Publications by authors named "Roberto A Rodriguez-Diaz"

The study and improvement of the corrosion resistance of materials used in concentrated solar power plants is a permanent field of research. This involves determining their chemical stability when in contact with heat transfer fluids, such as molten nitrate salts. Various studies indicate an improvement in the corrosion resistance of iron-based alloys with the incorporation of elements that show high reactivity and solubility in molten nitrate salts, such as Cr and Mo.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study reports the use of an inorganic corrosion inhibitor to mitigate dissolved CO-induced corrosion. Using electrochemical techniques (polarization curves, open circuit potential, polarization resistance, and electrochemical impedance), the effect of adding Nd ions on the corrosion resistance of X52 steel immersed in CO-saturated brine at 20 °C and 60 °C was evaluated. The polarization curves showed that the Icorr values tend to decrease with increasing Nd ion concentration, up to the optimal inhibition concentration, and that the corrosion potential increases at nobler values.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study reports the behavior of the Ni20Cr alloy in molten nitrate salts. Its behavior was evaluated in the eutectic mixture called Solar Salt (binary salt) and in a ternary mixture (90% Solar Salt and 10% lanthanum nitrate). The addition of lanthanum nitrate was performed to determine if the presence of the La cation could act as a corrosion inhibitor.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aluminum-based alloys have been considered candidate materials for cathodic protection anodes. However, the Al-based alloys can form a layer of alumina, which is a drawback in a sacrificial anode. The anodes must exhibit uniform corrosion to achieve better performance.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the HIV-1 reservoir and the levels of immune activation in chronic patients under fully suppressive cART.

Methods: We quantified the HIV proviral DNA and 2-LTR circles loads from PBMCs, the levels of CD38+ and Ki-67+ T-cells, and the levels of IL-7 in a cohort of patients with more than 5 years of ART at enrollment and after 1 year.

Results: In 29 participants with a median of 8 years (IQR, 6.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Fe-Al intermetallic compounds have been considered excellent candidates as alternative alloys for various applications in corrosive environments compared to other Fe-based alloys. Their excellent corrosion resistance is due to the development of an Al-based passive layer. The performance of the passive layer can be improved by adding a third alloy element.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: In resource-limited settings, multi-experienced HIV infected patients are often prescribed raltegravir for salvage therapy. Patients failing raltegravir-containing regimens require other drugs including other integrase inhibitors. In this context, real-life data about the resistance and cross-resistance pathways between integrase inhibitors is limited.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

In 2004, the World Health Organization performed a survey to assess transmitted drug resistance in Mexico City among drug-naive persons with newly diagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and likely to be recently infected who were attending 3 voluntary counseling and testing sites. A parallel study comparing 2 alternative methods of enrolling survey participant was conducted in 9 voluntary counseling and testing sites in central Mexico. In study arm 1, subject information, consent and blood specimens were obtained during the HIV diagnostic testing visit.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF