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La prensa en papel se ha visto afectada por la aparición de los medios digitales, por la bajada de audiencia, de venta de ejemplares y de ingresos publicitarios. Estos cambios han impactado en su modelo de negocio y perspectivas de futuro, dando si cabe un mayor poder a los ingresos procedentes de la venta de los espacios publicitarios. El objetivo principal de esta investigación es profundizar sobre los cambios que se han producido en los precios de los anuncios publicitarios de la prensa impresa en la última década (2013-2022) y analizar los futuros escenarios comerciales a los que se enfrenta el medio en los próximos años. Para ello, se ha empleado una metodología mixta. La parte cuantitativa se centra en el análisis de los precios de compra de los anuncios, mientras que la parte cualitativa se focaliza en las opiniones de los profesionales del sector que trabajan diariamente en la selección de los emplazamientos publicitarios para las marcas. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto un precio cada vez menor por el espacio publicitario en la prensa impresa, sobre todo en los diarios nacionales, a pesar de un aumento de las tarifas oficiales de los soportes. Asimismo, muestran un escenario comercial centrado en la especialización, la credibilidad y la seriedad del medio frente a la venta masiva de publicidad. Las conclusiones ponen de manifiesto las dificultades de la supervivencia del medio impreso con el sistema de financiación actual, pero les abre una vía para la realización de estrategias comerciales que refuercen las características que lo diferencian del online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth in demand for masonry products for construction and the use of clays for different industrial applications in Colombia has increased since 2015 due to the excellent quality of the raw material, benefiting the country's ceramic industry. Therefore, in this article, the Bibliometric analysis (BA) of the clays study in Colombia in its different uses, applications, characterizations, and environmental sustainability was carried out using the R Bibliometrix software. The aim of this work is to provide a general visualization of the growth of the Colombian clays research topic across the years, through a historical analysis of the annual publication rate, authors, collaboration networks and institutions on this important topic for the ceramic industry. The results showed a total of 275 documents that were compiled directly from the Scopus database using two keywords ("Clays" and "Colombia"), which were published by 1,791 authors from different cities of the world, evidently predominantly Colombian authors; these publications present a growth rate of 5.08% per year from 1972 to 2020, taking into account the first publication of clays by Van Houten FB in 1972. Finally, the most representative magazine in the area of clays is the DYNA (Colombia) journal edited by the National University of Colombia, of which 58 articles belong to affiliations of this institution, followed by the Francisco de Paula Santander University with 25 articles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyorchidism or testicular duplication is defined as the histologically confirmed presence of more than two testes. This is the case of a full left testicular duplication in an 11-yearold patient presenting with occasional pain in the left hemiscrotum. At physical exploration, a palpable scrotal mass was detected. An ultrasonography was performed, which revealed the presence of testicular duplicity. Diagnostic suspicion was confirmed by means of a nuclear MRI and a histopathological study following excision. Polyorchidism is a rare abnormality requiring a high degree of suspicion in the presence of an extratesticular mass. Most authors advocate conservative treatment and follow-up in the absence of pain, cryptorchidism, tumors, and unclear diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct current (DC) and Alternating current (AC) electrochemical techniques were used to evaluate 304L SS with hydrothermal deposits of nanoparticles of TiO2 (anatase and rutile phases) and ZrO2 (baddeleyite phase) in ultra-high pure water at 288°C and 8 MPa. The deposits were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). ZrO2 and TiO2 increase the charge transfer resistance, whereas the corrosion potential of 304L SS is slightly higher in the presence of nanodeposits. A different electrochemical kinetic mechanism was found for each nanodeposit. The TiO2 anatase nanodeposit induces an oxide layer different from the characteristic one formed on 304L SS under the studied conditions. Nanoparticles of anatase promoted the formation of a chromium-rich oxide on 304L SS at 288°C and 8 MPa, whereas, hydrothermal deposit of nanoparticles of rutile TiO2 or baddeleyite ZrO2 did not produced such effect on the composition of the iron-rich oxide layer present on 304L SS, which explain the different electrochemical behavior found in presence of each nanodeposit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we study the breakage process of an unknotted three-arm star-shaped polymer when it is pulled from its free ends by a constant force. The star polymer configuration is described through an array of monomers coupled by anharmonic bonds, while the rupture process is tracked in threedimensional space by means of Langevin Molecular Dynamics simulations. The interaction between monomers is described by a Morse potential, while a Weeks-Chandler-Anderson energetic contribution accounts for the excluded volume interaction. We explore the effect of the molecular architecture on the distributions of rupture times over a broad interval of pulling forces and star configurations. It was found that the rupture time distribution of the individual star arms is strongly affected by the star configuration imposed by the pulling forces and the length of the arms. We also observed that for large pulling forces the rupture time distributions resemble the dominant features observed for linear polymer chains. The model introduced here provides the basic ingredients to describe the effects of tensile forces on stress-induced degradation of branched macromolecules and polymer networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is considered the first report on the digestive tract pH of the pygmy octopus (Paroctopus digueti). Adult octopuses obtained from the wild (mean ± SD) (42.1 ± 15.1 g), and those acclimated to captivity in a fed (25.4 ± 9.0 g, n = 15) or fasted (23.1 ± 6.1 g, n = 15) state, were studied. The digestive tract regions of buccal mass (BMA), anterior salivary glands (ASG), posterior salivary glands (PSG), crop (CRO), stomach (STO), caecum (CAE), digestive gland (DGL) and intestine (INT) were dissected. The pH of the internal part of the digestive tract regions was measured. Food intake (dry weight) per octopus was 53.8 ± 35.1 mg to 214.9 ± 157.6 mg at 15 min and 8 h, respectively. The apparent food transit time was approximately 8 h for the appearance of feces in the posterior intestine. In all cases, the pH of the digestive tract regions was lower than pH 7.0. No statistical difference was found when comparing the pH by digestive tract regions between wild octopuses and octopuses in captivity (fasting and feeding). In acclimatized octopuses, the average pH was 6.41 ± 0.22 and 6.41 ± 0.23 for fasting and fed octopuses, respectively. Although DGL had the lowest pH values relative to other digestive tract tissues (p < 0.05), pH was always >5.0 (6.04 ± 0.12 in the wild and 5.97 ± 0.17 in feeding octopuses). In conclusion, the pygmy octopus has an acidic pH in its digestive tract under fasting and feeding conditions. [Display omitted] • The average apparent food transit time in pygmy octopus was approximately 8 h. • The pH of the digestive segments was lower than pH 7.0. • The average pH was 6.41 ± 0.22 for fasting and 6.41 ± 0.23 for feeding octopuses. • Digestive gland presented the lowest pH values, but higher than pH 5.0 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has led to an unprecedented situation, with population lockdowns, congestion of healthcare resources, cancellation of scheduled surgical activity, fear of contagion, and delays in patient care. The objective of this study was to analyze its impact on pediatric surgical activity at a reference healthcare facility. Materials and methods. A comparative study of activity in the pediatric surgery environment at a Spanish reference healthcare facility was carried out. It included outpatient consultations, scheduled surgeries, and activity at the emergency department during the lockdown period in Spain (March-May 2020) vs. the same 2019 period. Number of consultations and surgeries, type of surgery performed and/or cancelled, and stage of the pathologies treated were collected. Results. A 98% decrease in scheduled surgeries, an 84% decrease in healthcare burden from the pediatric emergency department, a 55.24% decrease in urgent surgeries, an 82% decrease in outpatient activity at external consultations, and a 94% decrease in inter-hospital referrals, along with a 66% increase in urgent pathology severity, were found. Conclusions. The COVID-19 pandemic cancelled virtually all pediatric surgery activity, which caused treatment delays in severe pathologies and increased morbidity in regular urgent procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El consumo del insecto comestible Comadia redtenbacheri (Hammerschmidt) conocido como gusano rojo del maguey, aumentó en los últimos años, lo que ha llevado a una colecta excesiva de poblaciones silvestres de esta especie. La presente investigación propone métodos para la infestación inducida de plantas de Agave salmiana en macetas con larvas de ∼0.12 g y 0.30 g de peso promedio a densidades de 20, 30, y 40 por planta, así como adultos recién emergidos en las proporciones hembra-macho 1:1, 1:2, y 2:1, además de plantas en suelo con larvas 0.30 g a densidades de 30, 60, 90, y 120. Las larvas de mayor peso en macetas, a densidades de 30 y 40 individuos por planta, presentaron más pupas y emergencia de adultos. Hembras-machos liberados a 1:2 tuvieron un promedio de 12 larvas por planta y 75% de plantas infestadas. Con las larvas liberadas en el suelo a una densidad de 60, se logró el establecimiento de una segunda generación con 72% de plantas infestadas y 14.5% de daño promedio al interior del tallo. Los resultados obtenidos pueden servir de base para programas de producción o restablecimiento de poblaciones de gusano rojo. Consumption of edible Comadia redtenbacheri (Hammerschmidt), known as the agave red worm, has increased in recent years, which has caused excessive collection from wild populations. This research proposed methods to induce infestation of Agave salmiana plants in pots, with larvae of 0.12 g and 0.30 g at 20, 30, and 40 per plant well as newly emerged adults at 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1 female:male ratios, and agave plants planted in soil with larvae 0.30 g at densities of 30, 60, 90, and 120 per plant. Results indicated that in pots, larvae with greater weight at 30 and 40 per plant produced the most pupae and adult emergence. Adults at 1:2 female-male ratio averaged 12 larvae per plant with 75% of plants infested. Larvae released at densities of 60 in soil established successfully and produced a second generation with 72% of plants internally infested, with an average of 14.5% of plant stem damage. Results might serve as the basis for production or population recovery programs for the agave red worm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A phenomenon that also causes impairment in the received signal strength of the RF signal in satellite links operating at frequencies above 10 GHz, especially in those systems that operate at higher frequencies with small fade margins, is the tropospheric scintillation that occurs in the lower layer of the troposphere. In order to estimate the intensity, i.e. the variance between the scintillation amplitude fluctuations, there are several models in the literature, whose accuracy depends on the locality in which the models are implemented. In this Letter, new models are developed for the prediction of tropospheric scintillation that adjusts to localities in Spain, specifically Madrid city, based on measurements of the aforementioned phenomenon reported from Spain and the bios-inspired technique Cuckoo Search (CS). The results obtained, evaluated in terms of the root mean square error, were totally satisfactory, being the most outstanding cases the improved versions of the Ortgies-T, Statistical Temperature and Humidity 2 and Statistical Temperature and Refractivity 2 models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outstanding Li + conductivity and diffusivity have been achieved in free-standing ion gel electrolytes synthesized by in-situ photopolymerization of 1-(2-methacryloyloxy)ethyl-3-butylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide (IMMA) and/or poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (EGMA), in the presence of the room temperature ionic liquids 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (EMIFSI), 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (BMPFSI) and bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide lithium salt (LiTFSI). The membranes are easy to handle and thermally stable up to 200 ºC. Those containing IMMA in the polymer chain present liquid-like ionic conductivities (up to 10 mS cm −1 at 25 ºC), and liquid-like Li + diffusivities and conductivities (D Li ≈4 × 10 −11 m 2 s −1 , σ Li ≈1.4 mS cm −1 at 25 ºC) unreported so far in a solid electrolyte. D Li is not only very high but significantly higher than its counteranions’ diffusivity, D FSI or D TFSI , a very rare behavior in electrolytes where transport is, in principle, ruled by viscosity. It is proposed that in these polycationic electrolytes the motion of Li + occurs via two different transport mechanisms, the well-known viscosity-governed transport and an additional anion-exchange mechanism that enables very fast Li + diffusion. This combination has high practical relevance for Li + batteries as it implies a high contribution of σ Li to the overall electrolyte’s conductivity, and it constitutes a breakthrough in the design of polymer-based solid electrolytes for Li. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Los virus de inmunodeficiencia y leucemia felina representan un problema de gran envergadura para los felinos domésticos debido a la multiplicidad de sintomatologías que manifiestan. El objetivo del presente estudio fue establecer, retrospectivamente, la prevalencia en la presentación de ViLeF y VIF en pacientes de seis clínicas de pequeños animales en Bogotá y Chía, en relación con factores como su edad, raza y género. Se realizó un estudio transversal y retrospectivo, mediante la recopilación de datos de 1.014 historias clínicas de pacientes felinos que ingresaron a seis clínicas de la ciudad de Bogotá y Chía, para determinar la prevalencia de VIF y ViLeF y la asociación de estas con factores como edad, género y raza, entre 2015 y 2019, a través de la prueba OR. La detección de los virus se realizó mediante una prueba rápida basada en inmunocromatografía. La mayor prevalencia para cada enfermedad por año fue: 12,3% para VIF en 2012 y 18% para ViLeF en 2019. Los machos presentaron mayores seroprevalencias para ambas enfermedades durante la mayoría los años evaluados. Factores como raza (criolla: VIF: 1,85; ViLeF: 2,01), género (macho: VIF: 1,53 OR; ViLeF: 1,64) y edad (> 7 años: VIF: 3,82; ViLeF: 3,21) se relacionaron positivamente con la presentación de ambas enfermedades en la población felina evaluada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method for the identification of leachables in chemically defined media for CHO cell culture using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) and UHPLC-MS is described. A Box-Behnken design of experiments (DoE) approach was applied to obtain the optimum extraction conditions of the target analytes. Performance of DLLME as extraction technique was studied by comparison of two commercial chemically defined media for CHO cell culture. General extraction conditions for any group of leachables, regardless of their specific chemical functionalities can be applied and similar optimum conditions were obtained with the two media. Extraction efficiency and matrix effects were determined. The method was validated using matrix-matched standard calibration followed by recovery assays with spiked samples. Finally, cell culture media was incubated in 7 single use bioreactors (SUBs) from different vendors and analysed. TBPP was not detected in any of the samples, whereas DtBP and TBPP-ox were found in all samples, with bDtBPP detected in six SUBs. This method can be used for early identification of non-satisfactory SUB films for cultivation of CHO cell lines for biopharmaceutical production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, an in-house UnSteady Double Wake Model (USDWM) is developed for simulating general flow problems behind bodies. The model is presented and used to simulate flows past a circular cylinder at subcritical, supercritical, and transcritical flows. The flow model is a two-dimensional panel method which uses the unsteady double wake technique to model flow separation and its dynamics. In the present work the separation location is obtained from experimental data and fixed in time. The highly unsteady flow field behind the cylinder is analyzed in detail. The results are compared with experiments and Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes (URANS) simulations and show good agreement in terms of the vortex shedding characteristics, drag, and pressure coefficients for the different flow regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inter-α-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4 (ITIH4) and C-reactive protein (CRP) have been isolated from acute phase dog sera by affinity chromatography with insolubilized polyclonal antibodies anti pig Major Acute phase Protein (Pig-MAP) and with p -Aminophenyl Phosphoryl Choline, respectively. Isolated proteins were used to prepare specific polyclonal rabbit antisera that have allowed quantifying their concentration in serum samples by single radial immunodifussion. Both proteins were quantified in sera from female dogs that had undergone ovariohysterectomy (OVH, n = 9) or mastectomy ( n = 10). The observed increases in CRP concentrations showed that surgical traumas induced an acute phase response of a great magnitude in the dogs. In both surgeries a four-fold increase of ITIH4 concentrations was detected. It can be concluded that ITIH4 is a new positive acute phase protein in dogs, as reported in other species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which examined the magnetic forces involved in the interaction between a single-domain tip and the sample surface magnetic domains using the atomic force microscope (AFM) technique. Influence of the experimental conditions on the performance of AFM as a magnetic profiling device; Description of how to obtain images in the magnetic version of AFM; Results of the study.

Presents a study that investigated the reversal of magnetization and the coherence of tunneling when an external magnetic field is rotated instantaneously in systems of a few spin 1/2 particles described by an anisotropic Heisenberg Hamiltonian. Two-time correlation function of the magnetization; Temporal evolution; Analysis of the correlation function and the spectrum in terms of macroscopic quantum coherence.

Presents information on a study which examined the magnetic behavior of iron-copper (FeCu) alloys. Electron linearized augmented plane-wave calculations of band structures; Density of states for FeCu alloys; Conclusion.

In the present study, we introduce affective norms for a new set of Spanish words, the Madrid Affective Database for Spanish (MADS), that were scored on two emotional dimensions (valence and arousal) and on five discrete emotional categories (happiness, anger, sadness, fear, and disgust), as well as on concreteness, by 660 Spanish native speakers. Measures of several objective psycholinguistic variables-grammatical class, word frequency, number of letters, and number of syllables-for the words are also included. We observed high split-half reliabilities for every emotional variable and a strong quadratic relationship between valence and arousal. Additional analyses revealed several associations between the affective dimensions and discrete emotions, as well as with some psycholinguistic variables. This new corpus complements and extends prior databases in Spanish and allows for designing new experiments investigating the influence of affective content in language processing under both dimensional and discrete theoretical conceptions of emotion. These norms can be downloaded as supplemental materials for this article from . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The known distribution of the Iberian lynx Lynx pardinus within the Iberian Peninsula since the Middle Pleistocene and the lack of reliable records of Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx in this region have led to the assumption that the Iberian lynx was the sole inhabitant of Iberia. In this study, we identified ancient mitochondrial DNA (a total of 337 base pairs from the control region and cytochrome b) from eight northern Iberian lynx remains as Eurasian lynx. These results confirm the presence of Eurasian lynx in northern Iberia from the Pleistocene/ Holocene boundary until just a few centuries ago. The paleontological record and our data indicate a population replacement of the Iberian lynx by the Eurasian lynx during the Pleistocene/ Holocene transition in the Cantabrian cornice of Spain. Phylogeographic patterns of Late Pleistocene and Holocene Eurasian lynx from Iberia, France, Italy and Denmark show that this felid had a more complex phylogeographic history in the past than modern day populations suggest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetrahymena rostrata, which is characterized by a particular encystment-excystment cycle involving autogamy, has been recently found infecting the kidney of edible Helix aspersa snails under farming conditions. In this work, the effects of several factors on its encystment/excystment behaviour and the occurrence of different serotypes were investigated. The encystment/excystment response under starvation conditions was seriously affected by temperature. While a peak of encystment at 48 h followed by a progressive spontaneous excystment was observed at 18 and 25 °C, the encystment response was practically inhibited at 5 °C and clearly slowed down at 10 °C. At 30 °C, most of surviving ciliates remained encysted throughout the experiment, with spontaneous excystment being detected only after switching the temperature to 18 °C. Soil components also affected the encystment/excystment behaviour at 18 °C, with spontaneous excystment occurring in the presence of a sterile-filtered soil extract or mineral water but being strongly minimized with a non-filtered soil extract. Resting cysts formed in the latter extract exhibited a 3-4 times thicker and ultrastructurally more complex wall than that formed in mineral water and retained the excystment ability for about 4 weeks. Incomplete desiccation did not affect significantly the encystment response, while the mucus and kidney extracts from snails as well as a ciliate extract strongly stimulated a rapid excystment. Finally, two different serotypes infecting H. aspersa in heliciculture farms of Galicia (NW Spain) were identified, but no differences were observed between the encystment/excystment responses exhibited by two isolates belonging to each serotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study discussing molecular identification and virulence evaluation of fungal isolates against Spodoptera exigua larvae. Topics discussed include characterization of Spodoptera exigua as insect pest of a variety of crops, impact of pest on crop yield and quality, DNA extraction, and preparation of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) reaction mixtures.

This experimental mathematical work aims to analyse the results obtained from the heat transfer of a typical automotive disc brake and thus compare the behaviour of heat dissipation of this mechanical element under different operating conditions. The results demonstrate that the disc brakes can be used effectively in severe operational conditions with a speed of 36 km/h and an ambient temperature of 25°C, without affecting the safety of the occupants or the braking system. The use of semi-metallic pads increases the temperature over the wear track superficial temperature by around 20% more than the asbestos pad, but the material removal during sliding is around ~2.5 times more for the asbestos pad due to the coupling in the tribosystem (pad and disc brake). The heat dissipation in the disc brakes depends on the geometry of the disc, the material from which it is manufactured, the material of the pad, the weight of the vehicle, and the operating conditions, as it could be verified with the mathematical and experimental results, thus validating the contribution of the effectiveness of the braking process during its real operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessment of fetal strain using speckle-tracking software has been reported for characterising cardiac function in several clinical scenarios. The objective of this study was to construct gestational age (GA) based reference values for left ventricle (LV) longitudinal strain in normal fetuses, between 24-37 weeks of gestation, with automated cardiac motion quantification software (aCMQ-QLab), widely used in postnatal echocardiography. EP19.10: Gestational age-adjusted reference ranges for fetal LV longitudinal strain by automated cardiac motion quantification between 24-37 weeks of gestation. [Extracted from the article]

A sensitive and accurate analytical method for the determination of methyl-, ethyl-, propyl- and butylparaben and bisphenol A in human milk samples has been developed and validated. The combination of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and a simplified and rapid clean-up technique that uses sorbent materials has been successfully applied for the preparation of samples prior to ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS) analysis. The analytes were extracted from freeze–dried human milk samples using acetonitrile and ultrasonic radiation (three 15-min cycles at 70% amplitude), and further cleaned-up with C18 sorbents. The most influential parameters affecting the UAE method and the clean-up steps were optimized using design of experiments. Negative electrospray ionization (ESI) in the selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode was used for MS detection. The use of two reactions for each compound allowed simultaneous quantification and identification in one run. The analytes were separated in less than 10 min. Deuterium-labeled ethylparaben-d 5 (EPB-d 5 ) and deuterium-labeled bisphenol A-d 16 (BPA-d 16 ) were used as surrogates. The limits of quantification ranged from 0.4 to 0.7 ng mL −1 , while inter- and intra-day variability was under 11.1% in all cases. In the absence of certified reference materials, recovery assays with spiked samples using matrix-matched calibration were used to validate the method. Recovery rates ranged from 93.8% to 112.2%. The proposed method was satisfactorily applied for the determination of four selected parabens and bisphenol A in human milk samples obtained from nursing mothers living in the province of Granada (Spain). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemangiomas are benign tumors of vascular origin whose presentation in the breast is uncommon. They account for less than 1% of tumors of the breast, and therefore there are relatively few publications that describe their radiological characteristics. Hemangiomas in the breast are considered difficult to diagnose because their radiological characteristics are not specific, and it is very important to know their different forms of presentation. The purpose of this article is to share a case from Hospital San Jose de Monterrey with uncommon characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the fish species with the highest potential for aquaculture is the sharpsnout seabream, Diplodus puntazzo Cetti. Among other aspects, the development of new fish cultures requires studies of potential pathogens that may compromise survival of the fish in captivity. Moreover, both cultured and wild fish can act as sources or reservoirs of pathogens which may negatively affect other well-established cultures. We have studied the parasite fauna of the wild sharpsnout seabream, and monitored the survival of the parasites in culture conditions. The sharpsnout seabream was sampled from two different Spanish localities and examined for parasites. Additionally, 20 fish were maintained in captivity. Ten of them were examined for parasites after a period of 10 days and a further ten fish after another 10 days. All fish were parasitized with at least four species, with 19 parasite species being identified, seven of which were recorded for the first time in the sharpsnout seabream. These included Microcotyle sp., Magnibursatus bartolii, Steringotrema pagelli, Galactosomum sp., Cardiocephaloides longicollis, Caligus ligusticus and Gnathia vorax. We also report the first records of two parasite species in the wild sharpsnout seabream, the polyopisthocotylean monogeneans Atrispinum seminalis and Sparicotyle chrysophrii. Previously, these parasites had only been recorded in farmed sharpsnout seabream. Most parasites in the skin, gills and alimentary tract disappeared under the conditions of captivity, with the exception of the monogeneans of the genus Lamellodiscus. The information provided about the sharpsnout seabream parasite fauna will be useful to prevent possible problems in fish farms due to some parasite species. Many parasites of the sharpsnout seabream recorded in the present study are shared by the main fish species in Mediterranean aquaculture, the gilthead seabream, thus suggesting the possibility of cross-infections. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective. To assess the survival and growth of juvenile Pacific goliath grouper (Epinephelus quinquefasciatus) in captivity at low salinities. Materials and methods. We randomly selected twelve juvenile goliath groupers with an average standard length of 44.2 ± 6.1 cm and 1492 ± 476 g in body weight, and raised them for three months in the laboratory in waters of 32-26, 20, 10 and 5 parts per thousand of salinity. Results. All juvenile Pacific goliath groupers tolerated the initial gradual transfer from full strength seawater to salinities of 32-26, 20, 10, and 5 parts per thousand, which was done over a period of four days. All of them survived and grew in body weight and length during the course of the three-month experiment, in all the treatments of high and low salinity water. The body condition factor (K) for each fish was between 1.5 and 2.4. Conclusions. This is a first time trial that documents a randomized, controlled experiment demonstrating the ability of Pacific juvenile goliath grouper to gradually transfer from full strength seawater to water of lower salinity, and survive and grow well in these brackish waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Immobilized photocatalyst based on TiO2 on glass spheres was successfully applied for ECs removal. [•] Regeneration with H2O2/UV or calcination are the most efficient methods to recover photoactivity. [•] F-, S- and Cl-containing compounds are preferentially adsorbed and easily removed from titania acid sites. [•] Compounds containing amine and amide groups are resistant to the photodegradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This work describes the removal of 6 quinolone antibiotics from wastewaters under different redox conditions (aerobic, nitrifying and anoxic) through batch experiments in laboratory scale activated sludge reactors using mixed liquor from a membrane bioreactor pilot plant (MBR). The main removal pathways for antibiotics from wastewaters involved in each treatment are described. Mass balances indicated that sorption on sludge played a dominating role in the elimination of antibiotics. Sorption potential depended on the redox conditions, being lower in nitrifying (K d, 414–876 L kg−1) and anoxic (K d, 471–930 L kg−1) sludge in comparison with aerobic sludge (K d, 534–1137 L kg−1). K d was higher for piperazinylic quinolones. Redox conditions also influenced biodegradation, a secondary pathway, which followed first-order kinetics with degradation rates constants ranging from 1.8·10−3 to 8.2·10−3 h−1. Biodegradation rates under anoxic conditions were negligible. The experimental results have also demonstrated much higher removal efficiency by biodegradation (36.2–60.0%) under nitrifying conditions in comparison with aerobic conditions (14.9–43.8%). The addition of allylthiourea, an ammonia monooxygenase inhibitor, inhibited nitrification completely and reduced significantly the biodegradation of target antibiotics (16.5–29.3%). The residual biodegradation in the presence of allylthiourea may be due to the activity of heterotrophs in the enriched nitrifier culture. The removal of the selected antibiotics under the studied redox conditions depended significantly on the bacteria composition of the sludge. These results suggest that despite the known persistence of this group of antibiotics it is possible to enhance their degradation using nitrifying conditions, which at adequate working conditions as high SRT, typical in MBR, become a promising alternative for improving quinolones removal from environment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This work presents a comparison of three extraction techniques –ultrasound-assisted extraction (USE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) – and evaluates their efficiency in the determination of quinolone antibiotics in sewage sludge samples. Extraction parameters for each technique were optimized using design of experiments, and the compounds were detected and quantified using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS), operating in positive electrospray ionization (ESI) mode. The use of two selected reaction monitoring transitions for each compound allowed simultaneous quantification and identification in one run. Analytes were separated in less than 10min. Marbofloxacin and cincophen were used as surrogates for amphoteric and acid quinolones, respectively. The limits of detection (LODs) were between 2 and 5ngg−1, and the limits of quantification (LOQs) were between 4 and 18ngg−1 for the various analytes. The inter- and intra-day variability was <7%. Due to the absence of certified reference materials (CRMs), the method was validated using matrix-matched calibration and a recovery assay with spiked samples. Recovery rates were between 97.9% and 104.8%. Statistical comparison demonstrated no significant differences between the three extraction techniques. The methods were successfully applied for the determination of quinolones in sewage sludge samples collected from different wastewater treatments plants (WWTPs) located in the province of Granada (Spain). The analytical methods developed here may be useful for the development of more in-depth studies on the occurrence and fate of these commonly used pharmaceuticals in WWTPs and in the environment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A simple, rapid, sensitive, accurate and reliable multiresidue method based on ultra performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) is developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of 13 quinolone derivatives in urban wastewaters. The main parameters influencing the preliminary sample treatment and selective solid‐phase extraction procedure have been analyzed in order to optimize a suitable procedure for extraction of amphoteric and acidic quinolones in one single step. Matrix components of wastewater samples were significantly reduced and even eliminated. The mass spectrometric conditions in positive electrospray ionization (ESI) mode were individually optimized for each analyte to obtain maximum sensitivity in the Selected Reaction Monitoring (SRM) mode. Selection of two specific fragmentation reactions for each compound allowed simultaneous quantification and identification in one run, ensuring a high specificity of the method. The analytes were separated in less than 10min. Marbofloxacin and cincophen were used as surrogates for amphoteric and acid quinolones, respectively. The limits of detection ranged from 0.02 to 0.04ngmL−1 and limits of quantification from 0.07 to 0.15ngmL−1, while inter‐ and intra‐day variabilities were <4%. Due to the absence of certified materials, the method was validated using matrix‐matched calibration and a recovery assay with spiked samples. Recovery rates ranged from 98.5% to 103.9%. The method was satisfactorily applied for the determination of these antibiotics in wastewater samples collected from different wastewater treatments plants from the province of Granada (Spain). In addition, the method will be applied in further studies of the occurrence and fate of these commonly used antibiotics in sewage treatment plants and in aquatic environments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Laboratory-scale batch experiments were developed to investigate the main removal routes for 6 commonly found quinolones (ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, pipemidic acid, and piromidic acid), in wastewaters from a wastewater treatment plant, at μgL−1 levels in an aerobic sludge system from a membrane bioreactor (MBR) pilot plant. It was demonstrated that sorption and biotransformation were the main removal routes for the target antibiotics over other possible pathways, as volatilization or hydrolysis, under the experimental conditions. Mass balances indicated that sorption on sludge played a dominant role in the elimination of antibiotics from waters. The sorption coefficient K d depended strongly on temperature and on the quinolone type and were higher at lower temperatures and for piperazinylic quinolones. K d values were between 516 and 3746Lkg−1 in the temperature range of 9–38°C. Higher mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) increased quinolone removal efficiency mainly by sorption. Quinolone biodegradation constituted a secondary pathway, and could be described by first-order kinetics with degradation-rate constants ranging from 8.0×10−4 h−1 to 1.4×10−2 h−1 within the same temperature range and MLSS from 7000 to 15,000mgL−1. Biodegradation depended on the MLSS and temperature, but also on the initial chemical oxygen demand (COD). Higher biodegradation rates were observed at higher MLSS and temperature, as well as at low initial COD. Ciprofloxacin and moxifloxacin registered the highest biodegradation percentages (52.8% and 47.2%, respectively, at 38°C and 15,000mgL−1 MLSS), which is evidence that, despite the known persistence of this group of antibiotics and removal from waters mainly by sorption, it was possible to improve their removal by biodegradation, with an appropriate selection of conditions and control of process variables, as a preliminary step towards the elimination of these antibiotics from the environment. Further research is needed on the possibilities of removing sorbed antibiotics from sludge. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A selective, sensitive, robust and accurate method for the determination of bisphenol A (BPA) and its chlorinated derivatives in sewage sludge samples using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) is presented. Prior to instrumental analysis, an extraction procedure using pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) was carried out in order to obtain the highest recoveries and improve sensitivity. After LC separation, the MS conditions, in negative atmospheric pressurized chemical ionization (APCI) mode, were individually optimized for each analyte to obtain maximum sensitivity in the selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. The use of two reactions for each compound allowed simultaneous quantification and identification in one run. The analytes were separated in less than 6min. BPA-d16 was used as internal standard. The limits of detection of the method ranged from 4 to 8ngg−1 and the limits of quantification from 14 to 26ngg−1, while inter- and intra-day variability was under 6% in all cases. Due to the absence of certified materials, the method was validated using matrix-matched calibration and a recovery assay with spiked samples. Recovery rates ranged from 97.7% to 100.6%. The method was satisfactorily applied for the determination BPA and its chlorinated derivatives in sewage sludge samples collected from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) located in the province of Granada (Spain). The sludge samples came from a conventional activated sludge (AS) plant and from a membrane bioreactor (MBR) pilot plant. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introducción: As part of the work carried out within the EURopean micronutrient RECommendations Aligned (EURRECA) Network of Excellence in Spain, we conducted a series of semi-structured interviews with decision makers and relevant scientific institutions in the field of nutrition and public health. The information gathered was collated with national relevant official and unofficial documents and subsequently analysed. Aim: To describe the current situation about nutrition policy in Spain, with special focus on the process of setting micronutrient recommendations and the development of subsequent policies. 3 cases will be detailed: iodine, folic acid and vitamin D. Methods: Information from 9 interviews was contrasted with the available official and unofficial documents on micronutrients recommendations setting and subsequent policy applications to help the population to achieve their requirements. Results and discussion: Common topics and themes were identified in the interviews and desk research. They describe a heterogenic picture of isolated initiatives and timid measures regarding micronutrients recommendations and subsequent policy instruments. Several recommendations coexist but none of them is the result of an official request by the government or competent authority. Iodine, folic acid and vitamin D represent the past, the present and the future of public health policy measures on micronutrients in Spain. Despite of some examples, there exist a need for action. Conclusions: Current nutrition strategies are focused on obesity, with little room for micronutrients national measures despite of the opinion of many experts. Regard- less of the several nutrients recommendations coexisting nowadays in Spain, there exist the need for a coordinated action in the field of micronutrients recommendations, fostered by the health and nutrition official authorities with financial support and clear terms of reference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a randomized study carried out in Cuba in laying hens and their replacements affected by the chronic respiratory syndrome (CRS), tracheas of 65 hens, 48 replacement and 30 without apparent clinical changes, were sampled. The samples were processed by conventional histology. As an unexpected finding the ossification of the hyaline cartilage of the trachea (OHCT) and the presence of bone marrow in the ossified nuclei were observed. This was confirmed by Giemsa staining where myeloblastics and erytroblastics cells could be identify. Taking into consideration the relationship between the respiratory failure and the OHCT with heterotopic hematopoiesis in both categories, the following hypothetical mechanisms can be established : birds could establish an adaptation from Hb to the chronic hypoxia to the hematopoiesis formation in the OHCT, as a compensatory mechanism against the chronic hypoxia caused by the respiratory failure, besides existing a close relationship between osteoblasts (OHCT) and the heterotopic hematopoiesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents a comparison of three extraction techniques—ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction and pressurized liquid extraction—in order to evaluate their efficiency in the determination of bisphenol A and its chlorinated derivatives in sewage sludge samples. Extraction parameters for each technique were accurately optimized to achieve the highest recoveries. The selected compounds were detected and quantified using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS), operating in negative atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The analytes were separated in less than 6min. BPA-d16 was used as internal standard. Three selective, sensitive, robust and accurate analytical methods were developed. The limits of detection (LODs) of the methods ranged from 2 to 9ngg−1 and the limits of quantification (LOQs) from 8 to 26ngg−1, while inter- and intra-day variability was under 6% in all cases. Given the absence of certified reference materials (CRMs), the methods were validated separately by using matrix-matched calibration and recovery assays with spiked samples. Recovery rates ranged from 97.7% to 103.1%. The sewage sludge samples used for experiments were collected from two different wastewater treatments plants (WWTPs) located in the province of Granada (South-East Spain). The statistical comparison of the methods demonstrated no statistically significant differences between the extraction techniques for the determination of BPA and chlorinated derivatives in sludge samples. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Etofenamate is a non-steroidal antiinflamatory drug (NSAID) with good analgesic and anti-inflammatory effectiveness, low toxicity, high bioavailability and few side effects that has been used for a long time in the treatment of pain produced by traumatic musculoskeletal conditions. This is an open, non-comparative study to test 1,0 g intramuscular etofenamate, single dose, in 139 patients, 91 (65%) female and 48 (35%) male sex, age range 40 to 49 years old. Types of acute pain included were: back pain, headache, joint pain, chest pain, neck pain, other muscle aches, earache, traumatic pain, pharyngitis and dysmenorrhea. Pain intensity was evaluated with the 0-10 points visual analogic points scale. At baseline, 58.3% of patients complained of severe pain; 30 min after etofenamate administration, 77% of patients reported the pain was moderate and 60 min after treatment, 74.1% described the pain as mild. Differences were statistically significant (p <0.05). One patient presented a delayed allergic reaction, 48 hours after etofenamate administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have studied the resistance of a large number of highly oriented graphite samples with areas ranging from several mm2 to a few μm2 and thickness from ~10 nm to several tens of micrometers. The measured resistance can be explained by the parallel contribution of semiconducting graphene layers with low carrier density < 109 cm-2 and the one from metallic-like internal interfaces. The results indicate that ideal graphite with Bernal stacking structure is a semiconductor with a narrow band gap Eg~40 meV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two hundred and five isolates of Pasteurella multocida from pigs were phenotypically and genetically characterised by determining their biovar, capsular type, virulence-associated genes and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profiles. All isolates were identified as P multocida subspecies multocida and most were assigned to biovar 3 (58 per cent) and biovar 2 (39.5 per cent). Biovar 1 represented 2.4 per cent of the isolates. According to the capsular type, the great majority of the isolates (79.0 per cent) belonged to capsular type A, 18.5 per cent belonged to capsular type D and 2.4 per cent were of capsular type F. All isolates harboured ompH, psl, oma87, ptfA, nanB, nanH, tonB, hgbA, sodA and sodC genes, while none of them possessed the transferrin-binding protein gene tbpA. The prevalence of toxA, pfhaA and hgbB genes was variable (7.8, 40.5 and 60.5 per cent of the isolates, respectively). After PFGE typing, isolates of biovar 2 and 3 were grouped in two different clusters (A and B) at a level of 45 per cent similarity. In addition, isolates of biovar 2 and 3 exhibited statistically significant differences (P<0.05) in the virulence-associated hgbB and pfhA genes (biovar 3 was hgbB+ pfhA-, while biovar 2 was hgbB- pfhA+). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This article reports on degradation using TiO2 immobilized on glass spheres of 15 emerging contaminants (ECs) at low concentrations in simulated and real Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant (MWTP) effluents. A sol containing titanium isopropoxide, commercial P25 and polyethylene glycol (PEG) was prepared, and a layer of the photoactive precursor was immobilized on glass spheres by dip-coating. The raw materials and the xerogels were characterized by N2 adsorption/desorption, XRD and TGA-DTA. The xerogel showed the TiO2 anatase, rutile and brookite crystal phases characteristic of the reference materials. The diffraction pattern showed no modification of the crystal size from incorporation of the PEG. Two different TiO2 anatase crystal sizes were identified, which was attributed to the different TiO2 precursors used in the synthesis route. Degradation of the emerging contaminants (acetaminophen, antipyrine, atrazine, carbamazepine, diclofenac, flumequine, hydroxybiphenyl, ibuprofen, isoproturon, ketorolac, ofloxacin, progesterone, sulfamethoxazole and triclosan), at an initial concentration of 100μgL−1 each was determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC-UV) and mineralization was monitored by measuring the dissolved organic carbon (DOC). The experiments were performed in a pilot compound parabolic collector (CPC) solar plant at the Plataforma Solar of Almeria (Spain). 85% of the compounds were degraded within 120min of illumination time depending on the water. The results show the potential application of this technology as a good alternative to suspension systems for the treatment of polluted water. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]