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This study aimed to develop multi-residue methods for the extraction of organic pollutants in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), including 11 pharmaceuticals, 5 pesticides, 5 perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and 2 illicit drugs. The combination of 4 different QuEChERS methods and 12 clean-ups (a total of 44 combinations) was tested. QuEChERS included acidified (AQ), non-acidified (SQ) and their miniaturized versions. The clean-ups included 6 different conventional dispersive solid phase extraction (dSPE) plus 2 enhanced matrix removal (EMR-Lipid) and 4 SPE procedures (including sorbents focused on phospholipid removal and polymer-based). After sample analysis via HPLC-MS/MS, the three methods that provided the best results were validated in terms of linearity, accuracy, precision, sensitivity and matrix effect. The methods selected were the combination of (i) SQ and EMR-Lipid, (ii) AQ and Z-sep+ bulk-based dSPE and (iii) AQ and graphitized carbon black (GCB)-based dSPE. Recoveries at two concentration levels (50 and 500 ng/g) ranged 54–124%, 59–124% and 60–127%, respectively, and limits of quantification (LOQs) were, The research that led to these results received funding from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) through the project WETANDPAC (RTI2018-097158-B-C31) and from the Generalitat Valenciana through the project ANTROPOCEN@ (PROMETEO/2018/155). R. Álvarez-Ruiz acknowledges the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and the ERDF for his FPI grant BES-2016-078612.

Two solid-phase extraction methods were systematically studied to determine 32 pharmaceuticals and personal care products in water and sediments by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. One involves HLB cartridges activated with sodium dodecyl sulfate before the passage of the sample to form an ion pair with cationic analytes, and the other uses mixed HLB–cation exchange cartridges. The accuracy of the sodium dodecyl sulfate method was good for most compounds (recoveries of 61–120% with relative standard deviation less than 23%). However, the recoveries for atorvastatin, codeine, paracetamol, flufenamic acid, and salicylic acid were approximately 50% and for omeprazole and triclocarban were even lower (from 0 to 12%). The detection limits were 1.65–25 ng L-1 in water and 0.33–4.00 ng g-1 (dry weight) in sediment. The recoveries for the mixed-mode cartridge (Strata-X-CW) method ranged from 57% to 120% with relative standard deviation less than 21%, with the exception of codeine [25% (water)], metformin [11% (sediment)], paracetamol [48% (sediment)], and salicylic acid [32% (sediment)]. The detection limits were 1.65–38.35 ng L-1 in water and 0.33–10 ng g-1 (dry weight) in sediment. Both methods followed the same pattern when applied to water. For sediments, the recoveries, which offer good performance, were not very high, although 60% of the compounds had recoveries greater 80%. The methods were applied to the analysis of surface water and sediments from the Albufera Natural Park (Spain). Twenty-seven of 32 analytes were detected in the samples analyzed., The research that led to these results received funding from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and the European Regional Development Fund through the project WETANDPAC (RTI2018-097158-B-C31) and from the Generalitat Valenciana through the project ANTROPOCEN@ (PROMETEO/2018/155). Daniele Sadutto acknowledges the Generalitat Valenciana for his Santiago Grisolia grant: “GRISOLIAP/ 2018/102, Ref CPI-18-118.”.

There is limited evidence on the efficacy and safety of anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)-/anti-programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)-based immunotherapy in the elderly, particularly those aged over 75 years. The clinical response and toxicity profile of anti-PD-1-/anti-PD-L1-based immunotherapy in patients aged over 75 years were assessed in this retrospective observational study conducted in the Medical Oncology Service of a tertiary level hospital. The associations among clinical responses, adverse events, and geriatric syndromes were evaluated. In total, 20 patients aged between 75 and 94 years were evaluated. Pembrolizumab and nivolumab were the most commonly used drugs. A clinical benefit (stable disease, partial response or complete response) was documented in 13 patients (65%). This proportion was 80% in patients aged between 75 and 79 years, and 50% in those aged over 79 years (p = 0.236). The adverse events were similar to those reported in younger patients. At least one clinical adverse event (cAE) and one laboratory adverse event (lAE) was reported in 75% and 55% of patients, respectively. Polypharmacy was observed for all patients and multi-morbidity in 95%. Patients without gait disorders showed more responses to immunotherapy. The number of lAEs was significantly associated with the number of commonly prescribed drugs (slope = 0.218, p = 0.010), the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score, and the number of cAEs. The elderly can obtain benefits from anti-PD-1-/anti-PD-L1-based immunotherapy. The toxicity profile was similar to that reported in younger counterparts.

Nowadays, there is no doubt about the suitability and efficiency of structural optimization techniques and the improvement achieved in the design process when they are applied. However, if we look to the product design process, do we really believe that it is an unbeatable improvement? Current structural optimization methods (based on metrics such as stress, mass or compliance) have reached a high level of development, but their integration with other factors as manufacturing processes is still at an early stage of development. In many cases, those designs suggested applying only structural optimization are found to be difficult and/or expensive to manufacture. This situation is further accentuated in the case of cutting processes, where it is well-known that structural optimization significantly affects to the cutting time and commonly produces manufacturing overcost. In this sense, this paper tries to fill the gap between structural optimization and manufacturing-based design applied to the case of cutting processes. For this purpose, the authors propose a methodology that allows including those parameters that affect to the cutting time within structural optimization phase. Additionally, to obtain a fair conclusion about its performance the method is applied to a real industrial component manufactured by a cutting process as it is the Abrasive Waterjet Cutting (AWJ).

A total of 74 samples of soil, sediment, industrial sludge, and surface water were collected in a Mediterranean estuarine system in order to assess the potential ecological impact of elevated concentrations of Co and Mn associated with a Terephthalic (PTA) and Isophthalic (PIPA) acids production plant. Samples were analyzed for elemental composition (37 elements), pH, redox potential, organic carbon, and CaCO3 content, and a group of 16 selected samples were additionally subjected to a Tessier sequential extraction. Co and Mn soil concentrations were significantly higher inside the industrial facility and around its perimeter than in background samples, and maximum dissolved Co and Mn concentrations were found in a creek near the plant's discharge point, reaching values 17,700 and 156 times higher than their respective background concentrations. The ecological risk was evaluated as a function of Co and Mn fractionation and bioavailability which were controlled by the environmental conditions generated by the advance of seawater into the estuarine system during high tide. Co appeared to precipitate near the river mouth due to the pH increase produced by the influence of seawater intrusion, reaching hazardous concentrations in sediments. In terms of their bioavailability and the corresponding risk assessment code, both Co and Mn present sediment concentrations that result in medium to high ecological risk whereas water concentrations of both elements reach values that more than double their corresponding Secondary Acute Values.

Butterfly valves are a mechanical component used to regulate flow and pressure on a variety of tanks and pipeline systems. The design of this flow-control device needs to consider its structural performance as well as the flow of the fluid. In this sense, simulation and optimization tools play an important role in a butterfly valve successful development. This paper presents a global optimization of the disc of a butterfly valve by the combination of topology and shape optimization techniques. Topology optimization is employed during concept design stage to evaluate the best material distribution from a structural performance point of view. Then, based on the topology optimization results, a shape optimization, managed by Genetic Algorithms (GAs), is conducted considering structural and fluid dynamics at the same time. The results demonstrate the suitability of the proposed approach to obtain a light butterfly valve disc which satisfies the structural safety and the flow requirements. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Flooded mines are a groundwater reservoir that can be used geothermally. Modelling such a reservoir can be complicated because it is necessary to simultaneously solve the equations of flow and heat transport within the mine voids and the surrounding medium, whose hydraulic parameters may have been affected by mining. We present a numerical model developed for the reservoir formed by the Barredo and Figaredo shafts in the Central Coal Basin of Asturias (Spain), using FEFLOW software. Both 2- and 3-D versions of the model were used to simulate the flooding of the mine. They were calibrated by comparing the results with actual water levels measured during flooding. The hydrogeological and thermal characteristics of the reservoir were adjusted to predict the long-term temperature of the water under different scenarios of water extraction and injection.

We present a new tool, Kampal (http://kampal.unizar.es), developed to help to analyze the academic productivity of a research institution from the point of view of Complex Networks. We will focus on two main aspects: paper production and funding by research grants. Thus, we define a network of researchers and define suitable ways of describing their interaction, either by co-publication, project-collaboration, or a combination of both. From the corresponding complex networks, we extract maps which encode in graphical terms the relevant information and numerical parameters which encode the topological properties of the network. Thousands of these maps have been created and allow us to study the similarities and differences of the co-publications and the project-collaboration networks.

Mercury is of particular concern amongst global environmental pollutants, with abundant contaminated sites worldwide, many of which are associated with mining activities. Asturias (Northwest of Spain) can be considered an Hg metallogenic province with abundant epithermal-type deposits, whose paragenetic sequences include also As-rich minerals. These mines were abandoned long before the introduction of any environmental regulations to control metal release from these sources. Consequently, the environment is globally affected, as high metal concentrations have been found in soils, waters, sediments, plants, and air. In this paper, a characterization of the environmental affection caused by Hg mining in nine Asturian mine sites is presented, with particular emphasis in Hg and As contents. Hg concentrations found in the studied milieu are similar and even higher than those reported in previous studies for other mercury mining districts (mainly Almadén and Idrija). Furthermore, the potential adverse health effects of exposure to these elements in the considered sites in this district have been assessed.

The Asturian Central Coal Basin (NW Spain) is generally characterized by moderately porous and permeable rocks, such as sandstone, limestone, and shale. Groundwater mostly flows through open fractures, voids, and decompression zones associated with coal mining. Exploitation of water resources in former coal mines could contribute to the economic well-being of communities affected by closure. The potential value of mine water associated with the flooded Barredo and Figaredo mine shafts near the town of Mieres was studied. This reservoir could supply water for 60,000 people; this could possibly be doubled by co-managing the river flow and underground resources. We studied the potential recovery of energy from the thermal value of this mine water (using water-to-water heat pumps). Two district heating systems are proposed: a low-temperature network (35 °C) for domestic heating and a very-low temperature network (20 °C) for large users, such as shopping centres, that need both heating and cooling. Return flow to the reservoir can generate electricity by means of micro-turbines. Preliminary estimates of profitability appear favourable, along with a sizable reduction in CO2 emissions compared to natural gas heating. Extrapolation of these results to other mine water reservoirs in Central Asturias implies a potential of 40 million m3 per year for water supply, and an energy supply capacity close to 260,000 thermal MWh per year.

The Carboniferous Coal Basin (CCB) in NW Spain has been extensively mined for a long time. At present, abandoned and flooded mines constitute “mining reservoirs” which act as storage facilities containing mine water susceptible to being exploited as a geothermal resource to supply heating and cooling using heat pumps. The development of numerical models capable of predicting the geothermal behaviour of the reservoir after a certain number of years of use can be useful and applicable to this and other sedimentary mining basins. A procedure for predicting in situ thermal conductivity (k) profiles using lithological and mineralogical information for modelling purposes was applied to a mining reservoir in the CCB. First, all the involved geological units were sampled in unaltered outcrops, assuming that weathering have not significantly biased thermal properties. The matrix thermal conductivity of each sample was estimated from the thermal conductivities of the respective mineralogical components, whose proportion were determined by optical microscopy. A final k was acquired considering the effects of porosity, temperature and mineralogical composition of the rock matrix and assuming water as the pore-filling fluid. Finally, the obtained parameters were extended to the deep geological profile, affected by the mining works. Values ranging from 1.42 W m−1 K−1 (lutite) to 4.89 W m−1 K−1 (sublitarenite) were found in the studied reservoir (average of 2.86 W m−1 K−1).

In spite of their great ecological, economic and social importance, wetlands of all the continents present common problems of insularity, increased by fragmentation due to human action. Between the types of wetlands, some of the more widespread are the wet heathlands that, in the case of Europe, are dominated by Erica ciliaris and Erica tetralix. In this paper, we analysed the species composition of Erica ciliaris and Erica tetralix communities and their relationship to the patch area, as well as the effect of different environmental factors and management. We obtained data of altitude, water-logging degree, area and perimeter, and management type of 30 different sites. Species distribution and species abundance were calculated and the endemic and protected species were identified. We found that the species richness of these communities is related to the distance to the nearest patch and not related to its total area or shape and neither were the number and abundance of the specialist and generalist species, which could be due to the “extinction debt”. We also found that the species composition is influenced by both the degree of water-logging and the management of the site, as cutting prevents these communities from advancing to the woodland stage. These two parameters are therefore of great importance for the conservation of wet heathlands.

In this work, molecular thin films prepared with the cyano(phthalocyaninate)iron(III) [PcFeCN] n macrocycle axially modified with the 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone ligand were studied. The films were formed by using electrodeposition and evaporation techniques onto Si(001) and 7059 Corning glass substrates in order to investigate the influence of the substrate and the preparation method on the morphological and conductive properties of the films. In this study, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques were employed. From AFM measurements, it was found that the evaporated films exhibited a more regular distribution with low roughness values in contrast with the electrodeposited films. The electrical conductivity results for the evaporated films exhibited semiconductor behaviours with conductivity values at room-temperature of 10−6 Ω−1cm−1. Better conductivity results were obtained for films onto glass substrates.

In this work, we analysed the core and symbiotic genes of rhizobial strains isolated from Vicia sativa in three soils from the Northwest of Spain, and compared them with other Vicia endosymbionts isolated in other geographical locations. The analysis of rrs, recA and atpD genes and 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer showed that the Spanish strains nodulating V. sativa are phylogenetically close to those isolated from V. sativa and V. faba in different European, American and Asian countries forming a group related to Rhizobium leguminosarum. The analysis of the nodC gene of strains nodulating V. sativa and V. faba in different continents showed they belong to a phylogenetically compact group indicating that these legumes are restrictive hosts. The results of the nodC gene analysis allow the delineation of the biovar viciae showing a common phylogenetic origin of V. sativa and V. faba endosymbionts in several continents. Since these two legume species are indigenous from Europe, our results suggest a world distribution of strains from R. leguminosarum together with the V. sativa and V. faba seeds and a close coevolution among chromosome, symbiotic genes and legume host in this Rhizobium-Vicia symbiosis.

We discuss the three-body decay mechanisms of many-body resonances. R-matrix sequential description is compared with full Faddeev computation. The role of the angular momentum and boson symmetries is also studied. As an illustration we show the computed $\alpha$-particle energy distribution after the decay of 12C(1^+) resonance at 12.7 MeV., Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures. Proceedings of the workshop "Critical Stability of Few-Body Quantum Systems" 2008

The Cu–Co–Ni Texeo mine has been the most important source of Cu in NW Spain since Roman times and now, approximately 40,000 m3 of wastes from mine and metallurgical operations, containing average concentrations of 9,263 mg kg−1 Cu, 1,100 mg kg−1 As, 549 mg kg−1 Co, and 840 mg kg−1 Ni, remain on-site. Since the cessation of the activity, the abandoned works, facilities and waste piles have been posing a threat to the environment, derived from the release of toxic elements. In order to assess the potential environmental pollution caused by the mining operations, a sequential sampling strategy was undertaken in wastes, soil, surface and groundwater, and sediments. First, screening field tools were used to identify hotspots, before defining formal sampling strategies; so, in the areas where anomalies were detected in a first sampling stage, a second detailed sampling campaign was undertaken. Metal concentrations in the soils are highly above the local background, reaching up to 9,921 mg kg−1 Cu, 1,373 mg kg−1 As, 685 mg kg−1 Co, and 1,040 mg kg−1 Ni, among others. Copper concentrations downstream of the mine works reach values up to 1,869 μg l−1 and 240 mg kg−1 in surface water and stream sediments, respectively. Computer-based risk assessment for the site gives a carcinogenic risk associated with the presence of As in surface waters and soils, and a health risk for long exposures; so, trigger levels of these elements are high enough to warrant further investigation.

Experimental studies on the retention of metals (Cu, Co, Ni, and Zn) in bentonite samples from the Grau Region (Northern Peru) have been accomplished using monometallic, bimetallic, trimetallic, and tetrametallic solutions. Parameters such as pH and concentration of dissolved metals and organic compounds have been evaluated by means of batch adsorption experiments. Adsorption rates indicate the suitability of these bentonites in the environmental industry for heavy metals retention purposes. In addition to its quality as physical barrier to avoid the dispersion through the environment of polluted leachates, bentonite, due to its high cation exchange capacity, can act also as a chemical barrier, protecting the quality of surface and groundwater systems, while limiting the migration of heavy metals in solid residues or sludge stocked in security landfills. Adsorption rates of tested bentonites were proved to decrease when concentrations of both metal and organic compounds, as well as the number of ionic species, increase in solution; additionally, lower metal removal rates from solution were obtained when extremely acidic conditions were achieved.

Mercury concentrations are usually significant in historic Hg mining districts all over the world, so the atmospheric environment is potentially affected. In Asturias, northern Spain, past mining operations have left a legacy of ruins and Hg-rich wastes, soils and sediments in abandoned sites. Total Hg concentrations in the ambient air of these abandoned mine sites have been investigated to evaluate the impact of the Hg emissions. This paper presents the synthesis of current knowledge about atmospheric Hg contents in the area of the abandoned Hg mining and smelting works at 'La Peña-El Terronal' and La Soterraña, located in Mieres and Pola de Lena districts, respectively, both within the Caudal River basin. It was found that average atmospheric Hg concentrations are higher than the background level in the area (0.1 microg Nm(-3)), reaching up to 203.7 microg Nm(-3) at 0.2 m above the ground level, close to the old smelting chimney at El Terronal mine site. Data suggest that past Hg mining activities have big influences on the increased Hg concentrations around abandoned sites and that atmospheric transfer is a major pathway for Hg cycling in these environments.

A water reservoir constructed for production of hydraulic energy and drinking water in the Riano valley (Leon, northern Spain) receives leachates from polluted soils and spoil heaps from a site where small-scale As mining and smelting operations have been developed in the first half of the twentieth century. Water of the upper catchments of the Esla, Yuso and Orza Rivers is stored in this reservoir. The location of these abandoned mine works within the reservoir drainage basin suggested that the stored water could contain high As concentrations. In order to evaluate possible environmental risks, a preliminary soil and surface water geochemical survey has been carried out downstream of the Santa Agueda Mine. Total As concentrations in soils reach 23,800 mg kg−1 in soils and increase with depth, at least up to a depth of 80 cm. Total As concentrations in surface waters reach 890 μg l−1. Despite the fact that there is an important As input to the water reservoir, the water flow from the mine catchment is a negligible contribution when compared with the total volume of water inside the dam (0.07%). This fact considerably decreases the environmental risk associated with the presence of untreated spoil heaps containing As-rich minerals at Santa Agueda mine site.

6 pages, 1 table, 4 figures.-- PACS nrs.: 21.60.Jz; 23.40.Hc; 26.30.+k.-- Printed version published May, 2005.-- ArXiv pre-print available at: http://arxiv.org/abs/nucl-th/0503079v1, We give results of microscopic calculations for the half-lives of various proton-rich nuclei in the mass region A = 60-90, which are involved in the astrophysical rp-process, and which are needed as input parameters of numerical simulations in Nuclear Astrophysics. The microscopic formalism consists of a deformed QRPA approach that involves a self-consistent quasiparticle deformed Skyrme Hartree-Fock basis and residual spin-isospin separable forces in both the particle-hole and particle-particle channels. The strength of the particle-hole residual interaction is chosen to be consistent with the Skyrme effective force and mean-field basis, while that of the particle-particle is globally fixed to  = 0:07 MeV after a judicious choice from comparison to experimental half-lives. We study and discuss the sensitivity of the half-lives to deformation and residual interactions., This work was supported by the Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (Spain) under contract No. BFM2002-03562. One of us (R.Á-R.) thanks the Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (Spain) for financial support.

Two species have traditionally been considered within the genus Laurus: L. nobilis L. and L. azorica (Seub.) Franco. The first is characterized by the presence of glabrous twig leaves and is located in the Mediterranean region. It can be found as cultivated or naturalized, and has been reported in Spain, France, Italy and Greece. L. azorica is characterized by the presence of densely tomentose to hirsute twig leaves and has been described in the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands. We have found that some natural populations of Laurus in Northern Spain, which are considered to belong to L. nobilis, have hirsute young buds, with wide variation in hair number and density, in contradiction with taxonomical descriptions reported for this species. In order to evaluate the genetic similarity between these Laurus populations and the two reported species, we have analyzed 14 populations of L. nobilis and L. azorica from different geographical areas, including the Iberian peninsula, the Canary and Madeira Islands, France and Italy, using amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs). UPGMA clustering and principal component analysis (PCA) of the AFLP data revealed a low genetic similarity between the Iberian populations, including populations from Northern Spain, and the rest of the populations analyzed from France and Italy. Moreover, laurel accessions from the Iberian peninsula showed higher genetic similarity to those from the Canary Islands and Madeira, originally identified as L. azorica, than to samples from populations along the Mediterranean area, morphologically classified as L. nobilis.

Gestational trophoblastic disease consists of a pathological spectrum of entities from molar pregnancies, which are premalignant conditions, to malignant invasive choriocarcinoma. Serum Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels are essential both in the diagnosis and in the follow-up. There are high rates of complete responses and long-term survivors, because of the excellent chemosensitivity of these tumours. After initial management, an increased level of Beta-hCG indicates persistent disease. However, in the absence of evidence of persistent disease, false-positive Beta-hCG values may be considered. We present here the case of a woman with a metastatic choriocarcinoma in complete response after chemotherapy, who developed later persistent false-positive values of Beta-hCG in the follow-up. Causes of false-positive Beta-hCG determinations are revised.