High Strain Rate Characterization of Thermoplastic Fiber-Reinforced Composites under Compressive Loading

Experimental study on the mechanical behavior of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS)-based composite laminates reinforced with carbon and glass fibers subjected to different strain rates under compression load is reported. Quasi-static tests have been carried out using an electromechanical universal testing machine at three different strain rates, while dynamic tests were done using a split-Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) apparatus at two pressure setups in the gas chamber. High-speed imaging system was used to monitor failure process during dynamic test, and these images were used to measure strain by digital image correlation (DIC) in order to compare the DIC-based measurements performed with the SPHPB strain gauges and quasi-static results. Fractography analysis was also performed to identify the main failure mechanisms induced at different strain rates

Influencia de parámetros de síntesis sobre las características de los polvos cerámicos nanométricos del compuesto SrXBa1-XNb2O6 (SBN)

En este trabajo se exponen los resultados del proceso de obtención de polvos cerámicos nanométricos del sistema Sr1-xBaxNb2O6 (SBN), para dos valores de x (0.33 y 0.50) que se encuentran dentro del rango para el cual el sistema tiene estructura tetragonal bronce de tungsteno y propiedad ferroeléctrica. Fueron comparados dos métodos de obtención (Pechini y coprecipitación controlada) variando parámetros de síntesis tales como pH de solución, precursor de niobio y tratamiento térmico. Los polvos obtenidos fueron caracterizados estructuralmente por medio de difracción de rayos X y morfológicamente por medio de microscopía electrónica de barrido. A partir del análisis de los resultados se concluyó sobre el efecto de los métodos de síntesis y de los parámetros mencionados, en la obtención de la fase pura y en tamaño de las partículas. El método Pechini (con pH igual a 9.7) permitió obtener la fase pura de SBN para x=0.33 y tamaño de partícula del orden de los 50 nm, mientras que con el método coprecipitación controlada no fue posible obtener fase pura.Fil: Gaona J., S.; Grupo de Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales Cerámicos (CYTEMAC), Universidad del Cauca. Popayán, Colombia.Fil: Muñoz, J.R. ; Grupo de Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales Cerámicos (CYTEMAC), Universidad del Cauca. Popayán, Colombia.Fil: Raigoza, C.F.V.; ; Grupo de Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales Cerámicos (CYTEMAC), Universidad del Cauca. Popayán, Colombia.Fil: Ramirez, S., Grupo Catálisis, Departamento de Química, Universidad del Cauca. Popayán, Colombia.Fil: Caneiro, Alberto; Departamento de Caracterización de Materiales, Centro Atómico Bariloche, Bariloche, Argentina

Plan de auditoría para el programa de auditoría interna en el sistema de gestión ambiental y plan HACCP de la empresa “Carnecitas”

La organización Productos “carnecitas”, ha gestionado constantemente implementar un sistema de gestión integrado con el fin de tener en cuenta los planes y normativas reguladoras en inocuidad alimentaria como lo son la adaptación del Plan HACCP, ha realizado auditorías las cuales se han soportado en el diseño de programas de auditoría, teniendo en cuenta acciones de verificación del estado del sistema de gestión.The “Carnecitas” Products organization has constantly managed to implement an integrated management system in order to take into account the regulatory plans and regulations in food safety such as the adaptation of the HACCP Plan, it has carried out audits which have been supported in the design of audit programs, taking into account actions to verify the status of the management system

Ligand-Based Virtual Screening and Molecular Docking of Benzimidazoles as Potential Inhibitors of Triosephosphate Isomerase Identified New Trypanocidal Agents

Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) is a parasite that affects humans and other mammals. T. cruzi depends on glycolysis as a source of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) supply, and triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) plays a key role in this metabolic pathway. This enzyme is an attractive target for the design of new trypanocidal drugs. In this study, a ligand-based virtual screening (LBVS) from the ZINC15 database using benzimidazole as a scaffold was accomplished. Later, a molecular docking on the interface of T. cruzi TIM (TcTIM) was performed and the compounds were grouped by interaction profiles. Subsequently, a selection of compounds was made based on cost and availability for in vitro evaluation against blood trypomastigotes. Finally, the compounds were analyzed by molecular dynamics simulation, and physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties were determined using SwissADME software. A total of 1604 molecules were obtained as potential TcTIM inhibitors. BP2 and BP5 showed trypanocidal activity with half-maximal lytic concentration (LC50) values of 155.86 and 226.30 µM, respectively. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation analyzes showed a favorable docking score of BP5 compound on TcTIM. Additionally, BP5 showed a low docking score (−5.9 Kcal/mol) on human TIM compared to the control ligand (−7.2 Kcal/mol). Both compounds BP2 and BP5 showed good physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties as new anti-T. cruzi agents. View Full-Tex

Observación de la Responsabilidad Social Empresarial de las Actividades Económicas de Cafam para Sufragar la Crisis Sanitaria en Colombia

Anexo 1. Enlace del Código de Ética https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bQLyK3lauwtoJckS-DTxsouM2q6r3vtrsF5BVLCAOYQ/edit?usp=sharing Anexo 2. Formato de Recolección de Información https://forms.gle/ipULqmCjv6C6pMyM6Cafam es una empresa prestadora de servicios con una alta trayectoria en el mercado, contando con un gran posicionamiento de marca, el cual la convierte en objeto de estudio para la presente investigación. La responsabilidad social se crea a raíz de preocupación del deterioro severo del medio ambiente, por tal motivo todo tipo de organización que tenga en sus objetivos corporativos como énfasis responsabilidad social en su entorno, marca la diferencia ya que hace que sus empresas puedan contribuir con el mejoramiento continuo de las condiciones laborales y ambientales en el mercado. Por esto es importante identificar que programas tiene en la actualidad Cafam, que tengan como objetivo implementar la responsabilidad social, y así conocer de primera mano (de sus colaboradores) como desde su rol contribuyen a la consecución satisfactoria del programas ambientales, sociales, laborales, comerciales y corporativos. De igual manera con la recolección de información obtenida mediante la encuesta, se logra evidenciar que se presentan algunas falencias en el uso de los recursos naturales y la contaminación del entorno en el campo de recreación, por tal motivo como equipo de trabajo, se organiza un plan de estudio que ayude a minimizar el desperdicio de los recursos naturales y el daño ambiental por sus actividades, los cuales van hacer eje fundamental de estudio con el fin de lograr una solución parcial o definitiva a la problemática que presenta.Cafam is a service provider company with a long history in the market, with a great brand positioning, which makes it the object of study for this research. Social responsibility is created as a result of the reintegration of social resources obtained by companies, for this reason any type of organization that has in its corporate objectives as an emphasis social responsibility in its environment makes a difference since it makes its companies can contribute with the continuous improvement of labor and environmental conditions in the market. For this reason, it is important to identify what programs Cafam currently has, which have the objective of implementing social responsibility, and thus learn first-hand (from its collaborators) how, from their role, they contribute to the satisfactory achievement of environmental, social, labor, commercial and corporate. In the same way with the collection of information obtained through the survey, it is possible to show that there are some shortcomings in the use of natural resources and the contamination of the environment in the recreation field, for this reason as a work team, a study plan that helps minimize the waste of natural resources and environmental damage due to its activities, which will be the fundamental axis of study in order to achieve a partial or definitive solution to the problem it presents

Rock alteration in alkaline cement waters over 15 years and its relevance to the geological disposal of nuclear waste

The interaction of groundwater with cement in a geological disposal facility (GDF) for intermediate level radioactive waste will produce a high pH leachate plume. Such a plume may alter the physical and chemical properties of the GDF host rock. However, the geochemical and mineralogical processes which may occur in such systems over timescales relevant for geological disposal remain unclear. This study has extended the timescale for laboratory experiments and shown that, after 15 years two distinct phases of reaction may occur during alteration of a dolomite-rich rock at high pH. In these experiments the dissolution of primary silicate minerals and the formation of secondary calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) phases containing varying amounts of aluminium and potassium (C-(A)-(K)-S-H) during the early stages of reaction (up to 15 months) have been superseded as the systems have evolved. After 15 years significant dedolomitisation (MgCa(CO3)2+2OH-→Mg(OH)2+CaCO3+CO3 2- (aq)) has led to the formation of magnesium silicates, such as saponite and talc, containing variable amounts of aluminium and potassium (Mg-(Al)-(K)-silicates), and calcite at the expense of the early-formed C-(A)-(K)-S-H phases. This occured in high pH solutions representative of two different periods of cement leachate evolution with little difference in the alteration processes in either a KOH and NaOH or a Ca(OH)2 dominated solution but a greater extent of alteration in the higher pH KOH/NaOH leachate. The high pH alteration of the rock over 15 years also increased the rock's sorption capacity for U(VI). The results of this study provide a detailed insight into the longer term reactions occurring during the interaction of cement leachate and dolomite-rich rock in the geosphere. These processes have the potential to impact on radionuclide transport from a geodisposal facility and are therefore important in underpinning any safety case for geological disposal

Building capacity for dementia care in Latin America and the Caribbean

Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) have limited facilities and professionals trained to diagnose, treat, and support people with dementia and other forms of cognitive impairment. The situation for people with dementia is poor, and worsening as the proportion of elderly in the general population is rapidly expanding. We reviewed existing initiatives and provided examples of actions taken to build capacity and improve the effectiveness of individuals, organizations, and national systems that provide treatment and support for people with dementia and their caregivers. Regional barriers to capacity building and the importance of public engagement are highlighted. Existing programs need to disseminate their objectives, accomplishments, limitations, and overall lessons learned in order to gain greater recognition of the need for capacity-building programs

Why Are Outcomes Different for Registry Patients Enrolled Prospectively and Retrospectively? Insights from the Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF).

Background: Retrospective and prospective observational studies are designed to reflect real-world evidence on clinical practice, but can yield conflicting results. The GARFIELD-AF Registry includes both methods of enrolment and allows analysis of differences in patient characteristics and outcomes that may result. Methods and Results: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and ≥1 risk factor for stroke at diagnosis of AF were recruited either retrospectively (n = 5069) or prospectively (n = 5501) from 19 countries and then followed prospectively. The retrospectively enrolled cohort comprised patients with established AF (for a least 6, and up to 24 months before enrolment), who were identified retrospectively (and baseline and partial follow-up data were collected from the emedical records) and then followed prospectively between 0-18 months (such that the total time of follow-up was 24 months; data collection Dec-2009 and Oct-2010). In the prospectively enrolled cohort, patients with newly diagnosed AF (≤6 weeks after diagnosis) were recruited between Mar-2010 and Oct-2011 and were followed for 24 months after enrolment. Differences between the cohorts were observed in clinical characteristics, including type of AF, stroke prevention strategies, and event rates. More patients in the retrospectively identified cohort received vitamin K antagonists (62.1% vs. 53.2%) and fewer received non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (1.8% vs . 4.2%). All-cause mortality rates per 100 person-years during the prospective follow-up (starting the first study visit up to 1 year) were significantly lower in the retrospective than prospectively identified cohort (3.04 [95% CI 2.51 to 3.67] vs . 4.05 [95% CI 3.53 to 4.63]; p = 0.016). Conclusions: Interpretations of data from registries that aim to evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of patients with AF must take account of differences in registry design and the impact of recall bias and survivorship bias that is incurred with retrospective enrolment. Clinical Trial Registration: - URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier for GARFIELD-AF (NCT01090362)

Risk profiles and one-year outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in India: Insights from the GARFIELD-AF Registry.

BACKGROUND: The Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF) is an ongoing prospective noninterventional registry, which is providing important information on the baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and 1-year outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). This report describes data from Indian patients recruited in this registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 52,014 patients with newly diagnosed AF were enrolled globally; of these, 1388 patients were recruited from 26 sites within India (2012-2016). In India, the mean age was 65.8 years at diagnosis of NVAF. Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor for AF, present in 68.5% of patients from India and in 76.3% of patients globally (P < 0.001). Diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) were prevalent in 36.2% and 28.1% of patients as compared with global prevalence of 22.2% and 21.6%, respectively (P < 0.001 for both). Antiplatelet therapy was the most common antithrombotic treatment in India. With increasing stroke risk, however, patients were more likely to receive oral anticoagulant therapy [mainly vitamin K antagonist (VKA)], but average international normalized ratio (INR) was lower among Indian patients [median INR value 1.6 (interquartile range {IQR}: 1.3-2.3) versus 2.3 (IQR 1.8-2.8) (P < 0.001)]. Compared with other countries, patients from India had markedly higher rates of all-cause mortality [7.68 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval 6.32-9.35) vs 4.34 (4.16-4.53), P < 0.0001], while rates of stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding were lower after 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Compared to previously published registries from India, the GARFIELD-AF registry describes clinical profiles and outcomes in Indian patients with AF of a different etiology. The registry data show that compared to the rest of the world, Indian AF patients are younger in age and have more diabetes and CAD. Patients with a higher stroke risk are more likely to receive anticoagulation therapy with VKA but are underdosed compared with the global average in the GARFIELD-AF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION-URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01090362