Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

Along these pages we will link the proposal of Josef Beuys and of the Viennese Actionists -we will consider, specifically, an early period of the group, and we will pay attention, foremost, to the works of Günter Brus and Otto Muehl- with characteristics related to the dialectics between orthodoxy and heterodoxy taken from the holy fools experience -a model of extreme, subversive ascetism-. The drift from the religion order to the aesthetics one must be considered as a sympton of the secularization course. From this last, it is possible to link the experience of the primitive ascetic monks with the proposal of the Viennese Actionists.

Introduction: Safety in medical practices with ionizing radiation has been an international concern. The methodologies for these risk assessments are scattered, from the conceptual and computer point of view. The objective of the work is "to develop a risk management system in medical practices with ionizing radiation, supported by a comprehensive risk assessment tool, aimed at optimizing safety and quality." Additionally, risk patterns are generated in a group of practices, which had not been addressed with these studies.Methods: Prospective risk matrix and failure modes and effects analysis methods are used, as well as reactive incident learning methods.Results: An algorithm was designed that achieves a coupled methodological approach for risk analysis. The SECURE-MR-FMEA code was programmed that links the stated methods. Its databases include more than 30 prospective risk patterns and a reactive database, containing the experiences of international databases. Discussion: The results of the system have been successfully compared against similar tasks. The system has distinctive capabilities for risk-based applications. The code and its risk patterns have been used in various national entities, as well as in national and international training courses. Its applications have been the subject of scientific publications and participation in events. Conclusions: The integration of study capabilities achieved with SECURE-MR-FMEA is a scientific contribution, as are some of the risk patterns developed. The system has the capabilities to respond to regulatory requirements and optimize risk-based decision making. It also achieves contributions of a social nature, supported in the prevention of accidents for patients and workers, as well as of an environmental nature, by predicting sequences of damage to the public and the environment.

Introduction: CRF19_cpx is a recombinant form of HIV-1 subtypes D, A1 and G, which was first reported in Cuban patients. This variant has spread in Cuba and has been associated with rapid progression to AIDS. The objective of this research has been to go deeper into the origin, evolution and pathogenesis of CRF19_cpx. Methods: HIV-1 subtype was determined in 701 samples from the 2014-2019 periods by pol gene sequencing. The relationship between the subtypes and the use of the co-receptor was carried out with 176 plasmas: 107 from the years 2014-2016 and 69 from 2017-2019. The prediction of the viral phenotype (R5, R5X4 or X4) was generated with Geno2pheno, from partial sequences of the envgene. To determine the origin and evolution of CRF19_cpx, 350 partial sequences (pol and env) from Cuban patients and 350 from Los Alamos were used. Analyses were performed using maximum likelihood approaches including: reconstruction of phylogeny, spatio-temporal analysis of virus spread, reconstruction of ancestral character and mode of transmission. Results and discussion: The most frequent HIV-1 subtypes were B, CRF19_cpx and CRF_BG. CRF19_cpx was associated with the use of the CXCR4 co-receptor (p <0.05), being frequent among individuals with a recent diagnosis (36.4%, p = 0.0081). CRF19_cpx was recombined between 1966 and 1977, possibly among the Cuban community stationed in Congo, and was introduced in Cuba in the late 1970s, probably through the province of Villa Clara and then to Havana. It is concluded that the preferential tropism for the CXCR4 co-receptor, detected in CRF19_cpx, accompanied by greater viral replication and unrelated to the time of diagnosis of the patients, reinforces the hypothesis that this viral variant could have greater pathogenicity. Phylogenetic analysis showed a very early introduction of CRF19_cpx in Cuba, which could explain its epidemiological success.

Introduction: The study of the determination of the wind load on buildings is of great importance due to the occurrence of strong winds in the territory of Cuba that cause damage to buildings. The present work shows the results of the investigations that contributes to the improvement of the determination of the wind load for the calculation of the structures.Methods: The research was developed through computational numerical modeling, experimental analysis at a reduced and real scale and statistical methods of extreme values. Results: The results obtained are the updating of the basic design speeds and vertical profiles of wind speed; updating the wind turbulence parameters; proposal of aerodynamic coefficients for photovoltaic panels, elements of reticulated towers and communication antennas; updating the dynamic methods for the calculation of structures and the calibration of models using modal experimental techniques (OMA). Conclusions: the most modern international techniques were acquired and applied to the study of the action of the wind on constructions. Significant results have been incorporated into the Cuban Wind Code and have already been implemented in the new designs of photovoltaic parks, latticed towers and tall buildings that are built in the country contributing to reduce vulnerability of structures.

(letter to the editor)

Based on the review of the results published in the national surveys of population aging in Cuba carried out in 2010 and 2017, it is described how de issue of care for the elderly is positioned in them. Data related to the aging of the cuban population, a characteristic aspect of the current demographic dynamics, are presented. The article makes special reference to the subject of care and its related aspects, to which the ENEP-2017 dedicates a specific section. The authors agree on the recognition of care and its transversality in the processes of aging, the need for a comprehensive approach to it, as well as the demands that the context of demographic aging in the country incorporates into the public agenda of State.

Introduction: SOBERANA®Plus vaccine was evaluated in COVID-19 convalescents in the face of the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants. SOBERANA®Plus is based on the recombinant receptor binding domain (RBD) protein dimer with sequence 319-354. Methods: Two clinical studies were executed, in which one dose of the vaccine was evaluated. In the open-label Phase I clinical trial, in 30 COVID-19 convalescents with asymptomatic and mild clinical presentation, aged 22 to 57 years, safety, reactogenicity and immunogenicity were evaluated, by means of anti-RBD ELISA, in vitro RBD:hACE2 inhibition test, viral neutralization test and evaluation of effector T cells. Registered in the Cuban Public Registry of Clinical Trials, WHO-ICTRP: https://rpcec.sld.cu/en/trials/RPCEC00000349-Sp. The randomized and placebo-controlled Phase II study, in 450 COVID-19 convalescents, asymptomatic, mild or moderate, between 19 and 78 years of age. Reactogenicity and humoral immunogenicity were evaluated. WHO-ICTRP: https://rpcec.sld.cu/en/trials/RPCEC00000366-Sp. Results and discussion: No serious adverse events were reported in both studies. Mild events predominated, being the most common, the local pain. The vaccine stimulated an increase of >21-fold in the anti-RBD IgG antibodies 28 days after vaccination in the Phase I trial, and >31-fold in the Phase II trial. Median of inhibitory antibody titers in both phases were 94.0%. A significant increase in viral neutralizing titers against D614G, alpha, beta and delta variants, and specific IFN-γ- and TNF-α-producing T cells was detected. Conclusions, SOBERANA®Plus has demonstrated an excellent safety profile and a single dose was able to effectively boost pre-existing natural immunity.

Introduction: The factors that allow the management of river systems at metallic contamination risk, must be clearly identified in order to reduce the degree of contamination and mitigate its effects. The objective of the work was to develop and implement a procedure for the sustainable management of river systems at risk of metal contamination, which serve as a tool to facilitate decision making at the territorial level.Methods: It was established the conceptual model (dimensions, categories and indicators) and the implementation procedure by expert consultations.  During the implementation in the Pedroso-Mampostón river system, they were used ICPMS and RX- fluorescence techniques, catalytic oxidation, gaseous phase chromatography, potentiometry and X-ray diffraction. They were used semi-structured interviews and team work to obtain information and communicate results.Results: The conceptual model consists in two subsystems (Monitoring and Response), that characterize pollution and categorize ecosystems by evaluating six abiotic and eight biotic indicators. It was defined the procedure that guides the implementation of the model in four stages and it was applied in the Pedroso-Mampostón river system, which allowed its hydrological units to be categorized: Mampostón Dam-Category I; Ganuza River, Mampostón River and Pedroso Dam-Category IV.  Contamination is characterized as widespread-restricted, frequent and very dangerous.  There is evidence of toxicity in fish (moderate-high CPEt: concentrations of Cd not recommended for consumption in 37.5%-44.0%; high Pb content in 14%-20%) and plants (PDF in macrophytes: 16%-32% Cd and Pb).  In humans, there is a chronic non-carcinogenic danger from a consumption of 81 g.day-1 and a real-restricted carcinogenic risk.Conclusions: The procedure can be useful to other ecosystems at metallic contamination risk.

Introduction: The project of biomass power plants (EC) in Cuba has as limitation the access to water required by the condensation facilities. Air Cooled Condenser (ACC) is the most widely used solution worldwide to reduce the high rates of water consumption in condensation systems and make the location of the power plant more flexible. In the ACC the working agent pressure is affected by environmental conditions, which produces losses of performance and power. There is currently no method available to estimate the influence of pressure on the heat transfer coefficient in ACC. The objective of the research was to determine which would be the range of operation more adequate regarding pressures and to determine analytically the cause of this problem. Methods: A thematic method of superposition of crossed variables (Breshnetzov) is used to establish a correlation that is capable of predicting the influence of pressure on the heat transfer coefficient in ACC. Results and discussion: By means of crossed superposition is defined the dependence between pressure, heat transfer coefficient and environmental conditions. The combinations of these variables generate two non-homogeneous expressions, which allow us to predict this relationship with adequate fit. As some conclusions, the ACC pressure is inversely proportional to heat transfer coefficient in potency 0,176; decreasing this in 0,95 % for each kPa of increment in the back pressure of steam turbine. The proposal model was correlated with data of 714 ACC facilities, was verified that the mean deviation is ± 35,2 % in 92,4 % of available data.

Introduction: laser peripheral iridotomy is considered the first line of treatment for primary angle closure; although, there may be progression of the disease. Clear lens extraction is considered if there is intraocular pressure greater than or equal to 30 mm Hg or glaucoma damage; however, the aspects related to intraocular pressure stability over time and the impact on disease progression are unknown.Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of early lens extraction for intraocular pressure control as a method of preventing glaucomatous damage in patients with primary angle closure.Methods: it was carried out a quasi-experimental study between January 2013 and January 2020; the study included 78 eyes of 78 patients with primary angle closure treated with early lens extraction (PHACO group) and 118 eyes of 66 patients treated with laser peripheral iridotomy in a previous two-year period (LPI group, historical control). For the statistical analysis, they were used Chi-square test of independence, Fisher's exact probability, analysis of variance of repeated measures and non-parametric tests; with statistical significance of 95%.Results: there was greater IOP control with stability over time, regardless of preoperative values in the PHACO group, where there was less need for ocular hypotensive medications and other treatments. In eyes treated with LPI, they were found differences between IOP control and preoperative values for both eyes. In five years, the progression of the disease showed highly significant statistical differences (p < 0,001) between both groups. Conclusions: early extraction of the lens is an effective surgical option for the control of intraocular pressure as a method of preventing glaucomatous damage in patients with primary angle closure.