Experiencia personal de 25 años con la transferencia tecnológica de cocinas y secadores solares en Costa Rica

Con el objetivo de promover el uso de la energía solar y crear una cultura científica en la comunidad escolar, empresarial y publico en general, en los últimos 25 años, se ha diseñado, construido y estudiado varios artefactos solares - térmicos y eléctricos. Además, de publicar más de 80 artículos en revistas técnicas y en las memorias de los congresos, se ha transferido y divulgado el conocimiento a través de varias charlas populares en escuelas, colegios, universidades, centros culturales y comunidades; charlas en seminarios y congresos en Costa Rica y otros 33 países, programas de Radio y TV y artículos en periódicos. Se han organizado varias actividades divulgativas como: celebración del Día del Sol, Día del medio ambiente, talleres, seminarios, congresos etc. Según las solicitudes se ha transferido tecnología a los sectores públicos e industriales, en particular con las Cocinas y Secadores solares. Se ha informado también algunos aspectos importantes para lograr que la transferencia tecnológica sea más efectiva. Muchas personas incluyéndonos fuimos beneficiados con estas actividades de transferencia del conocimiento y la tecnología.With an objective to promote the use of Solar Energy and create scientific culture in educational, general public and industrial sector, during last 25 years we have designed, constructed and studied and published many solar devices - thermal and electric. In addition to publish more than 80 articles in technical journals and congress proceedings, we have also transferred/ disseminated the knowledge through various popular lectures at schools/colleges/universities/ cultural centres/ communities; lectures at conference/ seminar in Costa Rica and other 33 countries; broadcasted programmes on Radio and TV, articles or news related to our activities published in news papers and scientific magazines and organised various promotional activities like celebration of Sun Day, Environmental Day, seminars, workshops and world congress etc. On the specific request we have transferred technology to public and private sectors, in particular, Solar cookers and solar driers. We have also informed some important aspects so that the transfer of technology become more effective. Many persons including ourselves have been benefited with these activities of transfer of knowledge and technology.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Experiencia personal de 25 años con la transferencia tecnológica de cocinas y secadores solares en Costa Rica

Con el objetivo de promover el uso de la energía solar y crear una cultura científica en la comunidad escolar, empresarial y publico en general, en los últimos 25 años, se ha diseñado, construido y estudiado varios artefactos solares - térmicos y eléctricos. Además, de publicar más de 80 artículos en revistas técnicas y en las memorias de los congresos, se ha transferido y divulgado el conocimiento a través de varias charlas populares en escuelas, colegios, universidades, centros culturales y comunidades; charlas en seminarios y congresos en Costa Rica y otros 33 países, programas de Radio y TV y artículos en periódicos. Se han organizado varias actividades divulgativas como: celebración del Día del Sol, Día del medio ambiente, talleres, seminarios, congresos etc. Según las solicitudes se ha transferido tecnología a los sectores públicos e industriales, en particular con las Cocinas y Secadores solares. Se ha informado también algunos aspectos importantes para lograr que la transferencia tecnológica sea más efectiva. Muchas personas incluyéndonos fuimos beneficiados con estas actividades de transferencia del conocimiento y la tecnología.With an objective to promote the use of Solar Energy and create scientific culture in educational, general public and industrial sector, during last 25 years we have designed, constructed and studied and published many solar devices - thermal and electric. In addition to publish more than 80 articles in technical journals and congress proceedings, we have also transferred/ disseminated the knowledge through various popular lectures at schools/colleges/universities/ cultural centres/ communities; lectures at conference/ seminar in Costa Rica and other 33 countries; broadcasted programmes on Radio and TV, articles or news related to our activities published in news papers and scientific magazines and organised various promotional activities like celebration of Sun Day, Environmental Day, seminars, workshops and world congress etc. On the specific request we have transferred technology to public and private sectors, in particular, Solar cookers and solar driers. We have also informed some important aspects so that the transfer of technology become more effective. Many persons including ourselves have been benefited with these activities of transfer of knowledge and technology.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Experiencia personal de 25 años con la transferencia tecnológica de cocinas y secadores solares en Costa Rica

Con el objetivo de promover el uso de la energía solar y crear una cultura científica en la comunidad escolar, empresarial y publico en general, en los últimos 25 años, se ha diseñado, construido y estudiado varios artefactos solares - térmicos y eléctricos. Además, de publicar más de 80 artículos en revistas técnicas y en las memorias de los congresos, se ha transferido y divulgado el conocimiento a través de varias charlas populares en escuelas, colegios, universidades, centros culturales y comunidades; charlas en seminarios y congresos en Costa Rica y otros 33 países, programas de Radio y TV y artículos en periódicos. Se han organizado varias actividades divulgativas como: celebración del Día del Sol, Día del medio ambiente, talleres, seminarios, congresos etc. Según las solicitudes se ha transferido tecnología a los sectores públicos e industriales, en particular con las Cocinas y Secadores solares. Se ha informado también algunos aspectos importantes para lograr que la transferencia tecnológica sea más efectiva. Muchas personas incluyéndonos fuimos beneficiados con estas actividades de transferencia del conocimiento y la tecnología.With an objective to promote the use of Solar Energy and create scientific culture in educational, general public and industrial sector, during last 25 years we have designed, constructed and studied and published many solar devices - thermal and electric. In addition to publish more than 80 articles in technical journals and congress proceedings, we have also transferred/ disseminated the knowledge through various popular lectures at schools/colleges/universities/ cultural centres/ communities; lectures at conference/ seminar in Costa Rica and other 33 countries; broadcasted programmes on Radio and TV, articles or news related to our activities published in news papers and scientific magazines and organised various promotional activities like celebration of Sun Day, Environmental Day, seminars, workshops and world congress etc. On the specific request we have transferred technology to public and private sectors, in particular, Solar cookers and solar driers. We have also informed some important aspects so that the transfer of technology become more effective. Many persons including ourselves have been benefited with these activities of transfer of knowledge and technology.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Role of fine needle aspiration cytology in diagnosing leprosy: in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Leprosy, a chronic inflammatory granulomatous disease chiefly involving skin and peripheral nerves and occasionally other organ systems, caused by Mycobacterium leprae. It has tormented the human civilization through time immemorial. Leprosy remains a significant public health problem worldwide, especially in developing countries like India. The diagnosis of leprosy is not always easy because of long incubation period, over dependence of clinical expertise and a lack of rapid and simple diagnostic tool, patients remain undiagnosed for longer time. Fine needle aspiration (FNAC) technique is an inexpensive, rapid and accurate procedure for diagnosis of leprosy. We conducted a prospective study evaluating the ability of fine needle aspiration cytology in diagnosing and classifying leprosy lesions on Ridley-Jopling scale (R-J scale). The aim of this prospective study was to assess the usefulness of fine needle aspiration cytology in early diagnosis of leprosy, to identify specific cytological characteristics of diagnosis and to correlate the cytological smear findings with histopathology and to evaluate merits of relatively non-invasive procedure of FNAC over more invasive procedure - biopsy.Methods: The study is a hospital based prospective study carried out in the Department of Pathology and Department of Skin, Venereal Diseases, Leprosy, N.S.C.B. Medical College & Hospital, Jabalpur (M.P.) September 2010 to September 2013. Patients with new skin lesions were selected for the study. FNAC was performed and aspirates were evaluated for cytology using Hematoxylin and Eosin staining (H&E staining), Ziehl-Neelsen staining (ZN staining) and punch biopsy was collected.Results: Out of 50 cases, clinical and cytological correlation was seen in 88% tuberculoid leprosy, 93.7% of borderline tuberculoid, 33% of borderline lepromatous leprosy and 66% of lepromatous leprosy. While clinical with histopathological correlation revealed 100% specificity in tuberculoid leprosy, 100% in borderline tuberculoid, 66.6% in borderline lepromatous, 83.3% in lepromatous leprosy and 80% in indeterminate leprosy and 100% in histoid leprosy in our study. The overall cytodiagnostic accuracy has been 92% in present study.  Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that the combination of FNAC and ZN staining for Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) can provide a rapid diagnosis in majority of leprosy suspected cases. FNAC is a safe, simple, rapid, less-invasive, OPD procedure for early diagnosis and classification of leprosy cases.

Estudio de un procesador híbrido (solar-eléctrico) de alimentos con énfasis en el secado solar

Recientemente el autor principal ha diseñado y estudiado un nuevo dispositivo llamado “Procesamiento de Alimentos”, para cocinar alimentos, pasteurizar y destilar agua, y deshidratar productos agro alimenticios. Aunque el trabajo completo fue publicado recientemente en una revista técnica, aquí se informará sobre los nuevos datos obtenidos sobre el secado de cebolla y mango. Por otro lado este dispositivo es híbrido, lo que permite la utilización de la energía solar o/y eléctrica de forma automática. Este artefacto se puede usar en cualquier clima para diferentes usos, ahorrando energía convencional. Hemos medido también los datos de consumo de energía solar e eléctrica en estos procesos.Recently the main author (SSN) has designed and studied new solar device- Hybrid (Solar-Electric) food processor to cook, pasteurize, distill water and dehydrate agricultural products for personal use. Although the detailed results are published in another technical journal, here the recent results related to drying of Onions and Mango are mentioned. On the other hand, the device is hybrid and switching from solar to electric energy and vice versa is automatic. The device can be used in any climate with the saving of conventional fuels. Electrical and solar energy used for the drying processes are also measured.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Estudio de un procesador híbrido (solar-eléctrico) de alimentos con énfasis en el secado solar

Recientemente el autor principal ha diseñado y estudiado un nuevo dispositivo llamado “Procesamiento de Alimentos”, para cocinar alimentos, pasteurizar y destilar agua, y deshidratar productos agro alimenticios. Aunque el trabajo completo fue publicado recientemente en una revista técnica, aquí se informará sobre los nuevos datos obtenidos sobre el secado de cebolla y mango. Por otro lado este dispositivo es híbrido, lo que permite la utilización de la energía solar o/y eléctrica de forma automática. Este artefacto se puede usar en cualquier clima para diferentes usos, ahorrando energía convencional. Hemos medido también los datos de consumo de energía solar e eléctrica en estos procesos.Recently the main author (SSN) has designed and studied new solar device- Hybrid (Solar-Electric) food processor to cook, pasteurize, distill water and dehydrate agricultural products for personal use. Although the detailed results are published in another technical journal, here the recent results related to drying of Onions and Mango are mentioned. On the other hand, the device is hybrid and switching from solar to electric energy and vice versa is automatic. The device can be used in any climate with the saving of conventional fuels. Electrical and solar energy used for the drying processes are also measured.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Estudio de un procesador híbrido (solar-eléctrico) de alimentos con énfasis en el secado solar

Recientemente el autor principal ha diseñado y estudiado un nuevo dispositivo llamado “Procesamiento de Alimentos”, para cocinar alimentos, pasteurizar y destilar agua, y deshidratar productos agro alimenticios. Aunque el trabajo completo fue publicado recientemente en una revista técnica, aquí se informará sobre los nuevos datos obtenidos sobre el secado de cebolla y mango. Por otro lado este dispositivo es híbrido, lo que permite la utilización de la energía solar o/y eléctrica de forma automática. Este artefacto se puede usar en cualquier clima para diferentes usos, ahorrando energía convencional. Hemos medido también los datos de consumo de energía solar e eléctrica en estos procesos.Recently the main author (SSN) has designed and studied new solar device- Hybrid (Solar-Electric) food processor to cook, pasteurize, distill water and dehydrate agricultural products for personal use. Although the detailed results are published in another technical journal, here the recent results related to drying of Onions and Mango are mentioned. On the other hand, the device is hybrid and switching from solar to electric energy and vice versa is automatic. The device can be used in any climate with the saving of conventional fuels. Electrical and solar energy used for the drying processes are also measured.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Implementation of a national HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis service is associated with changes in characteristics of people with newly diagnosed HIV: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES: To review characteristics of individuals newly diagnosed with HIV following implementation of a national pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) programme (comprehensive PrEP services, delivered in sexual health clinics) to inform future delivery and broader HIV prevention strategies. METHODS: We extracted data from national HIV databases (July 2015–June 2018). We compared sociodemographic characteristics of individuals diagnosed in the period before and after PrEP implementation, and determined the proportion of ‘potentially preventable’ infections with the sexual health clinic–based PrEP delivery model used. RESULTS: Those diagnosed with HIV before PrEP implementation were more likely to be male (342/418, 81.8% vs 142/197, 72.1%, p=0.005), be white indigenous (327/418, 78.2% vs 126/197, 64.0%, p<0.001), report transmission route as sex between men (219/418, 52.4% vs 81/197, 41.1%, p=0.014), and have acquired HIV in the country of the programme (302/418, 72.2% vs 114/197, 57.9% p<0.001) and less likely to report transmission through heterosexual sex (114/418, 27.3% vs 77/197, 39.1%, p=0.002) than after implementation. Pre-implementation, 8.6% (36/418) diagnoses were ‘potentially preventable’ with the PrEP model used. Post-implementation, this was 6.6% (13/197), but higher among those with recently acquired HIV (49/170, 28.8%). Overall, individuals with ‘potentially preventable’ infections were more likely to be male (49/49, 100% vs 435/566, 76.9%, p<0.001), aged <40 years (37/49, 75.5% vs 307/566, 54.2%, p=0.004), report transmission route as sex between men (49/49, 100% vs 251/566, 44.3%, p<0.001), have previously received post-exposure prophylaxis (12/49, 24.5% vs 7/566, 1.2%, p<0.001) and less likely to be black African (0/49, 0% vs 67/566, 11.8%, p=0.010) than those not meeting this definition. CONCLUSIONS: The sexual health clinic–based national PrEP delivery model appeared to best suit men who have sex with men and white indigenous individuals but had limited reach into other key vulnerable groups. Enhanced models of delivery and HIV combination prevention are required to widen access to individuals not benefiting from PrEP at present

Improving HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake and initiation: process evaluation and recommendation development from a national PrEP program

BACKGROUND: HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is key to HIV transmission elimination but implementation is challenging and under-researched. We undertook a process evaluation of the first 2 years of a national PrEP program to explore barriers and facilitators to implementation and to develop recommendations to improve implementation, focusing on PrEP uptake and initiation. METHODS: Stage 1 involved semi-structured telephone interviews and focus groups (September 2018–July 2019) with geographically and demographically diverse patients seeking/using/declining/stopping PrEP (n = 39), sexual healthcare professionals (n = 54), community-based organisation service users (n = 9) and staff (n = 15) across Scotland. We used deductive thematic analysis, to derive and then map key barriers and facilitators to priority areas that experts agreed would enhance uptake and initiation. In Stage 2, we used analytic tools from implementation science to systematically generate evidence-based, theoretically-informed recommendations to enhance uptake and initiation of PrEP. RESULTS: Barriers and facilitators were multi-levelled and interdependent. Barriers included the rapid pace of implementation without additional resource, and a lack of familiarity with PrEP prescribing. Facilitators included opportunities for acquisition of practice-based knowledge and normalisation of initiation activities. We refined our 68 ‘long-list’ recommendations to 41 using expert input and the APEASE (Acceptability, Practicability, Effectiveness, Affordability, Side-effects, and Equity) criteria. Examples include: provision of PrEP in diverse settings to reach all in need; co-produced, culturally sensitive training resources for healthcare professionals, with focused content on non-daily dosing; meaningful collaborative working across all stakeholders. CONCLUSIONS: These evidence-based, theory informed recommendations provide a robust framework for optimising PrEP uptake and initiation in diverse settings to ensure PrEP reaches all who may benefit