Morphology alteration of nickel microstructures for glycerol electrooxidation

Shape-controlled microstructures (triangles and urchin-like) of Ni were synthesized using polyol synthesis in the presence/absence of capping agent (polyvinilpyrrolidone, PVP). Direct visualization of crystal structure and morphology before/after electrochemical tests in KOH were characterized using electron microscopy techniques. Electrochemical characterizations illustrated that urchin-Ni-PVP has highest catalytic activity among all investigated electrocatalysts for glycerol electrooxidation reaction (GEOR). Improved activity was attributed to the surface area and the highly porous structure as identified by electron tomography analysis. All Ni shapes showed similar selectivity. DFT calculations on low-index β-NiOOH and β-Ni(OH) planes were performed as possible surfaces present during electrochemical processes. The (0 0 1) surface is the most thermodynamically stable in both systems and has different possible terminations. For O, Ni and mixed Ni-O atoms terminations the β-NiOOH(0 0 1) present metallic behavior. DFT results show that either Ni or Ni-O exposed β-NiOOH(0 0 1) surfaces are possible scenarios for glycerol adsorption on different catalytic charged surface sites.This paper was partially supported by grants of CONICET (Argentina National Research Council), Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS) and by ANPCyT through PICT 4085, and PIP-CONICET Nos. 11220130100436 research grant, as well as by SGCyT- UNS., E. A. G., P. V. J., M. G. S. and A. J. are members of CONICET., F. E and F. G. are fellow researchers at this institution. The authors acknowledge Ni Electro Can project administered from Queen's University and supported by “Grant No. RGPNM 477963-2015 under the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Discovery Frontiers Program. The support by MinCyT and UOttawa research grant is also acknowledged for travel funds to Universidad Nacional del Sur. M. G. S., A. H.-L. and C. I. S.-D. do thank to Dr. Santiago Melchor Ferrer from the University of Granada for important assistances to the DFT calculations; and A. H.-L. and C. I. S.-D. acknowledge the Spanish MINCINN project grants FIS2016-77692-C2-2P and PCIN-2017-098, along with FEDER European funds; we also thank to the Alhambra Computing Center (University of Granada, Spain) for important CPU time

Shrike predation on the lizard Mesalina adramitana in Qatar; a review of reported reptile and amphibian prey

We report, for the first time, evidence of predation by a shrike (Lanius sp.) on the lizard Mesalina adramitana. This is the first record of predation by shrikes on lizards in Qatar. Whilst we did not directly observe the event, the presence of shrikes in the area and the method of impalement indicate shrikes as the predator. The lizard was found freshly impaled on a palm tree (Phoenix dactylifera), at 150 cm above ground. Bird species of the genus Lanius are well-known predators of lizards, and in arid environments reptiles are likely common prey for these birds. We provide a review of literature concerning predatory events by shrikes on reptiles and amphibians. We suggest inspection of shrubs for animals impaled by shrikes can improve biodiversity inventories, complementing other commonly used methods

Aproximación al manejo de la disección del tronco celíaco

El dolor abdominal constituye uno de los motivos de consulta más frecuentes en los servicios de Urgencias y de Aparato Digestivo. Además, el diagnóstico diferencial supone un importante reto, dado el amplio abanico de entidades clínicas que pueden provocarlo, algunas de ellas con un pronóstico desfavorable. En este sentido, en algunas cohortes no se ha llegado a un diagnóstico específico en más de un 30% de los casos1, 2. Se presenta el caso de un varón de 40 años, fumador activo desde hace más de 20 años, sin otros antecedentes personales ni familiares de interés, excepto traumatismo cerrado abdominal hace cuatro años, que no seguía tratamiento farmacológico habitual. Presentaba dolor abdominal epigástrico continuo e irradiado hacia ambos hipocondrios, de ocho horas de evolución. No asociaba ictericia mucocutánea ni coluria o acolia, tampoco náuseas ni vómitos ni alteraciones en el ritmo y características de las deposiciones. No presentaba fiebre, síndrome constitucional ni otra sintomatología asociada. A la exploración física destacaba dolor a la palpación de epigastrio, sin signos de irritación peritoneal, con peristaltismo y pulsos distales conservados. Asimismo, no presentaba signos de colagenopatía. Para una primera aproximación diagnóstica se realizó analítica de sangre, destacando como únicos hallazgos ligera alteración del perfil hepático (AST 66 U/L, ALT 58 U/L, GGT 106 U/L, FA 76 U/L) con amilasemia, ..

Exploring Health Science Students’ Notions on Organ Donation and Transplantation: A Multicenter Study

The knowledge acquired during university education about organ donation and transplantation (ODT) decisively influences the information future health professionals transmit. This is important in ODT where the participation of the general public is essential to obtain organs. Objective: To determine notions of Spanish medicine and nursing students on ODT and its relationship with attitude toward ODT. Methods and Design: and design. We conducted a sociologic, multicenter, and observational study. The population for our study consisted of medical and nursing students in Spanish universities. Our database was the Collaborative International Donor Project, stratified by geographic area and academic course. A validated questionnaire (PCID-DTO-RIOS) was self-administered and completed anonymously. Our sample consisted of 9598 medical and 10, 566 nursing students (99% confidence interval; precision of ±1%), stratified by geographic area and year of study. Results: The completion rate for our study was 90%. Only 20% (n=3640) of students thought their notions on ODT were good; 41% (n=7531) thought their notions were normal; 36% (n=6550) thought their notions were scarce. Comparing groups, there were differences between those who believed that their notions on ODT were good (44% nursing vs 56% medical students; P < .000), and those who believed it scarce (54% nursing vs 46% medical students; P < .000). Notions on ODT were related with attitude toward the donation of one''s own organs: those who considered their notions were good were more in favor then those who considered it scarce (88% vs 72%; P < .000). Conclusion: Only 20% of Spanish medical and nursing students thought their notions on ODT were good. Having good knowledge is related to a favorable attitude towards ODT. Receiving specific information on the subject could improve their knowledge about ODT during their training