Study of GaAs(Ti) thin films as candidates for IB solar cells manufacturing

Thin films of GaAs(Ti) have been deposited by sputtering on glass and n_GaAs substrates under different process conditions. Optical characteristics of these samples have been analyzed to study the potential of this material in intermediate Band solar cell manufacturin

Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Polyvinyl Chloride Plasticized with Natural Fatty Acid Esters

From an industrial point of view, the use of new nontoxic and biodegradable plasticizers coming from natural resources is an interesting alternative to traditional plasticizers based on phthalates. In this study, two types of epoxidized fatty acids esters (EFAE) with different molecular weights have been used in order to produce flexible PVC with low toxicity. Different amounts of EFAE 201 and 401 have been considered in this study. Mechanical and thermal properties have been determined and morphology of fracture surface has been studied by scanning electron microscopy.This work was supported by the "Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion" [Grant number IPT-310000-2010-37] and the "Universitat Politecnica de Valencia" [Grant number PAID 06-10 Ref: 003-300].Fenollar Gimeno, OÁ.; García Sanoguera, D.; Sánchez Nacher, L.; Boronat Vitoria, T.; López Martínez, J.; Balart Gimeno, RA. (2013). Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Polyvinyl Chloride Plasticized with Natural Fatty Acid Esters. Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering. 52(8):761-767. https://doi.org/10.1080/03602559.2013.763352S761767528Zhao, R., Neighbour, G., Deutz, P., & McGuire, M. (2012). Materials selection for cleaner production: An environmental evaluation approach. Materials & Design, 37, 429-434. doi:10.1016/j.matdes.2012.01.014Biedermann-Brem, S., Biedermann, M., Fiselier, K., & Grob, K. (2005). Compositional GC-FID analysis of the additives to PVC, focusing on the gaskets of lids for glass jars. Food Additives and Contaminants, 22(12), 1274-1284. doi:10.1080/02652030500309426Braun, D. (2001). PVC ? origin, growth, and future. Journal of Vinyl and Additive Technology, 7(4), 168-176. doi:10.1002/vnl.10288Summers, J. W. (1997). A review of vinyl technology. Journal of Vinyl and Additive Technology, 3(2), 130-139. doi:10.1002/vnl.10179Islam, R., Islam, T., Nigar, F., Saha, S., Tapash, A., Sharmin, N., … Zaman, H. U. (2011). Fabrication and Mechanical Characterization of Jute Fabrics: Reinforced Polyvinyl Chloride/Polypropylene Hybrid Composites. International Journal of Polymeric Materials, 60(8), 576-590. doi:10.1080/00914037.2010.531822Khan, R. A., Sharmin, N., Khan, M. A., Das, A. K., Dey, K., Saha, S., … Saha, M. (2011). Comparative Studies of Mechanical and Interfacial Properties Between Jute Fiber/PVC and E-Glass Fiber/PVC Composites. Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering, 50(2), 153-159. doi:10.1080/03602559.2010.531422Hassan, A., Akbari, A., Hing, N. K., & Ratnam, C. T. (2012). Mechanical and Thermal Properties of ABS/PVC Composites: Effect of Particles Size and Surface Treatment of Ground Calcium Carbonate. Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering, 51(5), 473-479. doi:10.1080/03602559.2011.651242Zhu, G., Liu, Y., & Wang, F. (2012). Surface Morphology and Properties of Rigid Poly(γ-benzylL-glutamate) Membrane Modified by Flexible Poly(Vinyl Chloride). International Journal of Polymeric Materials, 61(10), 737-747. doi:10.1080/00914037.2011.610044KAWAMURA, Y., KANNO, S., MUTSUGA, M., & TANAMOTO, K. (2006). Determination of Epoxidized Soybean Oil in Bottled Foods. Journal of the Food Hygienic Society of Japan (Shokuhin Eiseigaku Zasshi), 47(6), 243-248. doi:10.3358/shokueishi.47.243Marcilla, A., Garcia, S., & Garcia-Quesada, J. C. (2008). Migrability of PVC plasticizers. Polymer Testing, 27(2), 221-233. doi:10.1016/j.polymertesting.2007.10.007Wang, Q., & Storm, B. K. (2005). Separation and analysis of low molecular weight plasticizers in poly(vinyl chloride) tubes. Polymer Testing, 24(3), 290-300. doi:10.1016/j.polymertesting.2004.12.002Llop, C., Manrique, A., Navarro, R., Mijangos, C., & Reinecke, H. (2011). Control of the migration behavior of slip agents in polyolefin-based films. Polymer Engineering & Science, 51(9), 1763-1769. doi:10.1002/pen.21963Pedersen, G. A., Jensen, L. K., Fankhauser, A., Biedermann, S., Petersen, J. H., & Fabech, B. (2008). Migration of epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO) and phthalates from twist closures into food and enforcement of the overall migration limit. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A, 25(4), 503-510. doi:10.1080/02652030701519088Jimenez, A., Lopez, J., Iannoni, A., & Kenny, J. M. (2001). Formulation and mechanical characterization of PVC plastisols based on low-toxicity additives. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 81(8), 1881-1890. doi:10.1002/app.1621Shea, K. M. (2003). Pediatric Exposure and Potential Toxicity of Phthalate Plasticizers. PEDIATRICS, 111(6), 1467-1474. doi:10.1542/peds.111.6.1467Boudhani, H., Lainé, C., Fulchiron, R., Bounor-Legaré, V., & Cassagnau, P. (2009). Viscoelasticity and mechanical properties of reactive PVC plastisols. Polymer Engineering & Science, 49(6), 1089-1098. doi:10.1002/pen.21356Wang, M. Y., Zhou, N. Q., & Wen, S. P. (2009). The Effect of Concentrations of Modifying Agent and Plasticizer on Cell Morphology of PVC Microcellular Foam. Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering, 48(3), 303-309. doi:10.1080/03602550802675678Yang, B., Bai, Y., & Cao, Y. (2010). Effects of inorganic nano-particles on plasticizers migration of flexible PVC. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 115(4), 2178-2182. doi:10.1002/app.31310Kilinç, S., İyim, T. B., Emik, S., & Özgümüş, S. (2005). Recycling of Waste PET: Usage as Secondary Plasticizer for PVC. Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering, 44(8-9), 1379-1388. doi:10.1080/03602550500208228Audic, J.-L., Reyx, D., & Brosse, J.-C. (2003). Migration of additives from food grade polyvinyl chloride (PVC) films: Effect of plasticization by polymeric modifiers instead of conventional plasticizers. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 89(5), 1291-1299. doi:10.1002/app.12240Fankhauser-Noti, A., Biedermann-Brem, S., & Grob, K. (2006). PVC plasticizers/additives migrating from the gaskets of metal closures into oily food: Swiss market survey June 2005. European Food Research and Technology, 223(4), 447-453. doi:10.1007/s00217-005-0223-7Sharma, V., & Kundu, P. P. (2008). Condensation polymers from natural oils. Progress in Polymer Science, 33(12), 1199-1215. doi:10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2008.07.004Benaniba, M. ., Belhaneche-Bensemra, N., & Gelbard, G. (2001). Stabilizing effect of epoxidized sunflower oil on the thermal degradation of poly(vinyl chloride). Polymer Degradation and Stability, 74(3), 501-505. doi:10.1016/s0141-3910(01)00170-7Atek, D., Belhaneche-Bensemra, N., & Turki, M. (2010). Migration of Epoxidized Sunflower Oil and Dioctyl Phthalate from Rigid and Plasticized Poly(vinyl chloride). International Journal of Polymeric Materials, 59(5), 342-352. doi:10.1080/00914030903478909Ghiou, N., & Benaniba, M. T. (2010). The Effect of Epoxidized Sunflower Oil on the Miscibility of Plasticized PVC/NBR Blends. International Journal of Polymeric Materials, 59(7), 463-474. doi:10.1080/00914031003627007Taghizadeh, M. T., Nalbandi, N., & Bahadori, A. (2008). Stabilizing effect of epoxidized sunflower oil as a secondary stabilizer for Ca/Hg stabilized PVC. Express Polymer Letters, 2(1), 65-76. doi:10.3144/expresspolymlett.2008.9Fenollar, O., Garcia-Sanoguera, D., Sanchez-Nacher, L., Lopez, J., & Balart, R. (2010). Effect of the epoxidized linseed oil concentration as natural plasticizer in vinyl plastisols. Journal of Materials Science, 45(16), 4406-4413. doi:10.1007/s10853-010-4520-6Galià, M., de Espinosa, L. M., Ronda, J. C., Lligadas, G., & Cádiz, V. (2010). Vegetable oil-based thermosetting polymers. European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology, 112(1), 87-96. doi:10.1002/ejlt.200900096Nandanan, V., Joseph, R., & Francis, D. J. (1996). Linseed Oil as a Multipurpose Ingredient in NBR Vulcanizate. Journal of Elastomers & Plastics, 28(4), 326-334. doi:10.1177/009524439602800404Fenollar, O., García, D., Sánchez, L., López, J., & Balart, R. (2009). Optimization of the curing conditions of PVC plastisols based on the use of an epoxidized fatty acid ester plasticizer. European Polymer Journal, 45(9), 2674-2684. doi:10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2009.05.029Fenollar, O., Sanchez-Nacher, L., Garcia-Sanoguera, D., López, J., & Balart, R. (2009). The effect of the curing time and temperature on final properties of flexible PVC with an epoxidized fatty acid ester as natural-based plasticizer. Journal of Materials Science, 44(14), 3702-3711. doi:10.1007/s10853-009-3495-7Crespo, J. E., Balart, R., Sanchez, L., & López, J. (2007). Substitution of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate by di(isononyl) cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate as a plasticizer for industrial vinyl plastisol formulations. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 104(2), 1215-1220. doi:10.1002/app.2576

Confined Pt11+ Water Clusters in a MOF Catalyze the Low‐Temperature Water–Gas Shift Reaction with both CO2 Oxygen Atoms Coming from Water

The synthesis and reactivity of single metal atoms in a low‐valence state bound to just water, rather than to organic ligands or surfaces, is a major experimental challenge. Herein, we show a gram‐scale wet synthesis of Pt11+ stabilized in a confined space by a crystallographically well‐defined first water sphere, and with a second coordination sphere linked to a metal–organic framework (MOF) through electrostatic and H‐bonding interactions. The role of the water cluster is not only isolating and stabilizing the Pt atoms, but also regulating the charge of the metal and the adsorption of reactants. This is shown for the low‐temperature water–gas shift reaction (WGSR: CO + H2O → CO2 + H2), where both metal coordinated and H‐bonded water molecules trigger a double water attack mechanism to CO and give CO2 with both oxygen atoms coming from water. The stabilized Pt1+ single sites allow performing the WGSR at temperatures as low as 50 °C.This work was supported by the MINECO (Spain) (Projects CTQ2016–75671–P, MAT2013 40823–R, MAT2016–81732–ERC, CTQ2017–86735–P, MAT2017–86992–R, MAT2017–82288–C2–1–P and Excellence Units “Severo Ochoa” and “Maria de Maeztu” SEV–2016–0683 and MDM–2015–0538) the Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEOII/2014/004) and the Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca (Italy) and the Junta de Andalucía (FQM–195). M. M. and M.–A. R. C. thanks the MINECO for a predoctoral contract. Thanks are also extended to the Ramón y Cajal Program (E. V. R.–F., E. P. and J.–C. H.–G.) and the “Subprograma atracció de talent–contractes postdoctorals de la Universitat de Valencia” (J. F.–S.). M. L.–H. acknowledges the financial support from the Juan de la Cierva Fellowships Program of MINECO (IJCI–2014–19367)

HIV/STI co-infection among men who have sex with men in Spain

In Spain, neither the HIV nor the STI national surveillance systems collect information on HIV/STI co-infection. However, there are two networks based on HIV/STI clinics which gather this data. We describe HIV prevalence in men who have sex with men (MSM) diagnosed with infectious syphilis and/or gonorrhoea in 15 STI clinics; and concurrent diagnoses of STI in MSM newly diagnosed with HIV in 19 HIV/STI clinics. In total, 572 MSM were diagnosed with infectious syphilis and 580 with gonorrhoea during 2005-2007. HIV prevalence among syphilis and gonorrhoea cases was 29.8% and 15.2% respectively. In the multivariate analysis, HIV/syphilis co-infection was associated with being Latin American; having a history of STI; reporting exclusively anal intercourse; and having sex with casual or several types of partners. HIV and gonorrhoea co-infection was associated with age older than 45 years; having no education or only primary education completed; and having a history of STI. In total, 1,462 HIV infections were newly diagnosed among MSM during 2003-2007. Of these, 31.0% were diagnosed with other STI at the same time. Factors associated with STI co-infection among new HIV cases in MSM were being Latin American; and having sex with casual partners or with both steady and casual partners. In Spain, a considerable proportion of MSM are co-infected with HIV and STI.This work was funded by two grants (36646/07; 36794/08) from the Foundation for Research and Prevention of AIDS in Spain (Fundación para la Investigación y la Prevención del SIDA en España–FIPSE).S

Systematic Collaborative Reanalysis of Genomic Data Improves Diagnostic Yield in Neurologic Rare Diseases

Altres ajuts: Generalitat de Catalunya, Departament de Salut; Generalitat de Catalunya, Departament d'Empresa i Coneixement i CERCA Program; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación; Instituto Nacional de Bioinformática; ELIXIR Implementation Studies (CNAG-CRG); Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Enfermedades Raras; Centro de Excelencia Severo Ochoa; European Regional Development Fund (FEDER).Many patients experiencing a rare disease remain undiagnosed even after genomic testing. Reanalysis of existing genomic data has shown to increase diagnostic yield, although there are few systematic and comprehensive reanalysis efforts that enable collaborative interpretation and future reinterpretation. The Undiagnosed Rare Disease Program of Catalonia project collated previously inconclusive good quality genomic data (panels, exomes, and genomes) and standardized phenotypic profiles from 323 families (543 individuals) with a neurologic rare disease. The data were reanalyzed systematically to identify relatedness, runs of homozygosity, consanguinity, single-nucleotide variants, insertions and deletions, and copy number variants. Data were shared and collaboratively interpreted within the consortium through a customized Genome-Phenome Analysis Platform, which also enables future data reinterpretation. Reanalysis of existing genomic data provided a diagnosis for 20.7% of the patients, including 1.8% diagnosed after the generation of additional genomic data to identify a second pathogenic heterozygous variant. Diagnostic rate was significantly higher for family-based exome/genome reanalysis compared with singleton panels. Most new diagnoses were attributable to recent gene-disease associations (50.8%), additional or improved bioinformatic analysis (19.7%), and standardized phenotyping data integrated within the Undiagnosed Rare Disease Program of Catalonia Genome-Phenome Analysis Platform functionalities (18%)

Seguimiento de las guías españolas para el manejo del asma por el médico de atención primaria: un estudio observacional ambispectivo

Objetivo Evaluar el grado de seguimiento de las recomendaciones de las versiones de la Guía española para el manejo del asma (GEMA 2009 y 2015) y su repercusión en el control de la enfermedad. Material y métodos Estudio observacional y ambispectivo realizado entre septiembre del 2015 y abril del 2016, en el que participaron 314 médicos de atención primaria y 2.864 pacientes. Resultados Utilizando datos retrospectivos, 81 de los 314 médicos (25, 8% [IC del 95%, 21, 3 a 30, 9]) comunicaron seguir las recomendaciones de la GEMA 2009. Al inicio del estudio, 88 de los 314 médicos (28, 0% [IC del 95%, 23, 4 a 33, 2]) seguían las recomendaciones de la GEMA 2015. El tener un asma mal controlada (OR 0, 19, IC del 95%, 0, 13 a 0, 28) y presentar un asma persistente grave al inicio del estudio (OR 0, 20, IC del 95%, 0, 12 a 0, 34) se asociaron negativamente con tener un asma bien controlada al final del seguimiento. Por el contrario, el seguimiento de las recomendaciones de la GEMA 2015 se asoció de manera positiva con una mayor posibilidad de que el paciente tuviera un asma bien controlada al final del periodo de seguimiento (OR 1, 70, IC del 95%, 1, 40 a 2, 06). Conclusiones El escaso seguimiento de las guías clínicas para el manejo del asma constituye un problema común entre los médicos de atención primaria. Un seguimiento de estas guías se asocia con un control mejor del asma. Existe la necesidad de actuaciones que puedan mejorar el seguimiento por parte de los médicos de atención primaria de las guías para el manejo del asma. Objective: To assess the degree of compliance with the recommendations of the 2009 and 2015 versions of the Spanish guidelines for managing asthma (Guía Española para el Manejo del Asma [GEMA]) and the effect of this compliance on controlling the disease. Material and methods: We conducted an observational ambispective study between September 2015 and April 2016 in which 314 primary care physicians and 2864 patients participated. Results: Using retrospective data, we found that 81 of the 314 physicians (25.8%; 95% CI 21.3–30.9) stated that they complied with the GEMA2009 recommendations. At the start of the study, 88 of the 314 physicians (28.0%; 95% CI 23.4–33.2) complied with the GEMA2015 recommendations. Poorly controlled asthma (OR, 0.19; 95% CI 0.13–0.28) and persistent severe asthma at the start of the study (OR, 0.20; 95% CI 0.12–0.34) were negatively associated with having well-controlled asthma by the end of the follow-up. In contrast, compliance with the GEMA2015 recommendations was positively associated with a greater likelihood that the patient would have well-controlled asthma by the end of the follow-up (OR, 1.70; 95% CI 1.40–2.06). Conclusions: Low compliance with the clinical guidelines for managing asthma is a common problem among primary care physicians. Compliance with these guidelines is associated with better asthma control. Actions need to be taken to improve primary care physician compliance with the asthma management guidelines