The qq-analogue of the Quantum Theory of Angular Momentum: a review from special functions

In the present paper we review the $q$-analogue of the Quantum Theory of Angular Momentum based on the $q$-algebra $su_q(2)$, with a special emphasis on the representation of the Clebsch-Gordan coefficients in terms of $q$-hypergeometric series. This representation allows us to obtain several known properties of the Clebsch-Gordan coefficients in an unified and simple way.Comment: 19 page

Techniques and materials for optimum mechanical matching of piezoceramics vibrating in air

[ES] En los últimos años se están realizando grandes esfuerzos para poder realizar inspecciones de Ensayos no Destructivos por ultrasonidos sin emplear líquidos como medio de acoplo entre los transductores piezoeléctricos y las estructuras a inspeccionar. En este campo compiten dos tecnologías de transducción, los transductores basados en piezocerámicas y los de tipo capacitivo. En el caso de los piezocerámicos, el punto crítico lo constituye la desadaptación de impedancias entre el resonador piezoeléctrico y el aire. Para soslayar este problema es posible utilizar capas de adaptación (λ/4). Para esto es necesario utilizar materiales con muy baja densidad y velocidad de propagación (impedancia acústica específica del orden de 0.1 MRayl), baja atenuación y buena sintonización a la frecuencia de trabajo. Con frecuencia, todas estas propiedades son extremadamente difíciles de conjugar. En el trabajo se presenta la caracterización de materiales con elevada porosidad y su utilización como líneas de transmisión λ/4 para frecuencias en el entorno de 1 MHz. La caracterización – constantes elásticas y coeficiente de atenuación- se realiza con acoplamiento en aire. El uso de estos materiales como línea de adaptación logra mejoras de transmisión de hasta 35 dB y sensibilidad en modo emisión-recepción de hasta –20 dB.[EN] Great efforts have been made over the last years to avoid the use of coupling agents between ultrasonic transducers and sample materials for NDE applications. Two different technologies compite for this particular application: piezoelectric and electrostatic transducers. In the first case, main problem is the huge impedance mismatch between the air and any piezoceramic. This can be partially solved using λ/4 matching layers. Low density and slow velocities of sound propagation in the materials (acoustic impedance as low as 0.1 MRayl), low attenuation of ultrasonic waves and good tuning of the λ/4- resonance to the working frequency of the ceramic are requiered. Usually, all this requirements are extremely difficult to achive at once. It is presented, in this work, the mechanical characterisation of highly porous materials to be used as λ/4- matching layers at frequencies around 1 MHz. This characterisation (both elastic constants and attenuation) is performed using airborne ultrasonic waves. The use of these materials as matching layers for piezoelectric transducers in pitch-cath mode increases the transmision by 35 dB and provides sensitivities about –20 dB.Peer reviewe

Influence of material structure on air-borne ultrasonic application in drying

[EN] This work aims to contribute to the understanding of how the properties of the material being dried affect air-borne ultrasonic application. To this end, the experimental drying kinetics (40 C and 1 m/s) of cassava (Manihot esculenta) and apple (Malus domestica var. Granny Smith) were carried out applying different ultrasonic powers (0, 6, 12, 19, 25 and 31 kW/m3). Furthermore, the power ultrasound-assisted drying kinetics of different fruits and vegetables (potato, eggplant, carrot, orange and lemon peel) already reported in previous studies were also analyzed. The structural, textural and acoustic properties of all these products were assessed, and the drying kinetics modeled by means of the diffusion theory. A significant linear correlation (r > 0.95) was established between the identified effective diffusivity (DW) and the applied ultrasonic power for the different products. The slope of this relationship (SDUP) was used as an index of the effectiveness of the ultrasonic application; thus the higher the SDUP, the more effective the ultrasound application. SDUP was well correlated (rP0.95) with the porosity and hardness. In addition, SDUP was largely affected by the acoustic impedance of the material being dried, showing a similar pattern with the impedance than the transmission coefficient of the acoustic energy on the interface. Thus, soft and open-porous product structures exhibited a better transmission of acoustic energy and were more prone to the mechanical effects of ultrasound. However, materials with a hard and closed-compact structure were less affected by acoustic energy due to the fact that the significant impedance differences between the product and the air cause high energy losses on the interfaceThe authors acknowledge the financial support of the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (Ref. DPI2012-37466-C03-03, DPI2012-37466-C03-03 and DPI2011-22438) and the assistance with the microstructural analysis provided by Dra. Ana Puig from Departamento de Tecnologia de Alimentos of Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (UPV). The author Cesar Ozuna thanks UPV for an FPI Grant (Ref. 2009-02).Ozuna López, C.; Gomez Alvarez-Arenas, T.; Riera, E.; Cárcel Carrión, JA.; García Pérez, JV. (2014). Influence of material structure on air-borne ultrasonic application in drying. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry. 21(3):1235-1243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2013.12.015S1235124321

Non-contact ultrasonic resonant spectroscopy resolves the elastic properties of layered plant tissues

This paper describes the application of the wide-band non-contact ultrasonic resonant spectroscopy technique to layered plant tissues (leaves), a method to extract the properties of main component tissues: palisade parenchyma and spongy mesophyll, a verification of the obtained properties, and a discussion of the implications of the observed elastic anisotropy. Transmission coefficient spectra of Ligustrum lucidum leaves with the thickness in the range of 250-850 µm revealing several order thickness resonances have been measured. A leaf acoustic model based on a two-layered structure and a metaheuristic (simulated annealing algorithm) is used to solve the inverse problem. The extracted parameters of these two layers of tissue are consistent with cross-sectional cryo-SEM images and other independent measurements. The extracted resonant frequency and the impedance of each layer explain the origin of the observed resonances. Finally, the elastic modulus of each layer is extracted and analyzed. The presented technique is a unique tool to study (in vivo and in a completely non-invasive way) the ultrasonic, elastic, and viscoelastic properties of layered plant tissues which could lead to a better understanding of the relationship between the tissue microstructure and the tissue function with macroscopic properties and how this may affect water relations

Occurrence of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, nonylphenol ethoxylates and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate in composting processes: Environmental risks

Composting is an important waste management strategy, providing an economical and environment-friendly approach to sanitizing and stabilizing biosolids for land soil amendment. However, the resulting product can contain a large number of organic pollutants that may have adverse effects on the ecosystem. This paper presents the occurrence of eight widely used organic pollutants (four linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS C10-C13), nonylphenol and its mono- and di-ethoxylates (NPE) and a di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP)) in full-scale composting processes. LAS homologues were detected at the highest concentrations (range of ∑LAS: 2068–9375 mg kg−1 dm), exceeding the limit fixed in the EU Directive draft. The concentration levels of the NPE and DEHP were significantly lower (up to 27.5 and 156.8 mg kg−1 dm, respectively) and did not exceed their fixed limits in the EU Directive draft. Ecotoxicological risk assessment for when compost is amended onto soils has also been evaluated. The concentrations measured represented a medium-low risk for most compounds, although it was not enough in the case of LAS C11 and C13 and NP.Junta de Andalucía, Consejería de Economía, Conocimiento, Empresas y Universidad Project No. P20_0055

Propuesta para el manejo eficiente de los recursos de otros gastos en el presupuesto público del distrito de Santa Marta desde la aplicación del control.

Existen diferentes conceptos sobre el presupuesto público, de manera general, es la técnica de planificación que toma como base los gastos de un periodo determinado y los recursos con que se prevén cubrir, siendo una herramienta pública de vital importancia para la administración en la toma de decisiones, que debe estar acorde con los planes de desarrollo. Es entonces función del Estado satisfacer las necesidades de la sociedad, por lo que el presupuesto público se elabora basado en los gastos, no existiendo un límite legal ya que depende de las necesidades sociales. Es deber del Estado implementar un sistema presupuestal y ejercer control sobre cada uno de los rubros que componen el presupuesto público, con el fin de verificar si los hechos van de acuerdo con los objetivos que se planearon alcanzar. El órgano encargado de ejercer este control es la Contraloría General de la República. Este artículo de revisión tiene como objeto de estudio la problemática que gira en torno al rubro otros gastos dentro de los gastos de funcionamiento del presupuesto de gastos, donde tal rubro se utiliza para erogaciones que no tiene relación con la naturaleza o dinámica de esta cuenta, dando lugar a hechos como la malversación de recursos públicos, despilfarros, corrupción, entre otros. Asimismo, la falta de autonomía de las Contralorías Territoriales dificulta la detección, corrección, Acusación y penalización de estos sucesos. Como respuesta se plantean actividades administrativas de control y una supervisión exhaustiva de los procesos

Comparison of Different Techniques for the Determination of Platinized Cytostatic Drugs in Urine Samples

Platinum-based cytostatic drugs are one of the most widely used cancer treatments. They are excreted via the urinary tract and can reach the environment through wastewater, posing a risk to human health due to their side effects. Four identification and quantification techniques, including liquid chromatography (LC) separation coupled to (i) a diode array ultraviolet (UV(DAD)) (ii), mass spectrometer in single ion monitoring mode (LC-MS) and (iii) multiple reaction monitoring mode (LC-MS/MS) and (iv) derivatization with diethyldithiocarbamate prior to LC-MS/MS analysis, have been optimized and compared for the multiresidue determination of main platinized cytostatic drugs (cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin) in urine samples. Parameters that affect the efficiency of the chromatographic separation and analytical determination of different methods (column, mobile phase, wavelength, precursor ions, fragmentor, and product ions) were optimized. Analytical features, such as matrix effect, sensitivity, precision, selectivity, and linearity, were calculated. In terms of selectivity, the derivatization technique was discarded since it was only applicable to the platinated sum. A high dilution of the sample with LC-UV(DAD) was needed to reduce the matrix effect. Overall, the LC-MS/MS method presented the best analytical features (% RSD ≤ 12.8%, R2 ≥ 0.991, or method-detection limits between 0.01–1 µg mL−1). The selected method was applied to the quantification of platinized cytostatic drugs in hospital urine samples from oncologic patients.Ministerio de Industria, Comercio y Turismo AEI-010500-2021-79, AEI-010500-2021B-9

Glucocorticoid receptor changes its cellular location with breast cancer development.

Glucocorticoids play a major role in attenuation of the inflammatory response and they are useful in the primary combination chemotherapy of breast cancer, since in vitro studies have demonstrated an antiproliferative effect in human breast cancer cells. In contrast, it was recently shown that glucocorticoids protect against apoptotic signals evoked by cytokines, cAMP, tumour suppressors, and death genes in mammary gland epithelia. Their actions are mediated by intracellular receptor (GR) that functions as a hormone-dependent transcription factor; however, no previous studies have been focused on GR expression in different pathologies of the human breast, and the possible relationship with that of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and COX-2. Also, the role of these proteins on tumoral breast epithelial cells remains unclear. Therefore, we examined GR, MR and COX-2 expression by immunohistochemistry and Western blot techniques in 142 samples of human breast obtained by total or partial mastectomy. We found that the percentage of positive patients presenting nuclear immunoreaction to GR decreased with tumor development, while all samples analyzed showed cytoplasmic immunoreactions to MR. All positive samples to COX-2 antibody showed cytoplasmic location, a higher immunoreaction being observed in benign breast diseases than in carcinomatous lesions. Thus, breast cancer progression is associated with the accumulation of GR in the cytoplasm of tumoral cells and the decrease of COX-2 expression

Análisis y diseño de un plan para el mejoramiento del clima organizacional de la empresa transportadora Cootransunidos Ltda. de Ocaña, Norte de Santander para el segundo semestre del 2021.

Anexo 1: EncuestaEl trabajo en equipo refleja un efectivo clima organizacional por eso es importante, que todas las empresas tengan un buen clima laboral siendo una parte fundamental para el buen desarrollo de la organización esto les facilita a los trabajadores tener un mejor alcance de los objetivos que se sientan a gusto en su puesto de trabajo y que desarrollen cada tarea. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar la relación del trabajo en equipo con el clima organizacional en la empresa Cootransunidos Ltda a través de este proyecto se pretender tener un acercamiento científico a una problemática que nos ayuda a comprender de una manera más acertada, se desea implementar una investigación de modo exploratoria ,para lograr obtener los datos utilizaremos el método primario de encuestas y se aplicara de manera virtual con el fin de que la información esté disponible en tiempo real. A través de la encuesta se logrará obtener información que sirva para identificar el clima laboral de la empresa estudiada, con esos resultados podemos determinar la gran importancia de contar con un gran equipo de trabajo para que puedan desempeñar mejor su labor.Teamwork reflects an effective organizational climate so it is important that all companies have a good working environment being a fundamental part for the good development of the organization this facilitates workers to have a better achievement of the objectives that they feel comfortable in their job and develop each task. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between teamwork and organizational climate in the company Cootransunidos Ltda. Through this project we intend to have a scientific approach to a problem that helps us to understand in a more accurate way, we want to implement an exploratory research, to obtain the data we will use the primary method of surveys and it will be applied virtually so that the information is available in real time. Through the survey we will obtain information that will help us to identify the work environment of the company studied, with these results we can determine the great importance of having a great work team so that they can better perform their work