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Abstract\nImplications for the PracticeOncology patients often experience swallowing difficulties, which can compromise adherence to treatment and consequently reduce its effectiveness. Improper handling of these hazardous drugs can lead to the risk of inhalation of particles or other exposures endangering the health of the persons involved such as nurses and pharmacists. The aim of this review is to analyse and update the recommendations for the manipulation of oral antineoplastic drugs in patients with swallowing difficulties. A literature review of articles, websites, guidelines and other documents published up to about the conditions of handling and administration of oral antineoplastic agents in oncology and oncohaematology was carried out. A table of 110 active principles was compiled. The information was grouped according to the name of the drug, instructions for oral and nasogastric tube administration and suggested recommendations. Among the drugs reviewed, 66.4% were suitable for dissolution. Although there is a lot of information in the literature, the nonstop development of new oncological drugs requires continuous updating. Therefore, we have collected the most recent data to provide a consultation tool for healthcare professionals and patients with swallowing difficulties.This review can be used by all types of healthcare professionals, especially nurses, who handle oncological medicinal drugs. In addition, the safest handling methods for the worker have been recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The incidence of vasoplegic syndrome during liver transplantation is unknown, and it is occasionally confused with postreperfusion syndrome, which is another similar form of hemodynamic instability. In these cases, monitoring patients with the Swan-Ganz catheter may be useful for differential diagnosis. Objective: The main outcome was the incidence of vasoplegic syndrome or postreperfusion syndrome in the patients, and the prognosis of patients with vasoplegic syndrome was the secondary outcome. Methods: This retrospective study included 246 consecutive orthotopic liver transplantation procedures performed in patients aged >18 years who were monitored using a Swan-Ganz catheter. Vasoplegic syndrome was defined as mean arterial pressure <50 mmHg, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure =15 mmHg, central venous pressure <5 mmHg, cardiac index >2.5 L/min/m2, systemic vascular resistance <800 dyn/s/cm-5, and increased heart rate and mean pulmonary arterial pressure from the baseline (anhepatic phase). The estimated marginal means and their 95% confidence intervals were determined for the total sample. Results: Of the 246 patients, only two (0.81%) developed vasoplegic syndrome after unclamping the portal vein. Another patient (0.40%) showed the hemodynamic features of vasoplegic syndrome but was diagnosed with septic shock due to positive blood culture. One patient with vasoplegic syndrome presented with postoperative renal failure and graft rejection, requiring another liver transplantation, and the other patient did not survive. Conclusion: Most episodes of hemodynamic instability after liver graft reperfusion are due to postreperfusion syndrome, and the occurrence of vasoplegic syndrome is very rare and is associated with poor prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Caustic burns still cause complex esophageal lesions in the pediatric population. However, therapeutic possibilities in severe cases are limited. A surgical approach allowing for a longer neoesophagus, an isoperistaltic esophagus, and a better vascularization, with a lower risk of complications such as necrosis, stenosis, or perforation, is proposed. Clinical case. 16-month-old patient who accidentally ingested caustic soda. This caused a IIIb degree burn compromising the pharynx down to the stomach. Esophageal replacement with an isoperistaltic gastric tube was carried out, which allowed for a neoesophagus of appropriate length, an optimal vascularization for the graft, and physiological peristalsis. Comments. The surgical approach proposed allows the esophagus to be irrigated from the right gastro-omental artery, thus preserving irrigation of the greater curvature. It also allows for a longer esophagus, and thanks to anatomical positioning, for physiological peristalsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rings are distinctive features of many disc galaxies and their location and properties are closely related to the disc dynamics. In particular, rings are often associated to stellar bars, but the details of this connection are far from clear. We have studied the frequency and dimensions of inner and outer rings in the local Universe as a function of disc parameters and the amplitude of non-axisymmetries. We used the 1320 not highly inclined disc galaxies (i <  65°) from the S4G survey. The ring fraction increases with bar Fourier density amplitude: this can be interpreted as evidence for the role of bars in ring formation. The sizes of inner rings are positively correlated with bar strength: this can be linked to the radial displacement of the 1/4 ultraharmonic resonance while the bar grows and the pattern speed decreases. The ring's intrinsic ellipticity is weakly controlled by the non-axisymmetric perturbation strength: this relation is not as strong as expected from simulations, especially when we include the dark matter halo in the force calculation. The ratio of outer-to-inner ring semi-major axes is uncorrelated with bar strength: this questions the manifold origin of rings. In addition, we confirm that (i) ∼1/3 (∼1/4) of the galaxies hosting inner (outer) rings are not barred; (ii) on average, the sizes and shapes of rings are roughly the same for barred and non-barred galaxies; and (iii) the fraction of inner (outer) rings is a factor of 1.2−1.4 (1.65−1.9) larger in barred galaxies than in their non-barred counterparts. Finally, we apply unsupervised machine learning (self-organising maps, SOMs) to show that, among early-type galaxies, ringed or barred galaxies cannot be univocally distinguished based on 20 internal and external fundamental parameters. We confirm, with the aid of SOMs, that rings are mainly hosted by red, massive, gas-deficient, dark-matter poor, and centrally concentrated galaxies. We conclude that the present-day coupling between rings and bars is not as robust as predicted by numerical models, and diverse physical mechanisms and timescales determine ring formation and evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Scheme of the TiO 2 particles distribution on the ordered microporous material depending on its nature. Highlights • Highly photoactive ZSM-5/TiO 2 hybrids for VOC oxidation were synthetized. • TiO 2 -nanoparticles (Ti-NP), Decahedral Anatase Particles (DAP) and commercial TiO 2 (Ti-C) were selected. • TiO 2 mean particle size on the composite has a key role on the improvement of the photocatalytic properties. • The HCHO and C 2 HCl 3 photodegradation reaction rates follow the order: Z/Ti-NP, Z/Ti-DAP > Z/Ti-C. Abstract In this work, zeolite/TiO 2 hybrid photocatalysts based on TiO 2 particles of different nature for photooxidation of VOCs in air have been developed. TiO 2 with different morphologies, namely, TiO 2 nanoparticles (Ti-NP) and decahedral anatase particles (DAPs), have been synthetized and characterized. A commercial TiO 2 (Ti-C) catalyst has been used as a reference. Titania has been incorporated on ZSM-5 by different techniques: incipient wetness impregnation, freeze-drying, or mechanical mixing from a TiO 2 sol, DAPs, or commercial TiO 2. The TiO 2 and hybridized photocatalysts were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, UV–vis spectroscopy, N 2 adsorption-desorption and electrophoretic migration. Moreover, the formaldehyde or trichloroethylene adsorption ability of the composites has been analysed. The photocatalytic performance for the HCHO or C 2 HCl 3 photooxidation under UV-A irradiation and continuous air flow has been evaluated. TiO 2 nanoparticles of 5 nm, DAPs of ca. 100 nm, and 1.0 μm clusters of TiO 2 made of 15 nm mean particle size characterized the three types of TiO 2. These characteristics are maintained in the zeolite/TiO 2 composites. In spite of the lower BET area, DAPs presented the highest VOCs reaction rate comparing to the other TiO 2. The incorporation of titanium oxide to the microporous material results in the improvement of the photocatalytic performance, regardless of the actual nature of the TiO 2 particles. Nevertheless, a relationship between the particle size and the improvement of the photocatalytic performance can be established. Thus, the incorporation of TiO 2 -NP into the zeolitic material, lead to composites with around ten times more photoactivity that the single titania particles. This effect is less pronounced for larger TiO 2 particles such as DAPs and less evident for TiO 2 aggregates present in commercial material. TiO 2 nanoparticles homogeneous distributed on the hierarchical material shows the highest VOCs photooxidation and CO 2 formation rates of the series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We report the influence of 6 MeV Zr4+irradiation and post-irradiation annealing (200 °C) in the in-field dependences of the critical current densities J c of 1.3 thick GdBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-d coated conductors grown by co-evaporation. Samples were irradiated with 6 MeV Zr4+ and fluences between 2.3 × 1011 cm−2 and 3 × 1012 cm−2. The correlation between the superconducting critical temperature T c and in-field dependences of J c has been analyzed. In addition, random disorder introduced by irradiation was reduced by thermal annealed at 200 °C. The analysis of our experimental findings indicates that the optimal irradiation (reducing random disorder by annealing) results in the suppression of the self-field J c of ≈10% and in-field J c enhancements nearly doubled at about 5 T. A clear correlation between T c , disorder and self-field J c is observed. Additional random disorder and nanoclusters suppress systematically T c and increase the flux creep relaxation at intermediate temperatures (reducing the characteristic glassy μ value). Highlights • GdBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 coated conductors are irradiated with 6 MeV Zirconium. • The in-field dependences of J c are improved with H parallel to the c-axis. • Reduction of random disorder by thermal annealing improves the J c at low magnetic fields. • Characteristic glassy exponents are analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The title compound consists of a 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine nucleus (tpy) completed by a pendant isoquinoline group (isq) bound at the central pyridine (py) ring. The tpy nucleus departs slightly from planarity, with pylateral–pycentral interplanar angles in the range 2.24(7)°–7.90(7)°, but the isq group is instead rotated significantly from the central pyridine ring associated to a short Htpy⋅⋅⋅Hisq contact. There are no strong noncovalent interactions in the structure, the main ones being of the π⋅⋅⋅π type giving rise to columnar arrays along [010], further linked by C–H⋅⋅⋅N and C–H⋅⋅⋅π bonds into a 3D supramolecular structure. Analogies and differences with a recently published structural isomer (4'-(isoquinolin-4-yl)-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine are discussed. As a way to highlight the nature of the crystallographic differences an analysis of the pairwise intermolecular interactions energies and Hirshfeld surfaces was carry out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the influence of crystalline defects introduced by 6 MeV 16 O 3+ irradiation on the critical current densities J c and flux creep rates in 1.3 µm thick GdBa 2 Cu 3 O 7- δ coated conductor produced by co-evaporation. Pristine films with pinning produced mainly by random nanoparticles with diameter close to 50 nm were irradiated with doses between 2 × 10 13 cm −2 and 4 × 10 14 cm −2 . The irradiations were performed with the ion beam perpendicular to the surface of the samples. The J c and the flux creep rates were analyzed for two magnetic field configurations: magnetic field applied parallel (H║ c ) and at 45° (H║45°) to the c -axis. The results show that at temperatures below 40 K the in-field J c dependences can be significantly improved by irradiation. For doses of 1 × 10 14 cm −2 the J c values at μ 0 H = 5 T are doubled without affecting significantly the J c at small fields. Analyzing the flux creep rates as function of the temperature in both magnetic field configurations, it can be observed that the irradiation suppresses the peak associated with double-kink relaxation and increases the flux creep rates at intermediate and high temperatures. Under 0.5 T, the flux relaxation for H ‖ c and H ||45° in pristine films presents characteristic glassy exponents μ = 1.63 and μ = 1.45, respectively. For samples irradiated with 1 × 10 14 cm −2 , these values drop to μ = 1.45 and μ = 1.24, respectively [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the influence of the preparation method of ZSM-5/TiO hybrids on the photocatalytic performance for removal of formaldehyde (HCHO) or trichloroethylene (CHCl) in gas phase was analyzed. For this purpose, two methods for the synthesis of the hybrids, the incipient wetness impregnation (I) and the mechanical mixing method (M), were selected. The photocatalysts were characterized by N adsorption-desorption, TEM, UV-Vis spectroscopy, XRD and electrophoretic migration. Also, the adsorption ability of the individual materials and hybrids was analyzed. ZSM-5/TiO hybrids showed higher photocatalytic activity than bare TiO, independently of the preparation method selected. Mechanical mixing is a simple and easily scalable method to prepare highly active photocatalyst with high amounts of titania. The internal diffusion processes of the reactants to the active sites could be improved due to the micro-mesoporous structure developed on these hybrids. Incipient wetness impregnation method leads to photocatalysts with higher photodegradation rates per active site. The hybrids synthetized by this method show TiO nanoparticles homogeneously dispersed on the ZSM-5 phase. The fraction of TiO exposed on the surface ca. 75 mol% was similar for materials prepared by both methods, explaining the similar adsorption and photocatalytic properties, independently of the TiO content. The nature of the pollutant has an important role in the adsorption and photocatalytic properties of the composites. Finally, the effect of the incorporation of the zeolite in the photocatalytic system was analyzed. For this purpose, the influence of the zeolite and titania arrangement in the sample holder on the photodegradation rate was analyzed. Although the incorporation of the zeolite induces a positive effect on the photocatalytic performance, independently of the position on the sample holder, a clear synergistic effect when both phases were in intimate contact such as in the ZSM-5/TiO hybrid was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, photoactive titanium dioxide films deposited on aluminium substrates using Radio-Frecquency (RF) magnetron sputtering have been developed, with the goal of advancing this technology for indoor air treatment. With this goal in mind, the influence of deposition parameters, namely post annealed heat treatment, working pressure and deposition time, on the physico-chemical properties of the layers has been studied. Photocatalytic efficiency for trichloroethylene degradation in gas phase, and self-cleaning performance of the developed materials have been evaluated. Samples have been thoroughly examined using different techniques (SAXRD, UV-Vis, SEM-EDX, contact angle, profilometry, hardness, among others) in order to determine the structural-photocatalytic relationship. The findings indicate that high-temperature annealing promotes the diffusion of alumina, copper and iron ions towards the surface of the samples resulting in the formation of aluminium alloys. These alloyed species can act as recombination centres adversely affecting the photocatalytic activity. The sputtering pressure also affects the nature of the titanium phases formed during the sputtering. Increasing the thickness of the TiO 2 layer leads to rougher surfaces with TiO 2 -anatase as the predominant crystal phase. Annealing temperatures of 350 °C, argon pressures between 0.8 and 1.0 Pa, and TiO 2 layer thickness of ca. 110 nm are the optimal conditions to prepare well-adhered TiO 2 layers with high photocatalytic performance. UV-A photoinduced superhydrophilicity phenomena was observed for all TiO 2 /Al materials. [Display omitted] • Highly photoactive TiO 2 coatings on aluminum substrate by RF magnetron sputtering were developed. • Calcination temperature, working pressure and sputtering deposition time define the photocatalytic performance. • Titania coatings with high homogeneity and mechanical resistance. • Aluminum alloys with iron, copper and titanium phases are detected on the surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An innovative plant configuration based in an UASB reactor coupled to a hybrid aerobic membrane bioreactor designed for sustainable treatment of municipal wastewater at ambient temperatures and low hydraulic retention time was studied in terms of organic micropollutants (OMPs) removal. OMPs removal mechanisms, as well as the potential influence of biomass activity and physical conformation were assessed. Throughout all periods of operation (150 days) high organic matter removals were maintained (>95%) and, regarding OMPs removal, this innovative system has shown to be more efficient than conventional technologies for those OMPs which are prone to be biotransformed under anaerobic conditions. For instance, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim have both shown to be biodegradable under anaerobic conditions with similar efficiencies (removal efficiencies above 84%). OMPs main removal mechanism was found to be biotransformation, except in the case of musk fragrances which showed medium sorption onto sludge. OMPs removal was strongly dependent on the efficiency of the primary metabolism (organic matter degradation and nitrification) and the type of biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents a thorough assessment of the photocatalytic properties of a series of zeolite/TiO 2 composites for the degradation of pollutants in gas phase. The composites have been prepared by the incipient wet impregnation method using an acidic TiO 2 sol precursor and five different zeolites. The influence of the content of TiO 2 , the zeolite structure (Zeolite Y and ZSM-5) and the Si/Al ratio in the textural properties, adsorption capacity and the photodegradation activity of the zeolite/TiO 2 composites has been studied. Formaldehyde (HCHO) and a chlorinated hydrocarbon, trichloroethylene (C 2 HCl 3 ), have been used as model volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The composites obtained have been characterised by N 2 adsorption–desorption, XRD, TGA-DTA, SEM and TEM microscopy. Electrophoretic migration measurements and adsorption ability in dynamic conditions for both model molecules was determined. The incipient wet impregnation method using a TiO 2 acidic sol is a suitable procedure to preparing well-dispersed TiO 2 nanoparticles around 5 nm onto microporous zeolites. The results shown in this work reveal that the nature of the pollutant and the physicochemical characteristic of the zeolites have a strong influence on the adsorption ability and in the photocatalytic performance of the composites, reducing the formation of non-desirable reaction by-products. An adequate balance between the surface area and adsorption ability is required in order to optimise the photocatalytic efficiency. [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 focuses on the influence of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) concentration in the thermal evolution of the microstructure of MWCNT/Ni composites produced by pressureless sintering. The composites were prepared by a colloidal mixing process using 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 5.0wt.%. The grain growth is analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the final microstructure is studied by electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD). The grain growth is observed by analysing the thermal evolution of the width of the XRD reflections. The grain growth rates are influenced by the high thermal conductivity of the nanotubes up to 3.0wt.%, where the agglomeration of CNTs during sintering affects the growth kinetics. The distribution of grain sizes correlates the MWCNTs concentration in the matrix to the Zener pinning effect. The mean grain sizes were 47.6, 22.4, 4.9, 4.9 and 5.3μm for pure Ni, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 5.0wt.%, respectively. An empirical reinforcement limit is settled at 2.0wt.% beyond which, no further microstructural refinement is observed. At higher concentrations, agglomeration occurs and densification is hindered, resulting in large voids filled with MWCNT clusters. Our results highlight the use of blending processes for the manufacturing of metal/CNT composites according to empirical reinforcing limits. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) have lower testosterone levels and a higher prevalence of hypogonadism. It still remains unclear the mechanism by which there is a relationship between hypogonadism and DM2. The objective was to evaluate the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis at different levels in eugonadal patients with DM2. Fourteen patients with DM2 (DM2 group) and 15 subjects without DM2 (normal glucose tolerance test) as control group (CG) were included. We assessed: (i) fasting glucose, insulin, Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA); (ii) luteinizing hormone (LH) pulsatility through blood collections every 10 min for 4 h; (iii) gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) test: basal LH and 30, 60 and 90 min after 100 μg of i.v. GnRH; (iv) human chorionic gonadotropin ( hCG) test: basal total testosterone (TT), bioavailable testosterone (BT), free testosterone (FT), estradiol (E2), bioavailable E2 (BE2) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and 72 h post 5000 IU of i.m. hCG. There were no differences in age, body mass index and waist circumference between groups. Glucose was higher in the DM2 group vs. CG: 131.1 ± 25.5 vs. 99.1 ± 13.6 mg/dL, p = 0.0005. There were no difference in basal insulin, HOMA, TT, BT, FT, E2, BE2, SHBG and LH levels between groups. The DM2 group had lower LH pulse frequency vs. CG: 0.8 ± 0.8 vs. 1.5 ± 0.5 pulses, p = 0.009. Differences in LH pulse amplitude were not found. A negative correlation was found between the number of LH pulses and glucose, r: −0.39, p = 0.03. There were no differences in the response of LH to GnRH between groups nor in the response of sexual steroids and SHBG to hCG. Patients with DM2 showed lower hypothalamic pulse frequency without changes in the pituitary response to GnRH nor testicular response to hCG. Glucose levels negatively correlated with the number of LH pulses which suggests a negative effect of hyperglycaemia in the hypothalamic secretion of GnRH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Fresh fruits and vegetables are an essential component of many people's diet worldwide and their consumption is increasing, due to several factors such as the tendency towards healthier food consumption. Organic acids appear as an alternative to replace chloride in the disinfection of these products, given their good antimicrobial performance and their condition as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe). Objective. Determining the E. coli and Salmonella spp's reduction in Batavia lettuce (Lactuca sativa), by the use of a product based on organic acids. Materials and methods. Lettuce samples were inoculated with known concentrations of Salmonella enteritidis ATCC 13076 and Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14028 and E. coli ATCC 8739 y ATCC 25922, which were put before solutions of the product (organic acid) at 1000, 1200 and 2000 ppm during three exposition periods. They were later neutralized with a Letheen broth solution and analyzed by means of on plate accounts. Contaminated samples of not disinfected lettuce were taken as positive controls. The effectiveness of the disinfection was evaluated by analyzing the logarithmic reduction of the microbial population during the time of exposition to the disinfectant, in different concentrations of the active principle. Results. Reductions above 99% were obtained for the lettuce samples inoculated with £ coli Salmonella spp. In the lettuces inoculated with £ coli, the reduction of the population reached 2.09 ± 0.14 Log UFC/g, while the reduction of Salmonella spp was 0.98 ± 0.19 Log UFC/g. The study revealed that the most effective treatment under antimicrobial terms before high populations (105 UFC/g) of the pathogens inoculated was that with a 2000 ppm concentration and a 5 minutes contact time. Conclusion. The in vitro and the inoculation tests demonstrated that E. coli is more sensitive to the disinfection treatment than Salmonella spp. The disinfectant based on organic acids is an effective and safe alternative to reduce pathogen microorganisms in vegetables, reducing the microbiological hazard associated to such products, which are usually eaten raw. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The performance of a membrane bioreactor operating in a sequential mode (SMBR) using an external flat-plate membrane was investigated. After 200 days of operation, a single addition of 1 g L−1 Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) was added directly into the mixed liquor in order to enhance the simultaneous removal of nutrients and pharmaceutical micropollutants from synthetic urban wastewater. Throughout the entire operation (288 days), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal efficiencies were up to 95%, ammonium nitrogen removal was maintained over 70–80%, whereas phosphorus removal achieved only high values (around 80%) after PAC addition. During the operation of the SMBR without PAC addition, micropollutants which exerted a more recalcitrant behaviour were carbamazepine, diazepam, diclofenac and trimethoprim, with no significant removal. On the other hand, moderate removals (42–64%) were observed for naproxen and erythromycin, whereas ibuprofen, roxithromycin and fluoxetine were removed in the range of 71–97%. The addition of PAC into the aeration tank was a successful tool to improve the removal of the more recalcitrant compounds up to 85%. The highest removal with PAC was observed for carbamazepine, trimethoprim as well as for roxithromycin, erythromycin and fluoxetine. The latter four compounds have amine groups and pKa in the range 6.7–10.1, thus the interaction between PAC and the positively charged amino groups might be the cause of their comparatively better results. Microbial ecology present in the biomass showed a higher abundance of Accumulibacter phosphatis as well as the ammonium oxidizing bacteria belonging to the genus Nitrosomonas after PAC addition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Porous TiO2-anatase thin films were prepared by the sol–gel route and used for the study of the influence of structural properties in their photocatalytic activity. Sols were prepared by using titanium isopropoxide with two types of modifier ligands, namely acetic acid and acetyl acetone, and pore generating agents such as polyethylene glycol, pluronic F-127 and polyethylene glycol hexadecyl ether (Brij 58). The photocatalytic activity for the degradation of trichloroethylene in air was evaluated under ultraviolet irradiation at different gas flows and water vapour contents. The photocatalytic activity depends on the nature of the pore generating agent which influences the TiO2 crystallite size and the textural properties of the final material. The samples obtained by using acetic acid as the modifier ligand and either Brij 58 or PEG as the pore generating agent exhibited the best photocatalytic behaviour even in the presence of high quantities of water vapour. The direct trichloroethylene oxidation pathway to CO2 is favoured at low water vapour contents, but an important generation of COCl2 is observed even at low water partial pressures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A novel versatile tubular reactor that may use both types of radiation, solar and/or artificial, and different types of suspended or immobilized photocatalysts is proposed. The photocatalytic reactor was evaluated for air treatment at laboratory scale and semi-pilot-plant scale. UV-A transparent immobilized photocatalysts were employed, which allowed an efficient use of radiation. Two different types of photocatalytic modules were tested: (a) TiO2-coated PET monoliths and (b) TiO2-coated glass slides, arranged in monolith-like units with the help of especially designed star-shaped polygonal structures. Both types of units were easy to handle and assured the adequate distribution of the photocatalyst inside the tubular reactor. The efficiency of the photocatalytic system with both solar and artificial radiation to oxidize the H2S contained in an air stream was demonstrated at the laboratory roof and in the treatment of real air of a wastewater treatment plant located in Madrid (Spain). As a consequence of the chemical nature of the pollutant, the photocatalytic activity decayed over time due to the accumulation of sulfate on the surface, but easy regeneration of the exhausted photocatalyst was achieved by washing with water. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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]

Abstract: The photocatalytic performance of TiO2–SiMgO x ceramic plates for trichloroethylene abatement in gas phase has been evaluated under sun irradiance conditions. A continuous flow Pyrex glass reactor fixed on the focus of a compound parabolic collector has been used. The performance of the hybrid photocatalyst has been evaluated as the variation of TCE conversion and reaction products formation with the solar irradiance at different total gas flow, TCE concentration, and water vapour content. SiMgO x not only provides adsorbent properties to the photocatalyst, but it also allows the effective use of the material during low solar irradiance conditions. The adsorption–desorption phenomena play a pivotal role in the behaviour of the system. Thus, TCE conversion curves present two different branches when the sun irradiance increases (sunrise) or decreases (sunset). CO2, COCl2 and DCAC were the most relevant products detected. Meanwhile CO2 concentration was insensitive to the branch analysed, COCl2 or DCAC were not indicating the ability of these compounds to be adsorbed on the composite. An increase of the UV irradiation at total TCE conversion promotes the CO2 selectivity. The excess of energy arriving to the reactor favours the direct reaction pathway to produce CO2. The photonic efficiency, calculated as a function of the rate of CO2 formation, decreases linearly with the solar irradiance up to around 2mWcm−2, where it becomes constant. For decontamination systems high TCE conversion is pursuit and then high solar irradiance values are required, in spite of lower photonic efficiency values. The present photocatalyst configuration, with only 17% of the reactor volume filled with the photoactive material, allows total TCE conversion for 150ppm and 1Lmin−1 in a wide sun irradiance window from 2 to 4mWcm−2. The incorporation of water vapour leads to an increase of the CO2 selectivity keeping the TCE conversion around 90%, although significant amounts of COCl2 were observed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The mechanism of H2S elimination in gas phase by means of heterogeneous photocatalysis was investigated. The main drawbacks for a real application were identified to be related to the nature of the reaction products: SO2 is toxic, corrosive and malodorous, and SO4 2− accumulates on the photocatalyst surface leading to deactivation. In order to face this challenge, supported photocatalysts with different properties were synthesised to investigate several strategies according to the photocatalyst selectivity. On one hand, two different approaches for coupling adsorption and photocatalysis have been proposed to solve the problem of SO2 release and prolong the catalyst lifetime. First, porous and SO2-selective photocatalysts were synthesised by sol–gel with the help of surfactants. These materials presented good conversion values and suffered slower deactivation; an external adsorption unit might retain the SO2 produced. Alternatively, improved adsorption capability of the photocatalyst was obtained through the synthesis of coated and incorporated hybrid TiO2–SiMgOx composites, whereby SO2 release was avoided and the lifetime of the photocatalyst prolonged. The combination in a hybrid material of an efficient photocatalyst and an adsorbent that may act as support constitutes a promising alternative for H2S elimination due to the coupling of photocatalytic and adsorptive properties. On the other hand, photocatalyst regeneration was achieved by rising with water, which recovered the active sites. Moreover, when a 1M KOH solution was used in the process, the creation of new basic active sites resulted in an increase of the photocatalytic activity, even higher than for the fresh material. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Hybrid photocatalysts based on an adsorbent SiMgOx and a photocatalyst TiO2 were developed in a plate shape. The ceramic surface was coated with TiO2 by the slip-casting technique. The effect of the support in the photocatalytic degradation of trichloroethylene (TCE) was analyzed by modifying TiO2 loading and the layer thickness. Photocatalysts were characterised by N2 adsorption–desorption, mercury intrusion porosimetry, SEM, UV–vis spectroscopy and XRD. A direct relationship between the TiO2 content and the photocatalytic activity was observed up to three layers of TiO2 (0.66wt.%). Our results indicate that intermediate species generated on the TiO2 layer can migrate through relatively long distances to react with the OH− surface groups of the support. By increasing the TiO2 loading of the photocatalyst two effects were observed: trichloroethylene conversion is enhanced, while the efficiency of the oxidation process is decreased at expenses of increasing the selectivity to COCl2 and dichloroacetylchloride (DCAC). The results are discussed in terms of the layer thickness, TiO2 amount, TCE conversion and CO2, and COCl2 selectivity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Municipal wastewaters contain many organic compounds, among them active ingredients as pharmaceuticals and cosmetic products, which are used in large quantities throughout the world. Most of these compounds come either from domestic sewage or from hospital or industrial discharges and enter municipal sewage treatment plants (STPs). Modern STPs can effectively accomplish carbon and nitrogen removal, as well as microbial pollution control. However, these plants have not been specifically designed to remove these trace polluting compounds. The dynamics of 12 micropollutants in a membrane bioreactor (MBR) have been studied when treating synthetic sewage. These selected substances correspond to different therapeutic groups such as antiepileptics (carbamazepine), tranquillisers (diazepam), analgesics (ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac), antibiotics (roxithromycin, erythromycin, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim) and three polycyclic musk fragrances (galaxolide, tonalide, celestolide). These micropollutants are spiked into the synthetic wastewater fed to the reactor at environmentally relevant concentrations ranging from 10 to 20 μg/L. Taking into account previous researches, the MBR is operated at a sludge retention time (SRT) of 44–72 days, since a high value of this parameter is considered as crucial for the removal of these micropollutants. Under these conditions, different fates are observed depending on pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) characteristics. Hydrophobic organic substances, like musk fragrances, are partially sorbed onto the sludge. This explains the partial removal observed in the reactor, with an overall efficiency around 50%. Other substances, like the anti-inflammatories ibuprofen and naproxen, are not sorbed but they are eliminated almost completely (98% and 84% of removal, respectively). On the other hand, substances like carbamazepine or diclofenac show a recalcitrant character and their elimination from the effluent is very limited, below 9%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Monolithic catalysts based on Rh/TiO2–sepiolite were developed and tested in the decomposition of N2O traces. Several effects such as the presence of NO, O2 and NO+O2 in the gas mixture, the catalysts pre-treatment and the metal loading were evaluated. The system was extremely sensitive to the amount of rhodium, passing through a maximum in the catalytic activity at a Rh content of 0.2wt.%. It has been demonstrated that both NO and O2 compete for the same adsorption sites as N2O; however, this effect was not as severe as for other previously reported Rh systems. For NO+O2 gas mixtures the inhibition effect was stronger than when only NO or O2 was present. Analysis of the pre-reduced sample by XPS showed Rh mainly in the metal state, even after treatment with N2O+O2 mixtures, suggesting that the oxygen consumption observed in the Temperature Programmed Reaction experiments was related to the oxygen uptake by vacancies in the support. The presence of sepiolite in the support preparation and its role as a matrix over which TiO2 particles were distributed, seems to play an important effect in the migration process of oxygen species through the support vacancies. The Rh/TiO2 monolithic system is an attractive alternative for the elimination of N2O traces from stationary sources due to the combination of high catalytic activity with a low pressure drop and optimum textural/mechanical properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: feeding rats with a corn-based diet (deficient in tryptophan, lysine and protein) before and during pregnancy has been associated with low brain serotonin synthesis and fewer cortical GABAergic neurons in offspring than in animals fed with normal Purina Chow (CTRL group), altering brain excitability. On the other hand, the systemic injection of a hyperosmolar solution of monosodium L-glutamate (MSG) to rats represents a valuable model of status epilepticus. Objective: this work was oriented to investigate whether cerebral changes induced by feeding rats a corn-based diet (prenatal and postnatally), might be associated with more susceptibility to MSG-induced seizures in a well-established model of status epilepticus. Materials and methods: chronic malnutrition was induced in adult female rats with a corn-based diet (CORN group) before and during pregnancy and the males from their offspring continued with the same diet until becoming 60-days old. The pattern and severity of convulsive phenomenon induced by various doses of MSG were evaluated in these animals. As the corn diet contains a low proportion of protein (8%), a group of animals under a hypoproteic diet was included as a matched control group (HYP), while a group of animals fed a normal Chow Purina diet was included as a normal control group (CTRL). Results: animals from CORN and HYP groups showed a greater susceptibility to convulsions than those fed a CTRL diet. The most severe effect was seen in rats from the CORN group. Conclusion: the results obtained are directly related to differences in the nutrient content of diets (especially TRY and protein), which are probably associated with alterations in the inhibitory neurotransmitter systems regulating brain excitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adaptive importance of polymorphic color vision found in many New World and some prosimian primates has been discussed for many years. Polymorphism is probably maintained in part through a heterozygote advantage for trichromatic females, as such individuals are observed to have greater foraging success when selecting ripe fruits against a background of forest leaves. However, recent work also suggests there are some situations in which dichromatic individuals may have an advantage, and that variation in color vision among individuals possessing different alleles may also be significant. Alleles that confer a selective advantage to individuals are expected to occur at a higher frequency in populations than those that do not. Therefore, analyzing the frequencies of color vision alleles in wild populations can add to our understanding of the selective advantages of some color vision phenotypes over others. With this aim, we used molecular techniques to determine the frequencies of color vision alleles in 12 wild tamarin groups representing three species of the genus Saguinus. Our results show that allele frequencies are not equal, possibly reflecting different selective regimes operating on different color vision phenotypes. Am. J. Primatol. 67:463–470, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The behaviour of nine pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) of different diagnostic groups is studied during a nitrifying--denitrifying process in an activated sludge system. The compounds selected cover a wide range of frequently used substances such as anti-epileptics (carbamazepine), tranquillisers (diazepam), anti-depressants (fluoxetine and citalopram), anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac) and estrogens (estradiol and ethinylestradiol). The main objective of this research is to investigate the effect of acclimation of biomass on the removal rates of these compounds, either by maintaining a high sludge retention time or at long-term operation. The removal rates achieved for nitrogen and carbon in the experimental unit exceed 90% and were not affected by the addition of PhACs. Carbamazepine, diazepam and diclofenac were only removed to a small extent. On the other hand, higher removal rates have been observed for naproxen and ibuprofen (68% and 82%), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Titania monolithic supports produced with an additional macroporosity were prepared and their behaviour compared with commercial materials of the same composition. Activated carbon used as a template for macropore generation, was included in the preparation process of the ceramic dough. Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), nitrogen adsorption–desorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), TGA–DSC analyses were employed to study the modifications of the support properties. The systems prepared with the template, which was subsequently eliminated by thermal treatment, presented a notable increase in the macropore volume with respect to samples prepared without this pore generating agent (PGA), displaying a narrow pore size distribution with a mean pore diameter of 0.13μm. The template was chemically inert and no modification on the crystal phases or the BET area was observed. The optimum composition was achieved for a sample produced with 10wt.% of template and subsequently heat-treated in air at 550°C to remove the PGA. Vanadia catalysts based on these supports displayed higher NO x conversions during the NO and NO x elimination by the SCR process at low temperature than the standard ones. This behaviour was related to the improvement in the effectiveness factor due to the reduction of the internal mass transfer limitations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The behaviour of Rh/γ-AlO3–sepiolite monolithic systems in the N2O decomposition reaction using catalysts with rhodium contents between 0.2 and 0.8wt.% were analysed. The observed increase of the catalytic activity with the metal loading was related to an enhancement in the number of active sites. The SEM–EDX results showed that rhodium was mainly located on the alumina particles. The variation of the reaction rate values with the inlet N2O and O2 concentrations, suggested an apparent first order equation with respect to N2O and zero order for O2. The presence of NH3 traces or water vapour in the feed decreased the catalytic activity, probably due to the competitive adsorption of NHx or OH species. The ammonia oxidation reaction took place, producing N2O as a secondary product. The monolithic catalysts developed operate with a low pressure drop achieving a N2O conversion higher than 90% at 773K in the presence of oxygen, ammonia or water vapour in the stream. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The formation of nitrous oxide in the selective catalytic reduction of NO x with ammonia was studied in nitric acid plant exhaust gas under low-temperature conditions. The important role played by the support in this process was evidenced by a comparison of CuO/γ-Al2O3 and CuO/TiO2 monolithic catalysts. Textural properties and CuO crystal phases were analysed. Temperature-programmed desorption of NH3, NO, and NO2 and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) after in situ adsorption of NO and NO2 experiments were carried out. Even at low temperature, N2O generation takes place at a greater rate for the catalysts supported on titania than for those on alumina. In the case of alumina, the N2O concentration detected was independent of the CuO content. For the CuO/TiO2 system it was associated with the active phase configuration. After in situ adsorption of NO and NO2, a band associated with nitrate species was identified in the XPS spectra. Adsorbed species seem to be responsible for the NO2, NO, and O2 desorbed products detected in the NO x -TPD. The results suggests that along with NH x(ads) species, were involved in N2O formation at low temperature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We report on the influence of doping on vortex dynamics in 3 MeV proton-irradiated single crystals of CaK(Fe1− x Ni x)4As4 (1144, x = 0.015, 0.025, and 0.03) and Ba(Fe1− x Co x)2As2 (x = 0.04, 0.062, 0.066 and 0.074). Non-irradiated crystals of the 1144 system display superconducting critical temperatures ranging from 31 K for x = 0.015–20.5 K, as doping increases to 0.03. On the other hand, pristine crystals of the 122 system show Tc values between 14.6 and 23.6 K, with the maximum Tc occurring at intermediate doping levels. The fluence was set at 3 × 1016 p cm−2, resulting in a decrease in the Tc by around 1.5 K for all samples and significantly affecting the vortex dynamics by reducing the flux creep relaxation compared to previously reported values for unirradiated crystals. Parameters such as vortex pinning energy U 0 and the glassy exponent μ dependencies on doping and magnetic field strength are identified. For the 1144 system, U 0 reaches values approaching 500 K for small fields in samples with Tc = 29.3 K (x = 0.015), systematically decreasing to around 200 K as Tc falls below 20 K. Furthermore, U 0 decreases as the field increases to 3 T for the same sample, varying from approximately 250 K to 100 K as Tc decreases. These changes are typically accompanied by modifications in μ, gradually increasing from values around 1 towards 1.5, corresponding to small bundle relaxation in the collective creep theory. Despite differences in the substitutional disorder and magnetic phase diagram with respect to the 1144 system, the results for 122 single crystals follow a similar tendency in which U 0 usually reduces and μ increase rise as the applied magnetic field is increased. Due to moderate U 0 in these systems (few hundreds of kelvins), the resulting decay of persistent current at liquid helium temperatures is primarily determined by a balance between U 0 and bundle size contribution. These findings provide valuable insights for potential applications of these systems, particularly in the context of intrinsic superconducting parameters and the resulting pinning landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the structural and electrical properties of nanocrystalline zirconium nitride films grown by reactive sputtering on Si (100) substrates at room temperature. The samples were grown with a N2/Ar mixture varying the N2 concentration between 8 and 60% of the total atmosphere. The films are nanocrystalline with the coexistence of conducting and insulator phases. The electrical resistivity evolves from ZrN with a metallic state to an insulating rich nitrogen phase, passing through a semiconductor-like behavior as N2 in the mixture increases. A variable-range-hopping regime describes the temperature dependence of the resistivity for mixtures between 30 and 40%. Reactive mixtures of 50 and 60% of N2 give more insulator films. Beyond these macroscopic properties, the films display inhomogeneity electrical properties at the nanoscale with coexistence regions of different conductivity. The inhomogeneities reduce as nitrogen stoichiometry increases and the films become more insulators. Our results are relevant for applications including conducting electrodes and insulator barriers in tunneling devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pathological mechanism of mTLE-DR. Seizure activity propagation in the temporal cortex is related to the protein expression of Bcl-2, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9, which are involved in neuronal death, IL1-β, which is involved in the neuroinflammation response and decreased seizure threshold, increased release of P-glycoprotein, a drug transport protein, aberrant connection formation by NT-3 and SEMA-3a, and the relationship of their expression patterns with clinical data. These are key factors in recurrent epileptic seizures, and the increased expression of these intrinsic severity like factors allows the generation of hyperexcitable circuits in the temporal cortex that, in turn promote recurrent epileptic seizures and drug resistance progression. • The protein expression of neuronal death, neuroinflammation and aberrant connections in cerebral tempora cortex and their relation with intrinsic severity hypothesis in the mTLE-DR. • The protein expresion of Bcl-2, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9, P-glycoprotein and SEMA-3a with mTLE-DR clinical data. • Increased of Bcl-2, Caspase-9 and P-glycoprotein are associated with severity and recurrent seizures. Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) is the most common epilepsy induced by previous cerebral injury, and one out of three mTLE patients develops drug resistance (DR). To assess the expression of Bcl-2, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, IL1-β, SEMA-3a, NT-3 and P-glycoprotein in the temporal cortex and their relationship with the progression of mTLE-DR clinical features in patients with mTLE-DR. Tissue samples from 17 patients were evaluated for protein expression by Western blot and the relationships of the evaluated proteins with the clinical features of the mTLE were assessed through hierarchical cluster analysis. The mTLE-DR group showed significantly higher P-glycoprotein, Bcl-2 and Caspase-9 levels ***p < 0.0001, ****p < 0.0001 and ***p < 0.0002, respectively, than the autopsy control group. Four patient clusters were identified: Clusters 1 and 3 showed relationships among the age of mTLE onset, duration of mTLE-DR, average number of epileptic seizures per week, number of previous antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and increased expression of Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Neurotrophin-3 and Semaphorin-3a. Clusters 2 and 4 showed relationships among the mTLE onset age, current age, average number of epileptic seizures per week, number of previous AEDs and increased expression of IL1-β, Bcl-2, P-glycoprotein, Caspase-3 and NT-3. The relationships among the clinical data the age of mTLE onset, DR duration, number of previous AEDs, and average number of seizures per week and the expression of proteins involved in neuronal death, neuroinflammation and aberrant connection formation, as which are biological markers in the cerebral temporal cortex, are important factors in the progression and severity of mTLE-DR and support the intrinsic severity hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on measurements of critical current densities J c and flux creep rates S of freestanding Ca(Fe 1−x Co x) 2 As 2 (x ≈ 0.033) single crystals with T c ≈ 15.7 K by performing magnetization measurements. The magnetic field dependences of J c at low temperature display features related to strong pinning. In addition, we find that the system displays small flux creep rates. The characteristic glassy exponent, μ, and the pinning energy, U 0 , display exceptional high values for pristine crystals. We find that for magnetic fields between 0.3 T and 1 T, μ decreases from ≈ 2.8 to ≈ 2 and U 0 remains ≈ 300 K. Analysis of the pinning force indicates that the mechanism is similar to the observed in polycrystalline systems in which grain boundaries and random disorder produce the vortex pinning. Considering the large U 0 observed in the single crystal, we attempt to improve the pinning by adding random point disorder by 3 MeV proton irradiation with a fluence of 2 × 1016 proton/cm2. The results show that, unlike other iron-based superconductors, the superconducting fraction is sharply reduced by irradiation. This fact indicates that the superconductivity in the system is extremely fragile to an increment in the disorder. The superconducting volume fraction in the irradiated crystal systematically recovers after removal disorder by thermal annealing, which evidences as to the observation of critical state in curves of magnetization versus magnetic field. No features related to a reentrant antiferromagnetic transition are observed for the irradiated sample. • The vortex dynamics is analyzed in Co-doped CaFe 2 As 2 single crystals. • The magnetic field dependences of the critical currents correspond to strong vortex pinning. • The system displays low flux creep rates due to high vortex pinning energies. • The superconductor volume is sharply reduced by proton irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the damage produced by 2MeV proton radiation on epitaxially grown InGaP/GaAs structure by means of spatially resolved Raman and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The irradiation was performed parallel to the sample surface in order to determine the proton penetration range in both compounds. An increase in the intensity of longitudinal optical phonons and a decrease in the luminescence were observed. We associate these changes with the creation of defects in the damaged region, also responsible for the observed change of the carrier concentration in the GaAs layer, determined by the shift of the phonon-plasmon coupled mode frequency. From the spatially resolved profile of the PL and phonon intensities, we obtained the proton range in both materials and we compared them with stopping and range of ions in matter simulations. The comparison between the experimentally obtained proton range and simulations shows a very good agreement for GaAs but a discrepancy of 20% for InGaP. This discrepancy can be explained in terms of limitations of the model to simulate the electronic orbitals and bonding structure of the simulated compound. In order to overcome this limitation, we propose an increase in 40% in the electronic stopping power for InGaP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we study, from the numerical point of view, a thermoelastic problem involving a microstretch plate. The variational problem is written as a linear system composed of parabolic equations written in terms of the velocity field, the microrotations speed, the microstretch speed and the temperature. Then, a fully discrete approximation is introduced by using the finite element method and an Euler scheme. A priori error estimates are proved and the linear convergence of the algorithm is shown. Finally, some numerical simulations are presented to demonstrate the accuracy of the approximations and the behavior of the solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • We analyze the effect of the disorder on the T c of γ-Mo 2 N thin films. • The T c in the films depends on the nanoscale disorder and of the nitrogen stoichiometry. • The T c in extremely disordered γ-Mo 2 N thin films is not affected by irradiation damage. Abstract We report on the influence of the disorder and stoichiometry in the resulting superconducting critical temperature of γ-Mo 2 N thin films. Initially, three films (with T c values of 7.6 K, 6.8 K and 6 K) were grown at room temperature by reactive sputtering, on Si (1 0 0) using different N 2 /(Ar+N 2) mixtures. The influence of the thermal annealing up to 973 K and irradiation damage produced by 1 MeV Zr+(fluence up 2 × 1014 cm−2) is analyzed. The T c of pristine films remains unchanged for increasing irradiation doses up 2 × 1014 cm−2. The T c for annealed films decreases close to the value expected for bulk samples (≈5 K) for increasing the annealing temperature. Successive irradiations of the annealed films tend to increase their T c up to its initial values (before annealing). The results indicate that the T c in nanometric grain size γ-Mo 2 N thin films is affected by both nitrogen stoichiometry and disorder at the atomic scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Aging process is associated with several physiologic changes that may affect the water balance, influencing the water input (thirst) and water output (urine, stool, sweat, and insensible respiration and perspiration). Some studies claim that 1% of hospitalized elderly suffer dehydration. This diagnosis is associated with increased morbidity-mortality (40-70%). Objective: To describe the determinants of fluid intake in the elderly. Urine osmolality will also be measured. Method: Descriptive, transversal and observational study. Sample: people aged = 65 years from Toledo. Exclusion criteria: enteral-parenteral nutrition, pathology with water restriction, current acute process, terminal illness and severe dementia. Sampling: recruitment of convenience. Variables (Ad hoc questionnaire): sociodemographic, clinical (drugs, water intake volume, nutritional habits, symptoms and related factors), density and urine pH. Statistical analysis: SPSS 22. Pilot study was conducted to verify the relevance of the questionnaire. Results: Pilot study: Sixteen adults. 43.8% women, aged 77±7.46. Urine density=1,029.38±6.80, pH=6.03±0.53. Drugs: 12.5% don't take, 25% take 1-3, 62.5% take =4.75% take IECAS and 31.25% take diuretics. Water intake: 12.5%: 6-8 glasses, 37.5%: 8-12 glasses and 50%: =12 glasses. Intake of fruits and vegetables: 50% =3 times daily and 12.5% don't take daily. Causes of decreased fluid intake: 44.44% decrease in thirst, 22.22% quickly sated and 11.11% doesn't like water. Consequences: 28.95% xerostomia, 13.16% dizziness/ hypotension-weakness, 13.16% constipation, 15.79% less urine and 10.53% urinary infection. Conclusions: Elderly don't have a good habit of hydration. It's important to prevent dehydration to minimize the effects on their health. More measures should be included in Health Programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the superconducting properties of nanocrystalline molybdenum nitride thin films grown by reactive DC sputtering at room temperature with a N 2 :Ar mixture. Thin films grown using 5% N 2 concentration display T c  = 8 K, which is gradually reduced to 5.8 K for 30% N 2 concentration, producing changes in nitrogen stoichiometry of the samples from Mo 2 N to Mo 2 N 1+x (0 ≤ x < 0.4). The T c is abruptly reduced and disappears for N 2 concentration between 30% and 40%, which can be attributed to an increment in the disorder due to phase coexistence between cubic γ-Mo 2 N and non-superconducting amorphous MoN (dominant for N 2 concentration >40%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this note we correct previous evidence, according to which a structure, found in double-differential electron distributions induced by ion beam-foil interaction, could be interpreted in terms of Bragg diffraction. We now attribute this structure to a distortion of the electric field of our spectrometer and present distributions taken with a new equipment in which this distortion is eliminated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method based on the refinement of atomic and experimental parameters developed for the description of PIXE spectra is presented and applied to standardless semi-quantitative PIXE analysis. This method was implemented in the sofware PAMPA (Parameter Assessment Method for PIXE Analysis) and consists in minimizing the quadratic differences between an experimental spectrum and an analytical function proposed to describe it. The first results of PAMPA are presented for the quantification of synthetic and mineral, thin and bulk samples, and they are compared with the results obtained with a commercial software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structured hybrid materials based on the combination adsorbent-photocatalyst with optimal mechanical resistance and reduced cost, are prepared by extrusion using four different natural silicates with similar mesoporous distribution: sepiolite (S), bentonite (B), mordenite (M) and kaolinite (K). The effect of the textural, morphological and structural properties of plate shaped composites calcined at different temperatures on the adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of formaldehyde in gas phase is analyzed. Silicates allows TiO 2 extrusion into flat plates with a content of 50 wt% of titania. All shaped materials present adequate mechanical resistance to be scaled-up for use in continuous-flow gas-phase catalytic reactors. Thermal treatment at 500 °C ensures an optimum combination of mechanical, textural and HCHO adsorption properties. The silicates cover part of the TiO 2 particles thus reducing the fraction of TiO 2 actually exposed on the surface of the composites, essential to carried out the photocatalytic process, but they also allow controlling TiO 2 dispersion and the amount of HCHO adsorbed. The HCHO degradation rate is enhanced with all the silicate-TiO 2 composites with respect to that of the benchmark TiO 2 . The incorporation of titania into the silicate matrix favors the gas phase removal of HCHO in the following sequence: MTi > KTi > STi > BTi > TiO 2 . The exposed fraction of titania particles and the size of the TiO 2 -anatase crystalline domains determine the efficiency of the hybrid material, which is optimized in high-aluminum kaolinite and mordenite based hybrids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Preparation of highly photoactive materials based on titania on polymeric surfaces. • Roll-coating technique is an easily scale-up method for deposition of coatings. • Robust and stable photoactive composites with self-cleaning properties. • In-situ measurements allow the analysis of superhydrophilic properties. • Correlation between the removal of pollutants in gas phase and self-cleaning ability. In this work we have studied the photocatalytic and self-cleaning properties of TiO 2 layers immobilized on polymeric panels, as passive elements for air treatment. In order to achieve easy scale-up technologies for the preparation of coatings, roller-coating technique was selected, comparing the results with those prepared by dip-coating. Composites were characterized by SAXRD, UV–Vis DRS spectroscopy, profilometry, N 2 adsorption–desorption, SEM and AFM microscopy. The adherence of the coating was evaluated according the ASTM D3359 standard adhesive tape test. The photocatalytic properties of the materials were evaluated by the photodegradation of trichloroethylene or formaldehyde, as model volatile organic compounds, in the gas phase. The hydrophilic-hydrophobic properties were measured by studying the in-situ variation of the water contact angle with time and UV-A irradiation. Moreover, the self-cleaning properties were analyzed according to ISO 27448:2009 for oleic acid removal. Although coatings of approximately ca. 250 nm layer thickness can be prepared by both techniques, roller-coating allows the material deposition with a coral-like structure in a single and simple step. Surface roughness was promoted by roller process. The developed materials present high photocatalytic performance for the elimination of both model pollutants in the gas phase. Aging tests under outdoor conditions and Scotch tape test show the stability and resistance of the coatings. In-situ irradiation measurements show the superhydrophilic character of the coatings. Water contact angle lower than 10 ° after 300 min of UV-A irradiation was achieved for oleic acid removal. The combination of TiO 2 nanoparticles with different crystal structures and sizes improves the photocatalytic performance. A correlation between the ability for pollutants degradation in gas phase and the self-cleaning properties (in-situ or oleic acid measurements) was determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficiency of a silicon drift detector with ultrathin window was studied for energies between 0.27 and 25 keV. Experimental values of the X-ray yields from samples of known stoichiometry were obtained by impact of 2 MeV protons. By using theoretical calculations of these yields the relative efficiency of the detector was evaluated. The results are compared with efficiency values obtained from the window transmission and the detector quantum efficiency. A quantitative analysis of a particle induced X-ray emission spectrum for a reference sample was performed in order to evaluate the consistency of the data presented in this work. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]