Study of layered double hydroxides as advanced photocatalysts for Nox gases decontamination

La fotocatálisis se presenta como una metodología prometedora para la remediación de la contaminación atmosférica de gases NOx en las zonas urbanas. En la búsqueda de nuevos materiales fotocatalíticos DeNOx alternativos al TiO2, los hidróxidos dobles laminares se muestran como una alternativa interesante. Dada la gran versatilidad que presenta su estructura, estos materiales pueden ser diseñados para obtener un mayor aprovechamiento de la radiación solar. En este contexto, la presente tesis doctoral se ha centrado en dos ámbitos: 1) el diseño de hidróxidos dobles laminares con propiedades fotocatalíticas DeNOx mejoradas y 2) La aplicación de estos compuestos, como aditivo fotocatalítico DeNOx, en materiales de construcción para su potencial uso en tareas de descontaminación atmosférica en zonas urbanas.Photocatalysis is presented as a promising methodology for the remediation of NOx air pollution in urban areas. In the search for new DeNOx photocatalytic materials as an alternative to TiO2, layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are an interesting alternative. Given the great versatility of their structure, these materials can be designed for better harvesting of solar spectrum radiation. In this context, the present doctoral thesis has focused on two scopes: 1) the design of layered double hydroxides with improved DeNOx photocatalytic properties and 2) the application of these compounds, as a DeNOx photocatalytic additive, in construction materials for their potential use in atmospheric decontamination tasks in urban areas

Fano Combs in the Directional Mie Scattering of a Water Droplet

When light scatters off a sphere, it produces a rich Mie spectrum full of overlapping resonances. Single resonances can be explained with a quantum analogy and result in Fano profiles. However, the full spectrum is so complex that recognizable patterns have not been found, and is only understood by comparing to numerical simulations. Here we show the directional Mie spectrum of evaporating water droplets arranged in consecutive Fano Combs. We then fully explain it by expanding the quantum analogy. This turns the droplet into an "optical atom"with angular momentum, tunneling, and excited states

Enhanced biomethane production by co-digestion of mixed sewage sludge and dephenolised two-phase olive pomace

Original articleIn this study, co-digestion of mixed sewage sludge from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and partially dephenolised twophase olive pomace (DOP) as a co-substrate was addressed with the aim of improving the biodigestibility of both substrates. The introduction of DOP into WWTP anaerobic digester facilities could significantly increase biomethane production and enhance the sustainability of both activities. An improvement in the system’s performance was supported by stability parameters: total alkalinity increased and stabilised with the addition of 5% v/v DOP, and the specific energy loading rate was maintained at 0.177 ± 0.03 d−1, which indicated better buffer capacity and stability in the bioreactor, and the possibility of enhancing the organic loading rate. In terms of average daily biogas production rate, an increase of 39% was achieved, up to 0.39 ± 0.11 L L−1d−1. Moreover, there was a 40% and 37% improvement in specific methane production and methane production rate, respectively, up to 0.28 ± 0.02 L CH4 g TVS −1 and 0.26 ± 0.08 L L−1d−1. In addition, the proposed strategy leads to an energy saving of 20,328.6 kWh year−1 at the WWTP as a result of the electric energy production surplus, corresponding to an annual saving of €3293.23info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A Brief Review on Recent Processes for the Treatment of Olive Mill Effluents

During the last few decades, olive oil industrial sector has grown as a result of the modernization of olive oil mills, in response to the increasing demand of olive oil worldwide. As an undesired side effect, the amount of olive mill effluents (OME) increased, especially as a result of changing old batch press method for the continuous centrifugation-based olive oil production processes currently used, which ensure higher productivity. This chapter presents the state of the art of OME management, with focus on biological and advanced oxidation processes, either alone or in combination, varying in complexity, ease of operation and costs associated. Up to this moment, there isn’t a management strategy that can be adopted in a global scale, feasible in different socio-economic contexts and production scales. The most reasonable approach is to regard OME valorisation as a regional problem, defining decentralized treatment that in some cases can be implemented for a group of olive oil mills in the same geographic area. This aspect is receiving strong attention as European Commission is promoting the transition towards a circular economy, which aims at “closing the production loop” by recycling and reusing resources, bringing benefits for the environment, society and the economy

Osteomielitis maxilar debido a Halicephalobus gingivalis y diseminación fatal en un caballo

En la presente comunicación se expone un caso de infestación parasitaria poco habitual causada por Halicephalobus gingivalis, cuya manifestación principal fue osteomielitis del hueso maxilar. El caballo mostraba inicialmente inflamación y dolor en la región de la cresta facial derecha. Las radiografías demostraron la presencia de osteolisis y ensanchamiento de la cresta facial. La biopsia del hueso mostraba inflamación granulomatosa y un gran número de larvas del nematodo. El caballo fue tratado con ivermectina. Inicialmente mejoraron los signos clínicos, pero dos meses y medio después el caballo desarrollo uveitis y fallo renal, por lo que fue eutanasiado. El estudio anatómico-patológico mostro múltiples granulomas parasitarios en los riñones y en la uvea. La infección por Halicephalobus gingivalis es poco frecuente en caballos y personas aunque presenta una distribución mundial. De acuerdo con los autores esta es la primera vez que se describe dicha infestación en un équido en España.This study reports a rare case of maxillary osteomyelitis in a horse caused by Halicephalobus gingivalis. The horse presented inflammation and pain in the region of the right facial crest and the radiographs detected osteolysis and widening of the facial crest. The biopsy revealed a granulomatous inflammation and a large amount of parasite larvae. The horse was treated with ivermectin but it developed uveitis and renal insufficiency 2.5 months later and was euthanised. The anatomopathological study found multiple parasitic granulomas in the kidneys and uveal tract. H. gingivalis is an infrequent infection in horses and people, and it has a worldwide distribution. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of H. gingivalis infection in an equid to be diagnosed in Spain.peerReviewe

Alteraciones de la comunicación oral más frecuentes en edad pediátrica

Introduction: the learning of the mother tongue constitutes for many the greatest intellectual feat that man can accomplish. Men express themselves, exchange ideas and are understood in most cases through oral communication. It is necessary that the individual possesses the minimum skills and knowledge to understand and also generate a normal language, through the harmonious work of the three levels of oral communication: language, speech and voice.Objective: to characterize the behavior of oral communication alterations in pediatric age patients in the province of Pinar del Río, attended at the Pepe Portilla Pediatric Hospital, in the period 2017-2021.Methods: an observational, descriptive, longitudinal and retrospective study was carried out, taking data from the logophoniatric clinical history that were processed by means of the statistical system InfStat 1.0. The universe and the sample consisted of 539 patients who met the inclusion criteria.Results: 67,7 % of the sample was male; 52,9 % of the patients were evaluated for the first time between 3 and 5 years of age; secondary delay in language development was the most frequent disorder, followed by dyslalia. Attendance for evaluation at the provincial center varied depending on the municipality of origin.Conclusions: early diagnosis of oral communication disorders, timely treatment and the united work of parents and rehabilitators are fundamental in the success of the development of the child's language skills. Introduction: the learning of the mother tongue constitutes for many the greatest intellectual feat that man can accomplish. Men express themselves, exchange ideas and are understood in most cases through oral communication. It is necessary that the individual possesses the minimum skills and knowledge to understand and also generate a normal language, through the harmonious work of the three levels of oral communication: language, speech and voice.Objective: to characterize the behavior of oral communication alterations in pediatric age patients in the province of Pinar del Río, attended at the Pepe Portilla Pediatric Hospital, in the period 2017-2021.Methods: an observational, descriptive, longitudinal and retrospective study was carried out, taking data from the logophoniatric clinical history that were processed by means of the statistical system InfStat 1.0. The universe and the sample consisted of 539 patients who met the inclusion criteria.Results: 67,7 % of the sample was male; 52,9 % of the patients were evaluated for the first time between 3 and 5 years of age; secondary delay in language development was the most frequent disorder, followed by dyslalia. Attendance for evaluation at the provincial center varied depending on the municipality of origin.Conclusions: early diagnosis of oral communication disorders, timely treatment and the united work of parents and rehabilitators are fundamental in the success of the development of the child's language skills.Introducción: el aprendizaje de la lengua materna constituye para muchos la mayor hazaña intelectual que el hombre realiza. Los hombres se expresan, intercambian ideas y son comprendidos en la mayor parte de los casos a través de la comunicación oral. Es necesario que el individuo posea las capacidades y los conocimientos mínimos para comprender y además, generar un lenguaje normal, mediante el trabajo armónico de los tres niveles.Objetivo: caracterizar el comportamiento de las alteraciones de la comunicación oral de los pacientes en edad pediátrica en la provincia de Pinar del Río, atendidos en el Hospital Pediátrico Provincial Docente “Pepe Portilla”, en el período 2017-2021.Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, longitudinal y retrospectivo con los datos de la história  clínica logofoniátrica que fueron procesados mediante el sistema estadístico InfStat 1.0. El universo y la muestra quedaron constituidos por 539 pacientes que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión.Resultados: en la muestra predominó el sexo masculino en el 67,7 %; el 52,9 % de los pacientes se evaluaron por primera vez entre los tres y cinco años de edad; el retraso secundario del desarrollo del lenguaje fue la alteración más frecuente, seguida de las dislalias. La asistencia a la evaluación al centro provincial varia en dependencia del municipio de procedencia.Conclusiones: el diagnóstico precoz de las alteraciones de la comunicación oral, el tratamiento oportuno y el trabajo unido de padres y rehabilitadores, son fundamentales en el éxito del alcance del desarrollo de las habilidades lingüísticas del niño.

The use and performance of nanofiltration membranes for agro-industrial effluents purification

Nanoiltration (NF) technology ofers several advantages over classic separation pro- cesses. NF membranes have been increasingly implemented in water treatment processes (e.g., desalination of brackish water and seawater) and for wastewater (e.g., textile, pulp and paper, pharmaceutical, and agro-industrial). The speciic selectivity toward small solutes and the lower energy consumption of NF membranes have enhanced their use. However, some drawbacks need to be faced when NF is applied on an industrial scale. The main drawback is fouling that reduces the production capacity of the plant and shortens the membrane service lifetime if of irreversible nature, thus increasing the oper- ating and capital costs. Moreover, fouling alters the selectivity of the membrane and thus the rejection eiciency. This chapter focuses the use of NF for the treatment of diferent agro-industrial eluents (such as dairy, tomato, and olive oil) and addresses membrane fouling as the main drawback against NF competitiveness

The ERICE-score: the new native cardiovascular score for the low-risk and aged mediterranean population of Spain

[Abstract] Introduction and objectives. In Spain, data based on large population-based cohorts adequate to provide an accurate prediction of cardiovascular risk have been scarce. Thus, calibration of the EuroSCORE and Framingham scores has been proposed and done for our population. The aim was to develop a native risk prediction score to accurately estimate the individual cardiovascular risk in the Spanish population. Methods. Seven Spanish population-based cohorts including middle-aged and elderly participants were assembled. There were 11 800 people (6387 women) representing 107 915 person-years of follow-up. A total of 1214 cardiovascular events were identified, of which 633 were fatal. Cox regression analyses were conducted to examine the contributions of the different variables to the 10-year total cardiovascular risk. Results. Age was the strongest cardiovascular risk factor. High systolic blood pressure, diabetes mellitus and smoking were strong predictive factors. The contribution of serum total cholesterol was small. Antihypertensive treatment also had a significant impact on cardiovascular risk, greater in men than in women. The model showed a good discriminative power (C-statistic = 0.789 in men and C = 0.816 in women). Ten-year risk estimations are displayed graphically in risk charts separately for men and women. Conclusions. The ERICE is a new native cardiovascular risk score for the Spanish population derived from the background and contemporaneous risk of several Spanish cohorts. The ERICE score offers the direct and reliable estimation of total cardiovascular risk, taking in consideration the effect of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular risk factor management. The ERICE score is a practical and useful tool for clinicians to estimate the total individual cardiovascular risk in Spain.[Resumen] Introducción y objetivos. En España no existen unas cohortes poblacionales suficientemente grandes para hacer predicciones precisas del riesgo cardiovascular. Las ecuaciones de Framingham y EuroSCORE calibradas son las más utilizadas en España. El objetivo es desarrollar la primera ecuación de predicción autóctona para estimar con precisión el riesgo cardiovascular individual en España. Métodos. Análisis conjunto de siete cohortes españolas de población de mediana edad y anciana. La población del estudio —11.800 personas (6.387 mujeres)— aportó un total de 107.915 personas-año de seguimiento y 1.214 eventos cardiovasculares (633 de ellos, mortales). Se efectuó un análisis de regresión de Cox para examinar la contribución de los diferentes factores al riesgo de cualquier evento cardiovascular (mortal y no mortal). Resultados. La edad fue el principal factor de riesgo de eventos cardiovasculares. La presión arterial sistólica, la diabetes mellitus, el tabaquismo y el tratamiento antihipertensivo fueron factores predictivos fuertemente asociados con el riesgo cardiovascular. En cambio, la contribución del colesterol total sérico fue pequeña, especialmente en los mayores de 70 años. El modelo final de riesgo mostró un buen poder discriminatorio (estadístico C = 0,789 en varones y C = 0,816 en mujeres). Conclusiones. ERICE es una nueva ecuación de riesgo cardiovascular genuinamente española obtenida a partir del riesgo concurrente individual de los participantes en varias cohortes. La ecuación ERICE ofrece una estimación directa y fiable del riesgo cardiovascular total teniendo en cuenta factores como la diabetes mellitus y el tratamiento farmacológico de los factores de riesgo cardiovascular, habitualmente no incluidos en otras ecuaciones.Instituto de Salud Carlos III; G03/065Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI05/1464Instituto de Salud Carlos III; RD06/0014/001

Analysis of Sagunto Ibero-Roman votive bronze statuettes by portable X-ray fluorescence

The main objective of this work was the study of chemical composition of an important collection of Ibero- Roman votive bronze statuettes exposed in the Archaeological Museum of Sagunto (Spain). Precision and accuracy of the measurements were obtained developing a proper analytical method, also avoiding any possible damage to the studied objects using a portable energy dispersive X- ray fluorescence system. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) to discriminate between groups based on ratios Fe/Cu, Pb/Cu, Sn/Cu, Ag/Cu, Ni/Cu and Impurities/Cu were employed to observe differences between the used smelting, manufacturing processes and raw materials. The characterisation of bronze statuettes cross-referenced with archaeological data, gave important suggestions to clarify issues regarding manufacturing processes, quality and chronologies of the studied objects

Prevalence, geographic distribution, and geographic variability of major cardiovascular risk factors in Spain: pooled analysis of data from population-based epidemiological studies: the ERICE study

[Abstract] Introduction and objectives. To determine the prevalence and geographic distribution of major cardiovascular risk factors in the Spanish population. To investigate whether geographic variability exists. Methods. Data were pooled from eight cross-sectional epidemiologic studies carried out in Spain between 1992 and 2001 whose methodological quality satisfied predefined criteria. Individual data were reassessed and analyzed by age group (20-44 years, 45-64 years, and [.greaterequal] 65 years), sex, and geographic area. The study population included 19 729 individuals. Mean values and unadjusted and adjusted prevalence rates were derived for various risk factors. Results. The most common cardiovascular risk factors in the Spanish population were, in descending order: hypercholesterolemia (ie, total cholesterol >200 mg/dL) in46.7%, hypertension in 37.6%, smoking in 32.2%, obesity in 22.8%, and diabetes mellitus in 6.2%. The mean values for blood pressure, body mass index, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and glycemia varied considerably with age, sex, and geographic area. The highest levels of cardiovascular risk factors were observed in Mediterranean and south-eastern areas of the country and the lowest, in northern, and central areas. Conclusions. The prevalence of major cardiovascular risk factors in Spain was high. Their distribution varied considerably with geographic area.[Resumen] Introducción y objetivos. Estimar la prevalencia y la distribución geográfica de los principales factores de riesgo cardiovascular en la población española. Investigar la existencia de diferencias geográficas. Métodos. Agregación de ocho estudios epidemiológicos transversales, realizados en España entre 1992 y 2001, que superaron criterios de calidad metodológica. Reanálisis conjunto de los datos individuales por grupos de edad (20-44, 45-64 y [.greaterequal] 65 años), sexo y grandes áreas geográficas. Población de estudio: 19.729 sujetos. Estimación de valores medios y prevalencias crudas y ajustadas. Resultados. Por orden decreciente, los factores de riesgo cardiovascular más frecuentes en la población española fueron la hipercolesterolemia (colesterol total > 200 mg/dl, 46,7%), hipertensión arterial (37,6%), tabaquismo (32,2%), obesidad (22,8%) y diabetes mellitus (6,2%). Los valores medios de presión arterial, índice de masa corporal, colesterol de las lipoproteínas de alta densidad y glucemia varían ampliamente con la edad, el sexo y las áreas geográficas. La mayor carga de factores de riesgo cardiovascular se observa en las zonas sureste y mediterránea y la menor, en las áreas norte y centro. Conclusiones. En España la prevalencia de los principales factores de riesgo cardiovascular es elevada. Hay marcadas diferencias geográficas en su distribución