[en] To evaluate the effects on the thyroid function when simple or multiple zinc, selenium and iodine deficiency are induced, research was carried out in laboratory animals. For simultaneously determining the Zn and Se concentration in rat plasma, an instrumental neutron activation analysis technique was applied. A clean laboratory, was used for the preparation of samples. High purity materials were used for sample collection and storage. Irradiation, decay and counting parameters were optimized to obtain the best sensitivity, accuracy and precision analysis. The Zn and Se concentrations were determined from the peak area of gamma-rays of 1115 and 265 KeV respectively. The analytical methodology used was validated with standard reference materials. The procedure used for the analysis, including the phases of collection, treatment of the samples and analytical determination was considered suitable for the study of trace elements in biological samples, especially plasma. (author)

[en] )Humankind is facing important challenges. Environmental degradation, of which climate change is the main exponent, is one of them. Science and innovation are key factors to address this challenge, in a context in which is becoming more evident the lack of commitment of society with scientific and technological development. Taking this into consideration, this paper analyzes the interaction among environment, science and innovation from the perspective of science studies.

[en] Due to strategic need in the exploitation of heavy and extraheavy oil wells of Orinoco oil belt, technical and economical studies have been carried out to determine an optimal method for oil production and exploitation. So far, studies indicate thermal stimulation is the most adequate technique. Experience shows that stimulation cost is high when traditional methods (boilers) are used. The profit is due to the high price of oil in international market. Due to actual oil price trends, evaluation of nontraditional methods to generate steam in thermal stimulation processes (steam injection) is in order. A nuclear reactor as steam generator was evaluated. It was found economical feasibility and saving in fuel cost between 31.08% and 72.63% depending on oil prices

[en] We have characterized seven facies linked to three sedimentary environments: distal riverine, siliciclastic lacustrine and carbonate lacustrine, in the Lower Cretaceous syn-rift deposits in the Cameros basin (Enciso Group). The analysis was conducted on a 996-metre-thick series consisting of 74 sedimentary cycles. The facies were analysed using the Markov chains method. We identified three type-sequences linked to the recognised sedimentary environments. By studying the relationships between the facies we were able to develop a sedimentological model, with the relative position of each facies related to the lake shoreline. From this model we could construct a time series based on semi-quantitative depth (depth rank) and analyse it with the Wavelet and REDFIT programs. Spectral analysis identified periodic sedimentary cycles comparable to Milankovitch frequencies. The results show power-spectrum maxima (confidence level >99%) at 90.56 m, 16.66 m, 7.14 m, 5.37 m and 3.93 m. The sedimentary cycle interpreted as short eccentricity (16.66 m) is the most easily identifiable in the outcrop and constitutes the basis of our sequential analysis. The accumulation rate calculated for the Enciso Group is 175 m/Ma. Sedimentation of the Enciso Group at the Munilla section covers a time span of about 6 Ma, from the Upper Hauterivian to the the Middle Aptian. (Author)

[en] The changing city model towards the Smart City that we will be seeing in the years to come will provide major opportunities to companies that know how to discover new products and services adapted to a new demand, or to companies that are able to position themselves in the sectors with the best growth prospects. We will also witness the disappearance of companies that are not able to adapt to these changes or that react too late. From an energy perspective, this change will necessarily require energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources. But what are the products and services that are going to be demanded most in future cities? What materials, technologies or processes will they require? What sectors will have the fastest growth as a result of the development of Smart. (Author)

[en] The I and C system components in NPPs in the former USSR, were designed with 1970s technology. It is well known that the recommended life of electronic units ranges from 5 to 10 years. Although many of these units have exceeded their recommended life cycle the VVER series of Eastern NPPs, they are still in operation. Spare parts are scarce and often no longer manufactured. This results in constant maintenance with no guarantee of reliability, scheduled plant shutdowns not supported by suitable programmes and significantly longer shutdown times, in comparison with Western plants. So Eastern NPPs really need to modernise their I and C systems, and this is now one of their fundamental objectives. Modernisation of I and C begins with specific plant studies and ends with the installation of new equipment, and the training required for its use

[en] The aim of the present study was to evaluate the utility of computed tomography (CT) in moderate and severe laryngeal injuries (LI). For this purpose, a retrospective study of nine patients with LI was carried out in which CT was performed prior to any treatment, with the exception of airway clearance, for comparison with endoscopic studies. Endoscopic studies were available for six of the nine patients. The injury was classified as very severe in three patients, severe in two, moderate in another three and mild in one. The different etiologies were direct impact in 3 cases, penetrating wound in 4 cases and iatrogenic causes in the remaining two. The predominant endolaryngeal lesions were edema/hematoma (all cases) and cartilage fracture (66%) with the thyroid cartilage being that most frequently involved (66%), followed by the cricoid cartilage (22%). The extralaryngeal lesions consisted of hematomas, contusions and tissue laceration. Three patients received conservative treatment, while the rest underwent surgical repair of the larynx. The prognosis of the patients was most closely correlated with cartilage damage, especially the involvement of the cricoid cartilage,and the timing of treatment. CT provides sufficient fundamental information alone, and is sometimes the only diagnostic method capable of: 1) revealing the existence of significant intra-or extralaryngeal injuries, 2) determining their extension and 3) predicting which LI will benefit from surgical treatment to differentiate those that should be treated conservatively, although an endoscopic study in necessary to define the nature of certain endolaryngeal lesions. In this study, however, the lesions that CT failed to disclose would not have modified the treatment. (Author) 23 refs

[en] The wicked ascites understands 10% of the cases of ascites and it is usually caused by intra-abdominal tumors, being a manifestation of advanced wicked illness and being associated with a poor prediction. In general the ascites is defined like the abnormal accumulation of liquid in the peritoneal cavity that is of a misbalance among the production, the replacement and the absorption of the peritoneal liquid. This due to an imbalance among the pressure colloid osmotic of the plasma, the veined pressure, the circulatory and lymphatic volume, the same as to alterations in the renal expression of sodium and of water or for alteration in the permeability of the capillary sub peritoneal. The Ascites can to intervene seriously in the breathing function and with the foods ingestion, worsening in dramatic form the general state of the patients

[en] A set of problems which are reducible to Fokker-Planck equations are presented. Those problems have been solved by using the CHAPKOL library. This library of programs solves stochastic Fokker-Plank equations in one or several dimensions by using the Chapman- Kolmogorov integral. This method calculates the probability distribution at a time t + dt from a distribution given at time t through a convolution integral in which the integration is the product of the distribution function at time t and the Green function of the Fokker-Planck equation. The method have some numerical advantages when compared with finite differences algorithms. The accuracy of the method is analysed in several specific cases. (Author) 9 refs

[en] Westinghouse development at the beginning of 2000 a new alloy for fuel, pod ZIRLO optimized TM, which is highly resistant to corrosion. ZIRLO optimized pod is manufactured with an annealing of partial recrystallization (PRXA) which produces an elastic limit in non-irradiated status below the sheath of ZIRLO carrying a stress relief annealing (SRA). However, expected that this difference is eliminated by irradiation-induced hardening. In order to determine this assumption, ENUSA, Westinghouse and the Spanish power plants developed a joint program, the program of ZIRLO optimized Almaraz, to determine the level of neutron fluence at which ZIRLO optimized and ZIRLO are mechanically the same. The results of this program are presented in this article showing that the difference in the yield of ZIRLO optimized and ZIRLO decreases very rapidly to greater fluency and is removed to a very low creep level.