Publications by authors named "J A Vergara"

In a highly dynamic and complex environment where risks and uncertainties are inevitable, the ability of a system to quickly recover from disturbances and maintain optimal performance is crucial for ensuring operational continuity and efficiency. In this context, resilience has become an increasingly important topic in the field of engineering and the management of productive systems. However, there is no single quantitative indicator of resilience that allows for the measurement of this characteristic in a productive system.

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Six sandy beaches located on the south coast of Viti-Levu, Fiji, were sampled to provide as a first aim, an environmental description based upon their physical and biological attributes, to serve as a reference tool for further monitoring programs. Beach face slopes were measured at 4 replicated transects stretching from the front dunes or the seaward reach of the tree vegetation (upper shore level) to the low tide level. Samples for analyses of sand particle size were collected at 4 tidal levels: the upper shore, the drift and effluent lines, and the low tide level.

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  • Extracellular vesicles (EVs) from virus-infected cells could aid in vaccine development by encapsulating viral peptides and indicating tissue changes in infections.
  • Blood samples from severe COVID-19 patients, mild cases, and uninfected healthcare workers were collected to analyze the molecular characteristics of EVs and identify suitable vaccine peptides.
  • Despite the expectation to find viral peptides, the proteomic analysis revealed no such findings, but highlighted a diverse EV cargo linked to inflammation and viral replication, suggesting EVs play a significant role in COVID-19 pathology.
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  • Researchers have explored how chiral liquid crystal droplets can form self-organizing vortex clusters similar to Abrikosov lattices found in other materials.
  • The study uses a Ginzburg-Landau-like equation to explain the interaction dynamics that lead to these clusters, revealing a balance between repulsive forces and confinement within the droplets.
  • Findings contribute to a deeper theoretical understanding of vortex organization in liquid crystals and suggest new ways to manipulate these topological defects for potential applications.
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Artificial cementation of granular soils results in improved stabilization, increased stiffness, and greater mechanical strength. The porosity index and volumetric cement content η/Civa is presented as a key measure to study the evolution of different soil stabilization types. However, this index had not been previously studied or adjusted for sands in Colombia.

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