bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Level Control of Coupled Tank System Based on Neural Network Techniques
Authors: Sousa B. S. , Silva F. V. , Fileti A. M. F.
Published: October 2019

The control design of coupled tanks is not an easy task due to the nonlinear characteristic of the valves, and the interactions between the controlled variables. Those features pose a challenge in the automatic control, so that linear controllers, such as conventional PID, might not work properly for regulating this MIMO system. Some advanced control techniques (e. g. control based on neural networks) can be used since neural networks are universal approximators which can deal with nonlinearities and interactions between process variables. In the present work, an experimental investigation was performed presenting a comparison between two neural network-based techniques and testing the feasibility of these techniques in the coupled tanks system. First principles simulations helped to find suitable parameters for the controllers. The results showed that the model predictive control based on artificial neural networks presented the best performance for supervisory tests. On the other hand, the inverse neural network needed a very accurate model and small plant-model mismatches led to undesirable offsets.
Perspective Analysis of Emerging Natural Gas-based Technology Options for Electricity Production
Authors: Bhander Gurbakhash , Wai Lee Chun , Hakos Matthew
Published: October 2019

The growing worldwide interest in low carbon electric generation technologies has renewed interest in natural gas because it is considered a cleaner burning and more flexible alternative to other fossil fuels. Recent shale gas developments have increased natural gas production and availability while lowering cost, allowing a shift to natural gas for electricity production to be a cost-effective option.

Natural gas generation in the U.S. electricity sector has grown substantially in recent years (over 31 percent in 2012, up from 17 percent in 1990), while carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of the sector have generally declined. Natural gas-fired electrical generation offers several advantages over other fossil (e. g. coal, oil) fuel-fired generation. The combination of the lower carbon-to-hydrogen ratio in natural gas (compared to other fossil fuels) and the higher efficiency of natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) power plants (using two thermodynamic cycles) than traditional fossil-fueled electric power generation (using a single cycle) results in less CO2 emissions per unit of electricity produced. Furthermore, natural gas combustion results in considerably fewer emissions of air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter (PM). Natural gas is not the main option for deep de-carbonization. If deep reduction is prioritized, whether of the electricity sector or of the entire economy, there are four primary technologies that would be assumed to play a prominent role: energy efficiency equipment, nuclear power, renewable energy, and carbon capture and storage (CCS). However, natural gas with low carbon generation technologies can be considered a “bridge” to transition to these deep decarbonization options. This paper discusses the economics and environmental impacts, focusing on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, associated with alternative electricity production options using natural gas as the fuel source. We also explore pairing NGCC with carbon capture, explicitly examining the costs and emissions of amine absorption, cryogenic carbon capture, carbonate fuel cells, and oxy-combustion.
Influence of Electromagnetic Characteristics of Shaft Material on the Performance of Induction Motor
Authors: Zhang Wenzhong , Zou Xutian , Sun Junfeng
Published: October 2019

Shaft is an important part of rotor, whose electromagnetic characteristics have an impact on the performance of the motor, especially when large diameter shaft and thin rotor yoke are adopted in the two-pole induction motor. Taking a 3 kW two-pole three-phase induction motor as an example, the two-dimensional electromagnetic field model of the motor is established by using finite element method. Firstly, by analyzing the difference of current, power factor, loss and magnetic field distribution of the motor with different shafts that are made from ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic materials. It is determined that the different magnetic saturation degree of rotor yoke is the key factor affecting the performance of motor when different shaft materials are used. Secondly, it is verified that the traditional analytic design method has the inaccurate design problem of the rotor yoke height due to neglecting the specific electromagnetic characteristics of shaft material. Finally, by comparing the differences of motor performance when several common magnetic shaft materials are used in motor shafts, the advantages of various shaft materials in improving motor performance are found. The presented results give guidelines to selecting shaft materials to improve motor performance.
Analysis of Volatile Compounds from Wheat Flour in the Heating Process
Authors: Chai Duo , Li Chongwei , Zhang Xinxin , Yang Jingfeng , Liu Longze , Xu Xianbing , Du Ming , Wang Yi , Chen Yan , Dong Liang
Published: October 2019

Volatile profiling was carried out during heating through vacuum-assisted headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to better understand the flavor forming mechanism of flour products. Ninety-two volatile compounds were detected and identified, including aldehydes (25), ketones (15), alcohols (9), nitrogen- and sulfur-containing compounds (6), benzene derivatives (15), furans (10), and acids and esters (12). The formation temperature of each volatile was also determined. Results showed that temperature played an important role in the formation and content of volatile compounds. In the low-temperature range (60 °C–100 °C), the flavor composition of flour was mainly composed of C6–C10 volatile aldehydes and alcohols. At temperatures exceeding 100 °C, especially at 120 °C, many long carbon chain aldehydes and alcohols, furans, acids, esters, nitrogen- and sulfur-containing compounds were formed. The formation rate of most identified volatile compounds increased during heating, especially from 90 °C to 130 °C.
Existence, Uniqueness and UHR Stability of Solutions to Nonlinear Ordinary Differential Equations with Noninstantaneous Impulses
Authors: Zhang Xuping , Xin Zhen
Published: October 2019

We consider the existence, uniqueness and Ulam–Hyers–Rassias stability of solutions to the initial value problem with noninstantaneous impulses on ordered Banach spaces. The existence and uniqueness of solutions for nonlinear ordinary differential equation with noninstantaneous impulses is obtained by using perturbation technique, monotone iterative method and a new estimation technique of the measure of noncompactness under the situation that the corresponding noninstantaneous impulsive functionsgiare compact and not compact, respectively. Furthermore, the UHR stability of solutions is also obtained, which provides an approach to find approximate solution to noninstantaneous impulsive equations in the sense of UHR stability.
Push No One Behind
Authors: Elson Diane
Published: October 2019

One of the pillars of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is the pledge to “leave no one behind”. This paper argues that we must recognise that many people throughout the world are not just being left behind. They are being pushed even further behind, and their levels of well-being are falling, often in ways from which it is impossible to fully recover. Indeed, many are confronted with forces that lead to their avoidable premature deaths. Thus, development policies should have as their first priority to ensure that no one is pushed behind. The paper argues that this could be secured through a different way of framing economic policy, that focuses on the obligations of states to respect, protect and fulfil economic, social and cultural rights. The paper also highlights the ways in which deprived people are using the human rights system to claim their rights.
Migration, Diasporas, Remittances and the Sustainable Development Goals in Least Developed Countries
Authors: Nurse Keith
Published: October 2019

Migration, diasporas and the growth of remittances are key contemporary development trends which impact directly the lives of one in seven persons and often some of the most vulnerable and as such are critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda of “leaving no one behind”. Migration is captured in four Goals and five Targets in the SDGs however it is argued that the developmental potential of migration for LDCs is an underexploited asset. The paper offers critical perspectives on the SDGs targets by analysing the impact of remittances (including South-South remittances) and other financial investments such as diaspora savings and bonds. The analysis then focusses on financial innovation through the growth of money transfer organizations in LDCs (i.e. Haiti, Tonga and Bangladesh) and the rise of mobile money. The impact of these trends on financial inclusion and the banking of unbanked populations is then considered. The paper concludes with some key recommendations and insights.
Tourism, Representation and Compensation among the Dukha Reindeer Herders of Mongolia
Authors: Hatcherson Jean
Published: October 2019

Increasingly, tourists come to northern Mongolia to visit the camps of the Dukha reindeer herders, a small group often characterized as primitive and disappearing. The year-round entry of tourists to Dukha camps is unregulated; the timing and context of these encounters, including compensation and accommodation, unpredictable. Some herders leverage dominant cultural and social capital, gaining more visitors and more opportunities to earn cash. However, while visits bolster the local economy, these cross-cultural contacts may disrupt traditional socio-cultural identities, migration patterns and egalitarian norms. This qualitative, interpretive study used guided, open-ended interviews (N=30), a modified pile sort and participant observation to examine reindeer herders’ perceptions of tourist visits and gift giving. Results show Dukha most involved with tourists have a positive attitude toward their visits. As tourists generally stay only two to four days, negative outcomes vis-a-vis gifts, cultural misrepresentations and economic compensation currently appear minimized. However, as visits increase, taiga tourism would further benefit from Dukha owned and controlled economic and ethnographic initiatives.
The cultural transformation of the proprioceptive senses
Authors: Lagopoulos Alexandros Ph.
Published: October 2019

The research question of the present paper is what relation exists between biology and cultural semiosis and I examine as a token of this question the relation between the physiological senses of proprioception and the cultural concepts corresponding to them. While the origins of semiosis are biological, the origin of proprioceptive concepts is debated. Against the biological view that the proprioceptive senses define directly the concepts corresponding to them, there is an opposite view supporting that these concepts are culture-specific. The concept of “classification system” is counter-proposed as the structural framework for the study of proprioceptive concepts.

The paper discusses the senses and concepts of proprioception on the basis of a large corpus of anthropological and archaeological material concerning the semiotic systems of precapitalist societies and with the help of a set of metalinguistic spatial concepts. These metalinguistic concepts are up vs. down, front vs. rear, and right vs. left. The senses corresponding to them lead to the senses and concepts of spatial orientation and presuppose a point of reference, closely related to the sense of equilibrium.

My conclusion is that the cultural concepts corresponding to these senses are not directly extrapolated from the senses themselves, but are culture-specific and each time integrated within a different cultural and social environment.
Talking about, for, and to the People: Populism and Representation in Parliamentary Debates on Europe
Authors: Truan Naomi
Published: October 2019

This paper contributes to the discussion on the reference to ‘the people’ in contemporary politics. Illuminating the tension raised by representation, this corpus-assisted analysis investigates how Members of Parliament discursively construct the necessity to represent and involve the people while being at the same time the ones holding the floor. Close analysis of British, German, and French parliamentary debates on Europe reveals that parliamentary talk relies on a twofold dynamic: enacting the people’s voice and making parliamentary debates accessible. These patterns are represented in the speeches of all parliamentary groups. This shows that none of these discourse strategies are, per se, a prerogative of populist movements, thus shedding light on the necessity to think the articulation between populist style and populist ideology.
Isolation of LMX1a Ventral Midbrain Progenitors Improves the Safety and Predictability of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neural Transplants in Parkinsonian Disease
Authors: de Luzy Isabelle R. , Niclis Jonathan C. , Gantner Carlos W. , Kauhausen Jessica A. , Hunt Cameron P.J. , Ermine Charlotte , Pouton Colin W. , Thompson Lachlan H. , Parish Clare L.
Published: October 2019

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are a promising resource for the replacement of degenerated ventral midbrain dopaminergic (vmDA) neurons in Parkinson's disease. Despite recent advances in protocols for thein vitrogeneration of vmDA neurons, the asynchronous and heterogeneous nature of the differentiations results in transplants of surprisingly low vmDA neuron purity. As the field advances toward the clinic, it will be optimal, if not essential, to remove poorly specified and potentially proliferative cells from donor preparations to ensure safety and predictable efficacy. Here, we use two novel hPSC knock-in reporter lines expressing GFP under the LMX1A and PITX3 promoters, to selectively isolate vm progenitors and DA precursors, respectively. For each cell line, unsorted, GFP+, and GFP−cells were transplanted into male or female Parkinsonian rodents. Only rats receiving unsorted cells, LMX1A-eGFP+, or PITX3-eGFP−cell grafts showed improved motor function over 6 months. Postmortem analysis revealed small grafts from PITX3-eGFP+cells, suggesting that these DA precursors were not compatible with cell survival and integration. In contrast, LMX1A-eGFP+grafts were highly enriched for vmDA neurons, and importantly excluded expansive proliferative populations and serotonergic neurons. These LMX1A-eGFP+progenitor grafts accelerated behavioral recovery and innervated developmentally appropriate forebrain targets, whereas LMX1A-eGFP−cell grafts failed to restore motor deficits, supported by increased fiber growth into nondopaminergic target nuclei. This is the first study to use an hPSC-derived reporter line to purify vm progenitors, resulting in improved safety, predictability of the graft composition, and enhanced motor function.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTClinical trials have shown functional integration of transplanted fetal-derived dopamine progenitors in Parkinson's disease. Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived midbrain progenitors are now being tested as an alternative cell source; however, despite current differentiation protocols generating >80% correctly specified cells for implantation, resultant grafts contain a small fraction of dopamine neurons. Cell-sorting approaches, to select for correctly patterned cells before implantation, are being explored yet have been suboptimal to date. This study provides the first evidence of using 2 hPSC reporter lines (LMX1A-GFP and PITX3-GFP) to isolate correctly specified cells for transplantation. We show LMX1A-GFP+, but not PITX3-GFP+, cell grafts are more predictable, with smaller grafts, enriched in dopamine neurons, showing appropriate integration and accelerated functional recovery in Parkinsonian rats.
Contribution of the Retrotrapezoid Nucleus and Carotid Bodies to Hypercapnia- and Hypoxia-induced Arousal from Sleep
Authors: Souza George M.P.R. , Stornetta Ruth L. , Stornetta Daniel S. , Abbott Stephen B.G. , Guyenet Patrice G.
Published: October 2019

The combination of hypoxia and hypercapnia during sleep produces arousal, which helps restore breathing and normalizes blood gases. Hypercapnia and hypoxia produce arousal in mammals by activating central (pH-sensitive) and peripheral (primarily O2-sensitive) chemoreceptors. The relevant chemoreceptors and the neuronal circuits responsible for arousal are largely unknown. Here we examined the contribution of two lower brainstem nuclei that could be implicated in CO2and hypoxia-induced arousal: the retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN), a CO2-responsive nucleus, which mediates the central respiratory chemoreflex; and the C1 neurons, which are hypoxia activated and produce arousal and blood pressure increases when directly stimulated. Additionally, we assessed the contribution of the carotid bodies (CBs), the main peripheral chemoreceptors in mammals, to hypoxia and CO2-induced arousal. In unanesthetized male rats, we tested whether ablation of the RTN, CBs, or C1 neurons affects arousal from sleep and respiratory responses to hypercapnia or hypoxia. The sleep–wake pattern was monitored by EEG and neck EMG recordings and breathing by whole-body plethysmography. The latency to arousal in response to hypoxia or hypercapnia was determined along with changes in ventilation coincident with the arousal. RTN lesions impaired CO2-induced arousal but had no effect on hypoxia-induced arousal. CB ablation impaired arousal to hypoxia and, to a lesser extent, hypercapnia. C1 neuron ablation had no effect on arousal. Thus, the RTN contributes to CO2-induced arousal, whereas the CBs contribute to both hypoxia and CO2-induced arousal. Asphyxia-induced arousal likely requires the combined activation of RTN, CBs and other central chemoreceptors.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTHypercapnia and hypoxia during sleep elicit arousal, which facilitates airway clearing in the case of obstruction and reinstates normal breathing in the case of hypoventilation or apnea. Arousal can also be detrimental to health by interrupting sleep. We sought to clarify how CO2and hypoxia cause arousal. We show that the retrotrapezoid nucleus, a brainstem nucleus that mediates the effect of brain acidification on breathing, also contributes to arousal elicited by CO2but not hypoxia. We also show that the carotid bodies contribute predominantly to hypoxia-induced arousal. Lesions of the retrotrapezoid nucleus or carotid bodies attenuate, but do not eliminate, arousal to CO2or hypoxia; therefore, we conclude that these structures are not the sole trigger of CO2or hypoxia-induced arousal.
Alpha Oscillations in the Human Brain Implement Distractor Suppression Independent of Target Selection
Authors: Wöstmann Malte , Alavash Mohsen , Obleser Jonas
Published: October 2019

In principle, selective attention is the net result of target selection and distractor suppression. The way in which both mechanisms are implemented neurally has remained contested. Neural oscillatory power in the alpha frequency band (∼10 Hz) has been implicated in the selection of to-be-attended targets, but there is lack of empirical evidence for its involvement in the suppression of to-be-ignored distractors. Here, we use electroencephalography recordings ofN= 33 human participants (males and females) to test the preregistered hypothesis that alpha power directly relates to distractor suppression and thus operates independently from target selection. In an auditory spatial pitch discrimination task, we modulated the location (left vs right) of either a target or a distractor tone sequence, while fixing the other in the front. When the distractor was fixed in the front, alpha power relatively decreased contralaterally to the target and increased ipsilaterally. Most importantly, when the target was fixed in the front, alpha lateralization reversed in direction for the suppression of distractors on the left versus right. These data show that target-selection-independent alpha power modulation is involved in distractor suppression. Although both lateralized alpha responses for selection and for suppression proved reliable, they were uncorrelated and distractor-related alpha power emerged from more anterior, frontal cortical regions. Lending functional significance to suppression-related alpha oscillations, alpha lateralization at the individual, single-trial level was predictive of behavioral accuracy. These results fuel a renewed look at neurobiological accounts of selection-independent suppressive filtering in attention.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTAlthough well established models of attention rest on the assumption that irrelevant sensory information is filtered out, the neural implementation of such a filter mechanism is unclear. Using an auditory attention task that decouples target selection from distractor suppression, we demonstrate that two sign-reversed lateralized alpha responses reflect target selection versus distractor suppression. Critically, these alpha responses are reliable, independent of each other, and generated in more anterior, frontal regions for suppression versus selection. Prediction of single-trial task performance from alpha modulation after stimulus onset agrees with the view that alpha modulation bears direct functional relevance as a neural implementation of attention. Results demonstrate that the neurobiological foundation of attention implies a selection-independent alpha oscillatory mechanism to suppress distraction.
Increased leptin, decreased adiponectin and FGF21 concentrations in adolescent offspring of women with gestational diabetes
Authors: Kampmann Freja B , Thuesen Anne Cathrine B , Hjort Line , Bjerregaard Anne A , Chavarro Jorge E , Frystyk Jan , Bjerre Mette , Tetens Inge , Olsen Sjurdur F , Vaag Allan A , Damm Peter , Grunnet Louise G
Published: October 2019

Objective

Fetal exposure to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increases the risk of metabolic diseases in the offspring. Leptin, adiponectin, and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) may play potential roles in the underlying disease mechanisms. We investigated the impact of fetal exposure to GDM on leptin, adiponectin, and FGF21 concentrations and their associations with measures of adiposity and metabolic traits during childhood/adolescence.

Design and methods

The follow-up study included 504 GDM and 540 control offspring aged 9–16 from the Danish National Birth Cohort. Anthropometric measurements, fasting blood samples, puberty status and fat percentages by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were examined. Serum concentrations of leptin, adiponectin, and FGF21 were measured by validated immune assays.

Results

GDM offspring had 38% (95% CI: 22–55%) higher leptin, 0.6 mg/L (95% CI: −1.2, −0.04 mg/L) lower adiponectin, and 32% (95% CI: −47%, −12%) lower FGF21 concentrations than control offspring (P < 0.05). After adjustment for confounders including maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, GDM offspring had borderline higher leptin (P = 0.06) and significantly lower FGF21 concentrations (P = 0.006). When accounting for offspring BMI z-score, GDM exposure had no significant independent effect on leptin or adiponectin concentrations, whereas FGF21 was still significant. In univariate analyses, leptin and adiponectin were associated with fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and adiposity, and FGF21 with total fat percentage.

Conclusions

GDM offspring had higher leptin, lower adiponectin and FGF21 concentrations than control offspring. Elevated leptin and decreased adiponectin concentrations associated with adverse metabolic traits and were most likely driven by higher obesity prevalence among GDM offspring. The functional implications of decreased FGF21 concentrations among GDM offspring need to be further explored.
Caracterización de la prestación del servicio farmacéutico en el departamento de Sucre, Colombia
Authors: Galván Borja David , Martínez Cardeño Rina , Macareno Barvo José Luis , Pájaro Castro Nerlis
Published: October 2019

Con la ejecución de este estudio se pretende evaluar el nivel de cumplimiento de los servicios farmacéuticos del departamento de Sucre con las condiciones esenciales y procedimientos establecidos en la normatividad legal vigente en el país, así como determinar las características de la prestación de este servicio. Para lo cual, se realizó un estudio descriptivo exploratorio. Primero se solicitó el censo de establecimientos farmacéuticos del departamento de Sucre a la Secretaría Departamental de Salud y Cámara de Comercio, y fue seleccionado una muestra de servicios farmacéuticos dependientes e independientes por municipios, posteriormente se diseñó una herramienta de verificación basada en los requisitos exigidos por la Resolución 1403 de 2007, la cual fue aplicada en los sitios seleccionados. En el departamento de Sucre, el 99,47% de los servicios farmacéuticos se encuentran ubicados en zonas urbanas, la prestación del servicio es predominantemente independiente, la dirección técnica es ejercida en su mayoría por químicos farmacéuticos. En cuanto al nivel de cumplimiento, los servicios farmacéuticos dependientes presentan un 70,21% de cumplimiento y los independientes, 49,61%. En conclusión, se evidencia un problema de acceso a los medicamentos en las zonas rurales y una alta proporción de servicios farmacéuticos que no hacen parte del Sistema General de Seguridad Social en Salud, además de falencias en cuanto al nivel de cumplimiento sobre todo en los servicios independientes, lo cual genera una gran preocupación y la necesidad de generar acciones conjuntas entre las universidades, IPS, EPS y Gobierno para garantizar el acceso, la calidad y el uso adecuado de los medicamentos.
Measurement and correlation of solubility of ethylparaben in pure and binary solvents and thermodynamic properties of solution
Authors: Romero Nieto Alba Miledy , Cerquera Nestor E. , Delgado Daniel Ricardo
Published: October 2019

Solubility data of bioactive compound such as ethylparaben (EtP) are important for the scientific and community. Therefore, in present study, solubility, solution thermodynamics and solute-solvent interactions (at molecular level) of EtP in nine cosolvent mixtures (1-propanol {n-PrOH) (1) + methanol (MeOH) (2)} including pure solvent (methanol and 1-propanol) at three different temperatures, i.e. (T =283.2 K, 298.2 K, and 313.2 K) and constant pressure (p = 0.1 MPa) were studied. Experimental solubility of EtP (expressed in mole fraction) was observed highest in n-PrOH at 313.2 K, so, mole fraction solubility of EtP (x3) increases when temperature arises and increases with n-PrOH proportion increasing. Ideal solubilities of  EtP were estimated using their thermal parameters at three different temperatures. Ideal solubilities of EtP were observed similar to experimental solubilities of EtP at each temperature. With the help of ideal solubilities of EtP, activity coefficients were estimated. Based on estimated values of activity coefficients, highest interactions at molecular level were observed in rich-MeOH mixtures. Apparent thermodynamic analysis data showed endothermic and enthalpy-driven dissolution of EtP in each solvent and mixture studied. Solubility behavior was adequately correlated by means of the van’t Hoff and Yalkowsky-Roseman models combined.
La farmacia de los medicamentos genéricos
Authors: Aranda Mónica , Rosasco María Ana
Published: October 2019

Los medicamentos genéricos son una alternativa para mejorar el acceso a las medicinas que la población necesita y, además, hacen más sostenibles los programas de salud públicos y privados. Se ha seleccionado información y evidencia científica sobre este tipo de medicamentos de tal manera que los lectores –médicos, financiadores, organismos públicos y privados– puedan conformar su propia opinión y ayudar a tomar las decisiones más efectivas y eficientes. La relación existente entre los precios de estos productos y la protección de la propiedad intelectual a través de las patentes de los medicamentos es un centro de conflictos entre la industria farmacéutica y los sistemas de salud. En los Estados Unidos, la ley Hatch-Waxman ha cumplido una función muy importante al estimular el desarrollo de medicamentos genéricos. En un mismo intento, la Unión Europea (UE) ha desarrollado, a través de la Agencia Europea del Medicamento (EMA), una homogeneización en materia de autorización de medicamentos y exclusividad de los datos.
Encefalopatía por cefepima en paciente renal: una reacción adversa a medicamento
Authors: Álvarez Escalante Leidy Constanza , Vargas Plazas Hernán Isaías
Published: October 2019

La reacción adversa a medicamentos es un problema importante para la salud de pacientes en manejo hospitalario, encontrado de manera regular durante la práctica médica y cuya asociación no identificamos de forma oportuna, pero que aumentan la morbimortalidad y la estancia hospitalaria; en este artículo presentamos el caso clínico de un paciente con encefalopatía severa asociada al uso de cefepima, el deterioro clínico evidenciado durante su proceso de hospitalización y el razonamiento a través del cual se identificó una reacción adversa tipo A como causa de encefalopatía.
Adulterantes presentes en plantas medicinales de mercados municipales en Costa Rica
Authors: Madrigal de la Selva Monserrat , Mata-Monge Andrés , González-Suarez Sergio , Alfaro-Mora Ramsés
Published: October 2019

La carencia de una regulación sobre las plantas medicinales y el escaso control de calidad dado en Costa Rica ponen en riesgo la salud de la población. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar la presencia de adulterantes en manzanilla (Matricaria chamomilla) y juanilama (Lippia alba) de venta a granel en mercados de San José, Heredia y Cartago, Costa Rica. Se recolectaron muestras de manzanilla y juanilama en diferentes puntos de venta dentro de los mercados de Cartago, Heredia y San José. Las muestras se analizaron en fresco y a través de los criterios establecidos por la OMS, para el control de calidad de productos herbarios, se estableció la cuantificación de materiales ajenos al producto comerciado como: insectos, mezclas de minerales del suelo, plástico, vidrio y moho. Los resultados fueron analizados con Excel 2010 y el programa estadístico IBM SPSS 22. En mercados de Heredia y San José se venden productos que no corresponden a la especie terapéutica ofrecida. La manzanilla es vendida principalmente en condiciones frescas, mientras que la juanilama varía su condición dependiendo del mercado. Hubo presencia de adulterantes, como insectos, tierra, plásticos y mohos, en las plantas de manzanilla y juanilama de venta en las provincias de Cartago, Heredia y San José.
Analysis of the reports sent to an institutional patient safety program
Authors: Cortázar Yira Constanza , Orozco José Gilberto , López José Julián
Published: October 2019

Introduction: pharmacovigilance and patient safety programs have in common the monitoring of drugs, but despite sharing epidemiological method, language and legislation, there does not seem to be a clear relationship between them. Objectives: characterize and analyze the reports sent to the institutional patient safety program. Materials and methods: observational descriptive cross-sectional study of the reports database from an institutional patient safety program during 2016. Medication errors were classified according to the document WHO 2009. Adverse Drugs Reactions (ADR) were classified according to Uppsala Monitoring Center. Results: from the patient safety program it was detected that the omission of drugs or doses was the most frequent error (42.8%) followed by ADRs (20.9%). Harmful incidents were the most frequent (61.2%) followed by no harm incidents (38.8%). From the pharmacovigilance program 41 ADR and 15 therapeutic failures were identified, in which Phlebitis was the most frequently reported (23, 7%) followed by hypersensitivity reactions (18.4%) and excessive neuromuscular blockade (13.1%). Conclusions: a very important amount of incidents is not considered by any of the two programs, losing a valuable risk management opportunity. The program did not identify a clear distinction between harmful incident and ADR.
Evaluación de la actividad antioxidante en extractos hidroalcohólicos de Portulaca oleracea L.
Authors: Gruszycki Mabel Rosalía , Valenzuela Gabriela Malena , Báez Margarita , Leguiza Pedro Daniel , Gruszycki Ana Elena , Alba Daniel Andrés
Published: October 2019

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la actividad antioxidante en extractos hidroalcohólicos de las partes aéreas de Portulaca oleracea L. Se obtuvieron extractos utilizando como solventes metanol (MeOH) y etanol (EtOH). Los fenoles totales y los flavonoides se cuantificaron con el método de Folin-Ciocalteu y el de complejación de aluminio. Para determinar la actividad antioxidante de los extractos se utilizó la técnica de decoloración del radical libre DPPH• (2,2-difenil-1-picrilhidracilo) y mediante la metodología ABTS•+ (ácido 2,2´-azino-bis(3-etilbenzotiazolin)-6- sulfónico). El extracto metanólico presentó mayor capacidad antioxidante frente a los radicales DPPH• y ABTS•+, así como un mayor contenido de fenoles totales y flavonoides, en comparación con el extracto etanólico. Estos resultados demuestran que las partes aéreas de P. oleracea presentan actividad antioxidante.
Peropteryx macrotis (Wagner, 1843) (Mammalia, Chiroptera, Emballonuridae), a newly recorded family, genus, and species of bat for Argentina
Authors: Díaz M. Mónica , Romero N. Marcela , Ramos Barreira Micaela del M. , Morales Soler Juan J. , Barquez Ruben M.
Published: October 2019

We add the family Emballonuridae to the bat fauna of Argentina, with the new record of a specimen of Peropteryx macrotis (Wagner, 1843) from Salta Province, increasing to five the number of families of bats in the country. The new locality extends the distribution of this species by 663 km south from its previously southernmost known record in Bolivia and 812 km to the southwest from its nearest occurrence in Paraguay. Although the new record is from within the Yungas ecoregion, the specimen was found in an urban area. The presence of Emballonuridae in Argentina was thought to be highly probable; the lack of records could be due to the methods used for capturing bats in Argentina, which are not very effective for the species of this family.
Leachate treatment in Germany
Authors: Witz Ulrike , Ehrig Hans-Jurgen
Published: October 2019

Landfill leachate is a problem that has to be dealt with not only today but also in the near anddistant future. Generally, leachate production takes place after the closure as well as duringthe operation of a landfill. As previous studies show the process of leachate output continuesfor decades if not centuries after the end of the landfill operation. Therefore the problem ofleachate output, and subsequently its treatment, remains after the closure. Another importantfact is that leachate characteristics vary within a wide range over time in quantity and quality.A lot of research has been done in order to investigate the efficiency of different leachatetreatment processes. Since no standard treatment system has been developed so far, a numberof different systems have been implemented.In Germany about 150 leachate treatment plants were operated in full scale, in 1998. Mainlythree different systems are applied. The most common treatment system consists of acombination of a biological stage and an activated carbon filtration. Another frequently usedsystem combines biology and reverse osmosis. Thirdly, the combination of biology andchemical oxidation is used relatively often. Other feasible systems with different processcombinations are used in practice. In any case it is remarkable that nearly all systems includea biological stage.Although the described treatment systems are already in use for a number of years, many ofthem still have serious operational problems. This results mainly from their complex technicalstructure which makes it difficult to solve the problems. An additional obstacle is the longterm operation of such systems. It is unlikely that today's high-tech treatment systems withhigh operational costs and maintenance expenditure will be operated over the leachate outputperiod. Further research should therefore concentrate on developing simple, reliabletechniques that can be operated without maintenance. Since all present treatment systems areset up with biological stages it seems reasonable to examine whether biological processes canbe used individually for long-term leachate treatment. For this reason we are currentlyinvestigating the performance of soil filters with regard to Ammonia removal from landfillleachate at the University of Wuppertal.
Irrigation based leachate treatment
Authors: Rosenqvist Dahn
Published: October 2019

In southern Sweden, several irrigation based on site treatment has been established the lastyears. Briefly they consist of a pound to storing leachate water with pre-treatment and asystem what irrigate vegetation. It could be areas of willow plantations designated for energy purposes or grass or as in same cases spontaneous vegetation.The use of willow have been studied since 1992. These tests have clearly shown that recycling of municipal wastewater in Salix plantations, can replace a large part of the conventional wastewater treatment, due to natural purification processes in the soil/plant system.During the last few years, several full-scale treatment plants based on the soil/plant systemhave been set up to treat leachate water from municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills.One other way to reduce leachate water is to use transpiration. On dry days leachate ispumping and irrigated ideal on top of landfills inside the leachate collection system.Rosenqvist Mek.Verkstad has developed the irrigation system "RWIS" for distribution ofwaste and leachate water into the plantation. The irrigation system has to be able to withstand trying conditions, without major maintenance in between harvests.
Analytical methodology for evaluation of the effects of different leachate treatment methods
Authors: Mathiasson Lennart , Bergström Staffan , Hogland William , Mårtensson Lennart , Svensson Britt-Marie
Published: October 2019

Characterisation of the efficiency of leachate treatment methods when considering differentgroups of pollutants as phenolic compounds, PCB,s, PBDEs and phthalates is discussed.Strategies for measurements, identification and quantifications of the organic pollutants arepresented and the use of supported liquid membrane extraction (SLM) and micro porousmembrane extraction (MMLLE) in particular, where small and medium molecules areseparated from large molecules. Acute and chronic toxicity tests by biological methods andthe choice of organisms are also presented as well as the LAQUA-protocol used at the pilotplant in Kristianstad, Sweden. In acute toxicity tests of the leachate a clear accommodating onthe immobility of the Artemia larvae and increasing concentration of leachate was noted.Different species react different on different compounds and therefore on complex effluentsas landfill leachates the use of a battery of bioassays is recommended.
Water budgets for natural systems
Authors: Thörneby Lars
Published: October 2019

Natural systems including constructed and natural wetlands as well as irrigated land areas,geofilters and ponds are capable of absorbing pollutant loadings, and in appropriatecircumstances can provide a low cost alternative to traditional chemical and biologicaltreatment. Many projects have shown reduction of nutrients, oxygen consuming substancesbut also more environmental haz.ardous compounds.Natural systems seem to have a great potential for treatment of leachate. Some parts of thesesystems belongs to biological treatment and other parts to "filtration" and therefore thesesystems could be seen as a mix of transformation and filtration together with the volumereducing effect by evaporation and transpiration. Method used in Sweden are mainly SoilPlant (SP) system there a large part of the treatment is removal of water by evapotranspiration.Irrigation of e.g. energy forest or land surfaces increases the possibility of natural evaporation.When an area of the landfill is irrigated the water balance will change. This paper focusesupon the water budget and water movement within the natural system.
Efficiency of treatment methods - emphasizing organic pollutants
Authors: Mårtensson Lennart , Mathiasson Lennart , Bergström Staffan , Svensson Britt-Marie , Thörneby Lars , Hogland William
Published: October 2019

Leachate treatment tests were carried out at the pilot plant in Kristianstad, Sweden. After pretreatment the water was divided into different treatment procedures as chemical oxidation byFenton's reagent, ozone degradation, bioremediation by the Natrix TM process, geobed filters.Samples was analysed according to inorganics and summary parameters, toxicity and organicpollutants. Ozone oxidation gave the best result concerning reduction of organic compoundsbut the best efficient treatment was give by the geobed filters. The paper is also describing thepilot-plant in Siauliai, Lithuania. The advantages with these types of leachate treatmentmethods are low energy consumption, low consumption of expensive chemicals, limited needof maintenance, and they are still capable offering a sustainable treatment alternative.
Some aspects of mathematical modelling of physical, chemical and biological processes in natural leachate treatment systems
Authors: Romanov Mikhail
Published: October 2019

The problem of natural ecosystems protection against pollution by waste water is very actualin many countries, including Russia. Yearly water consumption by industry and agriculture ofRussia is about 75 - 80 billion cubic meters. Only 3 - 4 % of total volume of the industrialand municipal waste water is purified to establish norms. However basic quantity of wastewater is discharged without treatment in natural reservoirs. The most dangerous pollutants ofwater are pesticides, nitrates, sulfates, phosphoric substances and salts of heavy metals[!].The methods of waste water treatment can be divided on two groups: a) the methods oftreatment in artificial plants (for example, aerated lagoons; biological filters and etc.); b) themethods of treatment in natural systems (for example, fields of irrigation; filtration fields;wetlands and etc.). The choice of the treatment depends on composition and concentration ofwaste substances in leachate and economical expediency.During projecting and building of any water protection constructions, it is necessary todevelop the theoretical basis. However, the exact calculations of hydrodynamic processes ofconvective - diffusive transfer in space and in time and physical-chemical transformation ofnon-conservative substances are impossible because of extreme complicity in most cases [2].Moreover, using of exact analytical models is non-effective because of considerableinexactitude of initial information. The investigations of processes of the convective -diffusive transfer and transformation of substance in natural conditions are very complex andexpensive task. Therefore, the methods of mathematical modeling are the most favorable inthis case
Application of data from field-and labscale microbiological studies for treatment of phenolic leachate in natural systems
Authors: Heinaru Ain , Heinaru Eeva , Talpsep Ene , Truu Jaak
Published: October 2019

The phenol-rich leachate from semi-coke mounds formed as a by-product of oil-shaleprocessing is discharged via channels and rivers Kohtla and Purtse into the Baltic Sea withoutany treatment. The leachate from processed oil shale contains several organic and inorganiccompounds (oil fractions, sulphides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). The impact ofleachate on microbiological characteristics of river water and sediment as well as onabundance, activity and structure of biodegradative consortia have been studied. Themetabolic and genetic diversity of phenol-utilizing bacteria was characterized. Pollutionmarkedly altered all aspects of the studied microbial diversity. The structure and functioningof the bacterial communities changed significantly along the river and revealed remarkableadaptation to phenolic compounds in environment. The results demonstrate multiplicity ofcatabolic types of degradation of phenol and p-cresol and the existence of characteristicassemblages of species and specific genotypes among the strains isolated from the pollutedriver water.
Reed rootfelt for constructed wetlands
Authors: Plume Imants
Published: October 2019

The resources of lakes' overgrowth biomass increases in result of eutrofication process inmore than 2000 lakes in Latvia. Usage of lake reed rootfelt for filling of constructed wetlandscan improve leachate treatment at a beginning period of operation and especially applicable intreatment plants with limited area. Physical and chemical properties of Reed rootfelt of lakeZebras were investigated to evaluate possibilities for rootfelt usage in constructed wetlands.The Reed rootfelt coalesces with the ground in coastal zone and is floating in the deeper areasof lake. Thickness of floating reed rootfelt layer varies from 0.25 to 0.8 m. Density (withoutgravitational water) of reed rootfelt varies from 550 kg/ml at a surface to 1058 kg/m' indeeper layers if the rootfelt coalesces with ground. Investigated average density is 505 kg/mland 814 kg/ml for floated overgrowth and rootfelt coalesced with ground respectively. Themoisture content (without gravitational water, dry basis) of freshly removed floated rootfeltchanges from 523 % at a surface to 706 % in deeper layer. If rootfelt was dried and moistenedonce more, moisture content remain practically same at a surface (498 %) and decreases 3times in deeper layer (226 %). Investigated average organic matter content were 77 % forfloating rootfelt and 49 % for rootfelt coalescing with ground. The specific energy of rootfeltcutting is 8,6 kJ/m2 for oscillating saw, 18.1 kJ/m2 for vertical blade and IO kJ/m2 for bladesloped in 45°. Acceptable technology for rootfelt removal includes partitioning of overgrowthin pieces and/or layers by manually operated or powered cutters and floating of pieces ofrootfelt to coastal stockpile. Pre-treatment of rootfelt includes washing out of inorganicsediments, draining of the excess (gravitational) water and drying slightly only, to preservegrowing ability of rootfelt. Thickness of rootfelt pieces can be increased for filling of areaclose to inlets in constructed wetlands to provide additional structure for enchancedflocculation and sedimentation. Methods of rootfelt pieces removal, handling andtransportation avoid destruction of removed biomass and ensure high initial growing ability.