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Introduction. The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of negative outcomes associated with medication (NOMs) and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) occurring in the emergency department (ED) of a health centre. Method. An exploratory observational, cross-sectional study of patients with NOMs consulting in an ED. According to the variables of interest, the information was collected with an instrument designed and evaluated for this purpose. A multivariate logistic regression model was applied to the NOMs and found the most important variables predisposing to the appearance of NOM. In addition, the avoid ability of NOM (Baena et al. criteria), the severity of NOM (Schneider classification) and the causality of ADR (Naranjo algorithm) were shown. Results. A total of 158 patients were included in the study. The prevalence of visits to the ED due to NOM was 35.0 % (55 patients) and ADR was 5.1 % (8 patients). Overall, 88.0 % of the ADRs were considered avoidable and 74.0 % were of mild severity. On the other hand, 37.5 % (n=3) of suspected ADR were classified as avoidable and 50.0 % as probable. The multivariate logistic model indicates a possible association between NOMs with lower levels of schooling, the use of medicinal plants and the number of diseases. Conclusions. The visit of 1 in 3 patients to the emergency department is associated with a NOM, while 1 in 20 is associated with an ADR. Further studies are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AB5-type metal hydrides have received important attention over the last few decades because of their capacity to reversibly absorb hydrogen. The AB5-type alloys have been widely used as negative electrodes in Nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries, replacing the toxic counterparts that are present in Ni-Cd systems. Until now, fabrication of this type of electrode is often carried out by dry compaction, wet paste, and dry paste methods. In the present study, the oxyacetylene combustion flame spray process is explored as an alternative method for the production of LaNi5-based Mischmetal electrodes. A factorial experimental design has been proposed to optimize processing conditions in order to obtain negative electrodes for Ni-MH cells. The results of this work have shown that negative electrodes can be successfully fabricated by flame spray and that the thermal spraying processing conditions employed resulted in different levels of porosity and thickness. LaNi5-based porous coatings were selected after thermal spray optimization and their electrochemical performance was evaluated in a 6M KOH electrolyte. The results also revealed that the change in the chemical composition of the electrodes during thermal spraying significantly affects the electrochemical performance by reducing 49% the hydrogen storage capacity with respect to that of the feedstock material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article we estimate the probable magnitude of changes in income distribution, poverty and extreme poverty in the country, in the metropolitan areas of the Valley of Mexico, Guadalajara and Monterrey, as well as in Mexico City, according to different behavioral hypothesis of labor income, based on information available until the start of the pandemic, which considers the closures of so-called nonessential activities and their impact on specific occupations. The pandemic stroke in the context of an incipient process of real wages and employment growth, which began in 2019, and our results show that the slowdown in activities derived from the health emergency, both in Mexico and in the world, caused an increase in poverty and extreme poverty, in addition to the growth of inequality measured by the Gini index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Usefulness of chondrocutaneous helix flap for defects smaller than 2 cm is widely accepted. This paper attempts to show the outcome of this technique for the management of a large helix and antihelix defect. We performed the Antia-Buch technique, with two chondrocutaneous flaps, to reconstruct in a single surgical stage a 40 mm defect in the middle third of the auricle of an elderly patient who refused more than one surgical time, achieving an appropriate functional and cosmetical outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we analyse the Soca Chapel in Canelones (Uruguay), which was built in 1960. This was the first religious building designed by Antonio Bonet Castellana (1913-89) and the only one he completed. Using data stored in the architect's archive, we have re-drawn the entire work, reconstructing the chapel's ritual path and including as active elements both the adjoining pavilion and the outer walls to create new graphical documentation that provides previously unpublished information. We also discuss another chapel that appears in the Soca files held in the architect's archive. The analysis presented in this paper will provide additional data for anyone interested in better understanding this architectural work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orthopedic implants play a crucial role in restoring the function and life quality of the population with musculoskeletal disorders. However, implant failure and lack of integration with the surrounding bone tissue, mainly in patients with low bone quality, remain significant challenges in biomedicine. Porous bioactive coatings have emerged as a promising approach to address these issues. This work aims to explore the feasibility of preparing porous hydroxyapatite coatings by high-velocity oxy-fuel spray (HVOF) and, as a first approach, to evaluate the performance of the porous bioactive coatings obtained in simulated body fluid for a possible application in orthopedic surfaces. This paper discusses the use of polyester as a pore-forming agent and the importance of some relevant factors, such as coating fabrication parameters and post-spraying treatments, for producing porosity in the coatings. The results display the formation of different degrees of porosity ranging from 3.8% to 38% depending on the weight fraction of the pore-forming phase employed to prepare the hydroxyapatite coatings. The coatings were evaluated in Hanks balanced solution at body temperature by employing different electrochemical techniques; interestingly, the results suggest different bioactive responses as a function of porosity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes the story of a conflictive process of relocation of almost one hundred families in a project of social interest housing located in Vera Cruz, a neighborhood near the southern border of the country. The participatory action research methodology was applied for almost two years and resulted in the identification of three main factors related to the psychosocial problems appearing in the process: the elimination of the participation of the beneficiaries, the prevalence of a conception of finished housing and the dis-articulation between the differences of those responsible for the development of this project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical activity (PA) promotes health in obese youth and is an important adjunct to medical weight management. Access to structured fitness programmes for obese, low-income youth is limited and potential benefits of such programmes are poorly understood. We describe an urban afterschool fitness programme for obese youth and participants’ changes in fitness and body composition. A case series of 30 youth (age: 11.5 ± 2.5 years) with BMI ≥95th percentile and physician referral received a 24-wk programme scholarship. The programme, offered 4 times a week for 90-min.session, included aerobic, strength, and self-organised PA. Primary outcomes, measured at baseline (BL) time 1 (4–8 wk) and time 2 (12–16 wk) were BMI, per cent body fat (%BF), fat-free mass (FFM), heart rate during a treadmill test, and muscular strength (one repetition maximum (1RM)) and endurance (reps at 70% of 1RM) on the leg press (LP) and chest press (CP). Average participation was 1.5 ± 0.6 visits per week for 18.7 ± 6.5 weeks. Between BL and time 2, LP and CP 1RM and endurance significantly improved (P < 0.05). Additionally, there was a significant interaction for %BF with boys losing 5.2% (P > 0.05) while girls lost 0% (>0.05). Obese youth attending an urban fitness programme for at least three months improved strength and body composition, but average attendance was below planned levels. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Lampreys and hagfishes are the sole surviving representatives of the early agnathan (jawless) stage in vertebrate evolution, which has previously been regarded as the least encephalized group of all vertebrates. Very little is known, however, about the extent of interspecific variation in relative brain size in these fishes, as previous studies have focused on only a few species, even though lampreys exhibit a variety of life history traits. While some species are parasitic as adults, with varying feeding behaviors, others (nonparasitic species) do not feed after completing their macrophagous freshwater larval phase. In addition, some parasitic species remain in freshwater, while others undergo an anadromous migration. On the basis of data for postmetamorphic individuals representing approximately 40% of all lamprey species, with representatives from each of the three families, the aforementioned differences in life history traits are reflected in variations in relative brain size. Across all lampreys, brain mass increases with body mass with a scaling factor or slope (α) of 0.35, which is less than those calculated for different groups of gnathostomatous (jawed) vertebrates (α = 0.43-0.62). When parasitic and nonparasitic species are analyzed separately, with phylogeny taken into account, the scaling factors of both groups (parasitic α = 0.43, nonparasiticα = 0.45) approach those of gnathostomes. The relative brain size in fully grown adults of parasitic species is, however, less than that of the adults of nonparasitic species, paralleling differences between fully grown adults and recently metamorphosed individuals of anadromous species. The average degree of encephalization is found in anadromous parasitic lampreys and might thus represent the ancestral condition for extant lampreys. These results suggest that the degree of encephalization in lampreys varies according to both life history traits and phylogenetic relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean hulls were used to isolate cellulosic microfibrils (SMF) and brick-like microparticles (SMP) by combining chemical and mechanical pretreatments. The key physical and chemical features of SMF and SMP were compared with those of micro and nanofibrillated cellulose (MNFC) obtained from fully bleached wood fibers. SMF and SMP chemical composition includes residual polysaccharides and lignin that endow such biologically-derived materials with properties typical of nanocellulosics. Compared to MNFC, SMF and SMP exhibit enhanced crystallinity (∼ > 10% higher) and thermal stability (onset degradation temperature >295 °C and maximum degradation at 361 and 355 °C). Such observations make SMF and SMP suitable for reinforcement in thermoplastic composites. A strong shear thinning behavior was observed for aqueous dispersions of SMF and SMP, revealing that these cellulose microstructures are of interest for rheology modification, coatings and films. Overall, the availability and low cost of biomass from residual soybean hulls constitutes a viable option for their use as a feedstock for the production and development of novel materials from SMF and SMP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adsorption of polyalkylene glycols and co-polymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide on substrates relevant to textiles with varying surface energies (cellulose, polypropylene, nylon and polyester) was studied by using quartz crystal microgravimetry. Langmuirian-type isotherms were observed for the adsorption profiles of nonionic block polymers of different architectures. The affinity with the surfaces is discussed based on experimental observations, which highlights the role of hydrophobic effects. For a given type of block polymer, micellar and monomeric adsorption is governed by the balance of polymer structure (mainly, chain length of hydrophobic segments) and substrate’s surface energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work shows that some mechanical properties of CrC-25NiCr coatings processed by HVOF thermal spraying such as elastic modulus, hardness, fracture toughness, and wear resistance are closely linked to selected processing parameters as well as to chemistry, structure, and morphology of the feedstock material. Optimization of processing parameters was based on oxygen concentration measurements inside the flame, studied by a contour plot, and curvature data recorded during spraying. The increase in velocity of in-flight particles strongly affected the interfacial fracture toughness of the coatings, as a maximum K of 3.71 MPa m was reached when particle velocity increased to ~765 m/s. The micro-hardness of CrC-25NiCr coatings was widely varied by changing the HVOF spray conditions, i.e., the amount of reinforcing phases and inter-splat adhesion were quite sensitive to any modification of the processing parameters. It was also found that coatings having a high inter-splat adhesion and/or low degradation of reinforcing hard phases showed reduced weight loss during erosive wear tests. Finally, from the experimental evidence reported in this work, a correlation between the elastic bending modulus of coatings and indentation crack length was also found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Submissions to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) by countries claiming sovereignty in Antarctica confirm the resilience of the Antarctic status quo to legal challenges. Through this status quo, these submissions have not been hindered by differences among claimant countries and between them and countries not recognizing any claim in Antarctica. It is in the American Antarctic Quadrant--where Argentina, Chile and United Kingdom have overlapping claims--that the status quo achieves its most extensive geographic and normative range, covering an area and disputes south and north of latitude 60°, in particular disputes between Argentina and the United Kingdom; this determines also the alternatives available to Chile for filing its submission to the CLCS by 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioactive peptides are part of an innate response elicited by most living forms. In plants, they are produced ubiquitously in roots, seeds, flowers, stems, and leaves, highlighting their physiological importance. While most of the bioactive peptides produced in plants possess microbicide properties, there is evidence that they are also involved in cellular signaling. Structurally, there is an overall similarity when comparing them with those derived from animal or insect sources. The biological action of bioactive peptides initiates with the binding to the target membrane followed in most cases by membrane permeabilization and rupture. Here we present an overview of what is currently known about bioactive peptides from plants, focusing on their antimicrobial activity and their role in the plant signaling network and offering perspectives on their potential application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As vulnerable marine ecosystems, submarine ridges and seamounts in the Pacific Region of Chile are internationally protected, particularly from destructive fishing practices. This is the consequence of a number of legal instruments and measures reflecting an international practice, which have constituted an opinio juris to which countries may appeal to bring protection to such submarine features and ecosystems. However, in such a region the outer continental shelf, although still pending in its delineation, is an area over which eventual disagreements may arise between Chile and third States concerning the scope of conservation measures applicable in those vulnerable ecosystems and to the living marine resources therein. In applying precautionary and ecosystem approaches, Chile is entitled to claim protection to such ecosystems and resources. The entry into force of amendments to the Chilean Law of Fisheries, in which both the precautionary and ecosystem approaches, along with the environmental assessment to vulnerable marine ecosystems, were adopted, contributes to such a claim. Besides, the South Pacific RFMO provides room to extend the environmental protection to areas beyond national jurisdiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanofibers were produced by electrospinning aqueous alkaline solutions containing different mass ratios of soy protein and lignin in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol) coadjutant, all of which presented shear thinning behavior. SEM revealed that the addition of polyethylene oxide as a coadjutant indeed facilitated the formation of defect-free fibers whose diameter increased with lignin concentration, in the range between ≈ 124 and ≈ 400 nm. Favorable interactions between lignin and soy protein were identified from data provided by differential scanning calorimetry. In addition, an increased hydrogen bonding and the loss of secondary structure of the proteins as the lignin concentration increased were observed from the disappearance of amide II (∼1500 cm −1 ) and III (∼1400–1200 cm −1 ) bands and a red shift of amide I band in the FT-IR spectrum. The unfolding of the protein contributed to a better interaction with lignin macromolecules, which further improved the electrospinning process. It is concluded that mixtures of lignin and soy proteins, two major renewable resources with interesting chemical features, are suitable for the development of composite sub-micron fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this review we introduce recent advances in the development of cellulose nanomaterials and the construction of high order structures by applying some principles of colloid and interface science. These efforts take advantage of natural assemblies in the form of fibers that nature constructs by a biogenetic bottom-up process that results in hierarchical systems encompassing a wide range of characteristic sizes. Following the reverse process, a top-down deconstruction, cellulose materials can be cleaved from fiber cell walls. The resulting nanocelluloses, mainly cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC, i.e., defect-free, rod-like crystalline residues after acid hydrolysis of fibers), have been the subject of recent interest. This originates from the appealing intrinsic properties of nanocelluloses: nanoscale dimensions, high surface area, morphology, low density, chirality and thermo-mechanical performance. Directing their assembly into multiphase structures is a quest that can yield useful outcomes in many revolutionary applications. As such, we discuss the use of non-specific forces to create thin films of nanocellulose at the air–solid interface for applications in nano-coatings, sensors, etc. Assemblies at the liquid–liquid and air–liquid interfaces will be highlighted as means to produce Pickering emulsions, foams and aerogels. Finally, the prospects of a wide range of hybrid materials and other systems that can be manufactured via self and directed assembly will be introduced in light of the unique properties of nanocelluloses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Asthma has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of the 2009 novel H1N1 influenza (H1N1) infection among children. However, little is known about the role of asthma in severity of H1N1 infection. Objective: To determine the association between asthma and other atopic conditions and severity of H1N1 infection. Patients and methods: We conducted a population-based case-control study. Cases were all Olmsted County, MN residents admitted to the hospital within a week of a positive test for H1N1. Controls who had a positive H1N1 but were not admitted to hospital were individually matched to cases with regard to birth day, gender, clinic registration date, diagnostic method, and calendar month of influenza testing. Asthma was ascertained using predetermined criteria. Data were fit to conditional logistic regression models. Results: There were 46 eligible individuals admitted to hospitals with H1N1 infection during the study period. Ninety-seven controls were individually matched to their corresponding cases. Among cases, 23 (50%) were male and 29 (63.0%) were Caucasians. The median age at hospitalization was 20.7 years. Twenty-five (54.4%) cases had asthma before the date of hospitalization, compared to 33 (34.0%) controls (matched OR: 2.31; 95% CI, 1.13-4.73; p = 0.02). This association approached statistical significance after adjusting for all pertinent covariates (adjusted matched OR: 2.55; 95% CI, 0.98-6.64; p = 0.055). Conclusion: Asthma may be associated with severe H1N1 infection. In addition to timely influenza vaccination for asthmatics, consideration for prophylactic treatment for unimmunized asthmatics with significant exposure to influenza and immunized asthmatics with early flu-like symptoms should be given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean proteins have found uses in different nonfoodapplicationsdue to their interesting properties. We report on the kinetics andextent of adsorption on silica and cellulose surfaces of glycininand β-conglycinin, the main proteins present in soy. Quartzcrystal microgravimetry (QCM) experiments indicate that soy protein adsorptionis strongly affected by changes in the physicochemical environment.The affinity of glycinin and the mass adsorbed on silica and celluloseincreases (by ca. 13 and 89%, respectively) with solution ionic strength(as it increases from 0 to 100 mM NaCl) due to screening of electrostaticinteractions. In contrast, β-conglycinin adsorbs on the samesubstrates to a lower extent and the addition of electrolyte reducesadsorption (by 25 and 57%, respectively). The addition of 10 mM 2-mercaptoethanol,a denaturing agent, reduces the adsorption of both proteins with asignificant effect for glycinin. This observation is explained bythe cleavage of disulfide bonds which allows unfolding of the moleculesand promotes dissociation into subunits that favors more compact adsorbedlayer structures. In addition, adsorption of glycinin onto cellulosedecreases with lowering the pH from neutral to pH 3 due to dissociationof the macromolecules, resulting in flatter adsorbed layers. The respectiveadsorption isotherms fit a Langmuir model and QCM shifts in energydissipation and frequency reveal multiple-step kinetic processes indicativeof changes in adlayer structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bollmannia boqueronensis is a tropical marine goby. Two specimens were captured at 25 m depth on the Alacranes Reef, Mexico, off the north-east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula (Gulf of Mexico) in August 2009. The present note extends the known distribution area of this species towards the west and constitutes the first record for Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reef-associated fish genus Hypoplectrus (Serranidae), endemic to the western Atlantic Ocean, represents an ideal model to study speciation within a potentially highly dispersive (marine) ecosystem, because it consists of a complex of at least 10 morphs differentiated primarily by coloration. Although several recent studies on genetics, diet, and fertilization reveal little to no difference between the Hypoplectrus color morphs, there is still not a full understanding of what keeps these morphs distinct or drives their variation. Ecological information is needed alongside the genetic information to better understand this variation. Based on presence/absence records from scientific literature and direct observations in coral reefs, this work examined the distribution of the genus Hypoplectrus in the Greater Caribbean region. Some color morphs occurred simultaneously at given locations, but others showed geographic restrictions. Using cluster and nMDS analyses, we found three major groupings according to distribution: (i) widespread ( Hypoplectrus puella, Hypoplectrus unicolor, and Hypoplectrus nigricans), (ii) less widespread ( Hypoplectrus indigo, Hypoplectrus gummigutta, Hypoplectrus chlorurus, Hypoplectrus aberrans, and Hypoplectrus guttavarius), and (iii) geographically confined or segregated ( Hypoplectrus gemma, Hypoplectrus providencianus). Geographic sections selected for the Greater Caribbean (eastern, western and northern) were dominated by at least three widely distributed Hypoplectrus morphs. New geographic records of some color morphs were documented and compared to previous established distribution ranges in the Greater Caribbean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We classify principal bundles over anti-affine schemes with affine and commutative structure group. We show that this yields the classification of quasi-abelian varieties over a field k (i.e., group k-schemes G such that ). The interest of this result is given by the fact that the classification of smooth group k-schemes is reduced to the classification of quasi-abelian varieties and of certain affine group schemes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Goliath grouper, Epinephelus itajara, a large-bodied (~ 2.5 m TL, > 400 kg) and critically endangered fish (Epinephelidae), is highly vulnerable to overfishing. Although protected from fishing in many countries, its exploitation in Mexico is unregulated; a situation that puts its populations at risk. Fishery records of E. itajara are scarce, which prevents determination of its fishery status. This work aimed to elucidate the E. itajara fishery in the northern Yucatan Peninsula by 1) analyzing available catch records and 2) interviewing veteran fishermen (local ecological knowledge) from two traditional landing sites: Dzilam de Bravo and Puerto Progreso. Historic fishery records from two fishing cooperatives were analyzed in order to elucidate the current situation and offer viable alternatives for conservation and management. Catches have decreased severely. Local knowledge obtained from fishermen represented a very important source of information for reconstructing the fisheries history of this species. Conservation measures that incorporate regional and international regulations on critically endangered fish species are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cysteine proteinases are involved in virtually every aspect of plant physiology and development. They play a role in development, senescence, programmed cell death, storage and mobilization of germinal proteins, and in response to various types of environmental stress. In this review, we focus on a group of plant defensive enzymes occurring in germinal tissue of Caricaceae. These enzymes elicit a protective response in the unripe fruit after physical stress. We propose that these enzymes follow a strategy similar to mammalian serine proteinases involved in blood clotting and wound healing. We show evidence for the pharmacological role of plant cysteine proteinases in mammalian wound healing, immunomodulation, digestive conditions, and neoplastic alterations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We describe the operation of a midbrain neural circuit in pigeons that may participate in selecting and attending to one visual stimulus from the myriad displayed in their visual environment. This mechanism is based on a topographically organized cholinergic signal reentering the optic tectum (TeO).We have shown previously that, whenever a visual stimulus activates neurons in a given tectal location, this location receives a strong bursting feedback from cholinergic neurons of the nucleus isthmi pars parvocellularis (Ipc), situated underneath the tectum. Here we show that, if a second visual stimulus is presented, even far from the first, the feedback signal to the first tectal location is diminished or suppressed, and feedback to the second tectal location is initiated. We found that this long-range suppressive interaction is mostly mediated by the nucleus isthmi pars magnocellularis, which sends a wide-field GABAergic projection to Ipc and TeO. In addition, two sets of findings indicate that the feedback from the Ipc modulates the ascending output from the TeO. First, visually evoked extracellular responses recorded in the dorsal anterior subdivision of the thalamic nucleus rotundus (RtDa), receiving the ascending tectal output, are closely synchronized to this feedback signal. Second, local inactivation of the Ipc prevents visual responses in RtDa to visual targets moving in the corresponding region of visual space. These results suggest that the ascending transmission of visual activity through the tectofugal pathway is gated by this cholinergic re-entrant signal, whose location within the tectal visual map is dynamically defined by competitive interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the status of employment in Mexico since the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Significance of the decrease in foreign direct investment to the maquila market; Decline in the number of people who are self-employed; Percentage of workers who do not receive employment benefits.

Assesses the impact of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on Mexico's economy. Views of Mexico's President Vicente Fox on the NAFTA; Processes that transformed Mexico under the rubric of neoliberalism; Effect of the growth of export activities on Mexico's financial services sector; Polarization in employment and distribution of income created by neoliberalism.

Let $X=\operatorname{Spec} B$ be an affine variety over a field of arbitrary characteristic, and suppose that there exists an action of a unipotent group (possibly neither smooth nor connected). The fundamental results are as follows. (1) An algorithm for computing invariants is given, by means of introducing a degree in the ring of functions of the variety, relative to the action. Therefore an algorithmic construction of the quotient, in a certain open set, is obtained. In the case of a Galois extension, $k\hookrightarrow B=K$, which is cyclic of degree $p=\text{ch} (k)$ (that is, such that the unipotent group is $G={\Bbb Z}/p {\Bbb Z}$), an element of minimal degree becomes an Artin--Schreier radical, and the method for computing invariants gives, in particular, the expression for any element of $K$ in terms of these radicals, with an explicit formula. This replaces the well-known formula of Lagrange (which is valid only when the degree of the extension and the characteristic are relatively prime) in the case of an extension of degree $p=\text{ch}(k)$. (2) In this paper we give an effective construction of a stable open subset where there is a quotient. In this sense we obtain an algebraic local criterion for the existence of a quotient in a neighbourhood. It is proved (provided the variety is normal) that, in the following cases, such an open set is the greatest one that admits a quotient: \begin{enumerate} \item[(a)] when the action is such that the orbits have dimension less than or equal to 1 (arbitrary characteristic) and, in particular, for any action of the additive group $G_a$; \item[(b)] in characteristic 0, when the action is proper (obtained from the results of Fauntleroy) or the group is abelian. 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification: primary 14L30; secondary 14D25, 14D20. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The "guide to Asháninka knowledge for forest management" is a document prepared by academics and scientists from the National University of Central Peru (NUCP) in the Faculty of Forestry Engineering, which includes the knowledge of this indigenous people about forest nature. Despite being ancestral knowledge, we believe that it can serve as a complement to the scientific study of the subject since it is based on knowledge accumulated over centuries of experience. The main purpose of this article is to determine the influence of the "Ashaninka knowledge guide for forest management" on the learning level of NUCP Forest Engineering students. To accomplish these objectives, Asháninka knowledge was compiled, and the learning guide was designed and applied to the students. 36 students from the faculty were taken as part of the study, to whom two tests were administered, one before studying the guide and another after. The tests consisted of questionnaires on knowledge about the guide and the forests. A neutrosophic linguistic scale was used for respondents to answer both tests. The advantage of this methodology is that experts could evaluate more easily with the help of natural language, in addition to the fact that the incorporation of neutrosophy helps to take into account indeterminacy and therefore there is more accuracy. Specifically, the Neutrosophic 2-tuple linguistic method was used. The results were converted to crisp numbers and the evaluations of the two tests were compared with the help of the Wilcoxon test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Argues that net job creation in Mexico as derived from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) will be inconsequential. Analysis of developments in the country's employment situation; Endangerment of manufacturing sectors that are sensitive to foreign competition; Disregard for the asymmetries in the social welfare systems of participating countries.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of printing strategies and processing parameters on wall thickness, microhardness and compression strength of Inconel 718 superalloy thin-walled honeycomb lattice structures manufactured by laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF). Design/methodology/approach: Two printing contour strategies were applied for producing thin-walled honeycomb lattice structures in which the laser power, contour path, scanning speed and beam offset were systematically modified. The specimens were analyzed by optical microscopy for dimensional accuracy. Vickers hardness and quasi-static uniaxial compression tests were performed on the specimens with the least difference between the design wall thickness and the as built one to evaluate their mechanical properties and compare them with the counterparts obtained by using standard print strategies. Findings: The contour printing strategies and process parameters have a significant influence on reducing the fabrication time of thin-walled honeycomb lattice structures (up to 50%) and can lead to improve the manufacturability and dimensional accuracy. Also, an increase in the young modulus up to 0.8 times and improvement in the energy absorption up to 48% with respect to those produced by following a standard strategy was observed. Originality/value: This study showed that printing contour strategies can be used for faster fabrication of thin-walled lattice honeycomb structures with similar mechanical properties than those obtained by using a default printing strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which evaluated the susceptibility of Corynebacterium amycolatum, Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum, Corynebacterium urealyticum, Corynebacterium jeikeium and Corynebacterium striatum isolates to daptomycin. These organisms were also subjected to teicoplanin, linezoilid and quinupristin/dalfopristin at a hospital in Santander, Spain from 2003 to 2006. Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis were used as control strains in this test.

The mechanical behaviour of a DMLS Ti-6Al-4V gyroid-based cellular structure (CS), with potential application in the fabrication of implants, was studied under compressive conditions. The influence of the CS volumetric fraction on the elastic modulus was experimentally evaluated in cubic and cylindrical samples. The experimental results showed that the selected parameters allowed approximating the mechanical behaviour of the CS to that of trabecular bone. Finite element analysis was employed to study the mechanical behaviour of the CS. The model presented a good approximation of the experimental results, being useful to predict the mechanical behaviour of the CS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold spraying is a well-established coating fabrication method for metals onto metallic substrates. Over the past decade, there has been a growing interest in its application as a deposition technique for hydroxyapatite (HAp) coatings due to its lower processing temperatures compared to conventional coating manufacturing techniques. HAp coatings are ceramic coatings employed in biomedicine for their biocompatibility and osteoconductive properties. The deposition of ceramic coatings using cold spraying remains a challenge due to the brittle nature of these materials when subjected to high-velocity solid-state impacts. In the present study, HAp deposits were produced via low-pressure cold spraying onto 316 stainless steel under various processing conditions to induce different energy states upon impact and elicit distinct responses in the deposited material. The morphology of the deposited HAp particles was examined after single-track experiments to comprehend the characteristics of the particles adhering to the substrate surface after each experiment. The study was supplemented with impact energy calculations, which allowed the establishment of processing windows to form HAp deposits and coatings. A cold-sprayed HAp coating was successfully obtained within the suggested range of experimental conditions based on energy calculations. • Agglomerated spherical and irregular HAp deposition behavior was studied by LPCS. • A deposition window for HAp deposition by LPCS was established. • The main key processing variables on the HAp deposition by LPCS were identified. • Processing variables to predict HAp deposition efficiencies were used. • A simplified model was employed to build-up a deposition window. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ongoing trainings during the covid-19 pandemic enabled learning in higher education. Objective: To describe the investigative training and pedagogical function in university professors from the psychological complexity of synchronous learning during covid-19. Methods: A study was carried out from July, 2020 to February, 2022, at San Luis Gonzaga National University in Ica, Peru. The investigative training consisted of two modalities: training workshops and postgraduates courses. Participation was recorded in the academic areas of health sciences, engineering and arts and humanities. A dendrogram was used to describe the pedagogical function between two groups of university professors (those who had permanent attendance and those who did not). Results: In the training workshops, 52.0% of the participants corresponded to the academic area of health sciences, 35.0% to arts and humanities and 13.0% to engineering; while active participation was 22.2% in engineering, 8.9% in health sciences and 4.1% in arts and humanities. On the other hand, the percentage for graduate courses was 41.0 in health sciences, 30.0 in arts and humanities, and 29.0 in engineering, with active participation of 6, 4 and 3 professors, respectively. There were no significant differences in the internal evaluation between the postgraduate courses (p<0.00915). The dendrogram indicated greater similarity in university professors with permanent attendance. Conclusions: There was lower attendance in postgraduates courses as the learning process was more rigorous and demanding; however, active participation was higher. There was greater similarity in the pedagogical function when attendance was permanent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A feeding test was performed to evaluate compensatory growth in the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and to assess changes in feed conversion ratio (FCR), body condition, and carcass composition associated with the imposed feeding strategy. The experiment was carried out under two different stages, restricted (RS) and compensated (CS), with six weeks long each other. Three hundred juveniles of Nile tilapia (average weight of 16.4 ± 0.2 g) were divided into three treatments and one control. The control group was fed to apparent satiation four times a day in both stages. The RS treatments were based on 100% (RS100), 80% (RS80), and 60% (RS60) of a feeding chart, respectively. In the next six weeks, fishes from the CS treatments (CS100, CS80, and CS60) were then fed to apparent satiation four times a day. In the RS, the control group displayed the most considerable weight gained, but with a significant FCR. Nevertheless, in the CS, the previous restricted treatments (RC80 and RC100) showed a compensatory growth, with a smaller FCR than the control group. The restricted-compensated rations did not have a significant effect on the size heterogeneity; when the food is restricted, fish use to moisturize their tissue to compensate for the muscle loss until they receive more food. However, when the food restriction levels are too high, the weight gain, lipid, and protein levels do not recover as they were before. Thus, restricted (marginally) and compensatory feeding strategies provide evidence that growth rates of fishes can be regulated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cataracts can limit a person's ability to perform vision-dependent tasks safely, affecting the quality of life of older people. This study examines the relationship between visual function and driving, by studying which visual parameters might be important for predicting driving performance in older drivers with and without cataracts, ascertaining whether the objective measurement of intraocular scattering should be considered in assessment procedures for older drivers. This cross-sectional study involved a total of 20 older drivers (10 patients with bilateral cataracts and 10 control subjects). All participants were examined for visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, visual discrimination capacity, and intraocular scattering. Driving performance was also tested using a driving simulator. To study the relationship between visual parameters and driving performance, a correlation analysis and regression model were used. Drivers with cataracts showed a significantly impaired (p<0.05) visual function, with an Objective Scattering Index (OSI) 3.5 times greater than the control group. Driving performance was also significantly worse (p<0.05) in drivers with cataracts, reflected by a notable deterioration in lane keeping. The correlation analysis showed significant associations between driving performance and all the visual parameters studied. Finally, the regression model revealed that the OSI was the best predictor of driving performance, accounting for 51.3% of its variance. Visual function and driving performance are markedly deteriorated when cataracts are present. Our results demonstrate that the objective scattering index (OSI) has a high predictive power when it comes to simulated driving performance in older drivers, both with and without cataracts, suggesting that scatter measurements could be important in helping better understand visual limitations in older drivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the antifungal activity of the proteolytic fraction P1G10 from Vasconcellea cundinamarcencis (ex-Carica candamarcensis) against Botrytis cinerea , the causative agent of pre- and postharvest damaging disease in fruit and vegetables. The survival of B. cinerea at different concentrations of P1G10 showed that 1 mg/mL inhibited 50% of mycelium growth after 72 h incubation. The kinetic of growth inhibition fits the Weibull distribution function, and the data was confirmed by the IC 50 survival assay. The study shows that P1G10 inhibits conidia germination and germ tube elongation of B. cinerea relative to untreated conidia. Hypersensitivity to cell wall-perturbing agents (Calcofluor white and Congo red) was observed in mycelium cells treated with P1G10. In addition, P1G10 exhibited inhibitory effect on the adhesion of conidia, provoked alterations in membrane integrity and induced production of reactive oxygen species accompanied by cellular damage. Our results highlight the effect of P1G10 on mycelium growth, cell wall alterations, membrane integrity and adhesion. P1G10 emerges as promising antifungal to control disease causing agents in the food agroindustry. Highlights • P1G10 was tested as natural antifungal. • Weibull distribution was used to model the effect of the inhibitor P1G10 on growth of B. cinerea. • P1G10 is able to inhibit mycelium growth and cell adhesion in B. cinerea. • P1G10 causes damage in membrane integrity and cell wall in B. cinerea. • P1G10 affect the regulation of genes associated with cellular functions in B. cinerea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the referendum sponsored by the Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN) of Mexico held on March 21, 1999 to broaden linkage with the civil society. Support for the referendum by the voters; Organizers of the referendum; Focus of the referendum.

A Ni20Cr/Cr 2 O 3 composite powder was successfully processed by controlling different mechanical milling conditions. The powder was heat treated at various temperatures to evaluate the effects of fine Cr 2 O 3 particles additions on the microstructure of the Ni20Cr matrix. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated an earlier oxidation temperature of the composite powder (250–270 °C) compared to the oxidation temperature of the Ni20Cr matrix (680–700 °C), the fine Cr 2 O 3 particles may act as nucleation sites to promote matrix oxidation at lower temperatures. Ni20Cr/Cr 2 O 3 , commercial, and experimental Ni20Cr powders were used as feedstock to produce coatings by HVOF thermal spraying. Raman studies showed NiCr 2 O 4 and Cr 2 O 3 as main phases in the microstructure of Ni20Cr/Cr 2 O 3 composite coating. A residual Ni20Cr phase, processed by ball milling, was preserved in the coatings microstructure; such a phase improved oxygen and chromium diffusion, then allowing the formation of a thick oxide protective layer in the coatings during oxidation tests. Oxide scales produced during sliding wear test were strongly anchored to the Ni20Cr/Cr 2 O 3 coating surface, a wear rate of 20.2 × 10 −6 mm 3 /N·m was measured when such a coating was tested employing a pin-on-disc configuration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curdlan (CURD) and polyethylene oxide were used to synthesize nanofibers as carriers of hydro soluble tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH). The viscosity, surface tension and conductivity of the precursor multicomponent aqueous solutions were determined and adjusted to produce defect-free fiber webs. Except for a slight increase in diameter, the addition of TCH did not affect the original morphology of the CURD/PEO nanofibers, as determined by FE-SEM imaging. However, the thermal stability of the system was enhanced (TGA and DSC). Moreover, water resistance, as measured with 24-h immersion tests, was observed upon crosslinking with glutaraldehyde. In-vitro activity measurements indicated a sustained and controlled TCH time-release pattern and excellent antibacterial activity against E. coli, as assessed by UV–vis spectroscopy and viable cell counting, respectively. Overall, we propose nanofibers based on CURD as promising platforms for scaffolds for wound dressing and drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corynebacterium striatum is an opportunistic pathogen, often multidrug-resistant, which has been associated with serious infections in humans. Aminoglycosides are second-line or complementary antibiotics used for the treatment of Corynebacterium infections. We investigated the susceptibility to six aminoglycosides and the molecular mechanisms involved in aminoglycoside resistance in a collection of 64 Corynebacterium striatum isolated in our laboratory during the period 2005–2009. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using E-test. The mechanisms of aminoglycoside resistance were investigated by PCR and sequencing. The 64 C. striatum were assessed for the possibility of clonal spreading by Pulsed-field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE). Netilmicin and amikacin were active against the 64 C. striatum isolates (MICs90 = 0.38 and 0.5 mg/L, respectively). Twenty-seven of the 64 C. striatum strains showed a MIC90 for kanamycin > 256 mg/L, and 26 out the 27 were positive for the aph(3’)-Ic gene. Thirty-six out of our 64 C. striatum were streptomycin resistant, and 23 out of the 36 carried both the aph(3”)-Ib and aph(6)-Id genes. The gene aac(3)-XI encoding a new aminoglycoside 3-N acetyl transferase from C. striatum was present in 44 out of the 64 isolates, all of them showing MICs of gentamicin and tobramycin > 1 mg/L. CS4933, a C. striatum showing very low susceptibility to kanamycin and streptomycin, contains an aminoglycoside resistance region that includes the aph(3’)-Ic gene, and the tandem of genes aph(3”)-Ib and aph(6)-Id. Forty-six major PFGE types were identified among the 64 C. striatum isolates, indicating that they were mainly not clonal. Our results showed that the 64 clinical C. striatum were highly resistant to aminoglycosides and mostly unrelated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The DoTT (Decreasing Time to Therapy) project aimed to minimize the interval between fever onset and medical interventions for children with febrile neutropenia. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of implementing the DoTT project on the hospital time to antibiotic (TTA) and patient time to arrival (PTA) at the hospital in children with febrile neutropenia admitted to the emergency department. Methods. The DoTT project was implemented at a Peruvian hospital and followed the World Health Organization (WHO) multimodal improvement strategy model. Components included creating a healthcare delivery bundle and antibiotic selection pathways, training users of the bundle and pathways, monitoring patient outcomes and obtaining user feedback, encouraging use of the new system, and promoting the integration of DoTT into the institutional culture. Emergency room providers were trained in the care delivery for children with cancer and fever and taught to use the bundle and pathways. DoTT was promoted via pamphlets and posters, with a view to institutionalizing the concept and disseminating it to other hospital services. Results. Admission data for 129 eligible patients in our registry were analyzed. The TTA and PTA were compared before and after the DoTT intervention. The median TTA was 146 minutes (interquartile range [IQR] 97--265 minutes) before the intervention in 99 patients, and 69 minutes (IQR 50--120 minutes) afterwards in 30 patients (p < 0.01). The median PTA was reduced from 1 483 minutes at baseline to 660 minutes after the intervention (p < 0.01). Conclusions. Applying the WHO multimodal improvement strategy model to the care of children with febrile neutropenia arriving at the hospital had a positive impact on the PTA and TTA, thus potentially increasing the survival of these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infection is one of the most common complications in orthopedics and causes significant post-operative morbidity and mortality. Among different strategies to fight infections, incorporation of graphene-based compounds on HAp-based coatings present several advantages from a biological point of view, i.e. non-toxicity, cell proliferation. In this research, the preparation of hydroxyapatite/graphene oxide/zinc oxide (HAp/GO/ZnO) powders is presented. The HAp/GO/ZnO mixture was, in turn, used as feedstock material to fabricate HAp-based high-velocity oxygen fuel spray (HVOF) coatings on titanium substrates. It was found that particle size and GO/ZnO and ZnO content in the mixtures play a key role in the coating formation. On the other hand, the antibacterial activity of the synthesized (GO/Zn) powder, (HAp/GO/ZnO) powder mixtures, and HVOF-sprayed coatings was evaluated against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus strains. The obtained antibacterial activity data were statistically analyzed by employing the one-way ANOVA method followed by a Duncan's post hoc test. The results showed that HAp/GO/ZnO powder mixtures display antibacterial activity against both bacterial strains. However, despite the reduction in antibacterial activity observed in the coating compared to that in the starting powders, the results showed the feasibility of using this type of system in the manufacturing of HVOF coatings with bioactive and antibacterial properties aiming for a better performance under in-vivo conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal barrier coatings (TBC) were manufactured by thermal spraying of CoNiCrAlY and YSZ powders, which constituted the bond coat (BC) and top coat (TC), respectively. The BC was deposited on stainless steel substrates by a high velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) system whilst the TC was deposited on the BC by an atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) gun. TBCs were heat treated at 1200 °C for 8 and 16 h in order to determine the evolution of the residual stress state as a function of time. The residual stress profiles were obtained by employing the Modified Layer Removal Method (MLRM) and an adaptation of this for bilayer coatings called Modified Layer Removal Method for Duplex Coatings (MLRMDC). It was observed that as the exposure time was increased, the compressive residual stresses increased, which was more noticeable in the BCs. The TBCs without heat treatment revealed tensile residual stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocellulose has been used with promising results as reinforcement material in composites, many of which include hydrophobic polymers. However, the hydrophilic nature of nanocellulose can be better exploited in composites that incorporate high surface energy systems as well as in applications that can benefit from such properties. In fact, proteins can be ideal components in these cases. This paper reviews such aspects, which are based on the remarkable mechanical properties of nanocellulose. This material also exhibits low density, high aspect ratio, high surface area, and can be modified by substitution of its abundant hydroxyl groups. It also shows biocompatibility, low toxicity, and biodegradability. Convenient biotechnological methods for its production are of interest not only because of the possible reduction in processing energy but also because of positive environmental aspects. Thus, enzymatic treatments are favorable for effecting fiber deconstruction into nanocellulose. In addition to reviewing nanocellulose production by enzymatic routes, we discuss incorporation of enzyme activity to produce biodegradable systems for biomedical applications and food packaging. Related applications have distinctive features that take advantage of protein–cellulose interactions and the possibility of changing nanocellulose properties via enzymatic or protein treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding enzyme-substrate interactions is critical in designing strategies for bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass. In this study we monitored molecular events, in situ and in real time, including the adsorption and desorption of cellulolytic enzymes on lignins and cellulose, by using quartz crystal microgravimetry and surface plasmon resonance. The effect of a nonionic surface active molecule was also elucidated. Three lignin substrates relevant to the sugar platform in biorefinery efforts were considered, namely, hardwood autohydrolysis cellulolytic (HWAH), hardwood native cellulolytic (MPCEL), and nonwood native cellulolytic (WSCEL) lignin. In addition, Kraft lignins derived from softwoods (SWK) and hardwoods (HWK) were used as references. The results indicated a high affinity between the lignins with both, monocomponent and multicomponent enzymes. More importantly, the addition of nonionic surfactants at concentrations above their critical micelle concentration reduced remarkably (by over 90%) the nonproductive interactions between the cellulolytic enzymes and the lignins. This effect was hypothesized to be a consequence of the balance of hydrophobic and hydrogen bonding interactions. Moreover, the reduction of surface roughness and increased wettability of lignin surfaces upon surfactant treatment contributed to a lower affinity with the enzymes. Conformational changes of cellulases were observed upon their adsorption on lignin carrying preadsorbed surfactant. Weak electrostatic interactions were determined in aqueous media at pH between 4.8 and 5.5 for the native cellulolytic lignins (MPCEL and WSCEL), whereby a ~20% reduction in the enzyme affinity was observed. This was mainly explained by electrostatic interactions (osmotic pressure effects) between charged lignins and cellulases. Noteworthy, adsorption of nonionic surfactants onto cellulose, in the form cellulose nanofibrils, did not affect its hydrolytic conversion. Overall, our results highlight the benefit of nonionic surfactant pretreatment to reduce nonproductive enzyme binding while maintaining the reactivity of the cellulosic substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Nesidiocoris tenuis : highly efficient as biological control agent but damages tomato plants. • Tomato plant defenses are activated by the GLV (Z)-3-HP. • Increasing plant defenses reduces N. tenuis damage. • Reduced callose deposition limits tissue damage. Although Nesidiocoris tenuis is highly effective as a biological control agent, it can also damage tomato plants due to its zoophytophagous behavior. When N. tenuis pierces the stems and petioles of tomato plants with its stylets, it triggers callose deposition and subsequent cell death, resulting in blocked nutrient transport, floral abortions, or wilting of tender shoots. Recently, it has been shown that exposure of tomato plants to the green leaf volatile (Z)-3-hexenyl propanoate [(Z)-3-HP] activates defensive mechanisms, including the regulation of genes involved in the synthesis and degradation of callose. In this study, conducted under greenhouse conditions, we tested the hypothesis that damage caused by N. tenuis could be reduced by exposing tomato plants to (Z)-3-HP through polymeric dispensers. Tomato plants exposed to (Z)-3-HP and non-exposed control plants were inoculated with N. tenuis. Nesidiocoris tenuis established in both groups with no significant differences between the two treatments. However, as hypothesized, the damage caused by N. tenuis was significantly lower in the plants exposed to (Z)-3-HP. Gene expression analysis of salicylic, jasmonic, and abscisic acids, along with histochemical staining methods, was used to compare the defensive responses of tomato plants infested solely with N. tenuis versus those infested with N. tenuis and exposed to (Z)-3-HP. Our findings confirm the influence of (Z)-3-HP exposure on differential defensive activation between treatments and reduced callose deposition in (Z)-3-HP-exposed plants. These results pave the way for improved management of N. tenuis by enhancing the plant's defenses based on inter-plant communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]