Water disinfection by hydrodynamic cavitation in a rotor-stator device

The efficiency of a rotor-stator device for water disinfection based on hydrodynamic cavitation is investigated. Water is infected with E. coli and E. faecalis with initial concentrations in the range 5 × 102–1.2 × 106 CFU/ml. Various geometries of the cavitation channel between rotor and stator are tested, achieving bacterial annihilation in less than 10 min of treatment times. Microorganism permanent elimination is verified via micro-seeding to discard viable non-culturable bacteria; micro-seeding was done for those samples displaying no CFU growth via normalized cultures on a Petri dish. TEM photographs are analyzed and the extent of bacterial damages is tentatively correlated with the various cavitation mechanisms. Rotor-stator cavitation assemblies used in the current research are between one and two orders of magnitude more energy efficient than those tested by other investigators. Acoustic pressure spectra are measured to assess the implosion intensity. Parametric analyses are conducted changing the rotor diameter (110–155 mm), the cavitation channel contraction ratio, Amax/Amin(4.56–5.0), and the number of contractions (Nr:58–80 rotor vanes; Ns:8–16 stator vanes)

Whiskers of Al2O3 as reinforcement of a powder metallurgical 6061 aluminium matrix composite

An Al–Mg–Si alloy matrixcomposite reinforced with 10 vol.% of alumina whiskers (Al2O3w) has been processed by powder metallurgy and investigated. The Al2O3w were produced as single crystal c-axis alpha-alumina fibres at pre-pilot scale via vapour–liquid–solid (VLS) deposition in a cold-wall air-tight furnace with alumina linings. As far as we know, this is the first report of the utilization of whiskers of Al2O3 as reinforcing elements for Al alloys. Tensile tests have been performed on the composite at room and high temperatures. Results show that the AA6061 alloy reinforced with the as-produced Al2O3whiskers has remarkably high mechanical properties at room temperature. This is attributed to the high quality of the Al2O3 single crystals and to the strong bonding attained between them and the 6061 alloy matrixFinancial support of Spanish MEC, project MAT2006-01251, and regional government, Xunta de Galicia, PGIDT05TMT23902CTPeer reviewe

KINETICS STUDY OF IRON LEACHING FROM KAOLINITIC CLAY USING OXALIC ACID

The kinetics study of iron leaching from kaolin clay from the County of Agua Blanca (Mexico) was carried out using solutions of oxalic acid for iron dissolution. The effects of acid concentration and temperature were studied to determinate kinetics parameters during iron leaching in oxalic acid media. It was found that iron dissolution rate increased with increasing of concentration and temperature, respectively. Leaching results showed that iron dissolution from the kaolin clay could be due to a chemical reaction control. The energy of activation calculated in this work was of 50.32 kJ • mol-1, for the interval of temperatures from 273 to 333 K; which is characteristic of a process controlled by chemical reaction. According to the results shown above, iron removal is possible, and this can improve the economic value for this kind of kaolin clay, being possible its use in the ceramic and paper industries as raw material of high quality

Neoker Single Crystal Alumina Fibers as reinforcement in Al-based MMC: first steps

α-Al2O3 whiskers are good candidates for use as strengtheners in advanced composites, specifically, single crystal -Al2O3 whiskers grown with c-axis orientation, because of their favorable fracture strength, stiffness, and creep resistance, even at high temperatures are optimum reinforces. Very few methods are currently available to obtain single-crystal α-Al2O3 whiskers, and these methods were too complex and expensive for use on an industrial scale. A novel method for obtaining c-axis alumina single-crystal whiskers (developed at the Institute of Ceramic Materials of Galicia) has been scaled-up to industrial production by Neoker, a Spin-Off of the of the University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain. The technology for the production of the whiskers involves the reaction between aluminum and powdered silica in Ar atmospheres containing metal vapors. Aluminum is the most popular matrix for the metal matrix composites (MMCs). The Al alloys are quite attractive due to their low density, their capability to be strengthened by precipitation, their good corrosion resistance, high thermal and electrical conductivity, and their high damping capacity. The reinforcement in AMCs could be in the form of continuous/discontinuous whiskers, whisker or particulates, in volume fractions ranging from a few percent to 70%. Properties of AMCs can be tailored to the demands of different industrial applications by suitable combinations of matrix, reinforcement and processing route. The composites studied in the present work were prepared by infiltration processes where the reinforcements were pressed into a preform that was then infiltrated by the molten Al allo

The contribution of Real Madrid’s first five European Cups to the emergence of a common football space

Real Madrid won the first five editions of the European Champion Clubs’ Cup (now formally known as the UEFA Champions League, and to which we will refer hereon as the European Cup) between 1956 and 1960, contributing decisively to the competition’s consolidation. The tournament’s history started towards the end of 1954, when a journalist of the French sports daily L’Équipe, Gabriel Hanot, published an article arguing the need to organise a competition that could bring together the champions of every European league. However, this was not an original proposal. Thirty years before Hanot’s article proposals for such a football competition were circulated among the game’s ruling elite. Unfortunately, at that time the lack of a good transport infrastructure to travel through Europe discouraged the proposers which, instead, turned their attention to regional supranational competitions, such as the Mitropa Cup or the Latin Cup. The first five editions of the European Cup witnessed as many victories of Real Madrid, thus forging an indissoluble bond between the competition and the Spanish club. These five European titles did not only cement the supremacy of Real Madrid on the pitch as a great football team, but they also contributed to the consolidation of the European Cup itself in the public’s imaginary. We also argue that given the expectations raised by Real Madrid’s triumphs across Europe those matches might have contributed as well to the emergence of a European football space. Since 1955 Real Madrid occupied an ever increasing space in the press across Europe. Real Madrid was then considered as the best expression of modernity in football. This chapter aims to analyse the meaning of these five European Cup titles for the emergence and definition of a nascent European football space. We, of course, also question whether such a common space can be found. The chapter explores in depth the reasons behind Real Madrid’s enthusiasm with the new European competition. We also examine the social impact that Real Madrid’s hegemony in the European Cup had in the context of Spain’s international isolation during General Franco’s dictatorship (1939-1975). In order to achieve the above mentioned objectives, the chapter relies on thematic analysis of selected publications in the Spanish and British press during those years. Moreover, we have also relied on a review of academic literature on the role of Real Madrid during the Franco dictatorship years, mainly the 1950s and 60s. This chapter is part of wider on-going research. In this research we examine the content of two Spanish dailies (ABC and Marca) and three British newspapers (The Guardian, The Times and the Daily Mirror). We searched these newspapers for content related to Real Madrid on specific dates: The semifinal games (two legs) and the final of each one of the five years where Real Madrid won the European Cup. We searched for content the day of each match, the day before and two days after each one of the matches. This chapter is a presentation of the findings obtained through thematic analysis of the data obtained through those searches

Temporal variations of vegetative features, sex ratios and reproductive phenology in a Dictyota dichotoma (Dictyotales, Phaeophyceae) population of Argentina

This paper addresses the phenology of a Dictyota dichotoma population from the North Patagonian coasts of Argentina. The morphology of the individuals was characterized, and analyses of the temporal variations of vegetative features, diploid and haploid life cycle generations and sex ratios are provided. Individuals, represented by growing sporophytes and gametophytes, occurred simultaneously throughout the year. Morphological variables showed temporal variation, except the width and height of medullary cells, which did not vary between seasons. All vegetative variables were significantly correlated with daylength. Besides, frond length, frond dry mass and apical and basal branching angles were significantly correlated with seawater temperatures. Vegetative thalli were less abundant than haploid and diploid thalli. Sporophytes were less abundant than male and female gametophytes. Male gametophytes dominated in May, August, October and January, and female gametophytes were more abundant in September, November, December, February and March. The formation of female gametangia showed a significant correlation with daylength, and the highest number of gametangia was registered in spring. In general, the male/female sex ratio varied between 1:2 and 1:1. Apical regions were more fertile than basal regions. Our data about frequency in the formation of reproductive structures and male/female ratios are the first recorded in the Dictyota genus and thus could not be compared with populations from other regions of the world. Significant morphological variation was observed in thalli of both life cycle generations, regarding length and dry mass, number of primary branches and branching basal angle. In general, all variables analyzed varied seasonally except cortical cell width.Fil: Gauna, Maria Cecilia. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Laboratorio de Ecología Acuática; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (i); ArgentinaFil: Caceres, Eduardo Jorge. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Laboratorio de Ficología y Micología; ArgentinaFil: Parodi, Elisa Rosalia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (i); Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Laboratorio de Ecología Acuática; Argentin

Decision-support tools to build climate resilience against emerging infectious diseases in Europe and beyond

Climate change is one of several drivers of recurrent outbreaks and geographical range expansion of infectious diseases in Europe. We propose a framework for the co-production of policy-relevant indicators and decision-support tools that track past, present, and future climate-induced disease risks across hazard, exposure, and vulnerability domains at the animal, human, and environmental interface. This entails the co-development of early warning and response systems and tools to assess the costs and benefits of climate change adaptation and mitigation measures across sectors, to increase health system resilience at regional and local levels and reveal novel policy entry points and opportunities. Our approach involves multi-level engagement, innovative methodologies, and novel data streams. We take advantage of intelligence generated locally and empirically to quantify effects in areas experiencing rapid urban transformation and heterogeneous climate-induced disease threats. Our goal is to reduce the knowledge-to-action gap by developing an integrated One Health—Climate Risk framework

ICO-ICS Praxis para el tratamiento de la leucemia linfática crónica

Tractament mèdic; Tractament amb irradiació; Leucèmia limfàtica crònicaMedical treatment; Irradiation treatment; Chronic lymphocytic leukemiaTratamiento médico; Tratamiento con irradiación; Leucemia linfática crónicaLa leucèmia limfàtica crònica (LLC) és una alteració hematopoètica monoclonal caracteritzada per una expansió progressiva de limfòcits de la línia B. Aquests limfòcits, madurs des del punt de vista morfològic, però menys madurs des del punt de vista immunològic, s’acumulen a la sang, la medul·la òssia, els nòduls limfàtics i la melsa. Els principals objectius d’aquesta ICO-ICSPraxi són: - Desenvolupar, difondre, implementar i avaluar resultats de la ICO-ICSPraxi de la leucèmia limfàticacrònica (LLC). - Disminuir la variabilitat terapèutica entre els pacients tractats als diferents centres d'aquesta xarxa. - Implementar els resultats de la terapèutica en els pacients amb LLC tractats d'acord amb lesrecomanacions d'aquesta guia

Diseño participativo de intervenciones de promoción de la salud para población con discapacidad. Universidad Veracruzana

Antecedentes: En agosto del 2015, la Secretaría de Salud de Veracruz convocó al Instituto de Salud Pública de la Universidad Veracruzana para intervenir en Tlaltetela, municipio con prevalencia de Ataxia espinocerebelosa superior a la registrada a nivel mundial; estudiantes de la Maestría en Salud Pública del Instituto realizaron un primer diagnóstico de salud y conformaron una Red Comunitaria interesada en mejorar la atención a la salud de las personas afectadas por este trastorno; producto de lo anterior, se ha diseñado colaborativamente un plan de actuación multisectorial para generar políticas públicas de atención y promoción de la salud basadas en evidencias y en un proceso social participativo. Material y método: Proyecto de intervención en 4 fases: 1) Construcción de instrumento para cribado de ataxia, mediante revisión sistemática y consenso de expertos; 2) Análisis situacional de salud participativo a nivel municipal, con estudio genealógico de las personas con síntomas compatibles de ataxia y evaluación de discapacidad, mediante encuesta comunitaria, árbol genealógico y WHODAS 2.0; 3) Fortalecimiento de la Red Comunitaria para la Salud, a través de talleres de capacitación en gestoría y planificación de proyectos; 4) Diseño participativo de iniciativas para la atención y promoción de la salud de población con discapacidad por enfermedades neurodegenerativas. Resultados esperados: Caracterización del comportamiento epidemiológico de la ataxia, identificación de brechas de atención y perfiles de vulnerabilidad social y en salud de las familias con la enfermedad, como base para proponer e implementar intervenciones que incrementen en individuos, familias y comunidad el control del padecimiento y que garanticen para los primeros el derecho a la salud y la inclusión social. Conclusiones: La cooperación entre grupos institucionales, sociales y académicos representa una vía para el desarrollo de políticas socialmente pertinentes y sostenibles, orientadas a la protección y promoción de la salud de las personas con discapacidad