Design, construction and testing of an apricot tractor-trailed harvester

[ENG]The purpose of this research is to facilitate the mechanical harvesting of apricots (Prunus armeniaca L.) for industry. A tractor-trailed harvester was built to catch the fruits detached from apricot (cv. Búlida) trees by vibratory systems. This machine is a low profile catcher that can move under the trees in high-density canopies where umbrella-type harvesters cannot. The trailer is able to work under trees with as little free-trunk height as 0.35 m. The tests were done in 5- to 9-year-old apricot trees, planted in two frame, 2.5 m and 4.5 m in-the-row distances, with 6.5 m between rows in both cases. To detach the fruit, two hand-held pneumatic shakers were used. Harvest rate was 61 and 44 trees h-1 for each type of orchard, respectively. The main conclusion is that the trailer, together with branch-shakers, can work in narrow orchards of low canopy trees where other machines can not go in. [ESP] El objetivo de este trabajo fue facilitar la recolección mecanizada de albaricoques (Prunus armeniaca L.) para industria. Se ha construido un remolque recolector arrastrado por tractor para recoger los albaricoques cv. Búlida derribados de los árboles mediante sistemas vibratorios. El remolque puede trabajar a muy poca altura sobre el nivel del suelo, con lo que puede moverse bajo los árboles en plantaciones de alta densidad, en las que las cosechadoras basadas en paraguas invertidos no pueden actuar. Además, el remolque se puede adaptar a árboles con alturas de tronco tan reducidas como 0,35 m. Los ensayos se llevaron a cabo en albaricoqueros de 5 a 9 años de edad y plantados en marcos de 2,5 y 4,5 m entre árboles de la fila y 6,5 m entre filas. El derribo de los frutos se realizó con vibradores neumáticos. La capacidad de trabajo del equipo fue de 61 y 44 árboles h-1 para cada distancia de plantación, respectivamente. La principal conclusión es que el remolque, conjuntamente con vibradores de ramas, puede trabajar en plantaciones de marco estrecho y árboles con la cruz del tronco baja donde otras máquinas no pueden actuar.The authors would like to thank the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología for supporting the AGL2001-3075 project, the Region of Murcia’s Consejería de Agricultura, Agua y Medio Ambiente for support through the Séneca AGR/2/FS/01D project

Recognition of the heritage of the municipality of Sitio Nuevo: a conscious look from the imaginary of its people

En este estudio se examina el estado de los elementos patrimoniales materiales e inmateriales del municipio de Sitio Nuevo, Magdalena, que se ve amenazado por múltiples elementos atentatorios contra su estabilidad en el tiempo, afectando la identidad de los habitantes del municipio en sus aspectos patrimoniales. Se realizó un estudio donde participaron (242) estudiantes de la institución educativa departamental técnica San José, con edades que oscilan de (4) a (16) años. El desarrollo de la investigación se realizó desde el enfoque cualitativo utilizando como instrumentos un registro de observación participante, diario de campo, registro entrevistas y análisis de documentos, indagando sobre información relevante de los patrimonios que se encuentran amenazados o afectados para determinar alternativas de conservación. Este proceso de trabajo, permitió construir elementos que permitieron presentar ante la comunidad y el departamento, una mejor perspectiva del municipio, resaltando la importancia e intervención de la investigación como mecanismo que permita el desarrollo cultural tanto en estudiantes, docentes y comunidad.This study examines the state of the material and immaterial heritage elements of the municipality of Sitio Nuevo, Magdalena, which is threatened by multiple elements that undoubtedly threaten the identity of the inhabitants of the municipality in their heritage aspects. A study was carried out in which 242 students of the San José Technical Departmental Educational Institution participated, with ages ranging from four to 16 years. The development of the research was carried out from the qualitative approach through the IEP (Research as a Pedagogical Strategy), using participant observation, interviewing and documentary analysis as collection techniques. The results obtained allowed the construction of elements from a better perspective of the municipality, highlighting the importance and intervention of research as a mechanism for cultural development in students, teachers and communit

Hypokalemia as a sensitive biomarker of disease severity and the requirement for invasive mechanical ventilation requirement in COVID-19 pneumonia: A case series of 306 Mediterranean patients

Objectives: Serum levels of potassium (K+) appear to be significantly lower in severe cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and the clinical significance of this is unknown. The objective was to investigate whether hypokalemia acts as a biomarker of severity in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia and is associated with major clinical outcomes.Methods: A retrospective cohort study of inpatients with COVID-19 pneumonia (March 3 to May 2, 2020) was performed. Patients were categorized according to nadir levels of K+ in the first 72 h of admission: hypokalemia (K+ ≤3.5 mmol/l) and normokalemia (K+ >3.5 mmol/l). The main outcomes were all-cause mortality and the need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV); these were analyzed by multiple logistic regression (odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI)).Results: Three hundred and six patients were enrolled. Ninety-four patients (30.7%) had hypokalemia and these patients showed significantly higher comorbidity (Charlson comorbidity index ≥3, 30.0% vs 16.3%; p = 0.02) and CURB65 scores (median (interquartile range): 1.5 (0.0-3.0) vs 1.0 (0.0-2.0); p = 0.04), as well as higher levels of some inflammatory parameters at baseline. After adjustment for confounders, hypokalemia was independently associated with requiring IMV during the admission (OR 8.98, 95% CI 2.54-31.74). Mortality was 15.0% (n = 46) and was not influenced by low K+. Hypokalemia was associated with longer hospital and ICU stays.Conclusions: Hypokalemia is prevalent in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Hypokalemia is an independent predictor of IMV requirement and seems to be a sensitive biomarker of severe progression of COVID-19

Surgical research in Colombia part 1 : scientific and academic productivity of the Colombian research groups in surgery

Q2Q3Introduction: Global surgery has become the undisputed starting point for addressing a myriad of problems in surgery today. Therefore, it is necessary to constantly evaluate the scientific productivity in surgery, its behavior, validity and impact. In Latin America, specifically in Colombia, there are no studies that have analyzed this production. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional bibliometric study was carried out, in which the Colombian Ministry of Science database was consulted with the validated results up to July 2021. In the search section for research groups, the key word “Surgery” was used, and all associated GrupLAC (platform where the information of the research groups can be found) and their registered products were reviewed. Results: 40 groups were included. Only 5 (12.5%) were registered in surgery as main line of research. The great majority of the groups were in the medium-low category, 50% in category C and 22.5% in category B. The vast majority of surgical groups are located in Bogotá (19; 47.5%). The first surgery group in the country was created in 1994 and the last one in 2017. In 27 years of surgical research, a total of 4121 registered scientific articles were found, 83 books, 713 book chapters, 2891 products associated with participation in scientific events, 1221 theses directed, and 1670 projects in colombian surgical research groups. There was evidence of a high rate of underreporting of data, due to duplication of products and incomplete registration of data. Conclusions: There is a high rate of underreporting of products and data in the GrupLAC of Colombian surgical research groups. Most of the production is located in the Andes region (Antioquia, Valle del Cauca and Bogotá), and is predominantly composed of scientific articles and products associated with participation in scientific events.https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5392-7083Revista Internacional - IndexadaBN

A comprehensive study on the effect of cavitation on injection velocity in diesel nozzles

Results when testing cavitating injection nozzles show a strong reduction in mass flow rate when cavitation appears (the flow is choked), while the momentum flux is reduced to a lesser extent, resulting in an increase in effective injection velocity. So as to better understand the origin of this increase in effective injection velocity, the basic equations for mass and momentum conservation were applied to an injection nozzle in simplified conditions. The study demonstrated that the increase in injection velocity provoked by cavitation is not a direct effect of the latter, but an indirect effect. In fact, the vapor appearance inside the injection hole produces a decrease in the viscosity of the fluid near the wall. This leads to lower momentum flux losses and to a change in the velocity profile, transforming it into a more "top hat" profile type. This change in the profile shape allows explaining why the momentum flux reduction is not so important compared to that of the mass flow rate, thus explaining why the effective injection velocity increases. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.The authors thank different members of the CMT-Motores Termicos team of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia for their contribution to this work: to Jaime Gimeno, for his fruitful comments, and to Xandra Margot, Stavroula Patouna and Gabriela Bra-cho for their help in the CFD calculations. Also they thank the FPU program of the Ministerio de Educacion of Spain for granting the Ph.D. studies of Oscar A. de la Garza (grant AP2008-01913). Open-FOAM and Star-CD are registered trademarks of OpenCFD Ltd. and CD-Adapco, respectively.López, JJ.; Salvador Rubio, FJ.; De La Garza De Leon, O.; Arregle, JJP. (2012). A comprehensive study on the effect of cavitation on injection velocity in diesel nozzles. Energy Conversion and Management. 64:415-423. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2012.03.032S4154236

Multiple vertebral fractures after suspension of denosumab. A series of 56 cases

Background: Denosumab is a monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The withdrawal of denosumab produces an abrupt loss of bone mineral density and may cause multiple vertebral fractures (MVF). Objective: The objective of this study is to study the clinical, biochemical, and densitometric characteristics in a large series of postmenopausal women who suffered MVF after denosumab withdrawal. Likewise, we try to identify those factors related to the presence of a greater number of vertebral fractures (VF). Patients and methods: Fifty-six patients (54 women) who suffered MVF after receiving denosumab at least for three consecutive years and abruptly suspended it. A clinical examination was carried out. Biochemical bone remodelling markers (BBRM) and bone densitometry at the lumbar spine and proximal femur were measured. VF were diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging MRI, X-ray, or both at dorsal and lumbar spine. Results: Fifty-six patients presented a total of 192 VF. 41 patients (73.2%) had not previously suffered VF. After discontinuation of the drug, a statistically significant increase in the BBRM was observed. In the multivariate analysis, only the time that denosumab was previously received was associated with the presence of a greater number of VF (P = .04). Conclusions: We present the series with the largest number of patients collected to date. 56 patients accumulated 192 new VF. After the suspension of denosumab and the production of MVF, there was an increase in the serum values of the BBRM. The time of denosumab use was the only parameter associated with a greater number of fractures

Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome. Incidence and risk factors: A Mediterranean cohort study

Objectives: This study aims to analyze the incidence of Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) and its components, and to evaluate the acute infection phase associated risk factors.Methods: A prospective cohort study of adult patients who had recovered from COVID-19 (27th February to 29th April 2020) confirmed by PCR or subsequent seroconversion, with a systematic assessment 10-14 weeks after disease onset. PCS was defined as the persistence of at least one clinically relevant symptom, or abnormalities in spirometry or chest radiology. Outcome predictors were analyzed by multiple logistic regression (OR; 95%CI).Results: Two hundred seventy seven patients recovered from mild (34.3%) or severe (65.7%) forms of SARS-CoV-2 infection were evaluated 77 days (IQR 72-85) after disease onset. PCS was detected in 141 patients (50.9%; 95%CI 45.0-56.7%). Symptoms were mostly mild. Alterations in spirometry were noted in 25/269 (9.3%), while in radiographs in 51/277 (18.9%). No baseline clinical features behaved as independent predictors of PCS development.Conclusions: A Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome was detected in a half of COVID19 survivors. Radiological and spirometric changes were mild and observed in less than 25% of patients. No baseline clinical features behaved as independent predictors of Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome development

Clinical practice guideline for surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis

La infección del sitio quirúrgico (ISQ) es una de las principales causas de infecciones asociadas a la atención en salud (IAAS), con un impacto significativo en la mortalidad y morbilidad del paciente quirúrgico, así como en los costos asociados a la atención en salud. El adecuado uso de la profilaxis quirúrgica antimicrobiana es un aspecto fundamental en la reducción del riesgo de ISQ, dado que su utilización inapropiada o indiscriminada puede representar un riesgo para los pacientes y contribuir al desarrollo de resistencia a los antimicrobianos, por lo que resulta de importancia generar directrices que permitan orientar el uso adecuado de antimicrobianos en la profilaxis del paciente quirúrgico, con el objetivo de obtener mejores desenlaces clínicos y propender por un uso racional de antibióticos. La presente guía contiene recomendaciones para profilaxis antibiótica de pacientes sometidos a procedimiento quirúrgico, basadas en la evidencia, realizadas mediante el proceso de adaptación de guías de práctica clínica para el contexto colombiano.Q4Pacientes sometidos a Profilaxis quirúrgica antimicrobianaSurgical site infection (SSI) is one of the main causes of healthcare associated infections (HAI), with a significant impact on the mortality and morbidity of the surgi-cal patient, as well as on the costs associated with health care. The adequate use of surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis being a fundamental aspect in reducing the risk of SSI, taking into account that the inappropriate or indiscriminate use of antibiotics in surgical prophylaxis may represent a risk for patients and contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance, so it is important to generate guidelines that guide the appropriate antimicrobial prophylaxis in the surgical patient, with the aim of obtaining better clinical outcomes and promoting a rational use of antibiotics. This guide contains recommendations for antibiotic prophylaxis in patients undergoing a surgical procedure, based on evidence, carried out through the process of adapting clinical practice guidelines for the Colombian context.https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5392-7083https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2568-4667Revista Nacional - IndexadaCN

Strengthening reading competence supported by the use of Information and Communication Technologies

La presente investigación surge de la problemática que se evidencia, en cuanto a la adquisición y desarrollo de las competencias lectoras en los estudiantes, teniendo en cuenta los bajos resultados obtenidos en las pruebas internas y externas que se aplican a los estudiantes de la Institución. El objetivo de la investigación corresponde a fortalecer la comprensión lectora de los estudiantes de la Institución Educativa Departamental de Guáimaro Magdalena, mediante la lúdica apoyada en las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación. La investigación se basa en una metodología cualitativa, empleando técnicas como la observación, la encuesta y la prueba diagnóstica. Los resultados obtenidos demuestran que la articulación de las TIC dentro del contexto educativo es de vital importante no sólo desde una perspectiva didáctica sino también como dinamizadora del quehacer pedagógico.A través del proceso investigativo y dando respuesta al objetivo general en cual se busca impulsar la comprensión lectora a través del uso de herramientas tecnológicas.The present investigation arises from the problematic that is evidenced, in terms of the acquisition and development of the reading competences in the students, taking into account the low results obtained in the internal and external tests that are applied to the students of the Institution. The objective of the research corresponds to strengthen the reading comprehension of the students of the Departmental Educational Institution of Guáimaro Magdalena, through the ludic supported on ICT. The research is based on a qualitative methodology, using techniques such as observation, the survey and the diagnostic test. The results show that the articulation of ICT within the educational context is vitally important not only from a didactic perspective but also as a catalyst for pedagogical work. Through the investigative process and responding to the general objective in which it seeks to promote understanding reader through the use of technological tools