People living homeless are quite heterogeneous groups, including different subgroups with specific characteristics that vary substantially. Within this group, women living homeless are an ...understudied subgroup with specific necessities which in most cases have not been addressed in general studies related to the group. The present study examines determining factors that influence the levels of overall happiness and outlook for the future of women living homeless. To fulfill this objective, a survey was conducted on a group of women living homeless in the city of Madrid (Spain). The results of a structural equation modeling analysis found that having a larger and stable social support network, loneliness, and good health conditions without any problems associated with drug abuse are the main factors influencing their levels of overall happiness and their outlook for the future. The proposed model has also shown that stressful life events play an important role in the analysis, unlike economic aspects, which have a limited impact on their situation. This article provides new information and innovation in research about homelessness, in particular women living homeless, thus being important for extending and replicating its findings to an international context.
This paper analyses the situation of the homeless in Spain before and during the Great Recession, using a multidimensional approach based on the construction of a new indicator of their deprivations, ...inspired by a counting approach mainly developed for poverty analysis. This indicator considers dimensions related to health and social contacts, in addition to purely economic ones. Using data from 2005 and 2012, the static analysis is complemented with a study of the changes experienced by the homeless before and during the Great Recession and how some sociodemographic aspects are related to their probability of being a worse situation of multidimensional deprivation. Results show that the levels of deprivation in the homeless population declined after the Great Recession.
Fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printing technology allows very complex parts to be obtained at a relatively low cost and in reduced manufacturing times. In the present work, the effect of main ...3D printing parameters on roughness obtained in curved surfaces is addressed. Polylactic acid (PLA) hemispherical cups were printed with a shape similar to that of the acetabular part of the hip prostheses. Different experiments were performed according to a factorial design of experiments, with nozzle diameter, temperature, layer height, print speed and extrusion multiplier as variables. Different roughness parameters were measured—Ra, Rz, Rku, Rsk—both on the outer surface and on the inner surface of the parts. Arithmetical mean roughness value Ra and greatest height of the roughness profile Rz are usually employed to compare the surface finish among different manufacturing processes. However, they do not provide information about the shape of the roughness profile. For this purpose, in the present work kurtosis Rku and skewness Rsk were used. If the height distribution in a roughness profile follows a normal law, the Rku parameter will take a value of 3. If the profile distribution is symmetrical, the Rsk parameter will take a value of 0. Adaptive neural fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) models were obtained for each response. Such models are often employed to model different manufacturing processes, but their use has not yet been extended to 3D printing processes. All roughness parameters studied depended mainly on layer height, followed by nozzle diameter. In the present work, as a general trend, Rsk was close to but lower than 0, while Rku was slightly lower than 3. This corresponds to slightly higher valleys than peaks, with a rounded height distribution to some degree.
As is widely known, additive manufacturing (AM) allows very complex parts to be manufactured with porous structures at a relatively low cost and in relatively low manufacturing times. However, it is ...necessary to determine in a precise way the input values that allow better results to be obtained in terms of microgeometry, form errors, and dimensional error. In an earlier work, the influence of the process parameters on surface roughness obtained in fused filament fabrication (FFF) processes was analyzed. This present study focuses on form errors as well as on dimensional error of hemispherical cups, with a similar shape to that of the acetabular cup of hip prostheses. The specimens were 3D printed in polylactic acid (PLA). Process variables are nozzle diameter, temperature, layer height, print speed, and extrusion multiplier. Their influence on roundness, concentricity, and dimensional error is considered. To do this, adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems (ANFIS) models were used. It was observed that dimensional error, roundness, and concentricity depend mainly on the nozzle diameter and on layer height. Moreover, high nozzle diameter of 0.6 mm and high layer height of 0.3 mm are not recommended. A desirability function was employed along with the ANFIS models in order to determine the optimal manufacturing conditions. The main aim of the multi-objective optimization study was to minimize average surface roughness (Ra) and roundness, while dimensional error was kept within the interval Dimensional Error≤0.01. When the simultaneous optimization of both the internal and the external surface of the parts is performed, it is recommended that a nozzle diameter of 0.4 mm be used, to have a temperature of 197 °C, a layer height of 0.1 mm, a print speed of 42 mm/s, and extrusion multiplier of 94.8%. This study will help to determine the influence of the process parameters on the quality of the manufactured parts.
Honing processes are abrasive machining processes which are commonly employed to improve the surface of manufactured parts such as hydraulic or combustion engine cylinders. These processes can be ...employed to obtain a cross-hatched pattern on the internal surfaces of cylinders. In this present study, fuzzy artificial neural networks are employed for modeling surface roughness parameters obtained in finishing honing operations. As a general trend, main factors influencing roughness parameters are grain size and pressure. Mean spacing between profile peaks at the mean line parameter, on the contrary, depends mainly on tangential and linear velocity. Grain Size of 30 and pressure of 600 N/cm2 lead to the highest values of core roughness (Rk) and reduced valley depth (Rvk), which were 1.741 µm and 0.884 µm, respectively. On the other hand, the maximum peak-to-valley roughness parameter (Rz) so obtained was 4.44 µm, which is close to the maximum value of 4.47 µm. On the other hand, values of the grain size equal to 14 and density equal to 20, along with pressure 600 N/cm2 and both tangential and linear speed of 20 m/min and 40 m/min, respectively, lead to the minimum values of core roughness, reduced peak height (Rpk), reduced valley depth and maximum peak-to-valley height of the profile within a sampling length, which were, respectively, 0.141 µm, 0.065 µm, 0.142 µm, and 0.584 µm.
Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a difficult-to-diagnose cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD). We identified a family of 1400 individuals with multiple cases of CPVT, ...including 36 SCDs during youth.
We sought to identify the genetic cause of CPVT in this family, to preventively treat and clinically characterize the mutation-positive individuals, and to functionally characterize the pathogenic mechanisms of the mutation.
Genetic testing was performed for 1404 relatives. Mutation-positive individuals were preventively treated with β-blockers and clinically characterized with a serial exercise treadmill test (ETT) and Holter monitoring. In vitro functional studies included caffeine sensitivity and store overload-induced calcium release activity of the mutant channel in HEK293 cells.
We identified the p.G357S_RyR2 mutation, in the cardiac ryanodine receptor, in 179 family members and in 6 SCD cases. No SCD was observed among treated mutation-positive individuals over a median follow-up of 37 months; however, 3 relatives who had refused genetic testing (confirmed mutation-positive individuals) experienced SCD. Holter monitoring did not provide relevant information for CPVT diagnosis. One single ETT was unable to detect complex cardiac arrhythmias in 72% of mutation-positive individuals, though the serial ETT improved the accuracy. Functional studies showed that the G357S mutation increased caffeine sensitivity and store overload-induced calcium release activity under conditions that mimic catecholaminergic stress.
Our study supports the use of genetic testing to identify individuals at risk of SCD to undertake prophylactic interventions. We also show that the pathogenic mechanisms of p.G357S_RyR2 appear to depend on β-adrenergic stimulation.
Today, there is a growing demand for efficient hole manufacturing technology in many industries such as aeronautics, automotive and nuclear, among others. Thus, the present study deals with the ...machining of through holes on SiSiC advanced ceramic by using Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) drilling technology. Since recommendations related to the electrode characteristics and settings parameters are found to be scant for the industrial use of EDM drilling of SiSiC ceramics, this research work comes to cover this gap as it presents a complete study focused on the influence on different electrodes under rough and finish machining conditions. In particular, the influence of four electrodes materials (copper, copper-tungsten, graphite and copper infiltrated graphite) and three different electrode diameters ranging from 2 to 4 mm are investigated. In addition, the rotational speed of the electrode is also analysed. From the experimental results, both electrode material and machining regime, seem to be the most relevant factors of all. In the case of 2 mm diameter electrode, material removal rate (MRR) with Cu electrode was, approximately, 4.5 times higher than that obtained with a C electrode. In fact, it was found that copper electrode rotating at 20 rpm combined with high values of discharge energy (I = 2 A; t
i
= 70 µs) is the most economical option in terms of production cost and production time, as it gives a high MRR of 0.4754 mm
3
/min and a minimum electrode wear (EW) value of 7.52%. Moreover, slightly higher values of MRR were achieved for CuC electrode compared to those obtained with C electrode, indicating that the addition of Cu in the electrode contributes to a greater removal of material. However, a value of Ra of 0.37 µm could be obtained by setting low current intensity values (I = 0.5 A; t
i
= 45 µs) combined with C electrodes and with no rotation.
Cows can have difficulties becoming pregnant, and in certain cases, these reproductive failures do not have an evident cause. Furthermore, when these failures are repeated three or more times with ...estrous cycles of normal duration and in the absence of evident clinical signs, it is considered repeat breeder cow (RBC) syndrome. A substantive incidence of RBC syndrome has been reported all over the world, which severely affects the farm economy. This paper reviews those studies particularly focused on RBC syndrome from 2000 to 2023 but also includes consolidated information until this date. Hormonal imbalances, undetectable oviductal or uterine defects, or poor oocyte or embryo quality have been reported as causes of RBC syndrome, while subclinical endometritis has been considered a relevant causal agent. However, it is unresolved why this condition is recurrent in certain animals, despite the implementation of corrective management actions or treatments. Recent studies evaluate the putative role of certain genes, factors, hormones, or proteins in the pathogenesis of RBC syndrome. Numerous risk factors contribute to the appearance of this syndrome, and some of them could be mitigated to partially prevent this infertility, while others cannot be changed. Due to the complexity of this syndrome, it is important to increase knowledge about the mechanisms involved, develop new diagnostic tools to differentiate causal agents, and implement new treatments to restore fertility. There is consensus about the huge repercussions of this syndrome on farm profitability, but further studies are now needed to describe its economic impact.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Este artículo hace una comparación entre las leyes de violencia contra las mujeres que han sido promulgadas en Argelia, Marruecos y Túnez tras la Primavera Árabe, incidiendo específicamente en el ...contenido penal que introducen dichas leyes. Entre otras cuestiones se comparan las sanciones impuestas por violencia física, psicológica, económica y política, así como otros aspectos más concretos como la violación, el acoso y los abusos sexuales, señalando semejanzas y diferencias entre los tres países. En general, las disposiciones tienen un doble objetivo: aumentar las penas ya existentes e incluir otras formas de violencia de género no consideradas hasta ahora como delito.
Throughout the first decades of the 21st century, the maritime borders of the European Union have witnessed a growing and increasingly complex mobility of an irregular nature. Moreover, the effects ...of the COVID-19 crisis on many African countries revealed the weakness of the maritime border and its permeability, as well as its increased danger. This research aims to study these irregular migration flows by sea during 2020 and 2021, through the Atlantic border between the Canary Islands and Africa. The so-called “Canary route” is one of the most dangerous maritime routes in the world due to the ocean conditions, the distances that must be covered and the way in which migrants move. Our analysis will therefore focus on one of the central aspects of this crossing, its danger and associated accident rate, which can be measured in terms of the number of shipwrecks, deaths, and missing persons. The objectives of this paper are: i) to show the spatial location of those wrecks; ii) to give an estimate of data on missing persons and deaths; iii) to focus on the study of those persons affected; iv) to delve into the underlying causes; and v) to analyse the border control actions developed during the pandemic. With this aim, information has been compiled from different national and international sources: official records, contrasted data provided by some NGOs and the IOM, and testimonies of the agents involved. This material is used to reflect on the normalization of border control as a factor that inevitably leads to deaths and disappearances. It suggests that this event should be a central element in European migration policy, contributing to designing border control actions that go beyond containment, thereby preventing the loss of human lives.
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