Functional modeling applied to HAZOP automation

In this paper we present a new tool to perform guided HAZOP analyses. This tool uses a functional model of the process that merges its functional and its structural information in a natural way. The functional modeling technique used is called D-higraphs. This tool solves some of the problems and drawbacks of other existing methodologies for the automation of HAZOPs. The applicability and easy understanding of the proposed methodology is shown in an industrial case

Information integration: from P&I diagrams to functional models

Information integration is a very important topic. Reusing the knowledge and having common and exchangeable representations have been an active research topic in process systems engineering. In this paper we deal with information integration in two different ways, the first one sharing knowledge between different heterogeneous applications and the second one integrating two different (but complementary) types of knowledge: functional and structural. A new architecture to integrate these representation and use for several purposes is presented in this paper

Factores estratégicos de éxito de las empresas de inserción

Work integration social enterprises are an emerging reality in the Spanish State, and both the number of such enterprises and the resources allocated to this area by the different regional Authorities are increasing exponentially. However, the studies carried out to date are largely descriptive or explanatory, and have hardly touched on aspects relating to the management of these enterprises. In this article we set out to identify the fundamental factors linked to the business success of work integration social enterprises as an evaluation of the efficiency of such projects. The proposed hypothesis links a set of factors taken from the literature, which are considered independent variables, with the dependent variable of success. The hypotheses have been proven by an empirical analysis based on a telephone survey.Work Integration Social Enterprises, Business Success, Efficiency, Social Economy, Solidarity Economy.

La eficiencia como reto de las empresas de inserción

En los últimos años las Empresas de Inserción en España han conseguido tanto su reconocimiento legal como un crecimiento espectacular, y son mayores los stakeholders implicados y los recursos empleados en este tipo de empresas dentro de la Economía; en concreto, la Economía Social. En esta área y aunque a nivel descriptivo e incluso normativo han proliferado los estudios sobre las empresas de inserción; no obstante, son aún muy escasas las investigaciones sobre la gestión empresarial de este tipo de entidades. En el presente trabajo hemos analizado los diversos factores implicados en la gestión eficiente de las Empresas de Inserción, desde una doble perspectiva, la de los gestores y entidades promotoras, y la de la Administración. En el primer caso hemos identificado algunos factores que probablemente mejoran la eficiencia en la gestión de las empresas; en el segundo caso, hemos delimitado algunas características que favorecen la relación coste-beneficio de este tipo de entidades para la Administración, y consecuentemente para la Sociedad. Los métodos utilizados en esta investigación son analítico-sintético, el hipotético-deductivo, y el análisis coste-beneficio; complementarios entre sí

Information integration: generating functional models from structural ones

Information integration is a very important topic. Reusing the knowledge and having common representations have been (and it is) an active research topic in the process systems community. Conventional (structural) But only structural models have been dealt with so far. In this paper the issue of integration is related with two types of different knowledge, functional and structural. Functional representation and analysis have proved very useful, but still it is developed and presented in a completely isolated way from the classic structural description of the process. This paper presents an architecture to integrate both representations

Psychological, interpersonal, and clinical factors predicting time spent on physical activity among Mexican patients with hypertension

Background: It is widely known that physical activity is the key to the optimal management and clinical control of hypertension. Purpose: This research was conducted to identify factors that can predict the time spent on physical activity among Mexican adults with hypertension. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 182 Mexican patients with hypertension, who completed a set of self-administered questionnaires related to personality, social support, and medical adherence and health care behaviors, body mass index, and time since the disease diagnosis. Several path analyses were performed in order to test the predictors of the study behavior. Results: Lower tolerance to frustration, more tolerance to ambiguity, more effective social support, and less time since the disease diagnosis predicted more time spent on physical activity, accounting for 13.3% of the total variance. The final model shows a good fit to the sample data (pBS =0.235, χ2/gl =1.519, Jöreskog and Sörbom’s Goodness of Fit Index =0.987, adjusted modality =0.962, Bollen’s Incremental Fit Index =0.981, Bentler-Bonett Normed Fit Index =0.946, standardized root mean square residual =0.053). Conclusion: The performance of physical activity in patients with hypertension depends on a complex set of interactions between personal, interpersonal, and clinical variables. Understanding how these factors interact might enhance the design of interdisciplinary intervention programs so that quality of life of patients with hypertension improves and they might be able to manage and control their disease well. Keywords: physical activity, hypertension, personality, social support, time since diagnosis, intervention program

Bacteria capture with magnetic nanoparticles modified with cationic carbosilane dendritic systems

Bacteria elimination from water sources is key to obtain drinkable water. Hence, the design of systems with ability to interact with bacteria and remove them from water is an attractive proposal. A diversity of polycationic macromolecules has shown bactericide properties, due to interactions with bacteria membranes. In this work, we have grafted cationic carbosilane (CBS) dendrons and dendrimers on the surface of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNP), leading to NP (ca. 10 nm) that interact with bacteria by covering bacteria membrane. Application of an external magnetic field removes MNP from solution sweeping bacteria attached to them. The interaction of the MNP with Gram-positive S. aureus bacteria is more sensible to the size of dendritic system covering the MNP, whereas interaction with Gramnegative E. coli bacteria is more sensible to the density of cationic groups. Over 500 ppm of NPM, MNP covered with dendrons captured over 90% of both type of bacteria, whereas MNP covered with dendrimers were only able to capture S. aureus bacteria (over 90%) but not E. coli bacteria. Modified MNP were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Z potential and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Interaction with bacteria was analyzed by UV, TEM and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Moreover, the possibility to recycle cationic dendronized MNP was explored.Ministerio de Economía, Industria y CompetitividadComunidad de MadridInstituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitari

Potential anti-adhesion activity of novel carbosilane zwitterionic dendrimers against eukaryotic and prokaryotic pathogenic microorganisms

The development of biofilms on different surfaces continues to be a major public health problem. The antimicrobial resistance and the difficulty of finding drugs capable of combating these established biofilms generates the urgent need to find compounds that prevent cells from settling and establishing of these complex communities of microorganisms. Zwitterionic modification of nanomaterials allows the formation of a hydration layer, and this highly hydrophilic surface provides antifouling properties as well as a good biocompatibility by preventing non-specific interactions. Thus, they are appropriate candidates to prevent microbial adhesion to different surfaces and, in consequence, avoid biofilm formation. For this reason, we have incorporated zwitterionic moieties in multivalent systems, as are carbosilane dendrimers. Characterization of these systems was performed using nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. It has been analysed if the new molecules have capacity to inhibit the biofilm formation in Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results showed that they were more effective against S. aureus, observing a biofilm reduction of 81.5% treating with 32 mg/L of G2SiZWsf dendrimer and by 72.5% using 32 mg/L of the G3SiZWsf dendrimer. Finally, the absence of cytotoxicity was verified by haemolysis and cytotoxicity studies in human cells lines.Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), SpainMinisterio de Economía, Comercio y EmpresaComunidad de Madri

Ultrastructural Study of Acanthamoeba polyphaga Trophozoites and Cysts Treated In Vitro with Cationic Carbosilane Dendrimers

Cationic carbosilane dendrimers are branched molecules with antimicrobial properties. Their activity has been tested againstAcanthamoeba polyphaga, a causative agent ofAcanthamoebakeratitis, a severe ocular disease in humans.A. polyphagatrophozoites and cysts were exposed to different noncytotoxic cationic carbosilane dendrimers with proven antiamoebic activity. The effects of treatment on cell surface and cell ultrastructure were examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. Two of the dendrimers tested induced dramatic alterations of cellular ultrastructure in both trophozoites and cysts, including vacuolization, depletion of cytoplasmic contents, and reduced cell size. Additionally, we observed severe alterations of the plasma membrane with membrane blebbing in trophozoites and disruption in cysts. These alterations were also observed with chlorhexidine, a drug used for treatment ofAcanthamoebakeratitis. Our results support that these compounds may target membranes, and their action is critical for parasite integrity.Ministerio de Economía y CompetitividadComunidad de MadridJunta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Manch