Damage Detection Using Ultrasonic Techniques in Concrete-Filled Steel Tubes (CFSTs) Columns.

Concrete-filled steel tubes (CFSTs) are structural elements that, as a consequence of an incorrect elaboration, can exhibit internal defects that cannot be visualized, being usually air voids. In this work, the detection of internal damage in CFST samples elaborated with a percentage of contained air voids in concrete, was carried out by performing a complete ultrasound scan using an immersion tank. The analysis of the ultrasound signals shows the differences presented in the amplitude of the fundamental frequency of the signal, and in the Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation (BUA), in comparison with a sample without defects. The main contribution of this study is the application of the BUA technique in CFST samples for the location of air voids. The results present a linear relationship between BUA averages over the window of the CFSTs and the percentage of air voids contained (Pearson's correlation coefficient r = 0.9873), the higher percentage of air voids, the higher values of BUA. The BUA algorithm could be applied effectively to distinguish areas with defects inside the CFSTs. Similar to the BUA results, the analysis in the frequency domain using the FFT and the STFT was sensitive in the detection of internal damage (Pearson's correlation coefficient r = -0.9799, and r = -0.9672, respectively). The results establish an improvement in the evaluation of CFST elements for the detection of internal defects.

Adaptive Recruitment and Parenting Interventions for Immigrant Latino Families with Adolescents.

Parenting programs are an effective strategy to prevent multiple risky outcomes during adolescence. However, these programs usually enroll one caregiver and have low attendance. This study evaluated the preliminary results, cost, and satisfaction of adaptive recruitment and parenting interventions for immigrant Latino families. A mixed methods study was conducted integrating a pre-post design with embedded qualitative and process evaluations. Fifteen immigrant Latino families with an adolescent child aged 10-14 were recruited. Two-caregiver families received a home visit to increase enrollment of both caregivers. All families participated in an adaptive parenting program that included group sessions and a one-to-one component (online videos plus follow-up telephone calls) for those who did not attend the group sessions. The intervention addressed positive parenting practices using a strengths-based framework. Primary outcomes were the proportion of two-parent families recruited and intervention participation. Secondary outcomes were change in parenting self-efficacy, practices, fidelity, costs, and satisfaction. Participants completed questionnaires and interaction tasks before and after participating in the intervention. In addition, participants and program facilitators completed individual interviews to assess satisfaction with the program components. Overall, 23 parents participated in the intervention; 73% of two-parent families enrolled with both parents. Most participants completed 75% or more of the intervention. Fathers were more likely to use the one-to-one component of the intervention than mothers (p = .038). Participants were satisfied with program modifications. In sum, adaptive recruitment and parenting interventions achieved high father enrollment and high participation. These findings warrant further evaluation in randomized trials.

[Gastric non-Hodgkin lymphoma: guidelines for the therapeutic approach]. / Linfoma non Hodgkin a localizzazione gastrica: linee guida nell' approccio terapeutico.

The aims of this study were to contribute to the drawing up of guidelines for the therapeutic approach to primary gastric lymphoma and to identify the most effective sequence of treatment in the different stages of the disease. We conducted a retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 34 patients with primary gastric lymphoma admitted from 1993 to 2001 to the 4th General Surgery Department of the "Federico II" University in Naples. All the patients underwent surgical therapy and neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients were subdivided according to stage of disease, histological grade of malignancy and sequence of treatment. The 2- and 5-year overall survival rates were 94% and 68%., respectively. We observed a longer survival (81% at 5 years) in patients with IE-IIE stage disease (according to Mushoff's staging) than those with IIIE-IVE stages (56%). Patients with low and intermediate grade lymphoma (according to the working formulation) had a longer survival (83% and 71%, respectively) than patients with high-grade malignancies (55%). We noted that IE-IIE stage patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery survived longer (100%) than those in whom surgery preceded chemotherapy (66%), whereas IIIE-IVE stage patients in whom surgery was the first treatment survived longer (70%) than those in whom surgery followed chemotherapy (37%). On the basis of our experience, in patients with IE-IIE stages of disease chemotherapy should precede surgery while in patients with IIIE-IVE stages the inverse sequence is more effective in achieving longer survival rates.

Aciertos y desaciertos de la participacion popular / Successes and errors of the popular participation

La aplicacion de la Ley Participacion Popular,puede realizarse desde varias perspectivas:como gobierno,como oposicion o como observador imparcial interesado en reflejar las luces y las sombras inherentes a los fenómenos sociales,politicas y culturales de todo proceso de cambio.

Que sabe Ud. de drogas

CONTENIDO: 1.Fantasmas y despreocupación 2.Un flaco servicio 3.No se trata de instruir 4.Ud. puede ser aliado 5.Que efectos producen las drogas 6.Que efectos producen las drogas 7.El negocio de las drogas

Que sabe usted de drogas / What do you know of frugs?

Contiene: Fantasmas y despreocupacion, un fenomeno nuevo, no fue porque si; un flaco servicio; como funcionan; la noticia; editoriales y articulos; una experiencia reveladora; como encaran la problematica droga; no se trata de instruir; tendencias preventicas, que hacer; educacion personalizada; Ud. puede ser aliado, autencidad en la juventud; que sucede en Bolivia, haz lo que te digo, que efectos producen las drogas; que son las drogas; como actuan; de que depende, drogas y efectos; como se conocen; marihuana; cocaina; tranquilizantes; anfetaminas; inhalantes; q6ue hacer ante un drogadicto; como se reconoce; el negocio de las drogas; dimension Internacional; Industria farmacologica; criterios cinicos; estrategias de cobertura y penetracion; no se trata de juego de niños; obras consultadas