Dolomitic lime: thermal decomposition of nesquehonite

Nesquehonite (MgCO3·3H2O) (N) can be obtained from a dolomitic quicklime paste in a CO2-rich atmosphere. Thermal decomposition of this synthetic nesquehonite has been studied by TG-DTA analysis. It is very similar to the hydromagnesite (HY) thermal decomposition, as it show similarities in the decarbonations at 440 and 550 °C, and an exothermic phenomenon at 510 °C. It has been reported in the literature that some intermediate in N→HY transformation occur, but this process cannot be directly detected during the heating. Samples were heated at 115, 230, 280, 370, 460, 520, 600, 800 and 1000 °C and XRD and FT-IR were used in order to determine the structural changes in nesquehonite and the intermediate phases formed. Results show that nesquehonite transforms at lower temperatures (115 °C) into a stable amorphous magnesium carbonate with chemical composition very close to that of HY. Thermal decomposition of nesquehonite, during a gradual temperature increase, proceeds via the formation of this compound. At higher temperatures (460 °C/short heating times), nesquehonite transforms into HY. The occurrence of an exothermic peak at 510 °C has been also discussed

Dolomitic limes: evolution of the slaking process under different conditions

Dolomitic lime-based pastes were prepared in order to study the evolution of the compounds during the slaking process. Thermal studies as well as X-ray diffraction and FT-IR spectroscopy were used to confirm the formed compounds. The rate of the hydration of calcium and magnesium oxides has been determined under different conditions: atmospheric conditions, CO2-rich and enclosed environment without CO2. Also the lime powder evolution without water added was studied. Whereas CaO hydrates at a higher rate, MgO is very dependent by its particle size distribution and stirring. The paper also focuses on the carbonation process. Given that carbonation is the most usual hardening process in lime pastes, its knowledge is necessary to understand the mechanical behavior of these pastes. In an excess of water, calcium hydroxide carbonates giving calcite if exposed to CO2. In lime powder, another mechanism has been established through vaterite formation. Magnesium hydroxide does not carbonate under normal conditions. In a CO2 atmosphere nesquehonite (MgCO3·3H2O) has been checked found as a result of carbonation

The H=xp model revisited and the Riemann zeros

Berry and Keating conjectured that the classical Hamiltonian H = xp is related to the Riemann zeros. A regularization of this model yields semiclassical energies that behave, in average, as the non trivial zeros of the Riemann zeta function. However, the classical trajectories are not closed, rendering the model incomplete. In this paper, we show that the Hamiltonian H = x (p + l_p^2/p) contains closed periodic orbits, and that its spectrum coincides with the average Riemann zeros. This result is generalized to Dirichlet L-functions using different self-adjoint extensions of H. We discuss the relation of our work to Polya's fake zeta function and suggest an experimental realization in terms of the Landau model.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Apolipoprotein L2 contains a BH3-like domain but it does not behave as a BH3-only protein

Apolipoproteins of the L family are lipid-binding proteins whose function is largely unknown. Apolipoprotein L1 and apolipoprotein L6 have been recently described as novel pro-death BH3-only proteins that are also capable of regulating autophagy. In an in-silico screening to discover novel putative BH3-only proteins, we identified yet another member of the apolipoprotein L family, apolipoprotein L2 (ApoL2), as a BH3 motif-containing protein. ApoL2 has been suggested to behave as a BH3-only protein and mediate cell death induced by interferon-gamma or viral infection. As previously described, we observed that ApoL2 protein was induced by interferon-gamma. However, knocking down its expression in HeLa cells did not regulate cell death induced by interferon-gamma. Overexpression of ApoL2 did not induce cell death on its own. ApoL2 did not sensitize or protect cells from overexpression of the BH3-only proteins Bmf or Noxa. Furthermore, siRNA against ApoL2 did not alter sensitivity to a variety of death stimuli. We could, however, detect a weak interaction between ApoL2 and Bcl-2 by immunoprecipitation of the former, suggesting a role of ApoL2 in a Bcl-2-regulated process like autophagy. However, in contrast to what has been described about its homologs ApoL1 and ApoL6, ApoL2 did not regulate autophagy. Thus, the role, if any, of ApoL2 in cell death remains to be clarified

Healthcare Experience and their Relationship with Demographic, Disease and Healthcare-Related Variables: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Patients with Chronic Diseases Using the IEXPAC Scale

Health Administration; Public Health; Quality of Life ResearchAdministración sanitaria; Salud pública; Investigación de calidad de vidaAdministració sanitària; Salut pública; Investigació sobre la qualitat de vidaBackground Patient experience is acknowledged as a principal aspect of quality healthcare delivery, and it has implications with regard to outcomes. Objectives Our objective was to evaluate the healthcare experience of patients with chronic diseases to identify patient-perceived healthcare gaps and to assess the influence of demographic and healthcare-related variables on patient experiences. Methods A cross-sectional survey was delivered to adult patients with chronic diseases: diabetes mellitus (DM), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or rheumatic diseases. Patient experiences were assessed with the Instrument for Evaluation of the Experience of Chronic Patients (IEXPAC) questionnaire, with possible scores ranging from 0 (worst) to 10 (best experience). Results Of the 2474 patients handed the survey, 1618 returned it (response rate 65.4%). Patients identified gaps in healthcare related mainly to access to reliable information and services, interaction with other patients and continuity of healthcare after hospital discharge. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) IEXPAC score was 6.0 ± 1.9 and was higher for patients with HIV (6.6 ± 1.7) than for those with rheumatic disease (5.5 ± 2.0), IBD (5.9 ± 2.0) or DM (5.9 ± 1.9) (p < 0.001). In multivariate models, better overall IEXPAC experience was associated with follow-up by the same physician, follow-up by a nurse, receiving healthcare support from others and treatment with subcutaneous or intravenous drugs. The multivariate model that confirmed patients with HIV or DM had better experience than did those with rheumatic diseases. Conclusions Through IEXPAC, patients identified aspects for healthcare quality improvements and circumstances associated with better experience, which may permit greater redirection of healthcare toward patient-centered goals while facilitating improvements in social care and long-term healthcare quality.This project was funded by Merck Sharp and Dohme, Spain

Analysis of the role of altitude on diesel engine performance and emissions using an atmosphere simulator

[EN] Forthcoming directives from European Commission will force homologation in altitude to approach standards to actual driving conditions in order to reduce the gap between regulated and real-life emissions. This work presents the use of a dedicated atmosphere simulator to analyse the impact of altitude on performance and emissions of a turbocharged diesel engine. The presented equipment provides engine intake and exhaust pressure to reproduce high-altitude conditions. The main advantages are related to cost savings with respect to round-robin testing campaigns ensuring controlled ambient conditions at the different altitudes. The paper shows the main features of the altitude simulator under steady-state and transient operation and the ability to control temperature at the same time that pressure according to International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) specifications. The experimental results highlight the need for specific testing facilities to perform calibration tasks as a key tool to comply with future emission standards in a cost-effective manner. In particular, regulated emissions measured at altitude are shown to clearly exceed that permitted at sea-level emphasizing the need to explore new dedicated engine control strategies for pollutant abatement under altitude operation.Bermúdez, V.; Serrano, J.; Piqueras, P.; Gómez-Gil, J.; Bender, S. (2017). Analysis of the role of altitude on diesel engine performance and emissions using an atmosphere simulator. International Journal of Engine Research. 18(1-2):105-117. doi:10.1177/1468087416679569S105117181-

Portal Observatorio: El nuevo punto de encuentro de la comunidad IDE

El Portal Observatorio IDE es una plataforma colaborativa online en desarrollo que aspira a convertirse en un destacado punto de encuentro para toda la comunidad IDE. Nace con el fin de conseguir atraer las diversas iniciativas relacionadas con las IDE que se están gestando en la actualidad, contribuyendo así a la concentración, coordinación y monitorización de esfuerzos. Para conseguirlo, se propone una plataforma con una estructura adaptable y dinámica, en la que se invite a los propios usuarios a colaborar en la gestión de su estructura, funcionamiento y alojamiento de contenidos. En el presente artículo se realiza una declaración de los fundamentos e ideas que han llevado a las instituciones implicadas a la creación del Portal Observatorio IDE, se detallan las herramientas tecnológicas empleadas para su programación, las características y utilidades implementadas y los resultados esperados con su puesta en marcha

Hemophagocytic syndrome in patients from SLE Registry from the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (RELESSER)

Poster presentationInstituto de Salud Carlos III; PI11/0285

Synthesis and Characterisation of ASA-PEEK Composites for Fused Filament Fabrication

In this paper, a series of polymer composites made from acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate (ASA) and poly (ether ether ketone) (PEEK) were manufactured. ASA acts as a polymer matrix while PEEK is loaded in the form of micro-particles that act as a reinforcing filler. The composites were compounded by single screw extrusion and then, different specimens were manufactured either via injection moulding (IM) or fused filament fabrication (FFF). Two different types of PEEK (commercial and reused) in different concentrations (3 and 6 wt.%) were tested and their influence in the mechanical, structural, and thermal properties were studied. It was observed that reused PEEK enhanced the stiffness and tensile strength and thermal stability of the composites both, for injected and printed specimens. This evidences the suitability of these composites as potential candidates as novel materials with enhanced properties following an approach of circular economy

The Influence of Patient Experience with Healthcare on the Health-Related Quality of Life of People Living with HIV: An Observational Cross-Sectional Survey

[Abstract] Introduction Patient experience is central to the quality of healthcare delivery, showing positive associations with several outcome measures. The main objectives of this study are to analyze the influence of patient experience on the health-related quality of life in people living with HIV and the role played by treatment complexity and clinical care. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey with 467 patients with HIV. We used the Instrument for Evaluation of the Experience of Chronic Patients and the Health-related Quality of Life Questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L). We analyzed a predictive model through the partial least squares (PLS) method. Results The patient self-management scores showed the highest positive relationship with the patient’s health-related quality of life (β = 0.24, β = 0.32, p  50 years old (p < 0.05). Conclusions Patient experience mainly influenced the health-related quality of life of older people living with HIV. The treatment and clinical care complexity played an important role in degrading the patients' experience and their quality of life. More integrated care would benefit the health-related quality of life of people living with HIV