فهرست مطالب garcia

The dispersion of solid particles in zones of turbulent recirculation flow is of interest in various technological applications. Many experimental studies have been developed in order to know the contribution of Stokes numbers and mean drift parameter on the entering and dispersion of particles in the recirculation zone however to our knowledge there are not numerical studies reported about it. In this work, we made a numerical study of the incompressible turbulent flow laden with solid particles in sudden expansion pipes with different expansion ratios and different Reynolds number upstream of the pipe, using LES and Germano dynamic model with JetCode program for the continuous phase (air). The solid particles movement (different diameters were considered) was solved by using a Lagrangian tracking algorithm coupled to JetCode taking into account only drag and gravity forces supposing one way coupling. Finally, we calculated Stokes numbers based on the different fluid time scales and the mean drift parameter for all the solved cases and studied their isolated effect on the solid particle dispersion in the recirculation zones by computing the concentration by means of the particle number within the recirculation zones. Our results coincided with the experimental findings reported by others authors: the particle concentration exhibits a maximum value as the Reynolds number upstream in the pipe is decreased, the pipe expansion ratio is increased and particle size is decreased. Regarding the results obtained numerically about the solid particle dispersion within turbulent recirculation zones in terms of Stokes numbers and the mean drift parameters, coincided adequately with the experimental results.

Paraneoplastic pemphigus is an autoimmune blistering skin disease associated with concurrent neoplasia that is rarely observed in veterinary medicine.

Case description:

This case report presents a ten-year-old female Labrador Retriever dog with generalized seborrhea and alopecic, crusting and ulcerative lesions in the periocular and perioral regions, the lips and the groins.

Findings/treatment and outcome:

Hematology analysis showed a marked increase in the number of lymphocytes, while the rest of the values were normal. Skin biopsies were collected and the histological findings were consistent with pemphigus in association with an epitheliotropic lymphoma. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed. There was deposition of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in the basement membrane and in the intercellular space that corresponded with an immunostaining pattern characteristic of pemphigus erythematosus (PE). The lymphoma was positive to CD3 cells and was classified as a T-cell epitheliotropic lymphoma.

To our knowledge, this is the first case of PE and cutaneous lymphoma coexisting in a dog, expanding the list of associations between immune-mediated diseases and cancer in dogs, and providing support to the eventual connection between autoimmunity and neoplasia in this species.

Nowadays, self-healing process and compensating of the applied damages without any tracking of physical intervention has become one of the subjects of interest for researchers. Self-healing ability is especially used for protective coatings in order to enhance both stability and durability. In this study, carbon nanospheres were used to fabricate the self-healing protective coatings based on epoxy resin. In the first step, carbon spherical nanostructures were synthesized according to the hard templating method. In the second step, doping of epoxy and polyamine agents in the spherical structures were performed using vacuum jar method. Then, 8 wt. % of the epoxy doped carbon nanospheres and 4 wt. % of the polyamine doped carbon nanospheres in stoichiometry ratio were dispersed uniformly in epoxy matrix. Finally, the morphology of the synthesized carbon nanocapsules and self-healing performance of the fabricated coatings were evaluated using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET). The results showed that due to the applying of artificial scratches on the coatings and fracture of the doped capsules, release of epoxy and polyamine from carbon capsules and performing of curing reactions between them led to the healing of the scratch regions.

Context: Temporal lobe epilepsy is the most frequent drug-resistant epilepsy. It has a high success rate in surgical treatment, provided that the epileptic zone (EZ) was accurately localized through a pre-surgical evaluation and removed. Pharmacological activation inducing interictal activity is tested as a complementary method in the pre-surgical diagnosis, although with nonspecific results and limited safety, due to poorly tolerated side effects..
Evidence Acquisition: Etomidate is a well-tolerated, fast onset and rapid decline drug with a few side effects. Studies conducted to evaluate the safety and usefulness of etomidate to identify the EZ showed that etomidate activates irritative zone only in the areas where spikes previously appeared in basal conditions, besides having a high coefficient of lateralization for ictal onset zone (IOZ). Regarding the analysis of the topography of the voltage sources, it is shown that interictal, ictal and etomidate-induced activities greatly overlap, indicating that the biophysical mechanisms are similar, and the cortical areas where all types of activities appear are likely the same or closely related. In addition, from the point of view of complex networks, etomidate produces very similar changes in the limbic network to those occurring during temporal seizures i.e. an impaired connectivity in the ipsilateral side to the IOZ..
All findings suggest that etomidate, in a specific manner, activates the neural and biophysical mechanisms of spontaneous epilepsy..
This technique can be used as a diagnostic tool during the pre-surgical evaluation of patients with TLE to define the region resected during epilepsy surgery with confidence..

We present a case of bilateral extensive peripapillary myelinated retinal nerve fibers (MRNF) in an individual with Crouzon syndrome, an inherited form of craniosynostosis caused by overactivation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2. As a secondary aim, we examine the utility of optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography for visualization of peripapillary vasculature obscured by myelination on other imaging modalities.
A 24-year-old woman with Crouzon syndrome was evaluated for suspected optic neuritis in the right eye.
Funduscopic examination and photography revealed the incidental finding of bilateral extensive peripapillary MRNF. OCT angiography provided excellent visualization of peripapillary retinal vessels, which were partially obscured by myelination on other imaging modalities.
This association of Crouzon syndrome with bilateral peripapillary MRNF may lend insight into the developmental control of optic nerve myelination, the pathogenesis of MRNF, and the potential role of growth factors in these processes. Further, OCT angiography allowed for excellent blood vessel visualization in this case of MRNF.

Renal transplantation is the best treatment for end stage renal disease. Acute graft rejection is one of the main complications and may influence graft survival.
To determine the incidence and features of acute cellular rejection (ACR) episodes confirmed by biopsy.
We studied a cohort of 175 patients who underwent renal transplantation between 2004 and 2012 to determine the cumulative incidence of ACR confirmed by biopsy and to identify the associated risk factors using multivariate analysis.
The one-year patient survival was 96.6%; the graft survival was 93.7%. The incidence of ACR within one year was 14.3%, of which 46% were observed within 6 months following transplantation. The most frequently observed ACR type was 1B according to the Banff classification system (42%). A relationship between ACR and receipt of a kidney from expanded criteria donors was observed, both in univariate and adjusted multiple log-binomial regression analyses, but only 6.3% of patients received extended criteria donor kidneys. No other relationships between variables were found.
ACR frequency in this study was similar to that of other cohorts reported previously. We need a bigger sample of renal transplants from expanded criteria donors, PRA and DSA test to support the results.

Many new varieties of mandarins have not been characterized from the nutritional and organoleptic point of view. It is important to know this information in order to select the cultivars of the highest quality. We characterized the physicochemical properties of 9 commercial early-maturing mandarins from south-east Spain: Four "Traditional Clementines" (Clemenules, Orogrande, Arrufatina, Oronules), 4 "New Clementines" (Loretina, Mioro, Clemenpons and Clemenrubí or Prim-23) and one "Satsuma" (Iwasaqui). ‘Oronules’, ‘Clemenules’ and ‘Iwasaki’ were the varieties that had the highest fresh weight (>120 g). The “Mioro” variety had the highest acidity (12.50 g L-1), and the juices from “Loretina” and “Mioro” showed the highest values of total soluble solids: 12.77 and 12.57 (ºBrix), respectively. “Loretina” and “Oronules” showed the most elevated values of total phenolic compounds, with 78.75 and 75.56 mg L-1 respectively. The main volatile compound was the monoterpene limonene. Following limonene in concentration was b-myrcene (25 μg L-1). “Clemenrubí” was the best variety for fresh consumption among the 9 examined, due to its high content of total phenols and ascorbic acid. Limonene was the main aroma of the mandarin juice, and the “Mioro” cultivar showed a different profile from the rest of cultivars studied according to the principal component analysis performed.

We evaluated the effect of different concentrations of Phosphite (Phi) (0, 0.25, and 0.50 mM) in nutrient solution on lettuce and chard. The fresh and dry biomass of lettuce shoots and heads, root volume, and P accumulation in roots showed no significant differences compared to the controls for different Phi concentrations in nutrient solution. In chard, no statistical differences were found among Phi concentrations for P concentrations in roots and shoots, total free amino-acids in leaves, chlorophyll-b, and soluble sugars. The phosphorus concentration in lettuce shoots was 15.6 and 50.6% higher in plants treated with 0.25 and 0.50 mM of Phi, respectively, compared with the controls. In lettuce, phosphorus levels in roots, total free amino-acids and soluble sugars in leaves were statistically greater for 0.25 mM of Phi in nutrient solution. The concentration of chlorophyll-a, b and total chlorophyll in lettuce leaves increased positively with Phi concentration in nutrient solution. The addition of more than 0.25 mM of Phi to the nutrient solution for chard negatively affected the fresh and dry biomass weight of shoots and roots, and P accumulation in roots and shoots. The concentration of chlorophyll-a, b and total chlorophyll in chard leaves was statistically higher with 0.25 mM of Phi in nutrient solution. We conclude that Phi has differential effects on lettuce and chard physiology, and positive plant responses may be observed when Phi is used up to 0.25 mM in sufficient P conditions.

This article derives the distribution of random matrix X associated with the transformation Y = X*X, such that Y has a Riesz distribution for real normed division algebras. Two versions of this distributions are proposed and some of their properties are studied.

To describe the clinical and optical coherence tomography (OCT) characteristics of ischemic maculopathy in two patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Two patients with AIDS and cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis developed ischemic maculopathy. Both patients presented with central visual loss and active granular CMV retinitis. The presence of opacification of the superficial retina in the macular area and intraretinal edema suggested the diagnosis. Fluorescein angiography changes were similar in the two cases with enlargement of the foveal avascular zone and late staining of juxtafoveal vessels. OCT changes were suggestive of retinal ischemia: Increased reflectivity from the inner retinal layer and decreased backscattering from the retinal photoreceptors due to fluid and retinal edema. Ischemic maculopathy may cause a severe and permanent decrease in vision in AIDS patients. Fluorescein angiography and OCT should be considered in any patient with AIDS and unexplained visual loss. The mechanism of ischemic maculopathy may be multifactorial.

The mechanism for the electroanalytical function of the cobalt oxy-hydroxycompound in the electrochemical oxidation of oxalic acid was suggested. The mathematical model, describing this process, has been developed and analyzed by means of steady-state stability theory and bifurcation analysis. The behavior of the system was compared with the behavior of analogous systems. The steady-state stability requirements and oscillatory and monotonic instability conditions have been obtained. These instabilities may be caused by surface and electrochemical factor. The oscillation frequency and amplitude are pH-dependent, and the first parameter grows with pH. The pH-range of electroanalytical sensing efficiency was also derived and it is corresponding to moderate alkaline solutions.

A random listing of flora and fauna species along Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary (MHRWS) Interpretation Site, Municipalities of Mati , San Isidro and Governor Generoso , Province of Davao Oriental , Philippines was conducted during April 28 – May 5, 2016. One hundred twenty - three (123 ) flora species belonging to 80 families and 111 genera have been identified. In addition, 96 species of fauna species belonging 23 orders have also been recorded. The unidentified flora and fauna species calls for further efforts of assessment, research a nd identification. Overall, the baseline data show high endemicity and biodiversity within the MHRWS Interpretation Site.

This study investigated single-step extraction of heavy metals from contaminated sediments collected in the port of Cádiz. Experimental tests of washing with an aqueous solution of a chelating agent were performed at selected solid/liquid (S/L) ratios. Two chelating agents were chosen: 0.3 M EDTA(pH 3.8 and 8) and sodium citrate (1 M). The objective of the tests was to investigate extractive decontamination by the washing treatment. The study was focused on the extraction of Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cd. The experiments showed that the decontamination efficiencies of the extractants were of the order: EDTA (pH 3.8) > EDTA (pH 8) ~ sodium citrate. EDTAsolution with slightly acid pH was optimal for the extraction of Pb, Cu, Zn and Cd. The data obtained from the thermal analysis of sediments after the decontamination process indicated the success of the extraction procedurewhich is proposed as a technique for controlling the behaviour of the decontamination process.

Allergic asthma is the most common acute inflammatory airway disorder and their incidence population has exploded in the last years, being estimated that over 300 million people worldwide have the condition. Here, we present a brief overview of relationship of allergic asthma with diet and food intake. Several studies have shown that most asthma cases are due to an allergic immune response to environmental allergens. Diet affects strongly the development of asthma because the systemic inflammatory mediators are affected by a high fat diet and obesity. Thus, obesity has effect on airway function and trigger inflammation path ways. There are also strong associations between asthma and dietary antioxidants, such as vitamins, and they may protect the respiratory system from inflammation and allergic reactions. An increased prevalence of food allergy has been also observed in the last years and this problem could be a major risk factor for severe asthma. According to the findings of many researchers, specific diets could help controlling asthma, therefore therapeutic strategies for allergic asthma suggest the modification of diet, which could include antioxidantrich foods, the avoidance of allergic food, low saturated fat intake and maintenance of weight in the healthy range.

Anxiety is an emotional state characterized by apprehension and fear resulting from anticipation of a threatening event.. The present study aimed to analyze the incidence and level of preoperative anxiety in the patients scheduled for cardiac surgery by using a Visual Analogue Scale for Anxiety (VAS-A) and Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) and to identify the influencing clinical factors..Patients and This prospective, longitudinal study was performed on 300 cardiac surgery patients in a single university hospital. The patients were assessed regarding their preoperative anxiety level using VAS-A, APAIS, and a set of specific anxiety-related questions. Their demographic features as well as their anesthetic and surgical characteristics (ASA physical status, EuroSCORE, preoperative Length of Stay (LoS), and surgical history) were recorded, as well. Then, one-way ANOVA and t-test were applied along with odds ratio for risk assessment.. According to the results, 94% of the patients presented preoperative anxiety, with 37% developing high anxiety (VAS-A ≥ 7). Preoperative LoS > 2 days was the only significant risk factor for preoperative anxiety (odds ratio = 2.5, CI 95%, 1.3 - 5.1, P = 0.009). Besides, a positive correlation was found between anxiety level (APAISa) and requirement of knowledge (APAISk). APAISa and APAISk scores were greater for surgery than for anesthesia. Moreover, the results showed that the most common anxieties resulted from the operation, waiting for surgery, not knowing what is happening, postoperative pain, awareness during anesthesia, and not awakening from anesthesia.. APAIS and VAS-A provided a quantitative assessment of anxiety and a specific qualitative questionnaire for preoperative anxiety in cardiac surgery. According to the results, preoperative LoS > 2 days and lack of information related to surgery were the risk factors for high anxiety levels..

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important crop among Brazilian smallholder farmers, who are also responsible for 40% of the poultry and egg production in the country. Although poultry litter is considered a potential pollutant, if properly stabilized and distributed in the field it can be used as a source of nitrogen for maize production.In this study, the response of maize to mineral fertilizer and poultry litter as source of nitrogen was evaluated and the results were then used to parameterize a processbased model. For both sources of nitrogen used in the second trial the average observed yield was higher than the average yield obtained by farmers during the preceding years, indicating that there is a potential for improvement of maize yield in the region. A rate of 195 kg ha-1 of nitrogen as poultry litter provided a slightly higher yield than a rate of 145 kg ha-1 of nitrogen as mineral fertilizer. After adjustments in the CSM-CERES-Maize cultivar-specific coefficients the model satisfactorily simulated maize anthesis, physiological maturity and yield. Poultry litter has the potential to be an alternative source of nitrogen for maize production in smallholder farms. The CSM-CERES-Maize model properly simulated maize growth, development and yield for both, mineral fertilizer and poultry litter sources of nitrogen.

Maize (Zea mays L.) production requires large amounts of nitrogen (N) that directly affect production cost. Poultry litter can be used as an alternative source of N. To optimize its use, poultry litter requires technical and economic feasibility analyses. Crop simulation models have proven to be efficient tools to support this type of research. The objectives of this study were to determine yield and net return of maize production fertilized with both mineral fertilizer and poultry litter. High inter-annual variation was observed in simulated yield for all fertilization strategies evaluated. The higher the mineral N rate, the higher the yield. Among the treatments fertilized with poultry litter the highest yield was obtained with a rate equivalent to 240 kg ha-1 of N. The trend of the economic net return for the different rates of mineral fertilizers was in the opposite direction of the trend in yield, i.e., the higher the rate of mineral fertilizer, the lower the economic return. Among the poultry litter fertilization strategies, the average economic net return increased up to a rate equivalent to 210 kg ha-1 of N, decreasing for higher rates. Poultry litter rates equivalent to 120 to 300 kg ha-1 of N, economically exceeded all the mineral fertilization strategies that were evaluated. Among all sources and rates, the highest net return was obtained for a rate of 210 kg ha-1 of N as poultry litter. Higher rates provided a lower net return and increased the likelihood of nitrate leaching.

Recent studies have shown that firms that have adopted environmental standards and those that have obtained official quality certifications achieve higher labour productivity than firms that have not done so. Unlike previous studies, this paper analyzes the combined effect of implementing environmental good practices and obtaining quality certifications on apparent labour productivity using a sample of 106 hotels in Andalusia (Spain). To this end, a descriptive analysis and an econometric estimation of a production function were conducted based on data obtained from the Quality, Productivity and Competitiveness in the Hospitality Industry for Andalusia project. We applied a standard Cobb-Douglas production function to this data, and extended the function by introducing an indicator of the implementation of good environmental practice by hotels and four different types of quality certifications as additional explanatory variables. The econometric results indicate that labour productivity increases only when both the Q mark is awarded and environmental good practices are implemented (by 18.74% and 7.51%, respectively). In conclusion, the positive response of consumers towards improving environmental and quality measures may be an incentive to invest in these measures.

Obesity is a major health problem worldwide for which conventional therapy effi cacy is limited. Traditional Chinese medicine, particularly body acupoint stimulation, provides an alternative, eff ective, and safe therapy for this medical challenge. Th e present study was designed to compare the eff ects of distinct methods to stimulate the same set of acupoints, on anthropometric and biochemical parameters in obese women. Ninety-nine obese women were randomly assigned to six groups of treatment: Acupuncture with moxibustion, long needle acupuncture with moxibustion, electroacupuncture (EA), EA with moxibustion, embedded catgut with moxibustion (CGM) and sham acupuncture as control. Obesity-related parameters, including body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumferences, waist/hip ratio, biochemical parameters (triglycerides, cholesterol, glucose, insulin) and homeostasis model of assessment - insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, were determined before and after each treatment. Body weight and BMI were signifi cantly reduced in response to all treatments. Interestingly, acupoint catgut embedding therapy combined with moxibustion was the only treatment that produced a signifi cant reduction in body weight (3.1 ± 0.2 kg, P < 0.001), BMI (1.3 ± 0.1 kg/m2, P < 0.001), insulin (3.5 ± 0.8 mcU/ml, P < 0.1) and HOMA-IR (1.4 ± 0.2 units, P < 0.01) in comparison with sham group. Furthermore, this treatment was able to bring back obese women to a state of insulin sensitivity, indicating that acupoint catgut embedding therapy combined with moxibustion could beuseful as a complementary therapy to reduce the risk of diabetes associated to obesity in women. Overall, our results confi rmed the eff ectiveness of acupoints stimulation to assist in the control of body weight in women. Th ey also highlighted the more favorable eff ects of embedded catgutmoxibustion combination that may be due to the extended and consistent stimulation of acupoints.

Nosocomial infections acquired during hospitalization depend on the characteristics of the microorganisms, with a high risk of these being acquired when the environment is contaminated. Cross-transmission of microorganisms by contaminated surfaces and the hands of health care workers are considered to be the main route of the spread of nosocomial infections and in many Mexican hospitals, information about microbial and fungi contaminants on indoor surfaces is insufficient. In this study, we explore the bacterial and fungal genera present on surfacestaken from; armrest beds, wash sinks, medical tables, and the hands of medical staff fromemergency, intensive care unit, inhalation therapy, stomatology and pediatric areas. The present study was conducted in a hospital located in Xalapa City in Mexico; the samples were taken during a 6 month period from August to December, 2010. Surface swab specimens were collected from predefined surfaces with cotton tipped applicators, pre-moistened with sterile saline and inoculated on Sabouraud dextrose or selective Eosin-Methylene Blue agar plates and incubated for 1 to 7 days at 28°C or 37°C in three triplications in order to isolate bacterial and fungal contaminants. We isolated and identified gram-negative bacteria and fungi and the results showed that the predominant bacteria were; Klebsiella spp. Pseudomonas spp. and E coli spp. The predominant genera of fungi were; Cladosporium spp. Microsporum canis., Aspergillusspp. and Penicillium spp. This study showed that all areas of the hospital have pathogenic fungi and bacteria, indicating that these are a potential source of cross-infection from the hands of health care workers to their patients.

In this work we give an alterative proof of one of basic properties of zonal polynomials and generalised it for Jack polynomials.

Abstract Tempranillo is one of the most widely cultivated grapevine varieties in Spain. After several years of clone selection, some highly recommended old clones have been identified in terms of both their qualitative and production characteristics. This study was designed to discriminate among 28 ancient clones of the cultivar Tempranillo (Vitis vinifera). DNAs from clones were analysed using two different molecular markers; microsatellites (SSR) and retrotransposons. Our results indicate that one variant genotype was expressed as three alleles. Further analysis revealed the presence of a chimera, in which the third allele was present in leaf but not root or wood tissue, indicating a functionally double-layered apical meristem. We also report here that one retrotranposon marker was able to discriminate one grapevine clone (VP1) from the remaining clones.