Dr. Maureira-Carsalade, Nelson

Cold-formed steel (CFS) members offer significant advantages over hot-rolled sections, primarily due to their high strength-to-weight ratio and versatility in forming various cross-sectional shapes. These attributes make CFS an efficient choice for design and construction. This paper reviews current design methods for CFS, focusing on the impact of initial imperfections. It also examines various techniques for measuring residual stress in CFS sections, including analytical, experimental, and numerical approaches. The study concludes that while analytical methods are effective, they become complex when accounting for material anisotropy. Laboratory techniques provide reliable measurements but are limited in detecting through-thickness residual stresses. Numerical approaches offer comprehensive insights but require further validation across different material and geometric configurations. The paper highlights the need for advanced analytical models, improved laboratory methods, and expanded numerical techniques to address existing knowledge gaps in residual stress assessment for CFS structures.

This study evaluates bentonite clay (BNC) as a sustainable supplementary cementitious material for enhancing the structural performance of rigid pavement systems, with a dual focus on durability and eco-efficiency. Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM), the effects of varying BNC content on concrete properties were systematically analyzed. Results indicate that increasing BNC reduces workability, with slump values declining from 10.21 to 62.55 % due to its high-water absorption and decreases density (2355 kg/m³ for control vs. 2293 kg/m³ for 20 % BNC) owing to its lower specific gravity. While early-age strength diminishes at higher BNC levels, an optimal replacement of 12–16 % enhances long-term compressive strength via pozzolanic reactions, achieving 37.55 MPa at 91 days for the 16 % BNC mix. Flexural strength improvements are attributed to BNC’s crack and shrinkage mitigation. However, excessive BNC content (>16 %), compromises durability, evidenced by reduced ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) and increased porosity. BNC enhances sulfate resistance and thermal stability, demonstrating suitability for hot climates. Cement substitution with BNC reduces the carbon footprint by 31.91 %, aligning with sustainability goals. RSM-derived empirical models exhibit strong predictive accuracy (F-values: 67.07 for compressive strength, 36.92 for flexural strength; non-significant lack-of-fit, p > 0.04). The optimized mix (16 % BNC, 82-day curing) balances strength, durability, and environmental benefits. This work advances sustainable pavement design, addressing performance trade-offs and promoting low-carbon construction practices.

Background/Objectives: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic syndrome characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and mental health issues. It affects approximately 1.78% of the general population; an estimated 4:1 ratio between women and men is observed. It significantly impacts quality of life and carries both clinical and social stigma. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between drug use and mental health in female patients with fibromyalgia. Methods: This study is prospective, observational, and cross-sectional. A questionnaire was administered to 544 subjects, achieving a representative sample size from a population of 800,000 subjects by using an algorithm for proportion estimation with a known sampling frame. The selection was non-random, making the sampling non-probabilistic. Logistic regression models were applied to assess the effect of drug use on perception of mental health; presence of symptoms such as comprehension and memory problems, insomnia, depression, and anxiety; and severity of cognitive symptoms and non-restorative sleep. To quantify the impact, odds ratios and confidence intervals have been observed. Results: The findings indicate the non-recommended use of medications and reveal the ineffectiveness and adverse effects of drug interactions on mental health. The use of benzodiazepines and sedative-hypnotics is significantly associated with a negative perception of mental health. Benzodiazepines do not improve symptoms or significantly reduce their severity. SSRI antidepressants do not enhance mental health perception; however, when used exclusively, they are effective in reducing the severity, but not the prevalence, of cognitive symptoms. Conclusions: The results highlight the complexity of pharmacological management in FM and raise concerns about the inappropriate use of ineffective or counterproductive drug interactions affecting patients’ mental health. They underscore the need for multidisciplinary and personalized strategies that include close and careful monitoring, as well as the simultaneous use of non-pharmacological treatments that have demonstrated evidence in improving quality of life without negatively affecting mental health, such as patient education, psychological therapy, physiotherapy, and mindfulness.

Introducción: el contacto con la naturaleza es fundamental para la salud física y mental de las personas, especialmente en estudiantes universitarios. Sin embargo, este vínculo se ha ido perdiendo en las últimas décadas debido al crecimiento de las ciudades. El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar el nivel de contacto directo con el medio natural en estudiantes universitarios chilenos según la zona geográfica donde habitan. Métodos: se realizó una investigación cuantitativa con un diseño descriptivo analítico. Participaron 272 estudiantes de 6 universidades chilenas ubicadas en diferentes zonas geográficas (norte, centro y sur). Se aplicó la escala de contacto con la naturaleza de manera online. Se utilizó la prueba de Kruskal-Wallis para determinar diferencias significativas entre las distribuciones de respuesta según zona geográfica. Resultados: los estudiantes de la zona central reportaron mayor contacto con la naturaleza en su vida cotidiana (45,40 % en niveles 4-5). En excursiones, los del sur lideraron (45,16 % en niveles 4-5). En actividad física, los del sur también presentaron los mayores porcentajes (58,06 % en niveles 4-5). Se encontraron diferencias significativas entre zonas en todas las dimensiones (p<0,05). Conclusiones: en general, los estudiantes presentan un bajo contacto con entornos naturales, siendo los de la zona norte quienes reportan los niveles más bajos. Esto evidencia la necesidad de incluir más áreas verdes en las instituciones educativas, especialmente en el norte y grandes ciudades, para fomentar el vínculo con la naturaleza y sus beneficios en la salud y desarrollo de los estudiantes.

Se presentan resultados de ensayos de conexiones de momento viga-columna de racks de almacenamiento. Se realizaron ensayos cuasi-estáticos usando un actuador electromecánico controlado por desplazamiento a conexiones con dos diferentes torques de apriete de pernos. El montaje experimental contempla una columna 1.48 m de largo, rotulada en sus dos extremos, y una viga de largo 1.72 m. El actuador cuenta con una celda de carga de 900 kg de capacidad en su extremo de conexión con la viga y registra ladeformación aplicada mediante un sensor de desplazamiento de recorrido de 300 mm. La viga fue instrumentada con sensores de giro, disponiendo uno justo antes del apoyo, y dos en el perfil L que la conecta con la columna. El forzante corresponde a secuencias de desplazamiento cíclico tipo serrucho con amplitudes crecientes, adaptada del AISC341 (2022) sección K. Los resultados mostraronque, al incrementar el torque de 54.2 Nm a 108.5 Nm, la rigidez elástica se incrementó en un 45%. Un mayor torque de apriete generó reducción en el pinching y aumento en la energía disipada de la conexión, en comparación al caso con menor torque. En general, las conexiones fueron capaces de resistir rotaciones de hasta 0.07 rad.

An improved numerical formulation for a self-centering frictional damper is presented. This was experimentally validated through quasi-static tests carried out on a steel-made prototype of the damper. Its design is ad hoc for implementation in the seismic protection of industrial storage racks. The conceptual model of the device was adjusted to the prototype built. The formulation of the analytical model, a parametric analysis of it, and the validation with experimental results are presented. The improvement of the model presented here explicitly considers elements included in the prototype, such as a system of load transmission rings and the friction between all of the components that slide or rotate relatively. In the experimental validation, the parameters of the improved model were determined. The numerical predictions for the improved model were contrasted with those obtained with the original one and with the experimental results. This demonstrates that the improvement leads to a better adjustment of the numerical predictions concerning the experimental measurements, which is useful for nonlinear analysis. The device withstood forces of considerable magnitude in addition to dissipating enough energy per load–unload cycle to be effective in the seismic protection of industrial storage racks.

Introducción: el haplotipo GA de los polimorfismos rs1554483 y rs4864548 se ha asociado con componentes del síndrome metabólico como la hipertensión arterial y los niveles de triglicéridos. Sus portadores presentan un riesgo de obesidad 1,5 veces mayor que el resto de la población. Metodología: se obtuvieron los SNP rs1554483 y rs4864548 de 2504 individuos desde la base de datos “1000genomes phase 3”. Los datos se agruparon en cinco macropoblaciones (África, Asia Oriental, Asia Meridional, Europa y Latinoamérica) cubriendo un total de 26 poblaciones. Se analizaron las diferencias en la frecuencia del haplotipo entre las macropoblaciones y las poblaciones, para lo cual se utilizó el estadístico F de Fisher. Resultados: la macropoblación de África presentó la menor frecuencia (17,9 %) y la del Este de Asia la mayor (57,4 %). Dentro de las poblaciones existe una relativa homogeneidad en las frecuencias, excepto en el caso de las que componen la macropoblación de Latinoamérica, donde la población peruana de Lima y la puertorriqueña presentan frecuencias mucho mayores que el resto. Conclusiones: el haplotipo GA presenta heterogeneidad entre las macropoblaciones, lo que sugiere procesos microevolutivos altamente dife- renciados entre los continentes. Se propone estudiar la asociación del haplotipo GA con otros polimorfismos, como rs3749474, rs11932595 y rs6859524, que también se han asociado con el riesgo de obesidad y factores asociados al síndrome metabólico.

Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, biomedical waste management has overwhelmed both developed and developing nations. It is now a critical issue that has to be addressed with minimal possible adverse impact on the environment. This study introduced a technique of recycling face masks into polypropylene fibers for use in concrete. This proposed recycling process provides complete disinfection of contaminated clinical waste and offers the opportunity to transform the characteristics of an end product. Microfibers manufactured from recycled medical masks were subjected to testing. According to the results, polypropylene is the primary component of this research program. Two batches of concrete were made, one with the inclusion of masks as polypropylene fibers and another that performed as a control mix. The modified mortar was compared to the control mix in split tensile, flexure, compressive strength, and water absorption. Compressive strength was found to be improved by about 17%, and tensile strength to be increased by around 22% when mask fibers were incorporated. This research introduced a novel approach for disposing of waste masks and established the preliminary viability of upcycling trash face masks towards mortar concrete production.