Vehicle Bump Testing Parameters Influencing Modal Identification of Long-Span Segmental Prestressed Concrete Bridges.

In-service prestressed concrete box girder bridges have received increasing attention in recent years due to a large number of bridges reaching decades in service. Therefore, the ageing of infrastructure demands the development of robust condition assessment methodologies based on affordable technology such as vehicle-induced vibration tests (VITs) in contrast with more expensive existing technologies such as tests using hammers or shakers. Ambient vibration tests (AVTs) have been widely used worldwide, taking advantage of freely available ambient excitation sources. However, the literature has commonly reported insufficient input energy to excite the structure to obtain satisfactory modal identification results, especially in long-span concrete bridges. On the other hand, the use of forced vibration tests (FVTs) requires more economic resources. This paper presents the results of field measurements at optimally selected locations in VITs consisting of a 32-ton truck and a springboard with a height of 50 mm. AVTs using optimal sensor placement (OSP) provide similar results to VITs without considering OSP locations. Additionally, the VIT/AVT cost ratio is reduced to 2 since a shorter data collection time is achieved within a one-day (8 h) test framework, which minimizes temperature effects, thus leading to improvements in AVT identification results, especially in vertical modes.

Violence With Femicide Risk: Its Effects on Women and Their Children.

The objective of this study is to assess the effects that a specific type of severe violence-violence with femicide risk (VFR)-has on women's physical and mental health, as well as the physical health of their children. I focus on Peru, a country in which 7 out of 10 women have been victims of some form of intimate partner violence. In Latin America, Peru is one of the countries with the highest rates of violence against women. Methodological gaps in the existing literature (sampling size, selection bias, and reverse causality) are covered using an important nationally representative sample (Demographic and Health Survey: N = 84,136) and the use of propensity score matching. Results show that VFR increases symptoms of depression, as well as alcohol and tobacco consumption. The children of victims of VFR had significantly more recent episodes of bloody stool, diarrhea, fever, and coughing. These effects are heterogeneous. They vary based on violence characteristics (history of sexual violence) and on victims' socioeconomic status. According to the relevant literature, these effects can be understood to stem from somatization, stress, substance use (as a facilitator of violence), and neurological damage due to exposure to this type of violence. Results suggest VFR may have life-course altering effects given victims' distinct coping strategies.

History matters, but differently: Persisting and perpetuating effects on the likelihood of intimate partner violence.

Ecological models of violence center on systems (micro, meso, and macro) surrounding personal history of violence, but few studies properly assess the effects of personal history on the likelihood of victimization. Using the Peruvian Demographic and Health Survey (N = 74,204), we examine the effect personal history of violence has on the likelihood of recent intimate partner violence (IPV) against women. We extend the literature by breaking this history matters position into two causal mechanisms: inter-parental violence during childhood (father abused mother) and prior IPV as an adult. We account for the recognized heterogeneity of women experiencing violence by separating our sample into groups of women in vulnerability (based on assault severity and sexual victimization). Our results confirm that personal history matters, but in different ways. While inter-parental violence produces a persistence effect (intergenerational transmission of violence), prior IPV opens the door for the strategic use of violence and hence produces a perpetuating effect.

Efecto de la suplementación con semilla de algodón y maíz en el desempeño productivo y calidad de la carne de ovinos / Effect of supplementation with cottonseed and corn on the productive performance and quality of sheep meat

RESUMEN La alimentación de los ovinos para producción de carne en la región Caribe colombiana, se fundamenta en el uso de gramíneas, en virtud de sus bajos costos; sin embargo, los rendimientos y la calidad nutricional, se ven afectados por la estacionalidad de las lluvias, por lo que se presentan bajas ganancias de peso. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el efecto de la suplementación con semilla de algodón y de maíz sobre el desempeño productivo y calidad de la carne de ovinos criollos de pelo. El estudio, se realizó en la Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia de la Universidad de Córdoba, Ciénaga de Oro-Colombia. Se utilizaron 24 ovinos, distribuidos aleatoriamente en cuatro tratamientos consistentes en: T0: pastoreo; T1: pastoreo + 25% SA + 75% M; T2: pastoreo + 50 SA + 50% M y T3: pastoreo + 75% SA + 25% M. Los animales, se pesaron al inicio de la fase experimental y cada 15 días. Se estudiaron las siguientes variables: peso de la canal caliente y fría, rendimiento canal fría, longitud de la canal, perímetro de pierna, perímetro torácico, grasa de cobertura, índice de compacidad, humedad, pH, capacidad de retención de agua y color. La ganancia de peso difirió (p≤0,05) entre tratamiento, presentando valores medios de 0,053; 0,126; 0,128; 0,130kg, para T0, T1, T2 y T3, respectivamente. De igual forma, se detectaron diferencias (p≤0,05) para los pesos y rendimientos en canal. Los animales suplementados con 75% de semilla de algodón y 25% de maíz generaron las mayores ganancias de peso, viéndose reflejado en un mayor peso al sacrificio y rendimientos.

ABSTRACT The feeding of sheep for meat production in the Colombian Caribbean Region is based on the use of grasses by virtue of their low costs. However, the yields and nutritional quality are affected by the seasonality of the rains, so there are low weight gains. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the supplementation with cotton seed and corn grain on the productive performance and quality of the meat of sheep creole of Colombian hair. The study was carried out in the the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics of the University of Córdoba, Ciénaga de Oro-Colombia. Twenty four male creole lambs with initial weight of 16 ± 2 kg were used, which were randomly distributed in four experimental treatments consisting of: T0: Grazing, T1: Grazing + 25% cottonseed (CS) + 75% corn (C), T2: Grazing + 50CS+50%C and T3: Grazing + 75% CS+25%C. Animals were weighed at the start of the experimental phase and every 15 days. The following variables were studied: weight of the hot and cold carcass, performance of the cold carcass, carcass length, leg perimeter, thoracic perimeter, covering fat, compactness index, humidity, pH, water retention capacity and color. The weight gain differed (p≤0.05) between treatment, presenting mean values of 0.053; 0.126; 0.128; 0.130kg for T0, T1, T2 and T3, respectively. Similarly, differences (p≤0.05) were detected for carcass weights and yields. The supplementation with cottonseed and corn improved the productive performance of the animals, being reflected in greater gains of weights and yields.

Using near-infrared spectroscopy to determine intramuscular fat and fatty acids of beef applying different prediction approaches.

This study aimed to predict fat and fatty acids (FA) contents in beef using near-infrared spectroscopy and prediction models based on partial least squares (PLS) and support vector machine regression in radial kernel (R-SVR). Fat and FA were assessed in 200 longissimus thoracis samples, and spectra were collected in reflectance mode from ground meat. The analyses were performed for PLS and R-SVR with and without wavelength selection based on genetic algorithms (GAs). The GA application improved the error prediction by 15% and 68% for PLS and R-SVR, respectively. Models based on GA plus R-SMV showed a prediction ability for fat and FA with an average coefficient of determination of 0.92 and ratio performance deviation of 4.8.

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy as a Beef Quality Tool to Predict Consumer Acceptance.

This study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to predict beef consumers' perceptions. Photographs of 200 raw steaks were taken, and NIRS data were collected (transmittance and reflectance). The steak photographs were used to conduct a face-to-face survey of 400 beef consumers. Consumers rated beef color, visible fat, and overall appearance, using a 5-point Likert scale (where 1 indicated "Dislike very much" and 5 indicated "Like very much"), which later was simplified in a 3-point Likert scale. Factor analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to generate a beef consumer index. A partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was used to predict beef consumers' perceptions using NIRS data. SEM was used to validate the index, with root mean square errors of approximation ≤0.1 and comparative fit and Tucker-Lewis index values <0.9. PLS-DA results for the 5-point Likert scale showed low prediction (accuracy < 42%). A simplified 3-point Likert scale improved discrimination (accuracy between 52% and 55%). The PLS-DA model for purchasing decisions showed acceptable prediction results, particularly for transmittance NIRS (accuracy of 76%). Anticipating beef consumers' willingness to purchase could allow the beef industry to improve products so that they meet consumers' preferences.

Comportamiento ingestivo diurno y desempeño productivo de corderos suplementados con semilla de algodón y maíz molido / Daytime Ingestion Behavior and Performance in the Production of Lambs Supplemented with Cotton Seed and Ground Corn (GC) / Comportamento ingestivo diurno e desempenho produtivo de cordeiros suplementados com semente de algodão e molho moído

Resumen El estudio del comportamiento ingestivo es importante para conocer el desempeño de los animales y es especialmente imprescindible cuando se evalúan diferentes regímenes de alimentación. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la conducta ingestiva diurna y la respuesta productiva de corderos criollos suplementados con semilla de algodón (SA) y maíz molido (MM). Se emplearon 16 corderos criollos machos enteros con peso inicial de 16 ± 2 kg, los cuales fueron distribuidos aleatoriamente en cuatro tratamientos experimentales consistentes en: T0 = Pastoreo, T1 = Pastoreo + 25 % SA + 75 % MM, T2 = Pastoreo + 50 SA + 50 % MM y T3 = Pastoreo + 75% SA + 25 % MM. En los forrajes se determinó la composición nutricional y en los animales el consumo de materia seca a través de marcadores externos e internos, el comportamiento ingestivo y el desempeño productivo. El consumo de materia seca total presentó diferencias estadísticas (p < 0.05), con menor consumo para los animales del tratamiento control. Asimismo, se detectaron diferencias estadísticas (p < 0.05) entre los tratamientos para las actividades de pastoreo, rumia, consumo de agua y caminata para las variables número de bocados por minuto y total. El peso final y la ganancia de peso obtenida por los animales que recibieron suplementación fueron superiores en un 28.4 % y 50.3 %, respectivamente. La suplementación con SA y MM promovió un mayor consumo de nutrientes y, en consecuencia, mejoró el desempeño productivo de los corderos.

Abstract The study of the ingestion behavior is important to know the animal production performance and is a must when evaluating different feeding regimes. This work aims to evaluate the daytime ingestion behavior and the productive answer in criollo lambs receiving supplement with cotton seeds (CS) and ground corn (GC). Sixteen complete male criollo lambs were used having a starting weight of 16 ± 2 Kg. They were distributed randomly into four experimental treatments consisting in: T0 = shepherding, T1 = shepherding + 25% CS + 75% GC, T2 = shepherding + 50% CS + 50% GC, and T3 = shepherding + 75% CS + 25% GC. Using both external and internal markers, the nutritional composition of the forages and the dry mass consumption in the animals were determined, i.e., the ingestion behavior and the productive performance. The total dry mass consumption showed statistical differences (p < 0.05), with lower consumption among the control animals. Likewise, statistical differences were detected (p < 0.05) between the treatments for shepherding activities, cud, water consumption and walking regarding variables like mouthfuls per minute and total ingestion. The final weight and the weight gain in the animals receiving supplements were higher in 28.4 % and 50.3 %, respectively. The CS and GC supplements led to a greater consumption of nutrients and, therefore, improved the ovine production performance.

Resumo O estudo do comportamento ingestivo é importante para conhecer o desempenho dos animais e é especialmente essencial quando se avaliar diferentes regimes alimentares. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a conduta ingestiva diurna e a resposta produtiva de cordeiros crioulos suplementados com semente de algodão (SA) e molho moído (MM). Foram usados 16 cordeiros crioulos machos inteiros com peso inicial de 16 ± 2 kg, os quais foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em quatro tratamentos experimentais consistentes em: T0 = Pastejo, T1 = Pastejo + 25% SA + 75% MM, T2 = Pastejo + 50% SA + 50% MM e T3 = Pastejo + 75% SA + 25% MM. Nas forrageiras determinou-se a composição nutricional e nos animais o consumo de matéria seca através de marcadores externos e internos, o comportamento ingestivo e o desempenho produtivo. O consumo total de matéria seca apresentou diferenças estatísticas (p < 0.05), com menor consumo nos animais do tratamento controle. Mesmo, detectaram-se diferenças estatísticas (p < 0.05) entre os tratamentos para as atividades de pastoreio, ruminação, consumo de agua e caminhada para a variável número de lanches por minuto e total. O peso final e o ganho de peso obtido pelos animais que receberam suplementação foram superiores em 28.4% e 50.3%, respectivamente. A suplementação com SA e MM promoveu maior consumo de nutrientes e consequentemente, melhorou o desempenho produtivo dos cordeiros.

Vacuna contra el virus del papiloma humano: [revisión] / Vaccine against human papillomavirus: [review]

Uno de los pilares en el quehacer diario de la medicina familiar, es la realización de diferentes actividades preventivas encaminadas al control o a la reducción del daño de diferentes entidades que causan un impacto en la salud pública. El garantizar que cada persona reciba el esquema de vacunación pertinente de acuerdo con su perfil de riesgo y el ofrecer nuevos productos para la protección de su salud, es responsabilidad del cuerpo médico. La presente revisión pretende difundir los conceptos actuales sobre la vacunación contra el virus del papiloma humano y proporcionar los elementos teóricos necesarios para que los pacientes reciban información precisa al respecto.

For family physicians one of the pillars in the daily work, is knowledge of the various tools in preventing entities with public health impact. This revision aims to disseminate new concepts on the vaccination for human papillomavirus. We hope that this information will be useful to different teams of health that daily should provide advice to their patients.