Digital Image Processing Applied to Optical Measurements

Digital image processing is a useful tool that improves pictorial information for human interpretation and is mainly used for storage, transmission, and representation of different data. In this chapter, we want to introduce an optical technique which couples physical analysis with image processing for a measurement system. Optical methods were used to obtain the stress-strain relation by different invasive and noninvasive methods. This chapter talks about a novel noninvasive methodology to measure stress-strain evolution; this technique is based upon a single laser beam reflected on the cross section of ductile materials (steel and aluminum) while they are under a compression load. The way we measure one laser beam is by using the Gaussian beam propagation equations; we propose that the reflection area of the laser is going to change as the material surface area is compressed and we analyze these differences by using digital image processing. With this technique we are able to construct a stress-strain diagram

Accuracy of the Resting Energy Expenditure Estimation Equations for Healthy Women

Background: There exist several prediction equations for the estimation of resting energy expenditure (REE). However, none of these equations have been validated in the Chilean female population yet. The aims of this study are (1) to determine the accuracy of existing equations for prediction of REE and (2) to develop new equations in a sample of healthy Chilean women. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on 620 Chilean women. The sample showed an age range between 18 and 73 years, a body mass index average of 28.5 ± 5.2 kg/m2, and a prevalence of overweight and obesity of 41% and 33.2%, respectively. REE was measured by indirect calorimetry (REEIC), which was used as the gold standard to determine the accuracy of twelve available REE prediction equations and to calculate alternative formulas for estimation of REE. Paired t-tests and Bland–Altman plots were used to know the accuracy of the estimation equations with REEIC. At the same time, multiple linear regressions were performed to propose possible alternative equations. The analyses were carried out by age groups and according to nutritional status. Results: All the equations showed a tendency to overestimate REE, regardless of age or nutritional status. Overall, the Ireton-Jones equation achieved the highest mean percentage difference from REEIC at 67.1 ± 31%. The alternative new equations, containing variables of body composition, reached a higher percentage of classification within ± 10% of REEIC. Conclusions: The available equations do not adequately estimate REE in this sample of Chilean women. Although they must be validated, the new formulas proposed show better adaptation to this Chilean sample

Corrosion behavior of boride diffusion layer on CoCrMo alloy surface

87-95In the present study, the corrosion behaviour of CoCrMo ASTM F75 alloy with boride diffusion layer and under simulated physiological conditions has been investigated using electrochemical methods. Corrosion has been analyzed using Tafel and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) curves. The corrosion resistance optimization of boride diffusion layer on ASTM F-75 alloy using a central composite design (CCD) in response surface methodology (RSM) has been studied. A boronizing thermochemical treatment has been carried out at different temperatures, time periods and paste mass. The roughness for samples subjected to boride annealing has been higher than that of the unboride sample. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement has shown that the boride layer of the sample at least consists of a mixture of CoB and CrB phases. The EIS and Tafel curves results have suggested that boride ASTM F75 alloy has not been a suitable candidate for orthopedics applications

Housing indicators for sustainable cities in middle-income countries through the residential urban environment recognized using single-family housing rating systems

This study presents a comparative analysis of the housing indicators used by the single-family housing rating systems (SHRSs), in which the residential urban environment (RUE) influences buildings’ certification scores, emphasizing the relationships of six systems developed by middle-income countries (MICs)—BEST, CASA, GBI, BERDE, Green Homes, and LOTUS—and the two most-recognized rating systems, BREEAM and LEED. The aim is to provide new housing indicators that are capable of bringing the concept of sustainability into the cities of MICs. The results reveal that the percentage of influence that single-family housing (SFH) can achieve in the metric established by each system is relatively low. However, considering all of the identified indicators, this influence could increase to 53.16% of the total score in multi-criteria evaluations. Furthermore, a significant lack of indicators for mandatory criteria evaluations was found, with CASA being the only system that considers their inclusion. This paper identifies 37 indicators for multi-criteria assessments and two for mandatory-criteria assessments, providing new perspectives on several topics. Furthermore, the methodology established to obtain the indicators could be useful for other researchers in the identification of new sustainable indicators.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Environmental challenges in the residential sector: life cycle assessment of Mexican social housing

Social Housing (SH) in Mexico has a potentially important role in reducing both the emission of greenhouse gases and the use of non-renewable resources, two of the main challenges facing not only Mexico but the planet as a whole. This work assesses the environmental impact generated by the embodied stages of a typical SH throughout its life cycle (cradle to grave), by means of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Two types of envelope and interior walls and three types of windows are compared. It was found that SH emits 309 kg CO2 eq/m2 and consumes 3911 MJ eq/m2 in the product stages (A1 to A3) and construction process (A4 to A5); the most important stages are those referring to the products, namely, A1 to A3, B4 (replacement) and B2 (maintenance). Additionally, benefits were found in the use of lightweight and thermal materials, such as concrete blocks lightened with pumice or windows made of PVC or wood. Although the use of LCA is incipient in the housing and construction sector in Mexico, this work shows how its application is not only feasible but recommended as it may become a basic tool in the search for sustainability.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

A cradle to handover life cycle assessment of external walls: choice of materials and prognosis of elements

This research focuses on a comparison of 20 external wall systems that are conventionally used in Spanish residential buildings, from a perspective based on the product and construction process stages of the life cycle assessment. The primary objective is to provide data that allow knowing the environmental behavior of walls built with materials and practices conventionally. This type of analysis will enable promoting the creation of regulations that encourage the use of combinations of materials that generate the most environmentally suitable result, and in turn, contribute to the strengthening of the embodied stages study of buildings and their elements. The results indicate that the greatest impact arises in the product stage (90.9%), followed by the transport stage (8.9%) and the construction process stage (<1%). Strategies (such as the use of large-format pieces and the controlled increase in thickness of the thermal insulation) can contribute to reducing the environmental impact; on the contrary, practices such as the use of small-format pieces and laminated plasterboard can increase the environmental burden. The prediction of the environmental behavior (simulation equation) allows these possible impacts to be studied in a fast and simplified wayPeer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Relating at work : facets, dialectics and face

This article examines ‘relating at work’. Recent theorising in pragmatics has drawn attention to the importance of analysing relations, and yet the pragmatic study of relations is now intertwined so closely with the concept of face (e.g. Arundale, 2010a; Holmes et al., 2011; Locher and Watts 2005, 2008) that it might seem the two are synonymous. In this paper, I review this research from a multidisciplinary perspective, and then report a study on ‘relating at work’ in which leaders and interns were interviewed about their experiences of starting work in a culturally unfamiliar setting. I focus on one dialectic, connectedness–separateness, and report the challenges they described in ‘making contact’. In the discussion section and on the basis of my findings, I argue the following points: (a) relating at work entails a complex web of interrelated facets and ‘smooth relations’ is just one of employees’ relational concerns; (b) Relational Dialectic Theory offers much potential for interpersonal pragmatics; (c) dialectic tensions can occur at the individual as well as the interpersonal/relational levels and an interactional achievement analytic perspective needs to be complemented by an individual perspective; (d) Relational Dialect Theory and Face Theory are complementary to each other and should not be conflated

Pembrolizumab as first-line treatment for advanced NSCLC in older adults: A phase II clinical trial evaluating geriatric and quality-of-life outcomes

Objectives: Since specific data on immunotherapy in older adults with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) are scarce, we designed this study to determine the overall survival (OS) at one year of first-line pembrolizumab in patients older than 70 years with aNSCLC expressing PD-L1. Secondary objectives included progression-free survival, disease-specific survival, response rate, tolerability, quality of life (QoL) changes, and geriatric assessments. Materials and methods: A single-arm, open-label, phase II clinical trial was carried out by the Spanish Lung Cancer Group between February 2018 and November 2019 at ten active sites in Spain. We included patients 70 years old and older with histological or cytological documented stage IIIB or IV aNSCLC and PD-L1 expression & GE; 1%. Each subject received 200 mg of intravenous pembrolizumab every three weeks for a maximum of two years. Results: 83 patients were recruited for the study and 74 were finally analysed. Most were male (N = 64, 86.5%) and former smokers (N = 51, 68.9%). 24 patients (32.4%) completed at least one year of treatment, 62 (83.7%) discontinued treatment, and 30 (40.5%) experienced disease progression. The median follow-up of our cohort was 18.0 months [range: 0.1-47.7] and 46 patients (62.2%) died during the period of study. The estimated OS at one year was 61.7% (95% CI: 49.6-71.8%) and the median OS of our cohort was 19.2 months (95% CI: 11.3-25.5). QoL tended to improve throughout the study, although the differences were not statistically significant. The main geriatric scores remained stable, except for a worsening in nutritional status (P = 0.004) and an improvement in frailty (P = 0.028). Conclusion: Our results support treating older adults with aNSCLC expressing PD-L1 with pembrolizumab in monotherapy. The stability of most geriatric scores and the positive trend on the patients' QoL should be highlighted, although our results did not reach statistical significance

ESTUDIO MEDIO AMBIENTAL. CONO SUR [Material gráfico]

Copia digital. Madrid : Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte, 201

Corrosion behavior of boride diffusion layer on CoCrMo alloy surface

In the present study, the corrosion behaviour of CoCrMo ASTM F75 alloy with boride diffusion layer and undersimulated physiological conditions has been investigated using electrochemical methods. Corrosion has been analyzed usingTafel and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) curves. The corrosion resistance optimization of boride diffusionlayer on ASTM F-75 alloy using a central composite design (CCD) in response surface methodology (RSM) has beenstudied. A boronizing thermochemical treatment has been carried out at different temperatures, time periods and paste mass.The roughness for samples subjected to boride annealing has been higher than that of the unboride sample. X-ray diffraction(XRD) measurement has shown that the boride layer of the sample at least consists of a mixture of CoB and CrB phases.The EIS and Tafel curves results have suggested that boride ASTM F75 alloy has not been a suitable candidate fororthopedics applications