Study of Hillock and Zinc Whisker Evolution in Five Different Cable Tray Coatings

ABSTRACT: The main objective of this work is the study of the hillock and zinc whisker evolution of five different commercial zinc coatings applied on the same base steel wires of the patented EASYCONNECT system cable trays manufactured by VALDINOX Ltd.: white zinc alkaline electrolyte, yellow zinc trivalent electrolyte, acid zinc electrolyte, hot dip galvanized, and zinc nickel coating. The limited literature on the subject is summarized, and then the coating thickness, chemical composition, hardness and surface rugosity are characterized. The hillock and whisker density evolution are evaluated over a period of 12 months, considering the presence of compression bending stresses. It is concluded that the white alkaline and yellow trivalent coatings are the most affected, while the zinc-nickel shows the best behavior with no presence of whiskers; the acid zinc electrolyte also shows good results despite the delayed appearance of whiskers from the ninth month; the hot-dip galvanized coating does not show any presence of zinc whiskers or hillocks

Incidence of suspected serious adverse drug reactions in corona virus Ddsease-19 patients detected by a pharmacovigilance program by laboratory signals in a tertiary hospital in Spain: Cautionary data

BACKGROUND: From March to April 2020, Spain was the center of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, particularly Madrid with approximately 30% of the cases in Spain. The aim of this study is to report the suspected serious adverse drug reactions (SADRs) in COVID-19 patients vs. non-COVID-19 patients detected by the prospective pharmacovigilance program based on automatic laboratory signals (ALSs) in the hospital (PPLSH) during that period. We also compared the results with the suspected SADRs detected during the same period for 2019. METHODS: All ALSs that reflected potential SADRs including neutropenia, pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, eosinophilia, leukocytes in cerebrospinal fluid, hepatitis, pancreatitis, acute kidney injury, rhabdomyolysis, and hyponatremia were prospectively monitored in hospitalized patients during the study periods. We analyzed the incidence and the distribution of causative drugs for the COVID-19 patients. RESULTS: The incidence rate of SADRs detected in the COVID-19 patients was 760.63 (95% CI 707.89–816.01) per 10,000 patients, 4.75-fold higher than the SADR rate for non-COVID-19 patients (160.15 per 10,000 patients, 95% CI 137.09–186.80), and 5.84-fold higher than the SADR rate detected for the same period in 2019 (130.19 per 10,000 patients, 95% CI 109.53–154.36). The most frequently related drugs were tocilizumab (59.84%), dexketoprofen (13.93%), azithromycin (8.43%), lopinavir-ritonavir (7.35%), dexamethasone (7.62%), and chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine (6.91%). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence rate of SADRs detected by the PPSLH in patients with COVID-19 was 4.75-fold higher than that of the non-COVID-19 patients. Caution is recommended when using medications for COVID-19 patients, especially drugs that are hepatotoxic, myotoxic, and those that induce thromboembolic events

Diseño de servicios cuánticos a través de la especificación AsyncAPI

La computación cuántica ha evolucionado de ser una idea teórica a convertirse en una realidad tangible. Aunque no es posible acceder directamente a un ordenador cuántico de la misma manera que a los ordenadores convencionales, existen proveedores de servicios que ofrecen la posibilidad de utilizar esta tecnología. Sin embargo, estos servicios presentan ciertas limitaciones, especialmente la falta de herramientas que simplifiquen su uso y manejo. Este trabajo se enfoca en Amazon Braket, un servicio de computación cuántica ofrecido por Amazon, el cual procesa las solicitudes en colas de espera, lo que puede resultar en tiempos prolongados para obtener los resultados. Además, los resultados se almacenan en un servicio de almacenamiento proporcionado por el proveedor, lo que permite a los desarrolladores verificar el estado de las tareas cuánticas y recuperar los resultados obtenidos. No obstante, dado que el tiempo de finalización de la operación es incierto, este enfoque puede resultar ineficiente. Por lo tanto, se propone una solución alternativa que utiliza una arquitectura asíncrona e se integra con otro servicio, mediante una modificación de la especificación AsyncAPI. El objetivo es generar sistemas basados en eventos para integrar de manera programática los servicios cuánticos como parte de otros sistemas de software. Esto implica enviar el código cuántico a ejecutar al proveedor y obtener los datos resultantes de manera asíncrona.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

Show your beaks and we tell you what you eat: Different ecology in sympatric Antarctic benthic octopods under a climate change context

Sympatry can lead to higher competition under climate change and other environmental pressures, including in South Georgia, Antarctica, where the two most common octopod species, Adelieledone polymorpha and Pareledone turqueti, occur side by side. Since cephalopods are typically elusive animals, the ecology of both species is poorly known. As beaks of cephalopods are recurrently found in top predator's stomachs, we studied the feeding ecology of both octopods through the evaluation of niche overlapping and specific beak adaptations that both species present. A multidisciplinary approach combining carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotope signatures, mercury (Hg) analysis and biomaterials' engineering techniques was applied to investigate the beaks. An isotopic niche overlap of 95.6% was recorded for the juvenile stages of both octopod species, dropping to 19.2% for the adult stages. Both A. polymorpha and P. turqueti inhabit benthic ecosystems around South Georgia throughout their lifecycles (δ13C: −19.21 ± 1.87‰, mean ± SD for both species) but explore trophic niches partially different during adult life stages (δ15N: 7.01 ± 0.40‰, in A. polymorpha, and 7.84 ± 0.65‰, in P. turqueti). The beaks of A. polymorpha are less dense and significantly less stiff than in P. turqueti. Beaks showed lower mercury concentration relative to muscle (A. polymorpha - beaks: 0.052 ± 0.009  μg g−1, muscle: 0.322 ± 0.088  μg g−1; P. turqueti - beaks: 0.038 ± 0.009  μg g−1; muscle: 0.434 ± 0.128  μg g−1). Overall, both octopods exhibit similar habitats but different trophic niches, related to morphology/function of beaks. The high Hg concentrations in both octopods can have negative consequences on their top predators and may increase under the present climate change context.British Antarctic Survey for assisting in the collection of the specimens for this work. Many thanks to 3B's Research Group (University of Minho) and MAREFOZ who were responsible for analysing the physical properties of beaks and stable isotope signatures. A special thank you to our colleague José Queirós from MARE-UC (Coimbra, Portugal) for his suggestions and guidance. A debt of gratitude is also owed to Dr. A. Louise Allcock (NUI Galway) for her useful guidelines. This work is an international effort under the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) associated programs, expert and action groups, namely SCAR AnT-ERA, SCAR EGBAMM and ICED. J.C. Xavier was supported by the Investigator Programme (IF/00616/2013) of the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT-Portugal) and PROPOLAR, and F.R. Ceia was supported by a postdoctoral fellowship (SFRH/BPD/95372/2013) attributed by FCT-Portugal and the European Social Fund (POPH, EU). This study benefited from the strategic program of MARE, financed by FCT-Portugal (MARE- UID/MAR/04292/2019). We also acknowledge FCT-Portugal through a PhD grant to J. Seco (SRFH/PD/BD/113487

High mercury levels in Antarctic toothfish Dissostichus mawsoni from the Southwest Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean

Mercury is a bioaccumulating toxic pollutant which can reach humans through the consumption of contaminated food (e.g. marine fish). Although the Southern Ocean is often portrayed as a pristine ecosystem, its fishery products are not immune to mercury contamination. We analysed mercury concentration (organic and inorganic forms – T-Hg) in the muscle of Antarctic toothfish, Dissostichus mawsoni, a long-lived top predator which supports a highly profitable fishery. Our samples were collected in three fishing areas (one seamount and two on the continental slope) in the Southwest Pacific Sector of the Southern Ocean during the 2016/2017 fishing season. Mercury levels and the size range of fish varied between fishing areas, with the highest levels (0.68 ± 0.45 mg kg−1 wwt) occurring on the Amundsen Sea seamount where catches were dominated by larger, older fish. The most parsimonious model of mercury concentration included both age and habitat (seamount vs continental slope) as explanatory variables. Mean mercury levels for each fishing area were higher than those in all previous studies of D. mawsoni, with mean values for the Amundsen Sea seamount exceeding the 0.5 mg kg−1 food safety threshold for the first time. It might therefore be appropriate to add D. mawsoni to the list of taxa, such as swordfish and sharks, which are known to exceed this threshold. This apparent increase in mercury levels suggests a recent contamination event which affected the Southwest Pacific sector, including both the Amundsen and Dumont D'Urville seas

A prospective cohort study to assess seroprevalence, incidence, knowledge, attitudes and practices, willingness to pay for vaccine and related risk factors in dengue in a high incidence setting

Abstract Background Dengue is one of the most important vector-borne diseases in the world, causing significant morbidity and economic impact. In Colombia, dengue is a major public health problem. Departments of La Guajira, Cesar and Magdalena are dengue endemic areas. The objective of this research is to determine the seroprevalence and the incidence of dengue virus infection in the participating municipalities from these Departments, and also establish the association between individual and housing factors and vector indices with seroprevalence and incidence. We will also assess knowledge, attitudes and practices, and willingness-to-pay for dengue vaccine. Methods A cohort study will be assembled with a clustered multistage sampling in 11 endemic municipalities. Approximately 1000 homes will be visited to enroll people older than one year who living in these areas, who will be followed for 1 year. Dengue virus infections will be evaluated using IgG indirect ELISA and IgM and IgG capture ELISA. Additionally, vector indices will be measured, and adult mosquitoes will be captured with aspirators. Ovitraps will be used for continuous estimation of vector density. Discussion This research will generate necessary knowledge to design and implement strategies with a multidimensional approach that reduce dengue morbidity and mortality in La Guajira and other departments from Colombian Caribbean

Design and baseline characteristics of the finerenone in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in diabetic kidney disease trial

Background: Among people with diabetes, those with kidney disease have exceptionally high rates of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality and progression of their underlying kidney disease. Finerenone is a novel, nonsteroidal, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist that has shown to reduce albuminuria in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) while revealing only a low risk of hyperkalemia. However, the effect of finerenone on CV and renal outcomes has not yet been investigated in long-term trials. Patients and Methods: The Finerenone in Reducing CV Mortality and Morbidity in Diabetic Kidney Disease (FIGARO-DKD) trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of finerenone compared to placebo at reducing clinically important CV and renal outcomes in T2D patients with CKD. FIGARO-DKD is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, event-driven trial running in 47 countries with an expected duration of approximately 6 years. FIGARO-DKD randomized 7,437 patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate >= 25 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and albuminuria (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio >= 30 to <= 5,000 mg/g). The study has at least 90% power to detect a 20% reduction in the risk of the primary outcome (overall two-sided significance level alpha = 0.05), the composite of time to first occurrence of CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure. Conclusions: FIGARO-DKD will determine whether an optimally treated cohort of T2D patients with CKD at high risk of CV and renal events will experience cardiorenal benefits with the addition of finerenone to their treatment regimen. Trial Registration: EudraCT number: 2015-000950-39; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02545049

Ventilador centrífugo con transmisión mediante poleas

El presente proyecto consiste en el diseño de un ventilador centrífugo industrial accionado mediante poleas y correas. Inicialmente se realiza una breve introducción de los diferentes ventiladores industriales que existen y sus diferentes clasificaciones, para posteriormente describir qué posibilidades constructivas presentan los ventiladores centrífugos industriales. Se definen los órganos principales del ventilador centrífugo en su funcionamiento y se realizan los cálculos pertinentes de los elementos mecánicos que participan en su accionamiento. Se incluye un análisis ambiental en el que se plantea qué tipos de soluciones son posibles para reducir el ruido generado por este tipo de máquinas y la gestión de la grasa lubricante utilizada. También se expone cómo debe ser una correcta implantación y montaje del ventilador en la instalación donde vaya destinado y cómo debe ser su correcto mantenimiento. Por último se presentan los planos y se realiza el presupuesto de la construcción del ventilador centrífugo industrial diseñado

OdA J2EE : aplicación del metamodelo relacional para el soporte de metadatos específicos del dominio en repositorios de objetos de aprendizaje

Los objetos de aprendizaje electrónico (LOs) se conciben comúnmente como unidades digitales de información utilizadas para la enseñanza y el aprendizaje. Para facilitar su clasificación para propósitos pedagógicos, los objetos de aprendizaje electrónico (LOs) se complementan con metadatos (por ejemplo, el autor del LO) (Navarro et al. 2013). Tal y como se describe en (Navarro et al., 2013), ciertos objetos de aprendizaje (LOs) complejos, necesitan ser complementados con diferentes tipos de información dependiente del dominio: 1. Metadatos de clasificación para mejorar la contextualización, búsqueda y recuperación (por ejemplo, la estructura de etiquetado de un sitio arqueológico donde se ha encontrado un objeto arqueológico). 2. Datos adicionales que puede enriquecer el LO (por ejemplo, el peso y otras dimensiones de un artefacto arqueológico descrito en un podcast). Nos referimos a objetos de aprendizaje (LOs) mejorados con información de dominio dependiente, como Objetos de Aprendizaje Híbridos (HLOs). Sin embargo, la mayoría de Repositorios de Objetos de Aprendizaje (LORs) sólo permiten que un conjunto predeterminado de metadatos sea utilizado en la clasificación de Objetos de Aprendizaje (LOs). Esta rigidez es inapropiada cuando la información depende de esquemas de información dependiente del dominio que pueden utilizarse para la navegación, recuperación y secuenciación pedagógica de HLOS. Por lo tanto, si se quiere gestionar LOs LOs que necesitan ser etiquetados con información perteneciente a dominios específicos, es necesaria la construcción de repositorios software personalizados por dominios. Este proyecto presenta un solo LOR para clasificar y enriquecer LOs de acuerdo con esquemas de información dependientes del dominio, los cuales pueden ser cambiados dinámicamente después de su definición. La cuestión clave en nuestro enfoque es la presencia de un metamodelo relacional para la definición dinámica del esquema de la base de datos relacional dependiente del dominio utilizado para la clasificación y el enriquecimiento de los LOs