associated to the NO + N exchange reaction, reaction (2). Moreover, the ground PES, which is barrierless for reaction (1), plays a dominant role. Most of the results were interpreted according to the properties of the PESs involved and the kinematics of the system. The QCT rate constants of reaction (1) are in agreement with the experimental data (T: 47-3500 K), including very recent low temperature measurements, and also with variational transition state kinetics and most of quantum dynamics calculations. In addition, the QCT average vibrational energy content of the N2 product also agrees with the experimental and quantum data. The PESs used here could also be useful to determine equilibrium and non-equilibrium reaction rates at very high temperatures (e.g., 5000-15000 K)

Identificación del patrón cinemático del gesto deportivo de percusión en jugadores de rugby

In the game of Rugby, percussion is a fundamental play to break the line of defense of the opposing team and thus reach the goal and score points. However, this play is not always performed efficiently biomechanically speaking, which generates losses of the ball and disadvantage in the game. Therefore, we studied and evaluated the kinematic pattern of the technical and sports gesture of players of the Rugby team of the University of Santo Tomás Seccional Tunja (Boyacá - Colombia), through videometry, with the aim of determining (qualitatively and quantitatively) the trajectories, critical angles and articular kinematic curves of athletes performing percussion routines, with were designed and implemented corrective interventions of the movement of the athletes in the descent of the axis of contact, to generate a more efficient percussion and ergonomic during the game.En el juego del Rugby, la percusión es una jugada fundamental para la ruptura de la línea de defensa del equipo contrario y así poder llegar a la meta y anotar puntos. Sin embargo, esta jugada no siempre se realiza de forma eficiente biomecánicamente hablando, lo que genera pérdidas del balón y desventaja en el juego. Por lo anterior, se estudió y evaluó el patrón cinemático del gesto técnico-deportivo de jugadores del equipo de Rugby de la Universidad Santo Tomás Seccional Tunja (Boyacá - Colombia), mediante la técnica de videometría, con el objetivo de determinar (cualitativa y cuantitativamente) las trayectorias, ángulos críticos y curvas cinemáticas articulares de los deportistas ejecutando rutinas de percusión, con lo cual se diseñaron e implementaron intervenciones correctivas del movimiento de los deportistas en el descenso del eje de contacto para generar una percusión más eficiente y ergonómica durante el juego

Theoretical study of the dynamics and kinetics of the O + CS → CO + S chemical laser reaction, where CO shows a very high vibrational excitation

The dynamics and kinetics of the O(3P) + CS(X1sigma+) → CO(X1sigma+) + S(3P) chemical laser reaction was studied theoretically in detail for the first time, as a function of collision energy (0.0388-2.0 eV) and rovibrational excitation of CS. This was made using the quasi-classical trajectory (QCT) method and employing the best ab initio analytical ground potential energy surface (1 3A' PES) available. A broad set of properties was determined, including scalar and vector properties, and the reaction mode. The behaviors observed and the considerable formation of OCS collision complexes were interpreted from some characteristics of the PES (early barrier, shallow minimum in the exit channel, and high exoergicity (mainly channeled into CO vibration; up to ≈81% of the available energy) and the kinematics. The QCT vibrational and rotational CO populations and the vector properties show a quite good agreement with experiments, but the QCT rate constants disagree. To better account for the kinetics, we performed CASPT2/aug-cc-pVTZ ab initio calculations on the stationary points along the minimum energy path of the ground and first excited (1 3A'') PESs. The transition state theory, which can be satisfactorily applied here, leads to rate constants (100-2000 K) that are quite close to the measured ones, where comparison is possible (150-300 K). We expect that these results will encourage further theoretical and experimental developments

¿A quién afecta Madrid Central? Análisis de los cambios en el tráfico tras un año desde su implantación

Trabajo presentado en: R-Evolucionando el transporte, XIV Congreso de Ingeniería del Transporte (CIT 2021), realizado en modalidad online los días 6, 7 y 8 de julio de 2021, organizado por la Universidad de BurgosEn noviembre de 2018, se puso en marcha Madrid Central, una zona de bajas emisiones en la ciudad que tiene como objetivo favorecer al peatón, la bicicleta y el transporte público, limitando el acceso de una gran parte del parque de vehículos privados, en una superficie de 472 ha. La medida ha resultado ser de gran relevancia para la opinión pública y se espera que haya modificado de manera sustancial los patrones de movilidad en el centro de Madrid y sus alrededores. El objetivo de este trabajo es estudiar los cambios producidos en el tráfico por la implantación de Madrid Central, tanto dentro del perímetro de la zona de bajas emisiones como en su área de influencia, y analizar si existen tendencias que correlacionen con variables socioeconómicas de la ciudad o tendencias espaciotemporales. Para lograr este objetivo, se analizan datos públicos de tráfico del Ayuntamiento de Madrid (Sistema Integral de Control de Tráfico de Madrid, SICTRAM). En concreto, se analiza la intensidad de tráfico, el número de vehículos por hora que circulan por las calles. Se han descargado datos desde enero de 2018 hasta diciembre de 2019, lo que permite realizar un análisis de su evolución temporal y espacial, tanto en el área de bajas emisiones como en los distritos colindantes, y relacionarla con la implantación de Madrid Central. Asimismo, se analizan variables socioeconómicas de la población directamente afectada por la medida (población y renta anual neta). Este análisis se realiza de manera gráfica, visualizando los resultados espacialmente y temporalmente. Los resultados del análisis muestran una disminución general en el tráfico de la ciudad, aunque esta no se distribuye homogéneamente.Este estudio está enmarcado en el proyecto DESPACIO” (TRA2017-88058-R), financiado por el Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad de España en el "Programa Estatal de I+D+i Orientada a los Retos de la Sociedad". Los autores también quieren agradecer al Ayuntamiento de Madrid por la información del tráfico proporcionado

Decerebration induced by surgical transection of cerebral ganglion of crayfish

Background: Since the neural structures of the crayfish brain closely resemble their equivalent in the mammals. This can be suggested by observing the similarity that exists in the brain divided by the surgical transection of the crayfish brain in which the protocerebrum remains attached to the first two cranial nerves, findings also described by Frederic Bremer in 1935 in cats with cerebral transection.Methods: Total 11 Adult male crayfish were trained to respond with defense reflex, the animals were placed in water at 0°C, remained without any movement, and subsequently through a small incision of 3 mm in diameter in the medial antero region and dorsal cephalothorax region, a surgical section of the cerebral ganglion was performed. Immediately after surgery, metal microelectrodes were implanted to collect the activity of the photoreceptors and visual fibers.Results: Once the defense reflex begins to recover in previously decerebrated crayfish, it means that it shows signs of reconnection. The isolated protocerebrum with the deutocerebrum olfactory lobe remain alive for several days and the neuronal connections were reestablished, as measured throughout the bilateral defense activity. The defense reflex was observed in all animals and then recovered after surgery.Conclusions: The crayfish is an excellent model to work the visual activity, all coding of visual information was suppressed in de-cerebrated crayfish. The recovery of the neural disconnection is observed from 40 days, where the defence reflex appears again before visual stimuli.

Work performance of DIGEIM’s public servants. An analysis from the organizational climate

La investigación tiene como objetivo determinar la relación existente entre clima organizacional y desempeño laboral de los trabajadores de la Dirección General de Intereses Marítimos de la Armada del Ecuador (DIGEIM). El estudio analiza el clima laboral bajo tres dimensiones: la comunicación interpersonal, la autonomía y la motivación laboral. Por otro lado, el desempeño laboral se estudia bajo las dimensiones de productividad laboral, eficacia y eficiencia laboral. La metodología fue correlacional. Se usaron fuentes primarias mediante la recolección de datos in situ, utilizando como instrumento la encuesta a 64 servidores públicos y aplicando un criterio de medición basado en la escala de Likert para calcular su acuerdo o desacuerdo y proceder a validarlo mediante el Alpha de Cronbach. El principal resultado condujo a establecer la relación directa entre las variables. Para el tratamiento de la información se utilizó el programa SPSS 24.The objective of this research is to determine the relationship between organizational climate and work performance of the Directorate General of Maritime Interests of the Navy of Ecuador (DIGEIM)`s employees. On the other hand, the study analyzes three dimensions of the work climate: interpersonal communication, autonomy and work motivation. On the other hand, labor performance is studied under the following dimensions: labor productivity, labor effectiveness and labor efficiency. The methodology was correlational. Primary sources were used through on–site data collection, using the survey done to 64 public servants as an instrument and applying a measurement criterion based on the Likert scales to calculate their agreement or disagreement and to validate it by means of Cronbach’s Alpha. The main result led to establishing the direct relationship between the variables. The SPSS 24 program was used for data processing.Facultad de Ciencias Económica

Work performance of DIGEIM’s public servants. An analysis from the organizational climate

La investigación tiene como objetivo determinar la relación existente entre clima organizacional y desempeño laboral de los trabajadores de la Dirección General de Intereses Marítimos de la Armada del Ecuador (DIGEIM). El estudio analiza el clima laboral bajo tres dimensiones: la comunicación interpersonal, la autonomía y la motivación laboral. Por otro lado, el desempeño laboral se estudia bajo las dimensiones de productividad laboral, eficacia y eficiencia laboral. La metodología fue correlacional. Se usaron fuentes primarias mediante la recolección de datos in situ, utilizando como instrumento la encuesta a 64 servidores públicos y aplicando un criterio de medición basado en la escala de Likert para calcular su acuerdo o desacuerdo y proceder a validarlo mediante el Alpha de Cronbach. El principal resultado condujo a establecer la relación directa entre las variables. Para el tratamiento de la información se utilizó el programa SPSS 24.The objective of this research is to determine the relationship between organizational climate and work performance of the Directorate General of Maritime Interests of the Navy of Ecuador (DIGEIM)`s employees. On the other hand, the study analyzes three dimensions of the work climate: interpersonal communication, autonomy and work motivation. On the other hand, labor performance is studied under the following dimensions: labor productivity, labor effectiveness and labor efficiency. The methodology was correlational. Primary sources were used through on–site data collection, using the survey done to 64 public servants as an instrument and applying a measurement criterion based on the Likert scales to calculate their agreement or disagreement and to validate it by means of Cronbach’s Alpha. The main result led to establishing the direct relationship between the variables. The SPSS 24 program was used for data processing.Facultad de Ciencias Económica

Clustering of Dietary Patterns, Lifestyles, and Overweight among Spanish Children and Adolescents in the ANIBES Study

Weight gain has been associated with behaviors related to diet, sedentary lifestyle, and physical activity. We investigated dietary patterns and possible meaningful clustering of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep time in Spanish children and adolescents and whether the identified clusters could be associated with overweight. Analysis was based on a subsample (n = 415) of the cross-sectional ANIBES study in Spain. We performed exploratory factor analysis and subsequent cluster analysis of dietary patterns, physical activity, sedentary behaviors, and sleep time. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the association between the cluster solutions and overweight. Factor analysis identified four dietary patterns, one reflecting a profile closer to the traditional Mediterranean diet. Dietary patterns, physical activity behaviors, sedentary behaviors and sleep time on weekdays in Spanish children and adolescents clustered into two different groups. A low physical activity-poorer diet lifestyle pattern, which included a higher proportion of girls, and a high physical activity, low sedentary behavior, longer sleep duration, healthier diet lifestyle pattern. Although increased risk of being overweight was not significant, the Prevalence Ratios (PRs) for the low physical activity-poorer diet lifestyle pattern were >1 in children and in adolescents. The healthier lifestyle pattern included lower proportions of children and adolescents from low socioeconomic status backgrounds.The authors would like to thank Coca-Cola Iberia for its support and technical advice, particularly Rafael Urrialde and Isabel de Julián.The ANIBES study was financially supported by a grant from Coca-Cola Iberia through an agreement with the Spanish Nutrition Foundation (FEN)

Thoracic limb salvage by fibular free flap

The treatment of most fractures of the ulna and radius is usually performed by anatomical reduction and internal fixation, when damage is extensive and local soft tissue cannot provide a complete wound coverage, locoregional flaps present a suitable reconstructive benefit. A 35-year-old male patient suffered an exposed diaphysio-metaphyseal fracture with multi-fragmented distal radius. The patient was evaluated during a 10-day period at the National Institute of Rehabilitation, where the osteosynthesis material and a severe infectious process with necrosis were identified. Necrosectomy of the posterior compartment and removal of the osteosynthesis material was performed, a skin defect of approximately 22x16 cm was observed with a bone gap of 6 cm of radius and ulna. a fibula-free flap is placed to correct the skin defect and an external fixative used for bone alignment. The fibular free flap presents an excellent therapeutic alternative in the resolution of bone gaps with extensive skin defect. Whenever a trained microsurgery team is available, current scales of limb injury should be considered but not utilized for therapeutic approach, always trying to shift amputation as the first option, to the very last one of them