4. The production of cassava starch in
Colombia comes mainly from the
northern region of the Cauca
Departament in small agricultural
industries know as “rallanderías”, in
which the settling of the slurry occurs in
channels.
5. Due to the fact that the settling
process determines the capacity of
the starch industry, it is important to
evaluate the sedimentation process
performed in rectangular channels
(0.3m high; o.4m wide; 165m long),
which are generally used in the
region.
6. Two main components were
evaluated: determination of the
change in the concentration of the
slurry entering the settling zone and
determination of the particle size
distribution in the settling zone.
7. During the settling process, the flow
varied between 0.82 to 1.44 L/S with
a predominance of laminar flow and a
hydraulic, retention time greater than
150 minutes.
8. In the first 104m of the channel,
particles greater than 10μm in size
were efficiently retained; particles
between 6.7 to 8.8μm were not
retained and were discharged into
local bodies of water, generating
environmental problems.
9.
10. In Spain young people have their first
sexual intercourse at an earlier age
than in other countries; however, little
is know about the relationship
between age of sexual debut and
sexual behavior in this population.
11. Sexual practices and methods of
protection are analyzed depending on
the age of sexual debut among
Spanish adolescents who are
sexually experienced (N-351). The
mean age was 15,9 years (SD=.75,
range: 14-18).
12. Three groups were formed according
to the age of sexual debut reported:
Early sexual debut (Earlier than 15
years), average (15 years) and late
(Later than 15 years).
13. The early sexual debut group
reported further mutual masturbation,
vaginal intercourse and oral sex with
a higher number of sexual portners
than the rest. Condom use at first
intercourse, percentage of use and
Consistent-Condom use was
significantly lower in the early sexual
debut group compared to the others.
14. Sexual debut before 15 years old was
assocrated with increased risk of
sexual infections, deficit in condom
use and iincreased sexual exposure.
The findings of this study suggest that
the age of sexual debut has
implications for the sexual health in
young people.