Bi-directional top hat D-Scan: single beam accurate characterization of nonlinear waveguides

The characterization of a third order nonlinear integrated waveguide is reported for the first time by means of a top-hat Dispersive-Scan (D-Scan) technique, a temporal analog of the top-hat Z-Scan. With a single laser beam, and by carrying two counter-directional nonlinear transmissions to assess the input and output coupling efficiencies, a novel procedure is described leading to an accurate measurement of the TPA figure of merit, the effective Two-Photon Absorption (TPA) and optical Kerr (including the sign) coefficients. The technique is validated in a silicon strip waveguide for which the effective nonlinear coefficients are measured with an accuracy of $\pm 10~\%$Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Pediatric COVID-19 Encephalitis

Background: Neurologic complications of COVID-19 in the pediatric population have been reported in a limited number of reports. There have been reports of COVID-19-associated encephalitis in pediatric cases along with neuroimaging findings revealing involvement of some parts of the nervous system. We present the first case of pediatric severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) - associated encephalitis targeting the parietal lobes. Case: A 14-year-old morbidly obese Hispanic male with no past medical history presented to the hospital for new onset seizures. Family reported exposure to his COVID-19 positive mother, a one-week history of fever, and a three-month history of decreased oral intake, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and decreased urine output. He tested positive for SARS CoV-2 six days prior to admission. Patient was admitted to the intensive care unit. Blood pressure was 169/101. Labs included elevated blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, 102mg/dL and 26 mg/dL, respectively, consistent with severe kidney injury. Brain MRI revealed restricted diffusion on the bilateral subcortical white matter of the parietal lobes. Electroencephalogram revealed mild to moderate encephalopathy. After treatment with convalescent plasma and dexamethasone there was complete neuroradiologic abnormality resolution with dramatic clinical improvement. Conclusions: This case highlights a new brain target of the SARS-CoV-2 in pediatric patients. The temporal improvement in symptoms after administration of convalescent plasma and dexamethasone raises interest in their use for management of SARS-COV-2 infection in pediatric patients. Further research into these findings is important for predominately Hispanic communities which have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic

When Two Worlds Collide: A Rare Case of Multiple Myeloma With Extramedullary Plasmacytoma

In this case report, we discuss the presentation, diagnosis, and management of a 67-year-old gentleman with stage II multiple myeloma with concurrent biopsy-proven bone plasmacytoma and why it is important to understand the molecular intricacies of these disorders. We emphasize the critical role of radiology in identifying, characterizing, and managing these lesions. Furthermore, we shed light on the critical differentiation between solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma and multiple myeloma and discuss treatment modalities for both conditions

O setor solidário como alternativa para o desenvolvimento social e inclusivo no pós-conflito colombiano

Purpose: the articles aims to answer the question: How can the social and solidarity economy sector contribute to social and labor inclusion for peacebuilding? Description: in order to answer this question, a summary of the evolution of the cooperative movement is presented, then the current situation of the solidarity economy sector is contextualized and, subsequently, the research proposal under the case method of Cooperativa Prosperando is described as an example. Point of view: one of the factors that has given rise to the conflict is the social problem of poverty and inequality in our country, and the application of the solidarity economy principles can be a viable solution to improve the condition of thousands of Colombians. Therefore, it is important that these matters be addressed not only in the academic sphere, but that they transcend politically and governmentally and, above all, that they come true. Conclusions: it is concluded that associations, social inclusion and civil economy, as part of the solidarity economy sector, are essential for reconciliation and peace strengthening in a Colombian post-conflict scenario.Propósito: En el presente escrito, se busca dar respuesta a la pregunta: ¿cómo puede contribuir el sector de la economía social y solidaria en la inclusión social y laboral para la construcción de la paz? Descripción: Para dar respuesta a este interrogante se hace un resumen sobre la evolución del cooperativismo, luego se contextualiza la situación actual del sector de la economía solidaria y posteriormente, se describe a manera de ejemplo, la propuesta de investigación bajo el método de caso de la Cooperativa Prosperando. Punto de vista: uno de los factores que ha generado el conflicto es la problemática social de pobreza y desigualdad en la cual vivimos, y la aplicación de los principios de la economía solidaria puede ser una salida viable para mejorar la situación de miles colombianos, por lo cual es importante que se aborden estos temas no solo en el ámbito académico sino que trasciendan a nivel político, gubernamental y, sobre todo, que se hagan realidad. Conclusiones: se concluye que la asociatividad, la inclusión social y la economía civil, como parte del sector de la economía solidaria, son esenciales para la reconciliación y el fortalecimiento de la paz en el posible escenario del postconflicto colombiano.Propósito: este artigo busca dar resposta à pergunta: como o setor da economia social e solidária pode contribuir na inclusão social e laboral para a construção da paz? Descrição: com o intuito de responder a esse questionamento, realiza-se um resumo sobre a evolução do cooperativismo; em seguida, contextualiza-se a situação atual do setor da economia solidária e, logo, descreve-se, como exemplo, a proposta de pesquisa sob o método de caso da Cooperativa Prosperando. Ponto de vista: um dos fatores que tem gerado o conflito é a problemática social de pobreza e desigualdade na qual a Colômbia se encontra, e a aplicação dos princípios da economia solidária pode ser uma saída viável no propósito de melhorar a situação de milhares de colombianos. Portanto, é importante que sejam abordados esses temas não somente no âmbito acadêmico, mas também que no político, governamental e, principalmente, que se tornem realidade. Conclusões: conclui-se que a associatividade, a inclusão social e a economia civil, como parte do setor da economia solidária, são essenciais para a reconciliação e o fortalecimento da paz no possível cenário do pós-conflito colombiano

Management of entrepreneurial knowledge as a contribution to learning of current and future generations

Este manuscrito se presenta como resultado de la investigación sobre la evolución empresarial y el aprendizaje organizacional, estudio financiado por la Universidad del Tolima, la Fundación Universitaria María Cano y la Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia. El documento responde a la pregunta ¿cómo ha sido el nacimiento y la evolución de la compañía Cerámicas1A en los últimos 20 años? a través de un estudio de caso. La investigación es de tipo cualitativo y en el escrito se analizan éxitos, dificultades, cultura y aprendizaje de la empresa, pero no se concluye que la gestión sea mala o buena, sino que se documenta una serie de experiencias que pueden ser tenidas en cuenta por los empresarios.This manuscript is presented as a result of the research about to business evolution and organizational learning, study that was funded by the University of Tolima, María Cano University Foundation and the Cooperative University of Colombia. The paper answers to the question: how has the birth and evolution of the Cerámicas1A company been in the last 20 years? through of a case study. The research is qualitative and in the paper they are analyzed successes, difficulties, culture and learning of company, but it is not concluded that bad or good management, but document a series of experiences that can be taken into account by entrepreneurs

Modelo de evaluación de la gestión y competitividad empresarial

This article purports to evaluate the management of small and micro businesses, starting from the application of a measuring instrument called “Competitivity Matrix”; this instrument was designed   in accordance with NTC 6001: 2008 and NTC-ISO 9000:2015. In the matrix we find aspects that must be complied with by a micro business that aims to be competitive; the aspects that are considered consist of operative, supportive and direction processes. Research aims to be descriptive and its focus is mixed. The measuring instrument was applied to 402 businesses of the tourism sector; as a result, it was ascertained that the level of competitivity increases when work is performed jointly; this occurs because, according to measuring, the competitivity of a company that works jointly is 58%, while those companies that work individually reach only 31.5%. The instrument, therefore, allows identification of the improvement opportunities that arise when working jointly and thereby increase business competitivity.Este artículo tiene por objeto evaluar la gestión de la micro y pequeña empresa, a partir de la aplicación de un instrumento de medición denominado Matriz de Competitividad, diseñado según la NTC 6001: 2008 y la NTC-ISO 9000:2015, donde se consolidan los aspectos que debe cumplir una microempresa para ser competitiva, consistentes en procesos de dirección, operativos, y de apoyo. El enfoque de la investigación es mixto y su alcance descriptivo. El instrumento se aplicó a 402 empresas del sector turismo y, como resultado, se encontró que el nivel de competitividad aumenta al trabajar de manera conjunta, pues según la medición, la competitividad de las empresas que trabajan conjuntamente es del 58% y de las que lo hacen individualmente, 31.5%. En conclusión, el instrumento permite identificar oportunidades de mejora para trabajar de manera conjunta e incrementar la competitividad empresarial

A Case Report of Candida-Induced Emphysematous Gastritis

Emphysematous gastritis is a rare entity that has not much literature available. It is known to manifest as a diffused wall inflammation and air within the wall of the stomach and has been associated with gas-forming organisms. We present a complex case of a middle-aged woman with a previous history of fulminant Clostridium difficile complicated with colectomy and diverting colostomy. She was admitted due to diabetic ketoacidosis, later complicated with worsening abdominal pain, and a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis without contrast revealed findings consistent with ischemic bowel, severe pneumatosis intestinalis, and extensive portal venous gas. A stomach biopsy revealed hemorrhagic necrosis; a Gomori methenamine silver stain was compatible with fungal organisms, Candida species, correlating with Candida emphysematous gastritis. This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis of this syndrome in order to provide appropriate management, and early identification, to improve survival

Optical smoke detector: an approach to semiconductors field for high level education students

Comunicació presentada a EDULEARN2019, 11th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies (July 1-3, 2019, Palma, Mallorca, Spain).Nowadays, it is undeniable that the amount of technological devices is having a sharp increase all around us, with important benefits and repercussions for the society. Despite this, students are not used to knowing the basic principles of its operations. Hence, it is of utmost importance to approach undergraduate students to a practical example of a device they can find in their daily life. It is a fact that science is interconnected with multiple disciplines, such as Physics and Solid State Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering. A good example of it is a smoke detector because it combines both optical and electrical behaviour. Such a device contains a chamber inside which there is an infrared LED (light-emitting diode) and a photodiode (light detector). When the path of light is interrupted by the smoke, according to the principle of light scattering, the smoke will scatter a fraction of light into the photodiode, activating the detector. Thus, detecting low levels of smoke is vital for preventing the fire expansion and occupants can get more time to escape from the premises. The main purpose of this work is to help students to understand the work mechanism of the LED and photodiode in basis of their material composition. In order to do that, a smoke detector is disassembled and its different parts are observed. After that, the microstructure and composition of them are fully analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) techniques. With these experiments, students have gained knowledge about semiconductors materials and got a more accurate understanding of their role in these devices. All in all, this experience has allowed them to keep in contact during the whole study with three main concepts of Materials Science: composition, structure and properties. This fact make the work interesting not only from the point of view of students, but also for teachers of Inorganic Chemistry and Materials Science owing to its pedagogical character employing a Problem Based Learning