Analysis of double-parallel amplified recirculating optical-delay lines

A novel method of analysis of double-parallel amplified recirculating optical-delay lines (DPAROD) is presented. The location of the maxima and the minima of the transfer function for this configuration is calculated and experimentally demonstrated. The influence of different parameters, such as the coupling coefficients, gains, lengths of the fiber loops and fractional losses of the directional couplers, on the shape of the transfer function are analyzed. Different measurements have been taken to verify this model. The potential application of these interconnected delay loops as filters is a reason for developing this method.Publicad

Amplified Fiber-Optic Recirculating Delay Lines

Experimental and theoretical results on single- and double-amplified recirculating delay lines are presented. One of our aims is to emphasize their application as filters, showing a wide flexibility of design. Analysis of their performance in the spectral and time domains have been carried out. A novel method of understanding the behavior of double structures has been developed and successfully tested with experimental results employing Er-doped fiber amplifiers as delay lines.Publicad

Descripción del Servicio de Cirugía Menor del Centro de Salud Teruel Rural. Satisfacción de los usuarios

Objetivos: Realizar un análisis de la actividad desarrollada en el servicio de CM y conocer la opinión y la satisfacción de 20 pacientes intervenidos en un periodo trimestral de enero y febrero del año 2013 y diciembre del 2012. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo y transversal de todos los pacientes incluidos en el servicio de CM. Las variables analizadas fueron (edad, sexo, tipo de intervención, diagnóstico pre-quirúrgico, antecedentes de alergias, alteraciones de la coagulación y consentimiento informado. Se utilizaron pruebas estadísticas como: la media, DE, chi–cuadrado, ANOVA y Kruskal- Wallis, además del programa estadístico, SPSS15.0. Resultados: Se ha estudiado un total de 612 intervenciones de las cuales un 51,3% eran mujeres y 48,7 hombres. La media de edad es de 56,42 (DE=18,5). La localización anatómica más frecuente fue la cara(52,6%). Un 100% no tuvo alteraciones de la coagulación y solo 1% presentó alergias preoperatorias. El 99,3% contaban con el consentimiento informado en su historia clínica. Descripción del servicio de Cirugía menor del centro de salud Teruel Rural. En la encuesta de satisfacción, un 60% de los pacientes estaban moderadamente satisfechos, un 30% muy satisfechos y un 10% insatisfechos con la CM general. Conclusiones: El servicio de CM en el CS de Teruel Rural está muy implantado. Tiene un registro exhaustivo de todos y cada uno de los pacientes intervenidos y el grado de satisfacción de los pacientes con este servicio es muy elevado

Dynamic Permittivity Measurement of Ground-Tire Rubber (GTR) during Microwave-Assisted Devulcanization

[EN] Many efforts are being made to find innovative ways of recycling rubber from end-of-life tires (ELTs), also called ground tire Rubber (GTR). Recycling through devulcanization allows the reintroduction of rubber back into the manufacturing industry. Such a process requires providing enough energy to break the sulfur links, while preventing damage to the polymeric chain. Microwave heating is controllable, efficient, and it does not rely on conventional heating mechanisms (conduction, convection) which may involve high heating losses, but rather on direct dielectric heating. However, to adequately control the microwave-assisted devulcanization performance, a thorough knowledge of the GTR permittivity versus temperature is required. In this work, GTR permittivity was monitored during its devulcanization. A resonant technique based on a dual-mode cylindrical cavity was used to simultaneously heat rubber and measure its permittivity at around 2 GHz. The results show sharp changes in the GTR permittivity at 160 and 190 degrees C. After the GTR cooled down, a shifted permittivity evidences a change in the GTR structure caused by the devulcanization process. Microwave-assisted devulcanization effectiveness is proven through time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements, by verifying the decrease in the cross-link density of processed GTR samples compared to the original sample.This research project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement number 870,000. More information at https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/870000 (accessed on 27 August 2022) and https://valuerubber.eu/(accessed on 27 August 2022). JLV and FMS also thanks the funding from Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (PID2020-119047RB-I00 y PLEC2021-007793), Gobierno de Aragon (EC-22-2021) and CSIC (201860E045).Pérez-Campos, R.; Fayos-Fernández, J.; Monzó-Cabrera, J.; Martín Salamanca, F.; López Valentín, J.; Catalá Civera, JM.; Plaza González, PJ.... (2022). Dynamic Permittivity Measurement of Ground-Tire Rubber (GTR) during Microwave-Assisted Devulcanization. Polymers. 14(17):1-21. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14173543121141

Microwave calorimeter for dielectric and thermal analysis of materials

[EN] A fast method for microwave processing and measurement of dielectric and thermal properties of materials as a function of temperature has been developed (MW-DETA). Unlike previous approaches, the method provides totally new quantitative measurements of the thermal parameters, which are fundamental for calculating the specific heat and in particular, the energy requirements of electrification of materials processing via microwave heating.The in-situ measurement of dielectric properties of the sample with temperature, together with the precise numerical modelling of the thermal process, provided the necessary information to quantify the thermal and microwave losses and, therefore, the precise amount of power delivered to the sample that is converted into heat.Compared to conventional calorimeters, microwave heating reduces the experimental time and improves the uniformity of heating, which leads to a fast and reliable method to determine the thermal properties of the material under test with different operation modes, either constant or variable heating rates.The functionality of the thermal parameters measurement system has been demonstrated by heating and measuring a ceramic sample of Macor up to 400 degrees C. Accuracy reached in the thermal process has been validated by comparison with a conventional DSC analysis.This research project has received funding from the Ministerio de Universidades by the European Union- NextGenerationEU programme under the grant Margarita Salas (MS/2) . Funding for open access charge: CRUE-Universitat Politecnica de Valencia.Sánchez-Marín, JR.; Gutiérrez Cano, JD.; Plaza González, PJ.; Penaranda-Foix, FL.; Catalá Civera, JM. (2022). Microwave calorimeter for dielectric and thermal analysis of materials. Energy. 263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2022.12590926

Development of a puncture electronic device for electrical conductivity measurements throughout meat salting

Conductivity measurements of food systems are of high interest because they are related with food characteristics such as free water and salt content. Nevertheless, as far as now no devices have been developed for punctual conductivity measurements inside solid foods. The aim of this work was to develop a conductimeter which allows obtaining punctual measurements in different locations of solid foods. The sensor consists of a coaxial needle while an electrical sign controlled by microcontroller is applied. The preliminary results indicate that the obtained response is proportional to the conductivity and the salt content in the zone of measurement of the food, being possible its use for salted food analysis and control

Estudio de los parámetros de producción del acocil australiano Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens, 1858), variando el nivel de proteína en su dieta

An experimental study was conducted in the aquaculture facilities of CIBNOR, S.C., at La Paz B.C.S., Mexico, in order to evaluate the effect of the dietary protein level, on the growth, survival, and feed conversion rate of juvenile freshwater Australian lobster Cherax quadricarinatus (red claw). Diets with four experimental levels of protein (20.45, 28.50, 37.33, and 45.44%), were formulated, made, and probed. A single factor-completely randomized experimental design with five replicates were performed. The experimental units consisted of 20 plastic containers with 0.3 m2 of area. Fifteen juveniles of lred claw obster were stocked in each container. Growth, growth rate, survival, food consumption, and food conversion ration were evaluated. No statistical differences were found in any of the production parameters between juveniles fed diets 20.45, and 28.50% of crude protein, nor between those fed 37.33 and 45.44% of crude protein. However there were statistical differences between the two first and the two last diets. It is concluded that the level of protein in the diets, have an effect in the productive response of the juveniles of this specie.Se llevó a cabo un estudio experimental en el Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste (CIBNOR), La Paz B.C.S. con el objetivo de evaluar el efecto de la variación del nivel proteico en dietas experimentales sobre el crecimiento, sobrevivencia y factor de conversión alimenticia (F.C.A.), de juveniles del acocil australiano Cherax quadricarinatus. Para ello, se formularon dietas con 4 niveles de proteína cruda (20.45, 28.50, 37.33 y 45.44%). Se utilizó un diseño experimental simple con un arreglo aleatorio, con cinco replicados por tratamiento. Las unidades experimentales fueron cajas de plástico de 0.30 m2 , con 15 juveniles, cuyo peso fue 0.72 ±0.15 g. Se realizaron biometrías de crecimiento (cm), peso ganado (g) y al final, se determinó el peso y crecimiento totales, sobrevivencia y F.C.A. Se encontró que los juveniles alimentados con dietas de 20.45 y 28.50% de proteína cruda, no presentaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre sí en ninguno de los parámetros de producción considerados. Lo mismo se encontró entre las dietas de 37.33 y 45.44% de proteína cruda. Sin embargo, sí se encontraron diferencias significativas entre las primeras dos dietas con respecto a las dos últimas. Por lo tanto, se concluye que el contenido de proteínas de la dieta, si afecta la respuesta productiva de los juveniles de esta especie

Focusing dielectric slabs for the optimization of heating patterns in single mode microwave applicators

[EN] A new approach based on dielectric slabs with adjustable position is proposed as near-field focusing lenses inside a single-mode microwave applicator to provide specific temperature distributions within a material heated by microwaves. Numerical and experimental results in a TE101 rectangular cavity at 915 MHz have been used to evaluate the capability of these focusing dielectrics to optimize the temperature profile of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) preforms. Measurements of the temperature profile on the preforms verified the strong effect of the slabs on the electric field distribution, allowing the optimization of the heating patterns with great flexibility. The successful application applied to PET preforms with different sizes and geometries showed the versatility of this approach which can be extended to the application of other type of loads and microwave cavities.García-Baños, B.; Plaza González, PJ.; Sánchez-Marín, JR.; Steger, S.; Feigl, A.; Penaranda-Foix, FL.; Catalá Civera, JM. (2022). Focusing dielectric slabs for the optimization of heating patterns in single mode microwave applicators. Applied Thermal Engineering. 201:1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2021.11784511020

Design of a low-cost equipment for optical hyperthermia

[EN] A laser equipment is presented which has been specifically designed for optical hyperthermia. Such specificity in the design has allowed implementation at costs significantly lower than other options currently available in the market. The developed equipment includes a 808 nm laser whose output power is up to 500 mW. It also incorporates additional devices that help the user in calibrating the system and supervising it while functioning. The performance of a prototype is tested by running two hyperthermia experiments: one involving gold nanorods, and the other using gold nanostars. The specific set-up of this prototype has allowed laser irradiation with radiated power densities up to 4W/cm(2). (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.This work has been carried out in the context of project "Development of electronic devices and equipment for detection and actuation based on new electronic technologies. Applications in the field of biomedicine" (grant number: MAT2015-64139-C4-3-R) and in coordination with project number MAT2015-64139-C4-1-R, both of them financed by the Spanish Ministry for Economy and Competitiveness in the framework of the Plan Estatal de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnica y de Innovacion 2013-2016. Financial support from the Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEOII/2014/047) and from the UPV (Erasmus Mundus EuroInkaNet project, 2013 call) are gratefully acknowledged too.Montes-Robles, R.; Hernández-Montoto, A.; Ibáñez Civera, FJ.; Masot Peris, R.; De La Torre-Paredes, C.; Martínez-Máñez, R.; Garcia-Breijo, E.... (2017). Design of a low-cost equipment for optical hyperthermia. Sensors and Actuators A Physical. 255:61-70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sna.2016.12.018S617025

Gold Nanostars Coated with Mesoporous Silica Are Effective and Nontoxic Photothermal Agents Capable of Gate Keeping and Laser Induced Drug Release

[EN] Herein, a novel drug photorelease system based on gold nanostars (AuNSts), coated with a mesoporous silica shell and capped with paraffin as thermosensitive molecular gate, is reported. Direct measurements of the surface temperature of a single gold nanostar irradiated using a tightly focused laser beam are performed via a heat sensitive biological matrix. The surface temperature of a AuNSt increases by hundreds of degrees (degrees C) even at low laser powers. AuNSts coated with a mesoporous silica shell using a surfactant-templated synthesis are used as chemotherapeutic nanocarriers. Synthetic parameters are optimized to d avoid AuNSt reshaping, and thus to obtain nanoparticles with suitable and stable plasmonic properties for near-infrared (NIR) laser-triggered cargo delivery. The mesoporous silica-coated nanostars are loaded with doxorubicin (Dox) and coated with octadecyltrimethoxysilane and the paraffin heneicosane. The paraffin molecules formed a hydrophobic layer that blocks the pores, impeding the release of the cargo. This hybrid nanosystem exhibits a well-defined photodelivery profile using NIR radiation, even at low power density, whereas the nonirradiated sample shows a negligible payload release. Dox-loaded nanoparticles displayed no cytotoxicity toward HeLa cells, until they are irradiated with 808 nm laser, provoking paraffin melting and drug release. Hence, these novel, functional, and biocompatible nanoparticles display adequate plasmonic properties for NIR-triggered drug photorelease applications.The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Spanish Government (Projects AGL2015-70235-C2-2-R and MAT2015-64139-C4-1-R), the Generalitat Valenciana (Project PROMETEOII/2014/047), and European Union (Programme European Union Action 2 Erasmus Mundus Partnerships, Grant-2014-0870/001-001). A. Samadi and L. B. Oddershede acknowledge financial support from the Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF14OC0011361) and from the Danish National Research Foundation (DNRF116). A. H. Montoto thanks Erasmus Mundus Programme for his PhD scholarship at EurolnkaNet project. The authors thank UPV electron microscopy and CIPF confocal and electron microscopy services for technical support.Hernández-Montoto, A.; Montes-Robles, R.; Samadi, A.; Gorbe, M.; Terrés-Haro, JM.; Cao Milán, R.; Aznar, E.... (2018). Gold Nanostars Coated with Mesoporous Silica Are Effective and Nontoxic Photothermal Agents Capable of Gate Keeping and Laser Induced Drug Release. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. 10(33):27644-27656. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.8b08395S2764427656103