Detection of a multi-shell planetary nebula around the hot subdwarf O-type star 2MASS J19310888+4324577

(Abridged) The origin of hot subdwarf O-type stars (sdOs) remains unclear since their discovery in 1947. Among others, a post-Asymptotic Giant Branch (post-AGB) origin is possible for a fraction of sdOs. We are involved in a comprehensive ongoing study to search for and to analyze planetary nebulae (PNe) around sdOs with the aim of establishing the fraction and properties of sdOs with a post-AGB origin. We use deep Halpha and [OIII] images of sdOs to detect nebular emission and intermediate resolution, long-slit optical spectroscopy of the detected nebulae and their sdO central stars. These data are complemented with other observations for further analysis of the detected nebulae. We report the detection of an extremely faint, complex PN around 2MASS J19310888+4324577 (2M1931+4324), a star classified as sdO in a binary system. The PN shows a bipolar and an elliptical shell, whose major axes are oriented perpendicular to each other, and high-excitation structures outside the two shells. WISE archive images show faint, extended emission at 12 and 22 microns in the inner nebular regions. The internal nebular kinematics is consistent with a bipolar and a cylindrical/ellipsoidal shell, in both cases with the main axis mainly perpendicular to the line of sight. The nebular spectrum only exhibits Halpha, Hbeta and [OIII]4959,5007 emission lines, but suggests a very low-excitation ([OIII]/Hbeta = 1.5), in strong contrast with the absence of low-excitation emission lines. The spectrum of 2M1931+4324 presents narrow, ionized helium absorptions that confirm the previous sdO classification and suggest an effective temperature >= 60000 K. The binary nature of 2M1931+4324, its association with a complex PN, and several properties of the system provide strong support for the idea that binary central stars are a crucial ingredient in the formation of complex PNe.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures, accepted in Astronomy and Astrophysic

The Environmental Feasibility of Decentralised Solar Ammonia

Intense efforts have been devoted to developing green and blue centralised Haber-Bosch processes (gHB and bHB, respectively), but the feasibility of a decentralised and sustainable scheme has yet to be assessed. Here we reveal the conditions under which small-scale systems based on the electrocatalytic reduction of nitrogen (eN2R) powered by photovoltaic energy (NH3-leaf) could become a competitive technology in terms of environmental criteria. To this end, we calculated energy efficiency targets based on solar irradiation atlases to guide research in the incipient eN2R field. Even under this germinal state, the NH3-leaf technology would compete favourably in sunny locations relative to the business-as-usual production scenario. The disclosed sustainability potential of NH3-leaf makes it a strong ally of gHB toward a non-fossil ammonia production

Identification of problems and proposals for improving outpatient emergency care in Navarre: a Delphi study

Fundamento. Las urgencias extrahospitalarias de Navarra sufrieron modificaciones en la organización hace dos años, destacando la creación del servicio de urgencias rural (SUR) que coexiste geográficamente con el servicio normal de urgencias. El objetivo del estudio es conocer la opinión de expertos sobre los problemas y las recomendaciones de mejora que afectan a las urgencias extrahospitalarias. Metodología. Se realizó un estudio Delphi con la participación de 37 expertos (médicos y enfermeras). Por medio del correo electrónico se realizan 3 rondas de cuestionarios sucesivos. El último cuestionario identifica el grado de acuerdo con las ideas del grupo y se identifican los 15 problemas y recomendaciones más relevantes, seleccionando aquellas ideas que alcancen, al menos, el 50 % de acuerdo y una prioridad superior al percentil 25. Agrupamos las ideas mediante análisis de clúster jerárquico. Resultados. Se identifican 4 clúster de problemas, destacando entre ellos que «la población utiliza las urgencias para patología banal, como una consulta más» con una puntuación de 297 puntos. De las recomendaciones, con 3 clúster identificados, destaca la «necesidad de diseñar un plan estratégico de atención a las urgencias con unos recursos acorde a las necesidades» (310 puntos de prioridad) y «enviar mensajes claros a la población sobre uso correcto de urgencias» (192 puntos de prioridad). Conclusión. El método Delphi identifica problemas y áreas de mejora a través del consenso.Background. Two years ago there were alterations to outpatient A and E departments in Navarre; in particular, a rural A and E service (Servicio de Urgencias Rural, SUR) was set up, which coexists geographically with the normal A and E service. The aim of this study is to determine the opinion of experts on problems and recommendations for improvements that affect outpatient A and E services. Methodology. A Delphi study was carried out with the participation of 37 experts (doctors and nurses). Three successive rounds of questionnaires were completed using email. The final questionnaire identified degree of agreement with the group's ideas, and the 15 most relevant problems and recommendations were identified; those ideas that were selected achieved at least 50% agreement and their priority was above 25%. We grouped the ideas using a hierarchic cluster analysis. Results. Four cluster problems were identified; the most outstanding amongst them being "the population uses A and E for banal pathologies, just like any other consultation" with a score of 297 points. Outstanding amongst the recommendations, with 3 identified clusters, were the "need to design a strategic plan for A and E care with resources appropriate to the needs" (310 priority points) and "sending clear messages to the population on the correct use of A and E" (192 priority points). Conclusion. The Delphi method identifies problems and improvement areas through consensus

Tween 80 Improves the Acid-Fast Bacilli Quantification in the Magnetic Nanoparticle-Based Colorimetric Biosensing Assay (NCBA)

Despite its reduced sensitivity, sputum smear microscopy (SSM) remains the main diagnostic test for detecting tuberculosis in many parts of the world. A new diagnostic technique, the magnetic nanoparticle-based colorimetric biosensing assay (NCBA) was optimized by evaluating different concentrations of glycan-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (GMNP) and Tween 80 to improve the acid-fast bacilli (AFB) count. Comparative analysis was performed on 225 sputum smears: 30 with SSM, 107 with NCBA at different GMNP concentrations, and 88 with NCBA-Tween 80 at various concentrations and incubation times. AFB quantification was performed by adding the total number of AFB in all fields per smear and classified according to standard guidelines (scanty, 1+, 2+ and 3+). Smears by NCBA with low GMNP concentrations (≤1.5 mg/mL) showed higher AFB quantification compared to SSM. Cell enrichment of sputum samples by combining NCBA-GMNP, incubated with Tween 80 (5%) for three minutes, improved capture efficiency and increased AFB detection up to 445% over SSM. NCBA with Tween 80 offers the opportunity to improve TB diagnostics, mainly in paucibacillary cases. As this method provides biosafety with a simple and inexpensive methodology that obtains results in a short time, it might be considered as a point-of-care TB diagnostic method in regions where resources are limited

Effect of surface chemistry and associated protein corona on the long-term biodegradation of iron oxide nanoparticles in Vivo

The protein corona formed on the surface of a nanoparticle in a biological medium determines its behavior in vivo. Herein, iron oxide nanoparticles containing the same core and shell, but bearing two different surface coatings, either glucose or poly(ethylene glycol), were evaluated. The nanoparticles' protein adsorption, in vitro degradation, and in vivo biodistribution and biotransformation over four months were investigated. Although both types of nanoparticles bound similar amounts of proteins in vitro, the differences in the protein corona composition correlated to the nanoparticles biodistribution in vivo. Interestingly, in vitro degradation studies demonstrated faster degradation for nanoparticles functionalized with glucose, whereas the in vivo results were opposite with accelerated biodegradation and clearance of the nanoparticles functionalized with poly(ethylene glycol). Therefore, the variation in the degradation rate observed in vivo could be related not only to the molecules attached to the surface, but also with the associated protein corona, as the key role of the adsorbed proteins on the magnetic core degradation has been demonstrated in vitro

Alternativas terapéuticas a la situación de «escalada simétrica» en terapia de familia.

Se realiza en este trabajo una revisión de los aspectos terapéuticos de la situación de Escalada simétrica en Terapia Familia