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IntroductionThe emergence of voluntary carbon markets is creating new opportunities to sustainably finance Natural Climate Solution (NCS) projects. In Australia, the federal government recently enacted the Tidal Restoration of Blue Carbon Ecosystems Methodology Determination 2022 (Tidal Reconnection Method), whereby restoration activities that reintroduce tidal flows to allow the re-establishment of coastal wetland (blue carbon) ecosystems, through the removal or modification of a tidal restriction, can be used to gain and sell Australian carbon credit units. Australia has the highest net blue carbon wealth in the world, with 5%–11% of global carbon stocks, yet there is currently a lack of large-scale feasibility assessments and supporting methodologies to identify and prioritise sites with the greatest potential for NCS project implementation to help inform investment decisions.MethodsIn this study, we applied a spatial Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) to identify, map, and prioritise potential sites for blue carbon coastal wetland restoration in South Australia that meet criteria outlined in the Tidal Reconnection Method. This study compared information on 1) predicted flooding extent following tidal reconnection and under sea level rise (SLR; present-day, 2050 and 2,100); 2) project implementation complexity (e.g. who possesses land tenure); and 3) carbon sequestration potential through predicted area of vegetation change under the above SLR scenarios. ResultsOur results identified 64 sites of interest, of which 32 received an overall “high” prioritisation score of 3 or more out of 5. This equates to approximately 21,114 ha of high priority potential blue carbon restoration sites.DiscussionThe MCDA enables development of a portfolio of viable restoration projects through a rapid “desktop” prioritisation of sites of interest, which can then guide investment in further detailed cost/benefit feasibility assessments. This study demonstrates an adaptable MCDA approach to map potential NCS projects at meaningful spatial scales and in-line with carbon market-based opportunities.

Background Contaminants and water-soluble salts present in mechanically recycled gypsum from refurbishment and demolition (post-consumer) plasterboard waste limit its use as a secondary raw material in plasterboard manufacturing. This research addresses this limitation, developing a novel acid leaching purification technology combined with an improved mechanical pre-treatment for post-consumer gypsum valorization. Methods Laboratory-scale acid leaching purification was performed with a borosilicate beaker, hot plate, and overhead stirrer. Stuccos were produced after calcination of gypsum at 150 °C for 3 hours. Samples were characterized through X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and particle size analysis. Results Acid leaching at 90 °C for 1 h using a 5 wt% sulfuric acid solution was revealed to be the optimum purification conditions. Stuccos produced from purified gypsum under optimum conditions had similar initial setting times to that of a commercial stucco but with higher water demand, which could be reduced by optimizing the calcination conditions. A magnesium-rich gypsum was precipitated from the wastewater. Conclusions Purified post-consumer gypsum with > 96 wt% chemical purity and calcium sulfate dihydrate content was produced. The research recommends acid neutralization prior filtration, use of gypsum particles < 2 mm in size, and stirring speed of 50 rpm to reduce the economic and environmental impacts of the acid leaching purification process at industrial scale. The magnesium-rich gypsum could potentially be marketed as soil fertilizer.

Introduction: Arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) are currently considered to be the best vascular access option for patients with end stage chronic kidney disease requiring haemodialysis. In rare cases of patients with chronic AVF, thrombosis or ligation of the access can lead to the development of brachial artery aneurysms. Despite being uncommon, reports of this phenomenon have arisen in recent decades due to an increase in the number of patients undergoing dialysis worldwide. This case presented with a brachial aneurysm that developed after AVF ligation. Case report: A 62 year old male presented to the emergency department with swelling of the medial aspect of his left arm associated with pain, inflammatory signs, and finger paraesthesia. Swelling had started two months previously but had worsened within the last week. He had history of kidney transplant 20 years ago and a chronic functioning radiocephalic fistula that had not been used since, and which had been ligated in the past year due to the development of venous aneurysms. Physical examination revealed a pulsatile mass in his left arm and absent radial and ulnar pulses, without signs of hand ischaemia. There was significant venous collateralisation of the arm and chest and numbness of the left fingers, suggesting venous and neurological compression. Computed tomography angiography showed a large left brachial artery aneurysm (108 x 87 x 180 mm). The patient underwent aneurysm sac emptying and collateral ligation followed by great saphenous vein interposition, with clinical improvement. Conclusion: The presence of a chronic AVF can lead to progressive changes in the arterial wall. Sudden ligation or thrombosis of a functioning AVF causes increased blood pressure within the artery, which may further contribute to its aneurysmal degeneration. In addition, immunosuppressive therapy following kidney transplant has been described as a synergistic risk factor leading to aneurysm formation. Despite being a rare complication, patients with a chronic AVF should be monitored closely after vascular access ligation.

El resultado de este trabajo trató sobre los beneficios y riesgos de los sistemas de iluminación LED en el ámbito económico, social y medioambiental y la valoración de las condiciones para su empleo en Cuba. Se profundiza en la relación de las ventajas de esta tecnología con los beneficios que ofrece su aplicación en diferentes sectores de la sociedad y la economía. También, se aborda su impacto en la industria de la iluminación y en las comunidades no conectadas a la red eléctrica en los países en desarrollo. Además, se exponen los principales riesgos que implica su utilización, identificando los campos de investigación abiertos relacionados en esta dirección, y se demuestra la importancia de considerar en los proyectos, los riesgos de la iluminación LED. Finalmente, se exponen las condiciones existentes en Cuba, para el desarrollo de la iluminación LED y su contribución a la sostenibilidad e independencia energética.

La implementación de Fuentes Renovables de Energía es cada vez más pertinente en todos los sectores de la sociedad y, fundamentalmente, en comunidades rurales alejadas del sistema eléctrico. Esta realidad precisa de un enfoque social que permita conocer las particularidades de cada asentamiento y sus pobladores. La presente investigación está orientada a estudiar el ámbito social y la aplicación de micro redes para fomentar el desarrollo local y erradicar los problemas socioculturales y políticos que acarrea la falta de acceso a un servicio eléctrico de calidad. Igualmente, se propone una metodología social participativa para el diseño de micro redes eléctricas rurales y la obtención de un resultado integrador y sostenible en el tiempo que satisfaga las expectativas y necesidades de sus beneficiarios. Se aplican, además, otras metodologías cualitativas y cuantitativas para la obtención de datos como son: el análisis documental, la entrevista estructurada y semiestructurada, las encuestas y el árbol de problemas.

INTRODUCTION: Seat belt aorta is a rare but often severe complication arising from blunt trauma with compression of the abdominal aorta against vertebrae. Seat belt sign is often present as an ecchymosis across the abdomen. The association with abdominal wall disruption and hollow viscus injury has been named seat belt triad; the presence of Chance fracture is sometimes considered a fourth component. METHODS: Using Pubmed and Embase databases we reviewed all articles regarding abdominal seat belt aortic injuries and analysed presentation at admission, concomitant lesions, including presence of seat belt triad, treatment and outcomes. RESULTS: Fifty-two cases were reported, from 1968 to 2019. Twenty-nine males (56%), mean age 43 ± 19 years. Most patients were stable at admission, with 29 (55.8%) presenting acute abdomen, 26 (50%) limb ischemia, 9 (17.3%) hypovolemic shock and 2 (3.8%) late-onset claudication. Seat belt sign was identified in 40 patients (76.9%), seat belt triad in 38 (73.1%) and 22 (42.3%) had Chance fractures, of which only 2 were not associated with seat belt triad. Most patients presented with aortic dissection (90.4%), complicated with pseudoaneurysm (11.5%), contained rupture (7.7%) or uncontained rupture (3.8%); 2 patients presented isolated iliac thrombosis and 3 limb ischemia. All patients required immediate surgical intervention, of which 40 (76.9%) required urgent vascular surgery. Forty-eight patients (92.3%) underwent vascular surgery: 39 open revascularizations and 9 endovascular procedures; three were managed conservatively. Ten patients (19.2%) passed away or died, of which 7 had seat belt triad. No patients needed reinterventions for vascular lesions except one, yet 3 required limb amputation. Most patients with seat belt triad required further visceral and abdominal wall repair. CONCLUSIONS: Seat belt aorta and especially seat belt triad are severe complications associated with high morbimortality often requiring surgery and multiple interventions. As patients are usually conscious and stable upon admission, this condition should not be disregarded.

Desde hace varios años, la circulación de vehículos eléctricos se ha incrementado en el país, por lo que se hace necesario estudiar sus impactos en las redes de distribución secundarias. En el proceso de carga de las baterías, se emplean convertidores de potencia controlados, por lo que estas cargas son consideradas como no lineales y provocan la ocurrencia de problemas de calidad de la energía. En el trabajo se estudia, con un experimento, el efecto de los cargadores de baterías empleados en triciclos eléctricos y motorinas. Los resultados revelan que, los equipos que se emplean durante la carga de las baterías, producen armónicos en las corrientes, con valores altos de distorsión armónica. Además, se realiza un análisis del consumo energético y de combustible de estos vehículos, demostrando que los vehículos eléctricos constituyen una alternativa al transporte que presenta menor consumo de combustible, menores costos para el usuario y menor impacto medioambiental.

Los Sistemas Solares Fotovoltaicos (SSFV) forman parte de la estrategia de desarrollo del Gobierno cubano para diversificar la matriz energética disminuyendo la dependencia de combustibles fósiles e introduciendo tecnologías amigables con el medio ambiente. Su implementación a nivel residencialse ha confiado a la empresa COPEXTEL y uno de los problemas principales que enfrenta es la condición actual que presentan los sistemas eléctricos en las residencias cubanas que,en su mayoría,no poseen puesta a tierra ni protección diferencial que permita la protección ante corrientes de fuga. Otro problema, no menos importante, es el requerimiento de que el SSFV pueda ser utilizado cuando no haya conexión a la red, lo cual actualmente no es posible. Resulta necesario definir cuáles son los niveles de puesta a tierra requeridos, así como una solución que permita considerar un servicio eléctrico con alta vitalidad, aun cuando no haya alimentación desde la red eléctrica convencional.

Background Contaminants and water-soluble salts present in mechanically recycled gypsum from refurbishment and demolition (post-consumer) plasterboard waste limit its use as a secondary raw material in plasterboard manufacturing. This research addresses this limitation, developing a novel acid leaching purification technology combined with an improved mechanical pre-treatment for post-consumer gypsum valorization. Methods Laboratory-scale acid leaching purification was performed with a borosilicate beaker, hot plate, and overhead stirrer. Stuccos were produced after calcination of gypsum at 150 °C for 3 hours. Samples were characterized through X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and particle size analysis. Results Acid leaching at 90 °C for 1 h using a 5 wt% sulfuric acid solution was revealed to be the optimum purification conditions. Stuccos produced from purified gypsum under optimum conditions had similar initial setting times to that of a commercial stucco but with higher water demand, which could be reduced by optimizing the calcination conditions. A magnesium-rich gypsum was precipitated from the wastewater. Conclusions Purified post-consumer gypsum with > 96 wt% chemical purity and calcium sulfate dihydrate content was produced. The research recommends acid neutralization prior filtration, use of gypsum particles < 2 mm in size, and stirring speed of 50 rpm to reduce the economic and environmental impacts of the acid leaching purification process at industrial scale. The magnesium-rich gypsum could potentially be marketed as soil fertilizer.

Training food handlers is essential to ensure food safety. However, the efficacy of training programs relying solely on theoretical information remains uncertain and often fails to induce significant changes in inadequate food practices. Training programs in good hygiene and food safety practices that integrate theoretical and practical approaches have emerged as a vital tool, enabling food handlers to apply their knowledge during work hours and clarify doubts. This study aimed to assess the impact of food safety training based on theoretical and on-the-job training on the microbiological counts of equipment, surfaces, utensils, and food handler (FH) hands. The hygiene and food safety conditions of four restaurants were analyzed through facility checklists, employee questionnaires, and microbiological analyses conducted before and after training. Eight sample collection moments were conducted at each restaurant before and after training. The pre-training results indicate that 15% and 26% of analyses for Enterobacteriaceae and total mesophilic aerobic bacteria (TMB), respectively, did not comply with hygiene safety limits. Additionally, 31% and 64% of Enterobacteriaceae and TMB values, respectively, exceeded safety limits on food handler hands. Positive cases of coagulase-positive Staphylococcus (CoPS) resulted from unprotected wounds on some FH hands. The presence of Listeria monocytogenes in drains was also identified as a concern. Following training, significant differences in results were observed. In many cases, there was a reduction of over 80% in microbial load for Enterobacteriaceae and TMB collected from equipment, surfaces, utensils, and food handler hands. The presence of L. monocytogenes in drains was also eliminated after food safety training. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of effective training in improving food safety practices.

En el presente trabajo se abordan los avances tecnológicos actuales en el desarrollo de instalaciones para la prueba y homologación de las baterías a utilizar en los vehículos eléctricos, a fin de analizar los principales aspectos a tener en cuenta para el diseño y posible puesta en marcha de laboratorios de este tipo en el país. Asi mismo, se analizan las técnicas y procedimientos más aplicados en el mundo en lo referente a diagnóstico y certificación de baterías para vehículos eléctricos. Partiendo de estos análisis, así como de los requerimientos de seguridad que deben poseer dichas baterías y el equipamiento requerido para su funcionamiento, el costo aproximado de la adquisición, se estudian las potencialidades para su construcción en el país. Los resultados de la investigación demuestran los beneficios que se alcanzarían con la puesta en funcionamiento de dicho laboratorio, a partir de los beneficios que genera su utilización en el país.

Introduction: Endoleaks are a common complication following endovascular aneurysm repair, yet type IIIb are rare, especially with newer devices, and associated with high morbidity due to repressurisation of the sac. As endografts are used in patients with longer life expectancy, late type IIIb endoleaks are to be expected. This is a report of a giant common iliac aneurysm resulting from a misdiagnosed type IIIb endoleak. Report: An 85 year old man with history of right common iliac artery aneurysm, treated in 2003 with an EXCLUDER AAA Endoprosthesis (WL Gore, Flagstaff, AZ, USA) with iliac limb extension into the external iliac artery, presented at the emergency department with abdominal pain, hypotension, and syncope. He had a known endoleak, unsuccessfully treated by relining the right iliac stent graft overlap zones for a suspected type IIIa endoleak (2009), coil embolisation, and computed tomography (CT) guided thrombin injection of the aneurysmatic sac for a type II (2010), none of which managed to treat the cause with continuous aneurysm growth. The patient refused further treatments, but agreed to maintain surveillance. At admission, CT angiography showed common iliac aneurysm (185 × 134 mm) sac rupture without a visible endoleak. Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) technique was performed to obtain haemodynamic control, then the aneurysm was approached through a midline incision. A type IIIb endoleak was identified due to a fabric tear on the right iliac limb extension. Suture was attempted without success, then relining of the lesion with an Endurant II Limb (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) was performed, which managed to repair the endoleak. Discussion: Type IIIb endoleaks are uncommon and underdiagnosed due to fabric defects being too small or leaking intermittently. They can mimic other types of endoleaks and may cause aneurysm growth and rupture. One should consider this type of endoleak if previous treatments for other types were unsuccessful.

Waste heat recovery (WHR) has been regarded as a viable method to improve energy efficiency and promote sustainability in industry. The operation of high energy consuming thermal processes in industry generates high quantities of thermal losses, thus being associated to a great waste heat potential. In this sequence, several technologies have emerged to reuse this industrial waste heat. The implementation of these technologies within the operation of plants results in the project of different WHR strategies. This work presents a simulation model developed in Modelica language for an industrial waste heat recovery (WHR) installation. Such installation involves several industrial processes, which integrate system of thermal processes and an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC). Based on the specific data from a case-study of a ceramic industry plant, namely two tunnel kilns, a WHR strategy is conceptualised,​ simulated and assessed in terms of economic viability and environmental impacts. The simulation results demonstrated the validity of the developed model (deviation values for key variables were calculated with a maximal value of 0.94% having been obtained for one of the variables, which is a considerably negligible deviation). The economic and environmental assessment revealed that the WHR project is overall viable, considering a 1.1 years payback period and 2.36 kton CO2,eqreduction (corresponding to 32.8% of natural gas savings and 11.3% of electric energy savings).

Debido al incremento del uso de los LEDs en los sistemas de iluminación, la evaluación de la confiabilidad de estos, constituye un tema de vital importancia en el sector de la iluminación, y por consiguiente, la comprensión de sus mecanismos y modos de falla también lo es. Aunque el proceso de construcción de los LEDs es similar a otros dispositivos microelectrónicos existen materiales y requisitos funcionales en estos que hacen que sus modos y mecanismos de fallo sean diferentes. En este trabajo sepresenta una revisión de las investigaciones realizadas sobre los mecanismos y modos de falla de los LEDs empleados en los sistemas de iluminación. Este artículo proporciona una base para comprender los problemas de confiabilidad de los LEDs, pues aún la información sobre confiabilidad proporcionada por los fabricantes de LEDs no es suficiente para los usuarios de esta tecnología.

The most recent sustainability policies of each region of the world conjointly define that economic activities shall follow the principles of natural resource use minimisation, as well as eco-efficiency and circular economy promotion, in addition to the specific objectives defined in each policy. Most recently, a group of researchers has proposed innovative conceptual systems designated Water and Energy Integration Systems (WEIS) for issues related to water and energy use (two prominent categories of natural resources). These are based on engineering projects encompassing a multitude of processes and technologies. In this work, an assessment based on the determination of several sustainability and strategic-aims-related indicators is performed for two WEIS case studies set in the Portuguese process industry (in this case, a ceramic plant). Such an assessment serves as an expansion of previously performed studies on the economic and environmental viability associated with the installation of this type of system with the ultimate goal of proving the effective compliance of water- and energy-use-reduction-related results with sustainability and strategic aims (namely, the ones associated with the most recent policies and aspects associated with the social, economic, and environmental pillars of sustainability). The results for the overall assessment proved that the conceptualised WEIS are robust in terms of eco-efficiency, circular economy potential, and strategic objective achievement potential (with a 6.46% and 4.00% improvement for the aggregated eco-efficiency indicator having been obtained for, respectively, case studies 1 and 2, a null water discharge for both case studies, and a level of 8.58% and 6.69% of recirculated heat over total energy consumption, respectively). The obtained results prove the sustainability promotion effectiveness of the WEIS as conceptual systems. The overall set of indicators defined in this work are part of a methodology that may be used and adapted for further studies considering the innovative WEIS approach, with the specific results obtained in this work presented with the aim of their being used for comparison.

En el presente trabajo se aborda el tema de salud mental al interior de las organizaciones y las consecuencias de su no atención. La revisión teórica que se incluye permite distinguir los factores que la causan y los requerimientos que se deben cumplir para que se mantenga en óptimas condiciones y no afecte el rendimiento de los trabajadores. Se incorporan los resultados de una investigación de campo, la cual consideró como sujetos de estudio a una muestra representativa de los trabajadores que laboran en la industria del vestido en el municipio de Zapotlanejo, Jalisco en México. En la parte final del documento se incluyen recomendaciones para fortalecer el concepto de salud mental en los entornos laborales de las empresas objeto de estudio, con el propósito de incrementar su productividad.

BACKGROUND: Individualized risk assessment using comorbidity adjustment is an important component in modern clinical practice and can be performed considering individual comorbidities or through the use of summary measures. The Charlson Comorbidity Index adjusted to age (CCIa) is the most widely validated and used comorbidity assessment tool. Studies have proved CCIa as a strong predictor of mortality for a variety of medical and surgical conditions; however, its utility in patients submitted to elective endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) has not been studied. METHODS: Patients submitted to EVAR between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2021 in our tertiary, academic Vascular Surgery Department were retrospectively evaluated and 123 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Patient characteristics and peri-operative variables were collected and CCIa was calculated. Surgical complications were classified according to Clavien-Dindo. The area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curves was calculated to validate and determine the discriminating ability of CCIa in predicting complications and mortality and the Youden index used to determine the critical value. RESULTS: Mean age was 73.49±7.95 years and mean follow-up was 30.55±16.49 months. 30-day complication rate was 16%, 30-day mortality 1.63% and overall mortality 16%. Patients with higher CCIa had higher overall mortality (p=.002) but CCIa had no impact on 30-day complication rate and on 30-day mortality. Logistic regression showed that even after adjusting for patient ́s comorbidities individually, CCIa was the only independent mortality predictor (p=.003). The optimal cutoff associated with higher overall mortality was found to be ≥6. CONCLUSION: CCIa does not seem to predict complications and early mortality after EVAR but it seems to be a useful predictor of mid-term survival after EVAR. These results show the limited role of this score in predicting outcomes after surgery but may help identify a sub-population whose shorter life-expectancy should be considered towards the benefits of EVAR.

Las prestaciones que otorga una empresa a sus trabajadores tienen dos propósitos específicos, por un lado complementar el sueldo que reciben los trabajadores por aportar sus servicios a la empresa y por otro, ser un elemento motivador en el alcance de resultados. Según la legislación laboral aplicable, las empresas tienen la obligación de proporcionar ciertos conceptos y montos por concepto de prestación laboral, pero existen organizaciones que difieren de dicho ordenamiento, pueden proporcionar beneficios adicionales u omiten el cumplimiento de dicha normatividad. El propósito principal de la investigación fue identificar las prestaciones que actualmente proporcionan las empresas objeto de estudio y lo cerca que están de cumplir con las exigencias de la legislación laboral. En la fase documental de la investigación, se obtuvo información relacionada con el concepto de prestaciones y conceptos relacionados, para posteriormente referir las prestaciones que según la legislación laboral se deben otorgar. Adicionalmente se realizó una investigación de campo que le dio un enfoque descriptivo al trabajo, pues fue posible identificar los rubros que las empresas objeto de estudio entregan a sus trabajadores por concepto de prestaciones. Derivado del análisis de los datos obtenidos, la investigación tuvo un enfoque cuantitativo. Posterior a la descripción de los datos obtenidos, se estructuraron varias acciones de mejora que buscan destacar una investigación aplicada. Como parte de las conclusiones del trabajo fue posible precisar que las empresas objeto de estudio no están cumpliendo totalmente con la legislación laboral en relación a prestaciones, lo que provoca falta de motivación, compromiso y eficiencia por parte de los trabajadores.

En este trabajo se aborda el tema de la introducción de vehículos eléctricos de forma parcial en el sector del transporte público, con el objetivo de analizar la posible reducción de la contaminación del medio ambiente y el consumo de combustibles fósiles al reemplazar parte de la flota real. Partiendo de los análisis previos y de la caracterización de un parque automotor perteneciente a una base de taxis, se propone una sustitución basada en los cambios que habría que realizar en el sistema eléctrico asociado, así como la propia tecnología de los vehículos eléctricos mediante una evaluación técnica, económica y ambiental, de dos prototipos que están trabajando en la actualidad. Los resultados de la investigación demuestran los beneficios de la sustitución de autos de combustión interna por eléctricos, sustentado en los ahorros que se obtienen en la operación y mantenimiento, así como la reducción emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero.

Se valoran diferentes parámetros que inciden en el planeamiento territorial con sistemas fotovoltaicos, se incluye el comportamiento del potencial solar de cada municipio, destacando los que reúnen las mejores condiciones para instalar una central fotovoltaica. Se evalúa el impacto económico y ambiental, se presenta información del potencial máximo y mínimo de cada territorio, además del comportamiento del ángulo de inclinación y el rendimiento técnico de la tecnología, se analiza la eficiencia energética, económica y ambiental en diferentes modos de conexión, se proponen los elementos técnicos que deben considerarse en el proyecto de montaje e instalación de la tecnología, además de los riesgos a que están sometidas estas instalaciones para asegurar una adecuada eficiencia de aprovechamiento del recurso solar, se valorar las pérdidas en los procesos de distribución y transportación de la electricidad, expresando los elementos que influyen y determinan los niveles de eficiencia en el aprovechamiento de la energía generada.

The industry sector accounts for nearly a quarter of the total global final energy and heat makes up two-thirds of that parcel. Sectors such as food & drinks, steel, cement, ceramic and glass, among others represent a considerable part of the energy consumption thought their predominant electric consumption and thermal processes. The meat production industry corresponds to the food & drink industry one of the most representative manufacturing industry in terms of sales turnover and energy use in the European Union. Such is associated to considerable environmental impacts, namely on emissions of equivalent carbon dioxide (CO2eq). Within this sector, the main energy demanding systems are refrigeration systems and steam boilers, with the former being responsible for a great electric energy use within a meat production plant. In order to reduce the CO2eqemissions in an industrial plan and so to contribute to the promotion of industrial eco-efficiency, several improvement measures are proposed, which for instance include energy efficiency improvement measures (waste heat recovery technologies and strategies and cooling improvements), renewable energy integration (solar water heating systems and concentrated solar power) and alternative fuel integration (biomass and biogas fuel integration). The paper presents the development of a framework for the assessment of eco-efficiency improvements widely applicable, namely to manufacturing industries. It has been applied to a case study — meat processing industry and the results have shown an increase of the eco-efficiency indicator up to 8.1% for the energy efficiency measures, up to 22.7% for the renewable energy integration and 10.3% for alternative fuel integration. The research progresses subsist on characterisation of energy key performance indicators (KPI), improvement barriers, improvement of electric energy use in refrigeration components, optimisation of carcass chilling processes, waste heat recovery and integration of renewable energy, alternative fuels and waste-to-energy technologies. A still existing gap is identified in respect to the benefits and correlation of the main improvement measures for manufacturing industries in the improvement of the eco-efficiency indicator.

Actualmente la mayoría de los sistemas eléctricos aislados que incluyen fuentes de generación basadas en combustibles fósiles están siendo modificados por esquemas de generación híbridos, aprovechando los recientes avances en el área de las fuentes renovables de energía que reducen el impacto ambiental y la dependencia de la incesante fluctuación de los precios de los hidrocarburos. El presente trabajo se enmarca en el ámbito de las microrredes eléctricas sin conexión a la red de distribución, también llamadas microrredes aisladas. Comienza con una caracterización del panorama eléctrico existente en la comunidad en la que se desarrolla el proyecto de microrred, así como una caracterización de la comunidad en sí. Se desarrolla el caso de estudio de la viabilidad técnico-económica de la implementación de una microrred en la comunidad Cocodrilo, enclavada en una zona aislada perteneciente al Municipio Especial Isla de la Juventud. Este estudio permite identificar la variante de suministro eléctrico y despacho energético más conveniente para las condiciones existentes en la comunidad objetivo. Por último, se validan eléctricamente los resultados obtenidos.

The echocardiogram allows for a comprehensive assessment of the cardiac musculature and valves, but its rich temporally resolved data remain underutilized. Here, the authors develop a video AI system trained to predict post-operative right ventricular failure.

Defective molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) monolayers (MLs) modified with coinage metal atoms (Cu, Ag and Au) embedded in sulfur vacancies are studied at a dispersion-corrected density functional level. Atmospheric constituents (H2, O2 and N2) and air pollutants (CO and NO), known as secondary greenhouse gases, are adsorbed on up to two atoms embedded into sulfur vacancies in MoS2 MLs. The adsorption energies suggest that the NO (1.44 eV) and CO (1.24 eV) are chemisorbed more strongly than O2 (1.07 eV) and N2 (0.66 eV) on the ML with a cooper atom substituting for a sulfur atom. Therefore, the adsorption of N2 and O2 does not compete with NO or CO adsorption. Besides, NO adsorbed on embedded Cu creates a new level in the band gap. In addition, it was found that the CO molecule could directly react with the pre-adsorbed O2 molecule on a Cu atom, forming the complex OOCO, via the Eley–Rideal reaction mechanism. The adsorption energies of CO, NO and O2 on Au2S2, Cu2S2 and Ag2S2 embedded into two sulfur vacancies were competitive. Charge transference occurs from the defective MoS2 ML to the adsorbed molecules, oxidizing the later ones (NO, CO and O2) since they act as acceptors. The total and projected density of states reveal that a MoS2 ML modified with copper, gold and silver dimers could be used to design electronic or magnetic devices for sensing applications in the adsorption of NO, CO and O2 molecules. Moreover, NO and O2 molecules adsorbed on MoS2-Au2s2 and MoS2-Cu2s2 introduce a transition from metallic to half-metallic behavior for applications in spintronics. These modified monolayers are expected to exhibit chemiresistive behavior, meaning their electrical resistance changes in response to the presence of NO molecules. This property makes them suitable for detecting and measuring NO concentrations. Also, modified materials with half-metal behavior could be beneficial for spintronic devices, particularly those that require spin-polarized currents.

Objective: To evaluate the discriminative ability to predict diabetes with anthropometric and biochemical indicators and medical history. Methods: The sampling carried out was census and the sample consisted of 104 workers. A longitudinal study was carried out to evaluate the discriminative ability to predict diabetes with the anthropometric, biochemical, and antecedent indicators, using two models, the analysis of the ROC curves and binary logistic regression. Results: By analyzing the ROC curves, the abdominal circumference obtained greater predictive discriminative power (AUC = 0.747; p

El trabajo revela el estudio del ambiente electromagnético en varios laboratorios de computación pertenecientes a una universidad. El objetivo principal esanalizar el comportamiento del campo magnético existente en estos laboratorios teniendo en cuenta las diferentes situaciones que se pudieran presentar. Para la medición del campo magnético se utilizó el gaussímetro modelo PCE-G28 y para la caracterización del campo magnético de los laboratorios se elaboró un protocolo de medición, a partir del análisis de normas internacionales. Los resultados obtenidos entre 0,01 μT y 9,31 μT reflejan las zonas de mayor intensidad coincidiendo generalmente donde se encuentra el panel de protección eléctrica y por donde entra la alimentación de energía en los laboratorios. Aunque las mediciones no sobrepasan los límites recomendados por la Comisión Internacional de Protección contra las Radiaciones No Ionizantes (ICNIRP), en 2010, se recomendaron algunas medidas de prevención en consecuencia de las características observadas durante los días de medición.

La interferencia en el área de cuidados intensivos neonatales, se debe en su mayoría a la aglomeración de los equipos médicos con los que debe contar el paciente para salvar su vida. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar el comportamiento del campo magnético generado por los equipos médicos, según su colocación y cantidad, en un área de cuidados neonatales. Para la realización de la misma se utilizó un gaussímetro, siguiendo una metodología de medición, utilizada por este equipo de trabajo en investigaciones anteriores. Se obtuvo como resultado que el ambiente electromagnético del área cumple con las recomendaciones de la Comisión Internacional de Protección contra las Radiaciones No Ionizantes (ICNIRP), pero no con los límites normados por la Comisión Electrotécnica Internacional (IEC) para compatibilidad electromagnética. Se emitieron recomendaciones para la disminución de estos valores, concluyendo que la separación entre equipos es el método más recomendable y efectivo.

Invasive lobular carcinoma is the second most common type of invasive carcinoma of the breast. Although rare, invasive lobular carcinoma can lead to gastric metastases, which may appear several years after the initial diagnosis. The diagnosis is difficult, either because of its rarity or because of overlapping symptoms and imaging findings with primary gastric carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry is the key to diagnosis. We report a case of a 40-year-old woman with a previous history of invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast 2 years before, who presented recurrent and nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms. Imaging findings revealed linitis plastica and the biopsy showed the presence of signet ring cell neoplasia. After gastrectomy, immunohistochemistry demonstrated diffuse expression of GATA-3 and the presence of estrogen receptors in some neoplastic cells with CK20-, leading to the final diagnosis of gastric metastases from invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast.

Post-consumer plasterboard waste sorting is carried out manually by operators, which is time-consuming and costly. In this work, a laboratory-scale hyperspectral imaging (HSI) system was evaluated for automatic refurbishment plasterboard waste sorting. The HSI system was trained to differentiate between plasterboard (gypsum core between two lining papers) and contaminants (e.g., wood, plastics, mortar or ceramics). Segregated plasterboard samples were crushed and sieved to obtain gypsum particles of less than 250 microns, which were characterized through X-ray fluorescence to determine their chemical purity levels. Refurbishment plasterboard waste particles 98 wt%. These findings underpin the potential implementation of an industrial-scale HSI system for plasterboard waste sorting.

This article presents new research on the Portuguese Maritime Front during World War One, especially regarding the German submarine war off the Portuguese coast. One subject, in particular, has remained obscure for many contemporary Portuguese historians: the direct and indirect impacts of the German submarine war on the Portuguese economy. In this article, we correlate the material losses provoked by German submarines in the Portuguese Atlantic with fluctuations in maritime commerce during the Great War. This approach sheds new light on how the war at sea affected the economies of peripheral countries like Portugal.

Actualmente, los problemas asociados con el uso de las radiaciones no ionizantes, entre ellas las fuentes que generan campos magnéticos de baja frecuencia (50-60 Hz), han cobrado interés entre la comunidad científica. El aglutinamiento de equipos médicos según la disposición constructiva del área donde se encuentran, acarrean una interferencia invisible que pudiera afectar el funcionamiento de los mismos. Por esta razón este grupo de trabajo se ha dado a la tarea de realizar mediciones de campo magnético de baja frecuencia, empleando para ello un instrumento de medición EMDEX II y teniendo en cuenta diferentes situaciones en una consulta depruebas de neurofisiología neonatal. Se concluyó que existen interferencias externas que influyen sobre el área donde se ubica el equipamiento médico. Obteniéndose los valores de campo magnético emitidos y su origen. Se recomienda trasladar el equipamiento médico a un espacio, dentro del local, donde exista menor intensidad de campo magnético.

Ectopic breast tissue (EBT) is an uncommon entity that occurs in about 6% of the population, more frequently in Asian people. It manifests as a nonspecific soft tissue mass that can develop in any location along the “milk-line,” with the axilla being the most frequently reported location. As with normal breast tissue, both benign and malignant processes can arise from EBT. Therefore, imaging plays an important role in the adequate assessment of these soft tissue lesions, characterizing its shape, borders, internal components, and vascularity, as well as its relationship with the deep fascia and adjacent structures. Here we present a case of a 33-year-old female Indian patient with an 8 cm soft tissue mass in the upper left abdominal quadrant with a recent increase in size. Clinical and imagiological evaluation were nonspecific but established the nonaggressive behavior of the lesion. To ultimately exclude malignancy, an ultrasound-guided biopsy was performed providing the histological diagnosis of EBT. This case report illustrates the value of clinical, radiological, and histological correlation in the approach of indeterminate soft-tissue tumors, with special focus on lesions in close proximity to the native breasts, where EBT should not be forgotten amongst differentials.

Se presentan las investigaciones desarrolladas relacionadas con la determinación de las causas de desconexión durante la sincronización y toma de carga de algunos motores diésel de 1 MW de la firma Guascor, por mala operación de la protección contra fallo de pistón. Se determinaron los modos mecánicos naturales de oscilación del sistema para cualquier régimen de trabajo anterior a la aparición del fenómeno. Se compararon las oscilaciones producidas con las existentes al fallar un pistón de estas unidades. Se demostró la existencia de modos mecánicos de baja oscilación asociados a las unidades ubicadas en la parte occidental del país, con una frecuencia cercana a 1 Hz, verificándose que las amplitudes de estas oscilaciones podían provocar la operación falsa de la protección contra fallas del pistón. Como resultado, se relacionan las recomendaciones realizadas pararesolver los problemas detectados así como los resultados obtenidos.

Como describe el mandado constitucional de los mexicanos, los ciudadanos tienen la obligación de contribuir para los gastos públicos, así de la Federación, de los Estados, de la Ciudad de México y del Municipio en que residan, de la manera proporcional y equitativa que dispongan las leyes; lo que deriva en la generación de un crédito fiscal. Bajo este precepto se ha realizado un análisis a la Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos, al Código Fiscal de la Federación y su Reglamento, y demás bibliografía complementaria. La investigación persigue la reflexión sobre la importancia del cumplimiento de las obligaciones y la recaudación fiscal que, en materia de contribuciones, tenemos los mexicanos en general, la trascendencia de estos ingresos, así como, el destino de los mismos de conformidad con lo establecido en la Constitución descrita y en concordancia con el Plan Nacional de Desarrollo 2019-2024.

Debido al incremento del uso de la tecnología LED (Light Emitting Diode) y a la complejidad de sus modos y mecanismos de falla, su confiabilidad resulta un tema clave de investigación. Para realizar estudios de confiabilidad, la distribución de Weibull es generalmente la más empleada, pero en los LEDs, como estos se degradan continuamente, dicha distribución podría no funcionar con la misma eficacia. Este artículo muestra el procedimiento para la obtención de modelos de confiabilidad de LEDs blancos empleados en iluminación, a partir de distribuciones de probabilidad no tradicionales de “tiempos hasta el fallo” obtenidos, según criterio ܮ଻଴ de ASSIST, en ensayos acelerados de la literatura consultada. Los análisis realizados con los “tiempos hasta el fallo” mostraron que no hay evidencia suficiente para rechazar que los datos siguen la distribución de Weibull-Exponencial Generalizada (WGED) y la distribución Modificada de Weibull (MWD), según la Prueba de Bondad de Ajuste Kolmogorov-Smirnov.

Objectives: We propose a novel and simple method to determine the magnitude of the curve in scoliosis and its correlation with the Cobb angle. Methods: Using multiple rounds of nominal group technique and an established consensus-building methodology, a multidisciplinary research group identified a simple method to value the curve deformity based on the vertebral pedicles. Measurements: A mathematical study was performed to determine the relationship between the Cobb angle and the concavity–convexity quotient (CCQ). To evaluate the clinical correlation between the Cobb angle and CCQ, spine surgeons measured 48 curves (before and after follow-up) of congenital scoliosis. Results: This quotient reflects the ratio between the distance from the upper end of the most inclined upper vertebra to the lower end of the most inclined lower vertebra on the concave side (A-distance) and the corresponding distance on the convex side of the curve (B-distance). The existing mathematical relationship is based on changing the explicit coordinates to polar coordinates. Finally, the clinical correlation between the Cobb angle and CCQ was statistically significant (r = −0.688; P < 0.001 in first measure and r = −0.789; P < 0.001 in the second measure). Conclusions: Our study provides Level III evidence that CCQ represents a promising alternative or a complementary method to the traditional Cobb angle due to its simple and reliable ability to measure the magnitude of the curve.

The improvement of water and energy use in the industrial sector is an important concern to improve the overall techno-economic performance of single plants. The most recent EU strategy for energy system integration has been treating these issues in the redaction of its first pillar, which is based on the relations between the promotion of circular economy and energy efficiency and it has as specific objectives the promotion of waste heat recovery and energy recovery from wastewater. Although on the context of research and industrial appliance both waste heat recovery and water recycling and reuse have been extensively explored, it is still verifiable a lack of comprehension and application of methods to simultaneously improve the use of both water and energy in a plant. In this work, two approaches for the solving of an optimisation problem related to the improvement of water and energy use in a process industry plant (three water-using processes) are implemented. These approaches consist on the development of a mixed-integer non-linear programming (MINLP) model and a multi-objective programming (MOP) model using the Python language. In addition, a complementary approach based on the development of a non-linear programming (NLP) model for further heat integration is also developed. Within the three applied methodologies (MINLP, MOP and integrated MINLP and NLP), the integrated MINLP and NLP model was the one in which the most favourable results were obtained, with 33.7% freshwater savings, 73.2% energy savings and 67.2% total economic savings.

Carbon coated-LiFePO _4 (LFP) is a strong candidate as lithium-ion battery (LiB) cathode due to the combination of safe operation, stable electrochemical performance and positive environmental impact as does not depend on Co, which is toxic and a critical raw material. In this work, we report the development of binder-free LFP cathodes fabricated by fused filament fabrication (FFF) technology. Several novel carbon-LFP filaments have been developed to 3D-print LiB cathodes, analysing both the carbon to LFP ratio in the formulation and also the impact of the carbon source used as current collector, i.e. glassy carbon (GC) microspheres or carbon black (CB), in the electrochemical performance. LFP remained stable upon debinding and sintering at temperatures as low as 500 °C as determined by x-ray diffraction. The conductivity of 3D printed LFP monoliths was 2.06 × 10 ^−4 S∙cm ^−1 at 50 °C, which is fairly close to that of LFP produced via conventional processing. This is mainly attributed to the preservation of the carbon coating around the LFP particles after debinding and sintering under controlled Ar atmospheres. The LFP-based electrodes containing CB or GC microspheres as conductive additives exhibited specific capacities of 150 mAh g ^−1 , and over 95% coulombic efficiency after 100 cycles, showing no significant performance losses. These results largely exceed the performances reported for previous LFP-based electrodes produced via FFF as the non-active binder is removed upon fabrication.

Giant multilocular prostatic cystadenomas are rare benign prostatic tumor, usually presenting as a large pelvic mass, compressing the adjacent organs but with no clear aggressive features, frequently causing obstructive voiding symptoms. Nowadays, imaging plays an important role on the adequate characterization of these lesions, not only on depicting their different internal components, but also the relationship with the adjacent structures, therefore providing the best preoperative surgical planning. Here we present a case of a 62-year-old patient with recurrent obstructive voiding symptoms due to a giant multilocular prostatic cystadenomas, with histologically correlation, posteriorly excised. Keywords: Prostate lesion, Pelvic mass, Cystadenoma

La certificación energética se presenta como una herramienta de gran utilidad al ofrecer información sobre la eficiencia energética, los consumos energéticos asociados y las emisiones de CO2 que dichos consumos generan, por lo que buscar oportunidades de ahorro de energía eléctrica en edificaciones mediante la certificación energética, se presenta como una oportunidad que en Cuba no ha sido explotada aún. En este trabajo se desarrolla un estudio sobre la aplicación del procedimiento que se aplica en la Comunidad Europea para certificar las edificaciones ya construidas, y se proponen un grupo de medidas de eficiencia energética y el posible de uso de Fuentes Renovables de Energía en el edificio bajo estudio, con el objetivo de elevar la certificación inicial otorgada. Para ello se aplica el software CE3X, el cual permite evaluar los indicadores de consumo energético y la cantidad de emisiones de CO2, asociadas a dicho consumo, que se libera a la atmosfera. Como conclusión se obtiene que el edificio presenta un alto consumo de energía, siendo un elemento fundamental el consumo que tiene en el sistema de climatización. Este problema permitió plantear propuestas detalladas obteniendo como resultado un ahorro de energía anual del 43% y del 52% de las emisiones globales de CO2. Las medidas propuestas para lograr los anteriores se justifican económicamente por los valores del Valor Actual Neto (VAN) calculado, a partir de una inversión total para satisfacer las mejoras escogidas de 36 300,00 €, estimándose que en 8 años toda la inversión habrá sido recuperada.

Wind power generation usage is increasing nowadays, especially in the wider sense of distribution areas. Its technical impactsand restrictions are still under study, and in several aspects are kept almost untouched. One of these aspects is the small-signal stability of isolated distribution systems. This paper analyses the influence of wind power on the small signal stability of an isolated distribution system. Factors as wind power integration level, wind turbine technology, system operation, wind farm location and distributed wind farms are considered. The oscillatory modes that arise because of changes in system operating conditions are computed using modal analysis. The synchronous generators behavior is corroborated with the help of time domain analysis. The results showed that wind farm integration improves the damping ratio and reduces the oscillatory frequency of all modes. The interconnection point and dispersed wind generation has no influence on damping ratio and oscillatory frequency.

Nickel tungsten alloy tapes (Ni—5 at% W, 10 mm wide, 80 µm thick, biaxially textured) used in second-generation high temperature superconductor (2G-HTS) technology were laser-processed in air with ultraviolet ps-laser pulses (355 nm wavelength, 300 ps pulse duration, 250–800 kHz pulse repetition frequency). By employing optimized surface scan-processing strategies, various laser-generated periodic surface structures were generated on the tapes. Particularly, distinct surface microstructures and nanostructures were formed. These included sub-wavelength-sized highly-regular hexagonally-arranged nano-protrusions, wavelength-sized line-grating-like laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS, ripples), and larger irregular pyramidal microstructures. The induced surface morphology was characterized in depth by electron-based techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron back scatter diffraction (EBSD), cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (STEM/TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS). The in-depth EBSD crystallographic analyses indicated a significant impact of the material initial grain orientation on the type of surface nanostructure and microstructure formed upon laser irradiation. Special emphasis was laid on high-resolution material analysis of the hexagonally-arranged nano-protrusions. Their formation mechanism is discussed on the basis of the interplay between electromagnetic scattering effects followed by hydrodynamic matter re-organization after the laser exposure. The temperature stability of the hexagonally-arranged nano-protrusion was explored in post-irradiation thermal annealing experiments, in order to qualify their suitability in 2G-HTS fabrication technology with initial steps deposition temperatures in the range of 773–873 K.

After intense negotiation between Lisbon and London, 70 German and 2 Austrian ships were requisitioned in Portuguese ports in the name of British diplomacy and war effort, starting on February 23, 1916. This requisition legitimized, under the Anglo- Portuguese, the entrance of Portugal in the Great War. Exploring the semantics of the words "requisition" and "apprehending", we will explain the different perspectives on this historical process. Portugal, after this act of war, delivered a good part of these ships to its ally, but what is the currency of exchange? We will also make explicit, in the light of historical scholarship, how these ships were requisitioned and managed in the period of the world conflagration, and even soon after

The corrosion inhibition of 5-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-7-methoxy-3′,4′-dihydroxy-4-phenylcoumarin (4-PC) in AISI 1018 steel immersed in 3% NaCl + CO2 was studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results showed that, at just 10 ppm, 4-PC exerted protection against corrosion with ղ = 90% and 97% at 100 rpm. At static conditions, the polarization curves indicated that, at 5 ppm, the inhibitor presented anodic behavior, while at 10 and 50 ppm, there was a cathodic-type inhibitor. The inhibitor adsorption was demonstrated to be chemisorption, according to the Langmuir isotherm for 100 and 500 rpm. By means of SEM–EDS, the corrosion inhibition was demonstrated, as well as the fact that the organic compound was effective for up to 72 h of immersion. At static conditions, dispersion-corrected density functional theory results reveal that the chemical bonds established by the phenyl group of 4-PC are responsible of the chemisorption on the steel surface. According with Fukui reactivity indices, the molecules adsorbed on the metal surface provide a protective cover against nucleophilic and electrophilic attacks, pointing to the corrosion inhibition properties of 4-PC.

Introducción: El diagnóstico diferencial de una masa intracavitaria incluye las variantes normales, los trombos, las vegetaciones y las neoplasias. Los tumores cardíacos primarios son poco frecuentes, con una incidencia que varía del 0,0017 % al 0,28 % y las metástasis aparecen entre el 1,5 % al 20,6 % de las necropsias de los enfermos neoplásicos. Objetivo: Presentar una paciente con masa en ventrículo derecho y vértice pulmonar derecho, con diagnóstico de rabdomiosarcoma cardíaco con metástasis pulmonar. Caso clínico: Paciente femenina de 46 años sin enfermedad previa ni hábitos tóxicos, que ingresa en el servicio de Medicina Interna del Hospital Militar "Dr. Carlos J. Finlay", por falta de aire y síntomas dispépticos. Evoluciona de forma tórpida en 48 días, con progresión de la disnea, asociada a hipotensión y taquicardia. Hubo una sospecha inicial de tromboeembolismo pulmonar y luego de enfermedad neoplásica, intracavitaria o pulmonar. Conclusiones: El rabdomiosarcoma cardíaco es poco frecuente y se caracteriza por su crecimiento rápido que conduce a la muerte en semanas o meses, a partir del momento de su presentación clínica.

Introduction: Cerebrovascular diseases are the third leading cause of death and the first cause of disability in the world. Objective: To measure the associations between cerebrovascular strokes and their risk factors. Methods: A descriptive study was carried out, the series was made up of 904 patients diagnosed upon admission of cerebrovascular disease, in the period from June 2017 to June 2018 at the Hospital Militar Central Dr. Carlos J. Finlay. The different clinical forms of cardiovascular disease were analyzed based on the variables age, sex, smoking, alcoholism, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia. Absolute and relative frequencies were used as summary measures. Results: 54.7% of patients were older than 70 years and 58.7% were male. Smoking was found in 87.7 % of atherothrombotic stroke and in 89.2 % of intraparenchymal hemorrhages and alcohol in 64.6 % of intraparenchymal hemorrhages. More than 80 % of the patients with ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke were hypertensive, and cardioembolic stroke was associated in 91.9 % with cardiac arrhythmia. Conclusions: Cerebrovascular disease was predominant over 70 years old and male. Ischemic strokes are more frequent than hemorrhagic ones. High blood pressure and diabetes mellitus were the most frequent risk factors for both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes.

In a clinical decision support system, the purpose of case-based reasoning is to help clinicians make convenient decisions for diagnoses or interventional gestures. Past experience, which is represented by a case-base of previous patients, is exploited to solve similar current problems using four steps-retrieve, reuse, revise, and retain. The proposed case-based reasoning has been focused on transcatheter aortic valve implantation to respond to clinical issues pertaining vascular access and prosthesis choices. The computation of a relevant similarity measure is an essential processing step employed to obtain a set of retrieved cases from a case-base. A hierarchical similarity measure that is based on a clinical decision tree is proposed to better integrate the clinical knowledge, especially in terms of case representation, case selection and attributes weighting. A case-base of 138 patients is used to evaluate the case-based reasoning performance, and retrieve- and reuse-based criteria have been considered. The sensitivity for the vascular access and the prosthesis choice is found to 0.88 and 0.94, respectively, with the use of the hierarchical similarity measure as opposed to 0.53 and 0.79 for the standard similarity measure. Ninety percent of the suggested solutions are correctly classified for the proposed metric when four cases are retrieved. Using a dedicated similarity measure, with relevant and weighted attributes selected through a clinical decision tree, the set of retrieved cases, and consequently, the decision suggested by the case-based reasoning are substantially improved over state-of-the-art similarity measures.

En el presente trabajo se analiza cómo influye el ángulo de inclinación en los módulos solares sobre la generación de una central fotovoltaica, utilizando como herramientas las simulaciones con el programa PVSYST y las mediciones reales en diferentes instalaciones en Cuba. En este sentido, se simulan las centrales en su diseño original, y se comparan los resultados con las mediciones reales obtenidas en dichos parques. Para cumplir con el objetivo principal de la investigación se realizan simulaciones para diferentes ángulos de inclinación y se observa la variación de la generación de electricidad, así como se realiza la comparación de todos los resultados obtenidos entre sí en busca de seleccionar la variante más adecuada para Cuba. Los resultados del trabajo concuerdan con las principales investigaciones a nivel mundial sobre esta temática, o sea, el ángulo de inclinación óptimo es igual a la latitud del lugar donde se van a instalar los parques fotovoltaicos.