Tunable hybrid phononic crystal lens using thermo-acoustic polymers

Solid phononic crystal (PnC) lenses were made active on infiltration with thermosensitive polymers to produce a thermoactuated hybrid solid lens with variable focusing. Acoustic lenses, both solid state and PnCbased, are passive elements with a fixed focal length. Their focal characteristics are functions of the lens structure or the arrangement of the PnC unit cell. Dispersion effects, liquid-filled membranes, and phase delay in a multi-element emitter have been used for variable focusing. The high thermal, electric, and electromagnetic sensitivity of the elastic properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm)-based hydrogels enable them to operate as tunable solids. However, these solids do not have strong enough contrast with water or well-controlled shape parameters to function as standalone lenses. Here, a tunable hybrid solid ultrasonic lens is realized by combining a PnC lens with PVA-PNIPAm thermoacoustic hydrogel to modify the transmission and dispersion properties of transient acoustic waves. Variable focusing is demonstrated from 40 to 50 mm using the anomalous thermosensitivity of the elasticity and speed of sound of the hydrogel.NS

All-acoustic signal modulation and logic operation via defect induced cavity effects in phononic crystal coupled-resonator acoustic waveguides

A coupled resonant acoustic waveguide (CRAW)in a phononic crystal (PnC)was engineered to manipulate the propagation of ultrasonic waves within a conventional phononic bandgap for wavelength division multiplexing. The PnC device included two, forked, distinct CRAW waveguide channels that exhibited strong frequency and mode selectivity. Each branch was composed of cavities of differing volumes, with each giving rise to deep and shallow‘impurity’states. These states were utilized to select frequency windows where transmission along the channels was suppressed distinctly for each channel. Though completely a linear system, the mode sensitivity of each CRAW waveguide channel produced apparent nonlinear power dependence along each branch. Nonlinearity in the system arises from the combination of the mode sensitivity of each CRAW channel and small variations in the shape of the incident wavefront as a function of input power. The all-acoustic effect was then leveraged to realize an ultrasonic, spatial signal modulator, and logic element operating at 398 and 450 kHz using input power.NS

Comportamiento Organizacional de un Grupo de Productores de Chocolate de la Chinantla, Oaxaca, en el Contexto de Desarrollo Endógeno

Muchas personas en países en vías de desarrollo experimentan el resultado del proceso de globalización limitando sus economías locales y afectando sus estructuras ambientales y socioculturales. La aplicación del desarrollo endógeno en comunidades como la Chinantla Oaxaca, permite el aprovechamiento y fortalecimiento de los recursos locales, los cuales son fundamentales para el desarrollo sostenible. Dentro de los beneficios que brinda las prácticas agroforestales que se practican en el área de estudio, además de la protección del medio ambiente, es generar ingresos adicionales que contribuyen al bienestar de sus familias. El comportamiento organizacional de las MIPyMES es otro factor importante por considerar en este estudio, en donde el factor humano y sus relaciones dentro de la organización son básicas para tener un buen ambiente laboral dentro de las empresas. El objetivo de este estudio es conocer el comportamiento organizacional de un grupo productor de chocolate en el contexto del desarrollo endógeno. El área de estudio se ubica en la comunidad de San Martín Soyolapam, Sierra Norte, Oaxaca, donde la mano de obra femenina es indispensable, ya que son quienes inician la cadena de suministro del cacao, ingrediente principal para la elaboración de chocolate. La metodología es cualitativa de corte transversal y descriptivo, con recopilación de información a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas, observación participante y talleres participativos. Entre los principales resultados se observa que el cultivo de cacao agroforestal es un recurso local que además de contribuir a la conservación del suelo y medio ambiente, con la producción de chocolate también genera fuentes de empleo a la comunidad. Como conclusión se tiene que el comportamiento organizacional del grupo influye en la eficiencia y productividad de la organización

Alteraciones neuroftalmológicas en pacientes con hipertensión endocraneana idiopática

The review of the topic idiopathic endocranial hypertension, a disease whose morbidity basically lies in the possible visual loss secondary to atrophy of the optic nerve. In the present work, it is proposed an approach to the diagnosis and the main neuroftalmological alterations and the treatment of this nosological entity.Se realiza la revisión del tema hipertensión endocraneana idiopática, enfermedad cuya morbilidad radica básicamente en la posible pérdida visual secundaria a la atrofia del nervio óptico. En el presente trabajo se propone un acercamiento al diagnóstico y las principales alteraciones neuroftalmológicas y el tratamiento de esta entidad nosológica.

Analysis of the invasion of water lilies (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart) Solms) in the Cointzio dam, Michoacán, Mexico

Objective: to analyze the growth dynamics of the water lily (Eichhornia crassipes) in the Cointzio dam due to the availability of water. Design/Methodology/Approach: a monthly series of 45 Sentinel 2 and Landsat satellite images was used, with which the percentage of invasion of the water lily in the total area of the reservoir was calculated. The relative coverage of the lily was analyzed looking for growth patterns over time, as well as precipitation data, total reservoir area over time, and water storage data in the 2010-2020 period to broaden the context. Results: Three ascending and two descending patterns of the water lily cover were identified; a 15-month upward growth pattern with slight inland slope changes; decreasing patterns are associated with decreased storage. The largest lily covers were found in critical storage stages during the 2010-2020 period. Study limitations/implications: faced with climate change conditions, the filling pattern of the dam could change, aggravating problems related to water supply. Conclusions: containment/mitigation efforts have a reduced effect because the lily recovers the covered area easily, growing about 400% between October 2017 and June 2018, so it is necessary to implement a containment strategy using the biophysical interactions of the basin in conjunction with social, political, economic and governance interactions.Objective: to analyze the growth dynamics of the water lily (Eichhornia crassipes)in the Cointzio dam due to the water availability.Design/Methodology/Approach: a monthly series of 45 Sentinel 2 and Landsatsatellite images were used, with which the percentage of invasion of the water lilyin the total area of the reservoir was calculated. The relative coverage of the lilywas analyzed looking for growth patterns over time, as well as the precipitationdata, total reservoir area over time, and water storage data for the 2010-2020period to broaden its context.Results: Three ascending and two descending patterns of the water lily coveragewere identified; a 15-month upward growth pattern with slight inland slope changes; decreasing patterns are associated with decreased water storage. Thelargest lily covers were found in critical storage stages during the 2010-2020period.Study limitations/implications: faced with climate change conditions, the fillingpattern of the dam could change, aggravating problems related to the water supply.Conclusions: containment/mitigation efforts have a reduced effect because the lilyeasily recovers the covered area, growing about 400% between October 2017 andJune 2018, therefore it is necessary to implement a containment strategy using thebiophysical interactions of the basin in conjunction with social, political, economicand governance interactions

Beneficiado semi-mecanizado de vainilla

En este estudio se realizó el beneficiado o curado de vainilla de manera semi-mecanizada, implementado un horno eléctrico para proporcionar el calor requerido por los diversos tratamientos, ya el beneficiado tradicional de vainilla requiere de 120 días consecutivos, incrementando hasta en un 20% debido al aumento de la nubosidad y precipitación que concurre en los meses del beneficiado de vainilla. Debido a esto, el objetivo de esta investigación consistió en reducir el tiempo del beneficiado de vainilla tradicional, utilizando un horno como fuente calorífica sin afectar la calidad del producto. En este estudio se utilizó vainilla verde de Categoría II Ordinaria. Para determinar la calidad de los frutos verdes y beneficiados se implemento la metodología establecida por la NMX-FF-074-SCFI-2009, la cual incluyó la determinación del conte- nido de humedad de los frutos y contenido de vainillina. De acuerdo a los resultados obtenidos, el proceso de beneficiado de vainilla se puede semi-mecanizar para reducir hasta en un 25% del tiempo tradicional con una calidad relativamente similar a la tradicional. Sin embargo, el contenido de vainillina varía con respecto a la temperatura de exposición del fruto > 50oC, en el beneficiado de vainilla

Variación de la precipitación y temperatura en el municipio de Teziutlán, Puebla

El municipio de Teziutlán se ubica en la zona nororiente del estado de Puebla, se caracteriza por tener un clima templado húmedo con lluvias distribuidas generalmente todo el año, sin embargo en los últimos años se ha observado que hay un cambio en cuánto a la precipitación y temperatura, teniendo como referencia las inundaciones y deslaves en el municipio de Teziutlán, causando pérdidas económicas en el sector agropecuario e incluso pérdidas humanas. En este trabajo se analizó los datos estadísticos en bloques de 10 años para observar la variación de la precipitación y temperatura. Los resultado indican que el periodo de lluvia se ha desfasado un mes y la temperatura se ha incrementado entre 0.5 a 1.5 °C., tomando en cuenta las estadísticas marcan que entre 9 y 11 años hay un periodo de retorno de precipitación y esquiaje donde la precipitación anual varía de1500 mm a 3600 mm

Elementos para gestión del agua en la cuenca del lago de Zirahuén

El conocimiento de los fenómenos en el interior de una cuenca permite identificar la relación causa-efecto en tiempo y espacio mediante modelación. Una de las etapas necesarias es conocer los elementos que conforman e influyen en forma directa en los escurrimientos; éstos constituyen la base para plantear y formular estrategias de conservación y manejo del recurso hídrico. El objetivo principal fue conocer la condición actual de la cuenca del lago de Zirahuén estudiando los acervos de información disponibles del lugar de estudio. Se recopiló información fisiográfica, sociodemográfica y geomorfológica, en las bases oficiales de información de acceso público y se ejecutaron procesos geoespaciales en el acondicionamiento y análisis de la información. Se encontró que a pesar de la distribución en cobertura y uso del suelo, las características morfométricas contribuyen a la estabilidad del lago. De continuar las tendencias de la dinámica poblacional y el uso del suelo, la supervivencia de los ecosistemas podría estar amenazada por el aumento de la población y de las actividades productivas que deterioran y alteran el ciclo hidrológico, con disminución de acceso al agua, en cantidad y calidad, para las actividades humanas esenciales

Collective Effervescence, Self-Transcendence, and Gender Differences in Social Well-Being During 8 March Demonstrations

8 March (8M), now known as International Women’s Day, is a day for feminist claims where demonstrations are organized in over 150 countries, with the participation of millions of women all around the world. These demonstrations can be viewed as collective rituals and thus focus attention on the processes that facilitate different psychosocial effects. This work aims to explore the mechanisms (i.e., behavioral and attentional synchrony, perceived emotional synchrony, and positive and transcendent emotions) involved in participation in the demonstrations of 8 March 2020, collective and ritualized feminist actions, and their correlates associated with personal well-being (i.e., affective well-being and beliefs of personal growth) and collective well-being (i.e., social integration variables: situated identity, solidarity and fusion), collective efficacy and collective growth, and behavioral intention to support the fight for women’s rights. To this end, a cross-cultural study was conducted with the participation of 2,854 people (age 18–79; M = 30.55; SD = 11.66) from countries in Latin America (Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador) and Europe (Spain and Portugal), with a retrospective correlational cross-sectional design and a convenience sample. Participants were divided between demonstration participants (n = 1,271; 94.0% female) and non-demonstrators or followers who monitored participants through the media and social networks (n = 1,583; 75.87% female). Compared with non-demonstrators and with males, female and non-binary gender respondents had greater scores in mechanisms and criterion variables. Further random-effects model meta-analyses revealed that the perceived emotional synchrony was consistently associated with more proximal mechanisms, as well as with criterion variables. Finally, sequential moderation analyses showed that proposed mechanisms successfully mediated the effects of participation on every criterion variable. These results indicate that participation in 8M marches and demonstrations can be analyzed through the literature on collective rituals. As such, collective participation implies positive outcomes both individually and collectively, which are further reinforced through key psychological mechanisms, in line with a Durkheimian approach to collective rituals.Fil: Zumeta, Larraitz N.. Universidad del País Vasco; EspañaFil: Castro Abril, Pablo. Universidad del País Vasco; EspañaFil: Méndez, Lander. Universidad del País Vasco; EspañaFil: Pizarro, José J.. Universidad del País Vasco; EspañaFil: Włodarczyk, Anna. Universidad Católica del Norte; ChileFil: Basabe, Nekane. Universidad del País Vasco; EspañaFil: Navarro Carrillo, Ginés. Universidad de Jaén; EspañaFil: Padoan De Luca, Sonia. Universidad del País Vasco; EspañaFil: da Costa, Silvia. Universidad del País Vasco; EspañaFil: Alonso Arbiol, Itziar. Universidad del País Vasco; EspañaFil: Torres Gómez, Bárbara. Universidad del País Vasco; EspañaFil: Cakal, Huseyin. Keele University; Reino UnidoFil: Delfino, Gisela Isabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina "Santa María de los Buenos Aires"; ArgentinaFil: Techio, Elza M.. Universidade Federal da Bahia; BrasilFil: Alzugaray, Carolina. Universidad de Santo Tomas; ChileFil: Bilbao, Marian. Universidad Alberto Hurtado; ChileFil: Villagrán, Loreto. Universidad de Concepción; ChileFil: López López, Wilson. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana; ColombiaFil: Ruiz Pérez, José Ignacio. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Cedeño, Cynthia C.. Universidad Politécnica Salesiana; EcuadorFil: Reyes Valenzuela, Carlos. Universidad Andina Simon Bolivar - Sede Ecuador.; EcuadorFil: Alfaro Beracoechea, Laura. Universidad de Guadalajara; MéxicoFil: Contreras Ibáñez, Carlos César. Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana; MéxicoFil: Ibarra, Manuel Leonardo. Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México; MéxicoFil: Reyes Sosa, Hiram. Universidad Autonoma de Coahuila; MéxicoFil: Cueto, Rosa María. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Perú; PerúFil: Carvalho, Catarina L.. Universidad de Porto; PortugalFil: Pinto, Isabel R.. Universidad de Porto; Portuga

Circulating microRNAs in sera correlate with soluble biomarkers of immune activation but do not predict mortality in ART treated individuals with HIV-1 infection: A case control study

Introduction: The use of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) has dramatically reduced HIV-1 associated morbidity and mortality. However, HIV-1 infected individuals have increased rates of morbidity and mortality compared to the non-HIV-1 infected population and this appears to be related to end-organ diseases collectively referred to as Serious Non-AIDS Events (SNAEs). Circulating miRNAs are reported as promising biomarkers for a number of human disease conditions including those that constitute SNAEs. Our study sought to investigate the potential of selected miRNAs in predicting mortality in HIV-1 infected ART treated individuals. Materials and Methods: A set of miRNAs was chosen based on published associations with human disease conditions that constitute SNAEs. This case: control study compared 126 cases (individuals who died whilst on therapy), and 247 matched controls (individuals who remained alive). Cases and controls were ART treated participants of two pivotal HIV-1 trials. The relative abundance of each miRNA in serum was measured, by RTqPCR. Associations with mortality (all-cause, cardiovascular and malignancy) were assessed by logistic regression analysis. Correlations between miRNAs and CD4+ T cell count, hs-CRP, IL-6 and D-dimer were also assessed. Results: None of the selected miRNAs was associated with all-cause, cardiovascular or malignancy mortality. The levels of three miRNAs (miRs -21, -122 and -200a) correlated with IL-6 while miR-21 also correlated with D-dimer. Additionally, the abundance of miRs -31, -150 and -223, correlated with baseline CD4+ T cell count while the same three miRNAs plus miR- 145 correlated with nadir CD4+ T cell count. Discussion: No associations with mortality were found with any circulating miRNA studied. These results cast doubt onto the effectiveness of circulating miRNA as early predictors of mortality or the major underlying diseases that contribute to mortality in participants treated for HIV-1 infection