Psychosocial factors that influence HIV testing and condom use in men: A cross-cultural perspective

HIV infections continue to be a major public health issue worldwide. Two effective HIV prevention strategies are frequent HIV testing and consistent condom use. A growing body of literature has identified some psychosocial factors that influence the likelihood and consistency of HIV testing behavior and condom use in men, however little attention has been given to the role of cultural norms in shaping these associations. In an attempt to approach these findings from a cross-cultural perspective, we investigated the causal effects of three psychosocial factors previously associated with HIV testing and Condom Use in men across two culturally distinct European countries and tested whether these effects became more prominent in the country with the highest endorsement of traditional masculinity norms. More specifically, we examined whether Homonegativity, HIV Stigma, and HIV Knowledge were predictive of HIV testing and Condom Use among men in Portugal and Turkey, and whether these effects became more pronounced in the country with higher traditional masculinity norms or vice versa. As expected, Turkish participants displayed the highest endorsement of masculinity norms, however we only found that Homonegativity and HIV Stigma inversely predicted HIV testing. No significant effects were found between HIV Knowledge and HIV Testing., nor between either one of our independent variables and Condom Use. Although we found a significant interaction between HIV Stigma and country effect on HIV Testing, no other moderations were supported. Overall, these findings add to a growing literature on how psychosocial factors influence pro-health seeking behavior in European men. Future studies should aim to replicate these finding with a larger sample size.As infecções por VIH continuam a ser uma questão de saúde pública importante a nível mundial. Duas estratégias eficazes de prevenção do VIH são o teste frequente do VIH e o uso consistente do preservativo. Um conjunto crescente de literatura identificou alguns factores psicossociais que influenciam a probabilidade e consistência do comportamento de testagem do HIV e do uso do preservativo em homens, embora tenha sido dada pouca atenção ao papel das normas culturais na formação destas associações. Numa tentativa de abordar estas associações numa perspectiva transcultural, investigámos os efeitos de três factores psicossociais anteriormente associados ao teste do HIV e ao uso do preservativo em homens, em dois países europeus culturalmente distintos, e testámos se estes efeitos se revelaram mais proeminentes no país com os valores mais altos de normas tradicionais de masculinidade. Mais especificamente, examinámos se a Homonegatividade, o Estigma asociado ao VIH, e o Conhecimento sobre VIH eram preditivos da testagem do VIH e do Uso do Preservativo entre homens em Portugal e na Turquia, e se estes efeitos se tornaram mais pronunciados no país com normas de masculinidade tradicionais mais elevadas. Como era de esperar, os participantes turcos demonstraram o maior apoio às normas de masculinidade; no entanto, apenas constatámos que a homonegatividade e o estigma associado ao VIH tiveram um valor preditivo negativo da testagem do VIH. Embora os nossos modelos de interacção demonstrassem uma interacção significativa entre o estigma e o efeito do país, a moderação não foi apoiada. Globalmente, estes resultados acrescentam a uma literatura crescente sobre como os factores psicossociais influenciam o comportamento pró-saúde em homens europeus. Estudos futuros devem ter como objectivo replicar estes resultados com uma amostra maior

Influence of pre-existing martensite on the wear resistance of metastable austenitic stainless steels

The effect of pre-existing martensite on the sliding wear behavior of a commercial metastable austenitic stainless steel was investigated. Two different steel conditions were considered: annealed (with a fully austenitic microstructure) and cold rolled, consisting of mixtures of austenite and martensite. Wear tests were carried out using ball on disc technique at constant velocity and different sliding distances. Correlation between microstructure and wear mechanisms was performed by X-ray diffraction, electron back-scattered diffraction and focus ion beam. Results show that wear resistance decreases at increasing the amount of pre-existing martensite. In this sense, more strain-induced martensite developed for cold rolled samples, hardening the surface and consequently reducing wedge formation, which induced material removal from the surface. The detailed analysis of the wear track demonstrated the formation of an ultrafine-grain layer just below the surface, not only for annealed but also for cold rolled steel.Peer ReviewedPreprin

Experimental analysis of manufacturing parameters’ effect on the flexural properties of wood-PLA composite parts built through FFF

This paper aims to determine the flexural stiffness and strength of a composite made of a polylactic acid reinforced with wood particles, named commercially as Timberfill, manufactured through fused filament fabrication (FFF). The influence of four factors (layer height, nozzle diameter, fill density, and printing velocity) is studied through an L27Taguchi orthogonal array. The response variables used as output results for an analysis of variance are obtained from a set of four-point bending tests. Results show that the layer height is the most influential parameter on flexural strength, followed by nozzle diameter and infill density, whereas the printing velocity has no significant influence. Ultimately, an optimal parameter set that maximizes the material’s flexural strength is found by combining a 0.2-mm layer height, 0.7-mm nozzle diameter, 75% fill density, and 35-mm/s velocity. The highest flexural resistance achieved experimentally is 47.26 MPa. The statistical results are supported with microscopic photographs of fracture sections, and validated by comparing them with previous studies performed on non-reinforced PLA material, proving that the introduction of wood fibers in PLA matrix reduces the resistance of raw PLA by hindering the cohesion between filaments and generating voids inside it. Lastly, five solid Timberfill specimens manufactured by injection molding were also tested to compare their strength with the additive manufactured samples. Results prove that treating the wood-PLA through additive manufacturing results in an improvement of its resistance and elastic properties, being the Young’s module almost 25% lower than the injected material.Preprin

La innovación en la empresa a través del abastecimiento estratégico. Una revisión de la literatura

En este artículo se presenta una revisión de la literatura científica que habla específicamente de como la innovación puede motivarse en una empresa gracias a la administración de su cadena de suministro; particularmente haciendo uso racional del concepto de Abastecimiento Estratégico (strategic sourcing), que tiene como una de sus principales responsabilidades, la evaluación, selección y desarrollo de los proveedores (Cui et al., 2012: 30; Chopra y Meindl, 2012: 393). Aunque el Abastecimiento Estratégico contempla varias actividades, una de las que presentan mayor impacto en la empresa es la selección y desarrollo de los proveedores de insumos. Como resultado de la revisión de la literatura científica sobre el tema, se muestran algunas definiciones de Innovación Tecnológica y de Abastecimiento Estratégico. También se busca mostrar un compendio sobre los factores que motivan distintos tipos de innovación en las organizaciones, de acuerdo a diversos estudios previos y; mostrar una recopilación de los principales métodos de selección de proveedores, que, si bien ocupan técnicas cuantitativas novedosas, solo evalúan para la decisión factores tradicionales como el costo o los tiempos de entrega.This paper presents a literature review on innovation generation due to the supply chain management. The supply chain management theory raises the activities of the Strategic Sourcing, such as assessment, selection and development of vendors as critical ones (Cui et al., 2012: 30; Chopra y Meindl, 2012: 393). Although strategic sourcing has several aspects, one of those with the greatest impact on the business is the selection and development of suppliers. This literature review shows agreements on the concept of technological innovation and strategic sourcing. It also seeks to show a compendium of the factors that motivate different types of innovation in organizations, according to several previous studies; show a compilation of the main methods of selection of suppliers, that while dealing novel quantitative techniques to evaluate the decision only traditional factors such as cost or delivery times

Mechanical properties of 3D-printing polylactic acid parts subjected to bending stress and fatigue testing

This paper aims to analyse the mechanical properties response of polylactic acid (PLA) parts manufactured through fused filament fabrication. The influence of six manufacturing factors (layer height, filament width, fill density, layer orientation, printing velocity, and infill pattern) on the flexural resistance of PLA specimens is studied through an L27 Taguchi experimental array. Different geometries were tested on a four-point bending machine and on a rotating bending machine. From the first experimental phase, an optimal set of parameters deriving in the highest flexural resistance was determined. The results show that layer orientation is the most influential parameter, followed by layer height, filament width, and printing velocity, whereas the fill density and infill pattern show no significant influence. Finally, the fatigue fracture behaviour is evaluated and compared with that of previous studies’ results, in order to present a comprehensive study of the mechanical properties of the material under different kind of solicitations.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Effect of laser surface texturing on Schmid factor and plastic deformation mechanisms on AISI 301LN steel

In this comprehensive study, the multifaceted impact of laser surface texturing (LST) on AISI 301LN stainless steel is explored. Changes in the microstructure, mechanical properties, and grain characteristics are examined. The dynamic relationship between Schmid factor evolution and plastic deformation in this stainless steel alloy is unveiled through the analysis of grain statistics and individual grain scrutiny. It is revealed that LST initiates the formation of strain-induced a’-martensite, grain refinement, and substantial hardness enhancements. Notably, an a’-martensite crystalline size of 2.05 Å is induced by LST. Furthermore, a 12% increase in tensile strength is observed after LST along with an 11% boost in yield strength. However, reductions of 19% in elongation to fracture and 12% in the area reduction are experienced.This research was funded by AGAUR, Agency for Administration of University and Research (Agència de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca), grant number FI-SDUR 2020.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Una definición de espacialidad: la arquitectura de la interacción como modelo para el análisis del proceso de diseño arquitectónico

A partir del desarrollo tecnológico a fines del siglo XX se puede constatar un cambio en las herramientas de diseño arquitectónico: la inclusión de procedimientos asistidos por ordenador. En este sentido se busca esclarecer el estado actual del concepto espacio en arquitectura en una época de arquitectura digital o de arquitectura de límites difusos, en un contexto de desarrollo de arquitectura postmoderna basada en nuevos métodos de diseño.ENG: From the late XX century it can be seen a change in the architectonic design tools: the introduction of computer assistance procedures. Therefore this research seeks to clarify the current state of architectural space concept in an era of digital architecture of fuzzy boundaries in a context of postmodern architecture development based on new design methods

Cardiovascular risk assessment in ecuadorian elderly population yield of four different models

Objectives The present study aims to: i) calculate the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk profile of an Ecuadorian hypertensive elderly sample using four different models: (1) the 2003 Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) risk model, (2) the 2008 Framingham Risk Score (FRS, both using lipids profile and body mass index - BMI), (3) the 2013 AHA/ACC Pooled Cohort Equations model, and (4) the 2015 SCORE for Older Population - O.P., and; ii) assess the relationship between several independent variables: (1) dependence; (2) abuse; (3) creatinine; (4) estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR); (5) glucose; (6) HOMA-IR index; (7) albumin; (8) thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH); (9) high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP); and (10) vitamin D (25OHD) serum levels and predicted CVD risk in the elderly according to each of the four tested models. Methods This cross-sectional study analyzed the Ecuadorian National Dataset of Health, Welfare and Aging in the Elderly (SABE-ECU) conducted in 2009. From 5235 subjects belonged to the original database, a sample of 951 participants was selected after excluded missing values. We estimated the predicted 10-year risk of CVD based on the four model equations previously mentioned. In addition, logistic regression models were used to find odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) between proposed novel cardiovascular risk factors and predicted CVD risk. Results In 2009, one-third of the Ecuadorian hypertensive elderly population is allocated in the “high CVD risk” category according to the four equations used. In the adjusted logistic regression model, low eGFR (<60 ml/min, OR 0.23, [0.06-0.92]), low albumin serum level (<3.5 g/dl, OR 8.09, [1.63-40.04]), high HOMA-IR index (≥3.2, OR 2.01, [1.22-3.30]), and high hsCRP serum level (≥1.1 mg/L, OR 2.00, [1.12-3.58]) showed association with CVD risk when using FRS and SCORE O.P. models. Conclusion We found that low eGFR, high HOMA-IR index, low albumin and high hsCRP serum levels are independently and significantly associated with CVD risk in the study individuals. These laboratory variables could be included as predictor markers for CVD risk in future elder-validated scores. More studies are needed to assess the complex interaction between aging, hypertension, nutritiona