Environmental impacts of promoting new public transport systems in urban mobility: A case study

Urban mobility is highly dependent on private vehicles causing pollution, traffic congestion and traffic accidents. The tram has become one of the most relevant public transport modes in those cities which need to reduce the private vehicle dependency. However, the implementation of this kind of infrastructure must be done carefully to avoid unsuccessful route designs which make the system unfeasible to operate. With the aim of analysing the impact that a tram can cause in a city, an original methodology has been developed, which takes into account the effect of the new transport system implementation on three subimpacts: traffic, public bus and outskirts neighbourhoods. This methodology uses different data sources from urban traffic, environmental and energy systems. The methodology has been applied to the city of Zaragoza (Spain) with a current population of around 700, 000 inhabitants. The main results found were that tram line 1 saves 6% of the annual final energy consumption of urban mobility, urban traffic has decreased by 7.7% in the city as a whole and by 39.7% for streets close to the tramway

Is the future development of wind energy compromised by the availability of raw materials?

The installation of new electrical power plants from renewable sources is key in the transition towards a low-carbon economy. An important amount of diverse raw materials is required for this development. Due to its current prominence among renewable energy sources, we assess the expected development of wind energy towards the availability of the required raw materials up to 2050. Wind power is found to be in a favourable position, over solar thermal and photovoltaic power. Among the two main wind turbine technologies, the installation of direct drive turbines with permanent magnets faces a more challenging future. Recycling is an important strategy to simultaneously reduce risks and costs

A new approach for static NOx measurement in PTI

NOx emissions in vehicles are currently only controlled through the homologation process. There is a lack of knowledge to assess and control real NOx emissions of vehicles reliably. Even if vehicles in EU-27 are subject to Periodical Technical Inspection (PTI), NOx are not among the pollutants currently being controlled. For PTIs, tests need to be simple, quick, inexpensive, representative, and accurate. Ideally, tests need to be carried out under static conditions, without the need for a power bench or complex equipment. In this paper, a new approach for measuring NOx in PTI is proposed. The method has been developed and validated at a PTI Spanish station to ensure feasibility and repeatability. This method is based on the relationship between the “% engine load” value and exhaust NOx concentration at idle engine speed. Starting from the state of minimum possible power demand in a vehicle (idling and without any consumption), a load state with an average 98% increase in engine power demand is generated by connecting elements of the vehicle’s equipment. The relationship between power demand (through the “% engine load” value) and NOx concentration is then analyzed. The quality and representativity of this relationship have been checked with a p-value lower than 0.01. The method has been compared with a different NOx measurement technique, based on the simulation on a test bench and the ASM 2050 cycle, showing better performance in terms of repeatability and representativeness. The “% engine load” dispersion with the new approach is 7%, which ensures the reliability and repeatability of the method. The results show that the proposed method could be a valuable tool in PTI to detect high NOx emitting vehicles and to obtain information from the diesel vehicles fleet. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Bifosfonatos y fracturas femorales de baja energía: la experiencia en nuestro centro

Los bifosfonatos son fármacos de uso común para la prevención de fracturas osteoporóticas. En los últimos años ha sido relacionado su consumo prolongado con la aparición de fracturas de baja energía en fémur con un trazo característico transverso. Para evaluar esta relación hemos analizado las fracturas de fémur de baja energía atendidas en nuestro centro durante 2 años y relacionándolas con el consumo previo de bisfosfonatos. En fracturas subtrocantéras no se observan diferencias significativas; en diafisarias, las fracturas trazo transverso típico se presentan en pacientes de menor edad y significativamente asociados al consumo previo de bifosfonatos (6 de las 8 fracturas de este tipo pensaban historia de consumo prolongado de estos fármacos). Como conclusión, aunque se han publicado numerosos artículos en los últimos años con series de casos que relacionan este tipo de fracturas con el consumo previo de bifosfonatos, el tamaño muestral de los estudios y las dificultades de evaluar el consumo de un fármaco retrospectivamente hacen necesarios estudios aleatorizados y prospectivos para dejar evidencia de la posible relaciónBisphosphonates are commonly used drugs for the prevention of osteoporotic fractures. In recent years, consumption has long been linked with the emergence of low-energy fractures of the femur with a characteristic transverse line. To evaluate this relationship we have analyzed the femur fractures treated low energy in our center for 2 years and related to the prior use of bisphosphonates. In subtrochanteric fractures, no significant differences were found; in diaphyseal fractures are typically transverse line is present in younger patients and significantly associated with prior use of bisphosphonates (6 of 8 thought this type fractures history of prolonged use of these drugs). In conclusion, although there have been numerous articles in the last years series of cases this type of fracture associated with prior use of bisphosphonates, the sample size of studies and the difficulties of assessing a drug consumption retrospective studies are needed prospective randomized to leave evidence of the possible association

Ghrelin as a novel locally produced relaxing peptide of the iris sphincter and dilator muscles

Ghrelin is a recently described acylated peptide, which works as a somatosecretagogue and has described effects on the smooth, skeletal and cardiac muscle. We examined the production and effects of ghrelin on relaxation of the iris muscles. Contractile effects of 1-5 human ghrelin (frGhr, 10(-9)-6 x 10(-5)M) and 1-5 human des-octanoyl-ghrelin (d-frGhr; 10(-9)-6 x 10(-5)M) were tested on iris rabbit sphincter (n=11 frGhr; n=7 d-frGhr), dilator (n=6 frGhr; n=6 d-frGhr) and rat sphincter (n=6 frGhr; n=8 d-frGhr) precontracted muscles. On rabbit sphincter the effect of frGhr was also tested in presence of: i) L-NA (10(-5)M; n=7); ii) indomethacin (10(-5)M; n=7); iii) DLys(3)GHRP6 (10(-4)M; n=6); and iv) apamin+carybdotoxin (10(-6)M; n=6). Furthermore, on rabbit dilator the effect of frGhr was tested in presence of DLys(3)GHRP6 (10(-4)M; n=7). Finally, ghrelin mRNA production was assessed by "in situ" hybridization in Wistar rat eyes (n=8). In all muscles, frGhr promoted a concentration-dependent relaxation, maximal at 6 x 10(-5)M, 1.5-3 min after its addition, decreasing tension by 34.1+/-12.1%, 25.8+/-4.8% and 52.1+/-10.3% in the rabbit sphincter, dilator and rat sphincter, respectively. In the rabbit sphincter the relaxing effects of frGhr were: (i) enhanced in presence of DLys(3)GHRP6 (118.1+/-21.1%); (ii) blunted by indomethacin; and (iii) not altered by apamin+carybdotoxin (36.4+/-14.4%) or L-NA (52.4+/-11.4%). Relaxing effects of d-frGhr in rabbit (43.3+/-5.2%) and rat (77.1+/-15.3%) sphincter muscles were similar to those of frGhr. In rabbit dilator muscle, d-frGhr did not significantly alter active tension and the relaxing effect of frGhr was blunted by GHSR-1a blockage. Ghrelin mRNA was identified in iris posterior epithelium. In conclusion, ghrelin is a novel, locally produced, relaxing agent of iris dilator and sphincter muscles, an effect that is mediated by GHSR-1a in the former, but not in the latter. Furthermore, in the sphincter it seems to be mediated by prostaglandins, but not by NO or K(Ca) channels.Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (nr. POCI/SAU-FCF/60803/2004) through Cardiovascular R&D Unit (FCT nr. 51/94). Authors are sincerely grateful to RS. Moura (SFRH/BPD/15408/2005), Development Unit, Health and Life Sciences Institute, School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal for her excellent contribution in the in-situ hybridization techniques

Aphid species (Hemiptera: Aphididae) reported for the first time in Tucumán, Argentina

Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) are considered among the most important pests all around the world. The total number of aphid species recorded in Argentina between 2003 and 2013 has risen from 200 to 237, which demonstrates the continuous introduction and discovery of new species in the territory. Therefore, faunistic studies should be conducted without interruption in areas of interest. The aim of this study was to establish if there were aphid species in Tucuman Province, Argentina that had not been recorded previously in the province. Aphids were collected with modified Moericke yellow water pan traps in potato crops during 2 seasons in 3 regions of Tucumán. Seventeen species, among the 47 species identified, and the genus Illinoia represent new records for the Province.Los pulgones se incluyen entre las plagas más importantes del mundo entero. El número total de especies de áfidos registrados en Argentina entre 2003 y 2013 se incrementó de 200 hasta 237, lo que demuestra la permanente introducción y hallazgo de nuevas especies en el territorio. Por lo tanto, son necesarios constantes estudios faunísticos en las áreas de interés. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar si existían especies de áfidos en Tucumán, Argentina, que no habían sido citadas anteriormente en la provincia. Los pulgones se recolectaron con trampas amarillas de agua tipo Moericke durante dos temporadas de cultivo de papa, en tres regiones de Tucumán. Entre las 47 especies identificadas, 17 y el género Illinoia, representaron nuevas citas para la provincia.EEA MendozaFil: Avila, Ana Lucía. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tucumán. Instituto de Tecnología Agroindustrial del Noroeste Argentino; ArgentinaFil: Vera, M. Alejandro. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres; ArgentinaFil: Ortego, Jaime. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Ploper, Leonardo Daniel. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tucumán. Instituto de Tecnología Agroindustrial del Noroeste Argentino; ArgentinaFil: Conci, Vilma Cecilia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patología Vegetal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Role of fibroblast growth factor-23 in calcinosis in women with systemic sclerosis

Objective: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex disorder of unknown etiology. The purpose of this study was to evaluate fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) serum levels in women with SSc compared with healthy controls and to examine a possible association between FGF-23 serum levels with the presence of calcinosis in SSc patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in San Cecilio Hospital, Granada (Spain) from November 2017 to May 2019. Sixty-two women with SSc and 62 age and sex matched healthy controls were included in this study. FGF-23 serum concentration was evaluated by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: There was no significant difference in FGF-23 levels between SSc patients and healthy controls (78.2 ± 60.5 vs. 80.3 ± 56.3 pg/mL, p= 0.662). Regarding the characteristics of the disease, we found a relationship between the values of FGF-23 and the presence of calcinosis. The levels of FGF-23 are higher in patients suffering from calcinosis (p= 0.028). Conclusion: We observed the presence of higher levels of serum FGF-23 in SSc female patients with calcinosis. Therefore, FGF-23 could be a possible therapeutic target for future treatments

Endothelin-1 serum levels in women with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate serum Endothelin-1(ET-1) levels in female Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients compared with healthy controls, examine possible associations between ET-1 with different characteristic of the disease and investigate possible associations between ET-1 with surrogate markers of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in Vega-Baja Hospital, Orihuela (Spain) from November 2016 to May 2018. Sixty-three women with RA and sixty-five age and sex healthy controls were included in this study. Serum ET-1 was analyzed using ELISA. Results: Serum levels of ET-1 in RA female patients were higher than those in healthy controls (p ??0.001). Serum le vels of ET-1 were positively associated with Nterminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) (r = 0.27, p < 0.05) and with C-reactive protein (CRP) (r = 0.36, p < 0.05). ET-1 levels in women with RA were higher in smokers. Pre dnisone use was associated with lower ET-1 levels. No association with carotid intima media thickness was found. Conclusions: we observed the presence of higher le - vels of serum ET-1 in RA women patients compared with healthy controls. These increased levels of ET-1 are associated with inflammation and smoking and reduced by prednisone intake

Necrotizing Sarcoid Granulomatosis: A Disease Not to be Forgotten

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease of unknown aetiology characterised by the appearance of noncaseifying epithelioid granulomas in the affected organs, most commonly the lungs, skin, and eyes (Iannuzzi et al. 2007). Necrotizing Sarcoid Granulomatosis (NGS) is a rare and little-known form of disease, which also presents nodular lung lesions, and it shares pathologic and clinical findings with sarcoidosis, where the presence of necrosis may lead to misdiagnosis of tuberculosis (TB), leading to a consequent delay in treatment of the underlying entity (Chong et al. 2015). ,is is exactly what happened with the two cases that we present here