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Bessel beams as a versatile tool to generate embedded devices in optical glasses
No full textBeam shaping offers many opportunities to both streamline and accelerate laser fabrication processes, closing the gap between lab research and large-scale manufacturing. In the field of embedded devices, a Bessel beam configuration allows for large volume engraving of transparent materials in a single laser pass. In this work, we take advantage of femtosecond Bessel beams with a length of 340 mu m and a diameter of 1 mu m to generate diffractive elements within three distinct optical glasses. This strategy represents a chemical-free and cost-effective alternative to the conventional manufacturing of holographic elements based on photoresist micro-patterning. Despite the different nonlinear effects taking place in each material, we report the successful fabrication of diffraction gratings operating at either normal or Bragg incidence, with efficiencies in the first combined order of up to 70%. Our experimental results show the potential of Bessel beams as a tool to produce buried light devices in a wide variety of glass materials
Purpose Trends Report (April 2024)
No full textIn this report, we want to synthesize the most relevant about corporate purpose published in April 2024. For this aim, we did a content search (using selected keywords) in Scopus and Google Scholar for academic publications; and diffusion magazines and other trusted sites for articles and reports. We selected relevant publications about organizational purpose, purpose alignment, and personal purpose. Also, we include successful cases that show how corporate purpose has been implemented. Bellow, we present statistics about the selected literature
Dental caries in children and vitamin D deficiency: a narrative review
No full textDental caries represents one of the most prevalent health problems in childhood. Numerous studies have assessed that vitamin D deficiency is highly related to dental caries in primary and permanent teeth in children. The aim of this study is to elaborate a narrative review about proposed mechanisms by which vitamin D deficiency interacts with dental caries process in children. Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy may cause intrauterine enamel defects, and through childhood is accompanied by insufficient activity of antibacterial peptides, decreased saliva secretion, and a low level of calcium in saliva. Conclusion: In conclusion, vitamin D deficiency would increase the risk of caries in the primary and/or permanent dentition. Relationship between vitamin D deficiency and dental caries is evident enough for vitamin D deficiency to be considered as a risk factor for dental caries in children. Optimal levels of vitamin D throughout pregnancy and childhood may be considered an additional preventive measure for dental caries in the primary and permanent dentition
Sustainability in the Fashion Value Chain 2024
No full textSustainability is a complex word related to the three bottom line1 of economic, social,
and environmental dimensions of the development that meets the needs of the
present without compromising those of the future2, within the planet’s physical
boundaries.
Sustainability in Fashion companies is no longer an option, but the “new normal”,
evidenced by its privileged place in the Fashion Industry’s Agenda since 20203.
The fashion industry is considered the second most polluting in the world, textiles are
the fourth highest-pressure category for the use of raw materials and water, after
food, housing, and transport, and fifth for GHG emissions4. Clothing production
doubled from 2000 to 2014 and the number of garments purchased each year by the
average consumer increased by 60%5. People use their clothes half as much as they
did in 20006: in some countries such as China, clothing utilisation has decreased by
70% in the same period5.
Undoubtedly, the fashion industry is now a relevant player in the economic scene,
with a contribution of more than $2.4 trillion to global manufacturing7, and more than
300 million people employed if we include the clothing industry along the value chain6
all across the world.
It is clearly a growing sophisticated business with a fragmented and relatively
low-tech production system5. It began 200 years ago, but innovation to improve
quality developed most significantly in the last 50-60 years; health and safety product
control developed over the last 10-15 years, and sustainability emerged as a key
concern only 5-6 years. The path to this transformation process is extremely difficult
and multifaceted and must progress quickly. Sustainability in the Fashion value chain needs the collaboration between academia
and business (research in many fields like Communication, Environmental Sciences,
Chemistry, Business, Biology, Law, Engineering, Design, Architecture, etc., and
different players in the industry: providers, textile manufacturers, retailers, delivering
services, etc.). It also needs the fuel of the public institutions and the commitment of
the consumers.
But what does sustainability mean
Calibración de equipos climáticos en modelos energéticos detallados (Caja blanca)
Get PDFEl crecimiento de la población a nivel mundial y la persistente dependencia energética de los combustibles fósiles intensifican los impactos del cambio climático, los cuales están mayormente asociados
a las emisiones de dióxido de carbono. Investigaciones demuestran que el consumo de energía en
los edificios representa el 40 % del consumo global de energía primaria y contribuye al 36 % de las
emisiones de carbono. A raíz de la tendencia actual, influenciada por diversos factores sociales, económicos y políticos, se estima que el consumo de energía y las emisiones podrían duplicarse o incluso
triplicarse para el año 2050. Por lo tanto, la mejora de los edificios existentes puede generar un ahorro energético de entre el 50 % y el 90 % a nivel mundial. Es evidente que la reducción del consumo
energético en los edificios resulta vital para optimizar la asignación de recursos en diferentes áreas
críticas de desarrollo, tales como la salud, la educación y la reactivación económica, entre otras.
Diversos países alrededor del mundo han optado por abordar este desafío, incorporando políticas
energéticas en los códigos de construcción y estableciendo programas de certificación que establecen límites de consumo energético. Estas iniciativas tienen como objetivo encontrar soluciones que
mejoren la eficiencia energética, reduzcan los costos de mantenimiento y disminuyan las emisiones
de CO2. La realización de un estudio energético de los edificios se posiciona como una de las herramientas más efectivas para desarrollar una estrategia de ahorro energético, ya que permite evaluar
el estado actual del edificio y proponer la implementación de medidas de conservación de energía,
optimización de los sistemas de climatización y adopción de nuevas tecnologías.
Por esta razón, resulta imperativo abordar adecuadamente el complejo problema de establecer el
rendimiento energético real de un edificio. La obtención de un modelo de simulación energética de
edificios que reduzca la brecha entre la simulación y la realidad constituye uno de los desafíos actuales. Un gemelo digital, capaz de representar de manera confiable la física del edificio en condiciones
normales de operación, permite evaluar múltiples soluciones en un entorno no intrusivo y de bajo
coste, como es el caso de la simulación. Si los estudios de conservación de energía pudieran respaldarse en un modelo energético calibrado, cuyo comportamiento energético se asemeje al del edificio
real, la calidad de los resultados en ahorro energético y el rendimiento de dichas medidas de conservación mejorarían significativamente. Entre las numerosas ventajas de estos modelos, se encuentran
la capacidad de identificar áreas críticas dentro del edificio que requieren mayor estudio, el diseño de
estrategias de conservación de energía, el establecimiento de una línea base para contratos energéticos, la optimización del sistema de climatización, la puesta en marcha de equipos de climatización y
la detección de fallos.
La presente tesis de investigación se basa en el trabajo previo de Bandera, Ramos et al, quienes se
enfocaron en calibrar la envolvente del edificio. Al conocer la cantidad de energía que se pierde a
través de la envolvente, podemos determinar la demanda energética del edificio (Anexo 49). Una vez
que la envolvente se encuentra calibrada, considerando las solicitudes y cargas (ocupación, equipos,
iluminación, etc.), se obtiene una demanda energética que debe ser atendida exclusivamente por los
sistemas de climatización del edificio. El objetivo de este trabajo es calibrar los parámetros de los
diferentes componentes de los equipos del sistema de climatización, generando un modelo energético del edificio que correlacione las condiciones internas de temperatura con la demanda térmica
y el consumo energético de los equipos de producción térmica (rendimiento de la instalación). Solo
al realizar esta doble evaluación, manteniendo las condiciones de temperatura interior de los espacios y obteniendo un consumo energético similar al real, podremos hablar de un modelo térmico y
energético completo del edificio (modelo calibrado)
Acute histological reactions in the otolith organs to inner ear drug delivery through a cochlear implant
Get PDFTopical application of L-Menthol – Physiological and genetic considerations to assist in developing female athlete research: A narrative review
No full textL-menthol is a cyclic monoterpene derived from aromatic plants, which gives a cooling sensation upon application. With this in mind, L-menthol is beginning to be considered as a potential ergogenic aid for exercise and sporting competitions, particularly in hot environments, however female-specific research is lacking. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize available literature relating to topical application of L-menthol and provide commentary on avenues of consideration relating to future research developments of topical L-menthol in female athletes. From available studies in male participants, L-menthol topical application results in no endurance exercise performance improvements, however decreases in thermal sensation are observed. Mixed results are observed within strength performance parameters. Several genetic variations and single nucleotide polymorphisms have been identified in relation to sweat production, fluid loss and body mass changes – factors which may influence topical application of L-menthol. More specifically to female athletes, genetic variations relating to sweat responses and skin thickness, phases of the menstrual cycle, and body composition indices may affect the ergogenic effects of L-menthol topical application, via alterations in thermogenic responses, along with differing tissue distribution compared to their male counterparts. This narrative review concludes that further development of female athlete research and protocols for topical application of L-menthol is warranted due to physiological and genetic variations. Such developments would benefit research and practitioners alike with further personalized sport science strategies around phases of the menstrual cycle and body composition indices, with a view to optimize ergogenic effects of L-menthol
From the global Compact to the Code of Conduct 2024
No full textBy the end of the Twentieth Century, many new terms arose evidencing the
need to build a safer frame for developing people and companies, in balance
with nature and the environment.
Those are the origin of what we know now as Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR). It is a management concept whereby companies integrate social and
environmental concerns into their business operations and interactions with
their stakeholders. CSR is generally understood as being the way through
which a company achieves a balance of economic, environmental, and social
imperatives, while at the same time addressing the expectations of
shareholders and stakeholders (UNIDO, 2019).
But academic literature about Corporate Social Responsibility issues different
concepts closely related among them, and to the Triple-Bottom-Line Approach
(Elkington, 1994, 1997, 1998) that intends to rationalize the development that
promotes economic growth while working on social inclusion and minimizing the
environmental impact, but with several nuances
Digital News Report España 2024
No full textEste estudio ha sido comisionado por el Instituto Reuters para el Estudio del Periodismo de la Universidad de Oxford y elaborado por investigadores de la Facultad de Comunicación de la Universidad de Navarra. Su objetivo es describir y analizar cómo se consume la información en una variedad de países. La investigación fue llevada a cabo por YouGov mediante un cuestionario en línea a finales de enero/principios de febrero de 2024
Replacement of watching television with physical activity and the change in gestational diabetes mellitus risk: a case-control study
No full textObjective: To evaluate the effect of replacing 1 h/week of watching television with 1 h/week of light to moderate (LMPA) or vigorous physical activity (VPA) before and during pregnancy on the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).Methods: A case-control study was conducted in pregnant women. Physical activity and television watching before and during pregnancy were assessed using the Paffenbarger Physical Activity Questionnaire. Each type of activity was classified according to intensity (metabolic equivalent of task; MET): less than 6 METs is LMPA, 6 METs or more is VPA. The duration of physical activity and watching television was calculated, and logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals for their association with GDM risk. The isotemporal substitution model was used to calculate the effect of replacing 1 h/week of watching television with the same duration of physical activity.Results: The GDM cases (n = 290) spent less time performing VPA than controls without GDM (n = 1175) and more time watching television during pregnancy (P (14 h/week vs. 0-6 h/week )= 2.03; 95% confidence interval 1.35-3.08). Replacing 1 h/week of watching television with 1 h/week of VPA during pregnancy could decrease the chance of developing GDM (aOR = 0.66; 95% confidence interval 0.43-1.00).Conclusions: A simple change of 1 h/week of watching television for 1 h/week of VPA in pregnant women may reduce the risk of GDM considerably