13 research outputs found
Isolation and properties of a liver mitochondrial precursor protein to aspartate aminotransferase expressed in Escherichia coli.
No full textThe precursor to rat liver mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase has been expressed in Escherichia coli JM105 using the pKK233-2 expression vector. This mammalian natural precursor has been isolated as a soluble dimeric protein. The amino-terminal sequence and the amino acid composition of the isolated protein correspond to those predicted from the inserted cDNA (Mattingly, J. R., Jr., Rodriguez-Berrocal, F. J., Gordon, J., Iriarte, A., and Martinez-Carrion, M. (1987) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 149, 859-865). The isolated precursor contains bound pyridoxal phosphate and shows catalytic activity with a specific activity equal to that of the mature form of the enzyme. This precursor can also be processed by mitochondria into a form with the sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis mobility of mature enzyme. The isolation of this precursor as a stable and catalytically active entity indicates that the presequence peptide does not necessarily interfere with much of the folding and basic structural properties of the mature protein component
Magnetic Silica Nanoparticle Cellular Uptake and Cytotoxicity Regulated by Electrostatic Polyelectrolytes–DNA Loading at Their Surface
No full textMagnetic silica nanoparticles show great promise for drug delivery. The major advantages correspond to their magnetic nature and ease of biofunctionalization, which favors their ability to interact with cells and tissues. We have prepared magnetic silica nanoparticles with DNA fragments attached on their previously polyelectrolyte-primed surface. The remarkable feature of these materials is the compromise between the positive charges of the polyelectrolytes and the negative charges of the DNA. This dual-agent formulation dramatically changes the overall cytotoxicity and chemical degradation of the nanoparticles, revealing the key role that surface functionalization plays in regulating the mechanisms involved.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España)Xunta de GaliciaDepto. de Química FísicaFac. de Ciencias QuímicasTRUEpu
ERF5 and ERF6 play redundant roles as positive regulators of JA/Et-mediated defense against botrytis cinerea in arabidopsis
No full textCopyright @ 2012 Moffat et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.The ethylene response factor (ERF) family in Arabidopsis thaliana comprises 122 members in 12 groups, yet the biological functions of the majority remain unknown. Of the group IX ERFs, the IXc subgroup has been studied the most, and includes ERF1, ERF14 and ORA59, which play roles in plant innate immunity. Here we investigate the biological functions of two members of the less studied IXb subgroup: ERF5 and ERF6. In order to identify potential targets of these transcription factors, microarray analyses were performed on plants constitutively expressing either ERF5 or ERF6. Expression of defense genes, JA/Et-responsive genes and genes containing the GCC box promoter motif were significantly upregulated in both ERF5 and ERF6 transgenic plants, suggesting that ERF5 and ERF6 may act as positive regulators of JA-mediated defense and potentially overlap in their function. Since defense against necrotrophic pathogens is generally mediated through JA/Et-signalling, resistance against the fungal necrotroph Botrytis cinerea was examined. Constitutive expression of ERF5 or ERF6 resulted in significantly increased resistance. Although no significant difference in susceptibility to B. cinerea was observed in either erf5 or erf6 mutants, the erf5 erf6 double mutant showed a significant increase in susceptibility, which was likely due to compromised JA-mediated gene expression, since JA-induced gene expression was reduced in the double mutant. Taken together these data suggest that ERF5 and ERF6 play positive but redundant roles in defense against B. cinerea. Since mutual antagonism between JA/Et and salicylic acid (SA) signalling is well known, the UV-C inducibility of an SA-inducible gene, PR-1, was examined. Reduced inducibilty in both ERF5 and ERF6 constitutive overexepressors was consistent with suppression of SA-mediated signalling, as was an increased susceptibility to avirulent Pseudomonas syringae. These data suggest that ERF5 and ERF6 may also play a role in the antagonistic crosstalk between the JA/Et and SA signalling pathways.This work was funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) UK (studentship BBS/S/B/2003/12908 and BBS/S/K/2003/10126
A Phase II Trial of the CD40 Agonistic Antibody Sotigalimab (APX005M) in Combination with Nivolumab in Subjects with Metastatic Melanoma with Confirmed Disease Progression on Anti-PD-1 Therapy
No full textPurpose: Disease progression during or after anti-PD-1-based treatment is common in advanced melanoma. Sotigalimab is a CD40 agonist antibody with a unique epitope specificity and Fc receptor binding profile optimized for activation of CD40-expressing antigen-presenting cells. Preclinical data indicated that CD40 agonists combined with anti-PD1 could overcome resistance to anti-PD-1.Patients and Methods: We conducted a multicenter, open-label, phase II trial to evaluate the combination of sotigalimab 0.3 mg/kg and nivolumab 360 mg every 3 weeks in patients with advanced melanoma following confirmed disease progression on a PD-1 inhibitor. The primary objective was to determine the objective response rate (ORR).Results: Thirty-eight subjects were enrolled and evaluable for safety. Thirty-three were evaluable for activity. Five confirmed partial responses (PR) were observed for an ORR of 15%. Two PRs are ongoing at 45.9+ and 26+ months, whereas the other three responders relapsed at 41.1, 18.7, and 18.4 months. The median duration of response was at least 26 months. Two additional patients had stable disease for >6 months. Thirty-four patients (89%) experienced at least one adverse event (AE), and 13% experienced a grade 3 AE related to sotigalimab. The most common AEs were pyrexia, chills, nausea, fatigue, pruritus, elevated liver function, rash, vomiting, headache, arthralgia, asthenia, myalgia, and diarrhea. There were no treatment-related SAEs, deaths, or discontinuation of sotigalimab due to AEs.Conclusions: Sotigalimab plus nivolumab had a favorable safety profile consistent with the toxicity profiles of each agent. The combination resulted in durable and prolonged responses in a subset of patients with anti-PD-1-resistant melanoma, warranting further evaluation in this setting.817484,62311,5Q1Q1SCIE10,
On the relation between the external structure and the internal characteristics in the near-nozzle field of diesel sprays
No full text[EN] In this paper, a high-resolution visualization technique has been used in combination with an extensively validated 0D model in order to relate the external structure of a diesel spray to the internal properties in the vicinity of the nozzle. For this purpose, three single-hole convergent nozzles with different diameters have been tested for several pressure conditions. The analysis of the obtained images shows that the spray width significantly changes along the very first millimeters of the spray. From the high resolution images captured, two parameters have been evaluated. The first one is the external non-perturbed length, where droplet detachment has not been observed. The second one is a transitional length, defined as the axial position where the spray width increases linearly after a transient behavior, making it possible to establish a spray cone angle definition. Furthermore, the internal liquid core length has been estimated for these nozzles using an extensively validated zero-dimensional model. The intact liquid core length has proved to be correlated with both the transitional length and the non-perturbed length with a very high degree of reliability. In the case of the transitional length, a quadratic correlation has been observed, whereas a linear relationship has been confirmed between the intact core length and the non-perturbed length. The results presented here may help to shed light on better understanding of such a complex process as atomization.The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad, Spanish Government, under the project 'Comprension de la influencia de combustibles no convencionales en el proceso de injeccion y combustion tipo diesel' (project number TRA2012-36932) The PhD studies of D. Jaramillo have been funded by "Conselleria d'Educacio'Cultura i Esports'' of "Generalitat Valenciana'', Spain, by means of ''Programa Vali+ d per a personal investigador en formacio''. Reference ACIF/2015/040.Benajes, J.; Salvador, FJ.; Carreres, M.; Jaramillo-Císcar, D. (2017). On the relation between the external structure and the internal characteristics in the near-nozzle field of diesel sprays. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part D Journal of Automobile Engineering. 231(3):360-371. https://doi.org/10.1177/0954407016639464S3603712313Desantes, J. M., Payri, R., Salvador, F. J., & Gil, A. (2006). Development and validation of a theoretical model for diesel spray penetration. Fuel, 85(7-8), 910-917. doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2005.10.023Kim, H. J., Park, S. H., & Lee, C. S. (2010). A study on the macroscopic spray behavior and atomization characteristics of biodiesel and dimethyl ether sprays under increased ambient pressure. Fuel Processing Technology, 91(3), 354-363. doi:10.1016/j.fuproc.2009.11.007Klein-Douwel, R. J. H., Frijters, P. J. M., Seykens, X. L. J., Somers, L. M. T., & Baert, R. S. G. (2009). Gas Density and Rail Pressure Effects on Diesel Spray Growth from a Heavy-Duty Common Rail Injector†. Energy & Fuels, 23(4), 1832-1842. doi:10.1021/ef8003569Lee, C. S., Lee, K. H., Reitz, R. D., & Park, S. W. (2006). EFFECT OF SPLIT INJECTION ON THE MACROSCOPIC DEVELOPMENT AND ATOMIZATION CHARACTERISTICS OF A DIESEL SPRAY INJECTED THROUGH A COMMON-RAIL SYSTEM. Atomization and Sprays, 16(5), 543-562. doi:10.1615/atomizspr.v16.i5.50Desantes, J. M., Payri, R., Salvador, F. J., & De la Morena, J. (2010). Influence of cavitation phenomenon on primary break-up and spray behavior at stationary conditions. Fuel, 89(10), 3033-3041. doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2010.06.004Payri, R., Salvador, F. J., Gimeno, J., & Soare, V. (2005). Determination of diesel sprays characteristics in real engine in-cylinder air density and pressure conditions. Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, 19(11), 2040-2052. doi:10.1007/bf02916497Desantes, J. M., Salvador, F. J., López, J. J., & De la Morena, J. (2010). Study of mass and momentum transfer in diesel sprays based on X-ray mass distribution measurements and on a theoretical derivation. Experiments in Fluids, 50(2), 233-246. doi:10.1007/s00348-010-0919-8Salvador, F. J., Ruiz, S., Gimeno, J., & De la Morena, J. (2011). Estimation of a suitable Schmidt number range in diesel sprays at high injection pressure. International Journal of Thermal Sciences, 50(9), 1790-1798. doi:10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2011.03.030Linne, M. A., Paciaroni, M., Berrocal, E., & Sedarsky, D. (2009). Ballistic imaging of liquid breakup processes in dense sprays. Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, 32(2), 2147-2161. doi:10.1016/j.proci.2008.07.040Kastengren, A. L., Tilocco, F. Z., Duke, D. J., Powell, C. F., Zhang, X., & Moon, S. (2014). TIME-RESOLVED X-RAY RADIOGRAPHY OF SPRAYS FROM ENGINE COMBUSTION NETWORK SPRAY A DIESEL INJECTORS. Atomization and Sprays, 24(3), 251-272. doi:10.1615/atomizspr.2013008642Kastengren, A., & Powell, C. F. (2014). Synchrotron X-ray techniques for fluid dynamics. Experiments in Fluids, 55(3). doi:10.1007/s00348-014-1686-8Som, S., & Aggarwal, S. K. (2010). Effects of primary breakup modeling on spray and combustion characteristics of compression ignition engines. Combustion and Flame, 157(6), 1179-1193. doi:10.1016/j.combustflame.2010.02.018Lebas, R., Menard, T., Beau, P. A., Berlemont, A., & Demoulin, F. X. (2009). Numerical simulation of primary break-up and atomization: DNS and modelling study. International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 35(3), 247-260. doi:10.1016/j.ijmultiphaseflow.2008.11.005Shinjo, J., & Umemura, A. (2010). Simulation of liquid jet primary breakup: Dynamics of ligament and droplet formation. International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 36(7), 513-532. doi:10.1016/j.ijmultiphaseflow.2010.03.008Shinjo, J., & Umemura, A. (2011). Detailed simulation of primary atomization mechanisms in Diesel jet sprays (isolated identification of liquid jet tip effects). Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, 33(2), 2089-2097. doi:10.1016/j.proci.2010.07.006Ménard, T., Tanguy, S., & Berlemont, A. (2007). Coupling level set/VOF/ghost fluid methods: Validation and application to 3D simulation of the primary break-up of a liquid jet. International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 33(5), 510-524. doi:10.1016/j.ijmultiphaseflow.2006.11.001Bermúdez, V., Payri, R., Salvador, F. J., & Plazas, A. H. (2005). Study of the influence of nozzle seat type on injection rate and spray behaviour. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part D: Journal of Automobile Engineering, 219(5), 677-689. doi:10.1243/095440705x28303Payri, F., Bermúdez, V., Payri, R., & Salvador, F. J. (2004). The influence of cavitation on the internal flow and the spray characteristics in diesel injection nozzles. Fuel, 83(4-5), 419-431. doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2003.09.010Payri, R., Molina, S., Salvador, F. J., & Gimeno, J. (2004). A study of the relation between nozzle geometry, internal flow and sprays characteristics in diesel fuel injection systems. KSME International Journal, 18(7), 1222-1235. doi:10.1007/bf02983297Salvador, F. J., Ruiz, S., Salavert, J., & De la Morena, J. (2012). Consequences of using biodiesel on the injection and air–fuel mixing processes in diesel engines. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part D: Journal of Automobile Engineering, 227(8), 1130-1141. doi:10.1177/0954407012463667Basak, N., & Das, D. (2009). Photofermentative hydrogen production using purple non-sulfur bacteria Rhodobacter sphaeroides O.U.001 in an annular photobioreactor: A case study. Biomass and Bioenergy, 33(6-7), 911-919. doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2009.02.007Salvador, F. J., Romero, J.-V., Roselló, M.-D., & Martínez-López, J. (2010). Validation of a code for modeling cavitation phenomena in Diesel injector nozzles. Mathematical and Computer Modelling, 52(7-8), 1123-1132. doi:10.1016/j.mcm.2010.02.027Andriotis, A., & Gavaises, M. (2009). INFLUENCE OF VORTEX FLOW AND CAVITATION ON NEAR-NOZZLE DIESEL SPRAY DISPERSION ANGLE. Atomization and Sprays, 19(3), 247-261. doi:10.1615/atomizspr.v19.i3.30Salvador, F. J., Hoyas, S., Novella, R., & Martínez-López, J. (2011). Numerical simulation and extended validation of two-phase compressible flow in diesel injector nozzles. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part D: Journal of Automobile Engineering, 225(4), 545-563. doi:10.1177/09544070jauto1569Salvador, F. J., Martínez-López, J., Caballer, M., & De Alfonso, C. (2013). Study of the influence of the needle lift on the internal flow and cavitation phenomenon in diesel injector nozzles by CFD using RANS methods. Energy Conversion and Management, 66, 246-256. doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2012.10.011Hiroyasu, H. (2000). SPRAY BREAKUP MECHANISM FROM THE HOLE-TYPE NOZZLE AND ITS APPLICATIONS. Atomization and Sprays, 10(3-5), 511-527. doi:10.1615/atomizspr.v10.i3-5.130Sou, A., Hosokawa, S., & Tomiyama, A. (2007). Effects of cavitation in a nozzle on liquid jet atomization. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 50(17-18), 3575-3582. doi:10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2006.12.033Macian, V., Bermudez, V., Payri, R., & Gimeno, J. (2003). NEW TECHNIQUE FOR DETERMINATION OF INTERNAL GEOMETRY OF A DIESEL NOZZLE WITH THE USE OF SILICONE METHODOLOGY. Experimental Techniques, 27(2), 39-43. doi:10.1111/j.1747-1567.2003.tb00107.xOtsu, N. (1979). A Threshold Selection Method from Gray-Level Histograms. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, 9(1), 62-66. doi:10.1109/tsmc.1979.4310076Payri, R., Tormos, B., Salvador, F. J., & Araneo, L. (2008). Spray droplet velocity characterization for convergent nozzles with three different diameters. Fuel, 87(15-16), 3176-3182. doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2008.05.028DELACOURT, E., DESMET, B., & BESSON, B. (2005). Characterisation of very high pressure diesel sprays using digital imaging techniques. Fuel, 84(7-8), 859-867. doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2004.12.003Yue, Y., Powell, C. F., Poola, R., Wang, J., & Schaller, J. K. (2001). QUANTITATIVE MEASUREMENTS OF DIESEL FUEL SPRAY CHARACTERISTICS IN THE NEAR-NOZZLE REGION USING X-RAY ABSORPTION. Atomization and Sprays, 11(4), 471-490. doi:10.1615/atomizspr.v11.i4.100Desantes, J. M., Payri, R., Garcia, J. M., & Salvador, F. J. (2007). A contribution to the understanding of isothermal diesel spray dynamics. Fuel, 86(7-8), 1093-1101. doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2006.10.011Desantes, J. M., Arregle, J., Lopez, J. J., & Cronhjort, A. (2006). SCALING LAWS FOR FREE TURBULENT GAS JETS AND DIESEL-LIKE SPRAYS. Atomization and Sprays, 16(4), 443-474. doi:10.1615/atomizspr.v16.i4.6
Molecular characterization of the Arabidopsis thaliana - Botrytis cinerea interaction
No full textIncludes bibliographical references (leaves 199-253).This study attempted to characterize at a transcriptional level, the defence responses of Arabidopsis thaliana after infection by Botrytis cinerea, using microarrays. The first microarray experiment focused on profiling Arabidopsis genes induced by B. cinerea over time (temporal) while the second investigated spatial expression of Arabidopsis genes from the point of inoculation. A number of genes were up- and down-regulated specifically at 12 hrs, others at 24 hrs while others were up- and down-regulated at both time points. Similarly, some genes were specifically induced very close to the lesion while others in more distal tissue
Functional analysis of the tomato Ve resistance locus against Verticillium wilt
No full text Verticillium dahliae, V. albo-atrum and V. longisporum are soil-borne plant pathogens that are responsible for Verticillium wilt diseases in temperate and subtropical regions. Collectively they can infect over 200 hosts, including many economically important crops. Chapter 1 is a “pathogen profile” which describes the most important aspects of the biology of the Verticillium wilt pathogens. They colonize the xylem vessels of their host plants and cause symptoms such as wilting, chlorosis, stunting, necrosis and vein clearing. Verticillium species are notoriously difficult to control as there are no fungicides available to cure plants once they are infected. Therefore, genetic resistance is the preferred method for disease control. Chapter 2 describes the functional characterization of the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) Ve locus. This locus is responsible for resistance against race 1 strains of V. dahliae and V. albo-atrum and comprises two closely linked inversely oriented genes, Ve1 and Ve2. Both genes encode cell surface receptor proteins of the extracellular leucine-rich repeat (eLRR) receptor-like protein (RLP) class of disease resistance proteins. In chapter 2, it is demonstrated that Ve1, but not Ve2, provides resistance in tomato against race 1 but not against race 2 strains of V. dahliae and V. albo-atrum. Using virus-induced gene silencing in tomato, the signaling cascade downstream of Ve1 was shown to require both EDS1 (enhanced disease susceptibility1) and NDR1 (non-race-specific disease resistance1). In addition, also NRC1 (NB-LRR protein required for hypersensitive response-associated cell death1), ACIF (Avr9/Cf-9–induced F-box1), MEK2 (MAP/ERK kinase2), and SERK3/BAK1 (somatic embryogenesis receptor kinase 3/brassinosteroid-associated kinase 1) act as positive regulators of Ve1 in tomato. In conclusion, Ve1-mediated resistance signaling only partially overlaps with signaling mediated by Cf proteins, type members of the eLRR-RLP-class of resistance proteins. In chapter 3 an attempt to introduce Nicotiana benthamiana as a model to facilitate the study of Ve1-mediated resistance is described. Challenge of wild type plants with several race 1 and race 2 strains of V. dahliae and V. albo-atrum demonstrated that N. benthamiana is susceptible to both Verticillium species. To obtain Verticillium wilt resistant plants, N. benthamiana was engineered to express the tomato Ve1 coding sequence. However, out of thirteen transgenic lines, six showed clear phenotypic aberrancies that included severe stunting and malformed leaves when compared to wild type plants. The seven Ve1-transgenic lines that did not show any phenotypic alterations were challenged with race 1 and race 2 strains. Although the pathogenicity assays indicated that in few lines Ve1 expression temporarily reduced disease development, most lines were as susceptible as wild type parental line. In conclusion, in chapter 3 it is demonstrated that the Ve1-transgenic N. benthamiana lines could not be used to study Ve1-mediated resistance signaling. In chapter 4, the use of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) as model to facilitate the study of Ve1-mediated resistance is presented. To this end, tomato Ve1 was expressed in susceptible Arabidopsis plants. Upon challenge with race 1 strains of V. dahliae or V. albo-atrum, Ve1-expressing plants were found to be resistant. In contrast, Ve1-expressing plants were susceptible to race 2 strains of both V. dahliae and V. albo-atrum. Furthermore, expression of Ve1 in Arabidopsis plants did not prevent colonization by V. longisporum strains. Through Ve1-expression in Arabidopsis defense signaling mutants, it was demonstrated that signaling downstream of Ve1 is highly conserved between tomato and Arabidopsis. In previous chapters it was shown that the receptor kinase SERK3/BAK1 is required for Ve1-mediated resistance in tomato as well as in Arabidopsis. In Arabidopsis, SERK3/BAK1 belongs to a gene family consisting of five members. In chapter 5, the requirement of the different SERK family members in Ve1-mediated resistance in Arabidopsis is investigated, revealing the requirement of SERK1 and, although to a lesser extent, SERK4 for resistance. Using virus-induced gene silencing, it was subsequently shown that SERK1 is also required for Ve1-mediated resistance in tomato. In conclusion, the results of chapter 5 demonstrate that Arabidopsis can be used as model to unravel the molecular mechanisms of Ve1-mediated resistance. In chapter 6, the recognition specificity of Ve1 was further investigated by performing domain-swaps with Ve2 and expressing the chimeric Ve proteins in Arabidopsis. Various domain swaps in which eLRRs from Ve1 were replaced by those of Ve2 suggest that the region between eLRR22 and eLRR35 is required for full Ve1-mediated resistance. However, plants expressing a Ve chimera in which eLRR1 to eLRR30 of Ve1 was replaced with those of Ve2 were resistant against Verticillium. Overall, these results suggest that Ve2 may still bind the elicitor in the eLRR domain, but its C-terminal domain is not able to activate a successful defense response. Finally in Chapter 7, highlights of this thesis are discussed and placed in a broader perspective. </p
Lei, jurisprudência e eutanásia. Introdução ao estudo das normas comparativas à luz do caso colombiano
No full textThis article is about eutanasia, as a result of an investigation of comparative documentary type which analyzes the laws and history of euthanasia in order to shed light to a legal tangle and bioethical that occurs in Colombia, where the standard law (Articles 106 and 107 of the Penal Code) punish with imprisonment the assisted suicide, and euthanasia, while case law (Sentence C-239-97) decriminalize it. The sub-themes of the article are: introduction, map of euthanasia in the world, definitions, ethical dilemmas of the end of life, history, euthanasia in Colombia, the background of the judgment C-239/97, the Colombian practice, the sentence, comparative law, relevant cases of euthanasia and conclusions. The legal vacuum in Colombia has led to create uncertainty in the practice of euthanasia (active, passive, dysthanasia, orthothanasia, assisted suicide and eugenics). In an investigation by the author, the Colombian organizations that defend a death “worthy” say they do not have statistics on euthanasia practiced after that judgment was published, more than 16 years ago. This is because they are afraid that the Criminal Code is above a jurisprudence that does not have the same binding force, and may cause negative consequences (prison) for those who apply euthanasia in Colombia. There is a huge confusion in the country about euthanasia, mainly due to conflict of interest and of power produced by the judgment that decriminalized it. So what to do? What elements should be considered in each case? This article hopes to make an academic and humane contribution on the issue raised.Este artículo trata el tema de la eutanasia, como resultado de una investigación de carácter documental comparativo en el cual se analizan las legislaciones, así como la historia de la eutanasia con el fin de procurar arrojar luces a un enredo jurídico, por supuesto bioético, que se presenta en Colombia, en donde la normatividad (artículos 106 y 107 del Código Penal) sanciona con prisión el suicidio asistido, así como la eutanasia; y la jurisprudencia (Sentencia C- 239-97) lo despenaliza. Los subtemas que trata el artículo son: introducción, mapa de eutanasia en el mundo, definiciones, dilemas éticos del final de la vida, historia, eutanasia en Colombia, antecedentes de la sentencia C- 239/97; la práctica colombiana, la sentencia, Derecho comparado, casos relevantes de eutanasia y conclusiones.El vacío jurídico actualmente existente en Colombia ha llevado a generar incertidumbre en la práctica de la eutanasia (activa, pasiva, distanasia, ortotanasia, suicidio asistido y eugenesia). En una investigación realizada por la autora, las entidades que en Colombia propenden por una muerte “digna” manifiestan que no cuentan con estadísticas sobre las eutanasias practicadas después de que saliera la sentencia en comento, hace más de 16 años; ello debido a que temen que sea el Código Penal el que prima por encima de una jurisprudencia que no tiene la misma fuerza vinculante, porque pueden observarse consecuencias negativas (prisión) para quien ejerza la eutanasia en Colombia. El país está inmerso en un mar de confusión en lo atinente a eutanasia, causado principalmente por el conflicto de intereses y de poderes que la sentencia que lo despenaliza ha causado. ¿Qué hacer? ¿Qué elementos deben tenerse en cuenta en cada caso? Este artículo espera hacer un aporte académico y humano sobre el asunto planteado.Este artigo aborda a eutanásia, como resultado de uma investigação de caráter documental comparativo que analisa as leis e a história da eutanásia a fim de lançar luz a um emaranhado legal e também bioético decorrentes na Colômbia, em onde a norma (artigos 106 e 107 do Código Penal) pune com prisão o suicídio assistido, assim como a eutanásia, enquanto a jurisprudência (Sentença C-239-97) descriminaliza-lo. Os subtópicos desse artigo são: introdução, mapa de eutanásia no mundo, definições, dilemas éticos no final da vida, a história, a eutanásia na Colômbia, os antecedentes da Sentença referida, a prática colombiana, a sentença, o direito comparado, casos relevantes de eutanásia e conclusões. O vazio jurídico na Colômbia levou para criar incerteza na prática da eutanásia (ativa, passiva, distanásia, ortotanasia, suicídio assistido e eugenesia). Em uma investigação levada a cabo pela autora, as organizações colombianas que defendem uma morte «digna» manifestam que não têm dados de estatísticas sobre as eutanásias praticadas uma vez que publicara-se a Sentença, há mais de 16 anos. Isto é porque eles temem que o Código Penal é acima de uma jurisprudência que não tem a mesma força de ligação, e pode ter consequências negativas (prisão) para quem aplica a eutanásia na Colômbia. No país há uma enorme confusão sobre eutanásia, principalmente devido ao conflito de interesses e poderes produzidos pela decisão descriminalizante. Então o que fazer? Que elementos devem ser tidos em conta em cada caso? Este artigo pretende dar um contributo humano e acadêmico sobre a questão levantada
The Athena X-ray Integral Field Unit: a consolidated design for the system requirement review of the preliminary definition phase
No full textThe Athena X-ray Integral Unit (X-IFU) is the high resolution X-ray
spectrometer, studied since 2015 for flying in the mid-30s on the Athena space
X-ray Observatory, a versatile observatory designed to address the Hot and
Energetic Universe science theme, selected in November 2013 by the Survey
Science Committee. Based on a large format array of Transition Edge Sensors
(TES), it aims to provide spatially resolved X-ray spectroscopy, with a
spectral resolution of 2.5 eV (up to 7 keV) over an hexagonal field of view of
5 arc minutes (equivalent diameter). The X-IFU entered its System Requirement
Review (SRR) in June 2022, at about the same time when ESA called for an
overall X-IFU redesign (including the X-IFU cryostat and the cooling chain),
due to an unanticipated cost overrun of Athena. In this paper, after
illustrating the breakthrough capabilities of the X-IFU, we describe the
instrument as presented at its SRR, browsing through all the subsystems and
associated requirements. We then show the instrument budgets, with a particular
emphasis on the anticipated budgets of some of its key performance parameters.
Finally we briefly discuss on the ongoing key technology demonstration
activities, the calibration and the activities foreseen in the X-IFU Instrument
Science Center, and touch on communication and outreach activities, the
consortium organisation, and finally on the life cycle assessment of X-IFU
aiming at minimising the environmental footprint, associated with the
development of the instrument. Thanks to the studies conducted so far on X-IFU,
it is expected that along the design-to-cost exercise requested by ESA, the
X-IFU will maintain flagship capabilities in spatially resolved high resolution
X-ray spectroscopy, enabling most of the original X-IFU related scientific
objectives of the Athena mission to be retained. (abridged).Comment: 48 pages, 29 figures, Accepted for publication in Experimental
Astronomy with minor editin
Caracterización del ausentismo laboral en una empresa del sector salud del suroccidente colombiano para el año 2016
No full textEl ausentismo laboral fenómeno multifactorial ocasiona en las empresas un impacto negativo; el empleado al incumplir a sus obligaciones laborales inesperadamente genera sobrecarga de trabajo, disminución en la calidad de la atención, estrés, alteraciones en las metas de producción, incremento de costos. No solo la presencia de enfermedad es causa ya que otros aspectos sociales influyen en la actitud del individuo hacia su labor. Objetivo: el estudio pretende realizar la caracterización del ausentismo laboral en una empresa del sector salud del suroccidente colombiano para el año 2016. Metodología: estudio observacional descriptivo, se tomó la regional suroccidente con una base de datos con registro de 369 empleados, distribuidos en las ciudades de Palmira 166 empleados, Cali 126, Tuluá 47, Popayán 18 y Buga con 12 empleados. Resultados: Se evidencio que en el grupo poblacional de edades entre 31 – 35 años existe mayor ausentismo, predominando el género femenino; se identifico que los médicos tienen mayor porcentaje de ausentismo, los empleados con menor tiempo de antigüedad en la empresa generan mayor ausencia y las enfermedades del sistema respiratorio generan mayor impacto en el ausentismo con un 21%. Conclusiones: El estudio permitió detectar que la causa de ausentismo laboral que mayor porcentaje represento fue la médica, generada por las patologías respiratorias, infecciosas y parasitarias, por lo cual se sugirió para la organización la creación de guías de recomendaciones para un plan de acción acorde a los factores de riesgo evidenciados como relevantes en la caracterización de ausentismo laboral.Absenteeism multifactorial phenomenon brings in business a negative
impact; the employee to breach their employment obligations unexpectedly
generates workload, decreased quality of care, stress, changes in production
targets, increase costs. Not only the presence of disease causes and other social
aspects influence the individual's attitude toward his work. Objective: The study
aims to carry out the characterization of absenteeism in a company in the health
sector of southwestern Colombia 2016. Methodology: Descriptive observational
study, took the regional suroccidente with a database with a record of 369
employees, distributed in the cities of Palmira 166 employees, 126 Cali, Tulua 47,
Popayan 18 and Buga with 12 employees.
Results: I was shown that in the population group aged 31 - 35 years there
increased absenteeism, predominantly female; It was identified that physicians
have a higher percentage of absenteeism, employees with shorter job tenure
generate greater absence and diseases of the respiratory system generate greater
impact on absenteeism by 21%. Conclusions: The study allowed us to detect the
cause of absenteeism highest percentage represented was the medical, generated
by respiratory, infectious and parasitic diseases, so it was suggested to organize
the creation of guides recommendations for an action plan in line risk factors
evidenced as relevant in the characterization of absenteeism
