21 research outputs found

    Low-temperature electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 to liquid fuels: effect of the Cu particle size

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    A novel gas-phase electrocatalytic system based on a low-temperature proton exchange membrane (Sterion) was developed for the gas-phase electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 to liquid fuels. This system achieved gas-phase electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 at low temperatures (below 90 °C) over a Cu cathode by using water electrolysis-derived protons generated in-situ on an IrO2 anode. Three Cu-based cathodes with varying metal particle sizes were prepared by supporting this metal on an activated carbon at three loadings (50, 20, and 10 wt %; 50% Cu-AC, 20% Cu-AC, and 10% Cu-AC, respectively). The cathodes were characterized by N2 adsorption–desorption, temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) and their performance towards the electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 was subsequently studied. The membrane electrode assembly (MEA) containing the cathode with the largest Cu particle size (50% Cu-AC, 40 nm) showed the highest CO2 electrocatalytic activity per mole of Cu, with methyl formate being the main product. This higher electrocatalytic activity was attributed to the lower Cu–CO bonding strength over large Cu particles. Different product distributions were obtained over 20% Cu-AC and 10% Cu-AC, with acetaldehyde and methanol being the main reaction products, respectively. The CO2 consumption rate increased with the applied current and reaction temperature

    Electrochemical Activation of Ni Catalysts with Potassium Ionic Conductors for CO2 Hydrogenation

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    Three different kind of Ni-based catalysts were prepared on a K-β″Al2O3 solid electrolyte by combining the annealing of an organometallic paste and the addition of a catalyst powder. The different catalysts films were tested in the CO2 hydrogenation reaction under electrochemical promotion by K+ ions, and were characterized by XRD and SEM. The catalyst film derived from the addition of an α-Al2O3 powder to the Ni catalyst ink presented the highest catalytic activity as a result of the increase in Ni catalyst film porosity. The influence of the applied potential and other operation variables were evaluated on the Ni catalytic activity and selectivity. Hence, the CO production rate was enhanced either by decreasing the applied potential (with the consequent supply of K+ ions to the catalyst surface) or by increasing the CO2 (electron acceptor) feed concentration. On the other hand, CH4 production rate was favoured at positive potentials (removing K+ from the catalyst surface) or by increasing the H2 (electron donor) feed concentration. The global CO2 consumption rate increased upon negative polarization in all experiments and the electrochemical promotion of catalysis effect showed to be reversible and reproducible. Hence, the electrochemical promotion phenomena demonstrated to be a very useful technique to in situ modify and control the catalytic activity and selectivity of a non-noble metal such as Ni for the production of CH4 or syngas via CO2 valorization.Es la versión preprint del artículo. Se puede consultar la versión final en https://doi.org/10.1007/s11244-015-0488-

    Gas-phase electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 to chemicals on sputtered Cu and Cu–C catalysts electrodes

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    A novel gas-phase electrocatalytic cell containing a low-temperature proton exchange membrane (PEM) was developed to electrochemically convert CO2 into organic compounds. Two different Cu-based cathode catalysts (Cu and Cu–C) were prepared by physical vapor deposition method (sputtering) and subsequently employed for the gas-phase electroreduction of CO2 at different temperatures (70–90 °C). The prepared electrodes Cu and Cu–C were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). As revealed, Cu is partially oxidized on the surface of the samples and the Cu and Cu–C cathodic catalysts were comprised of a porous, continuous, and homogeneous film with nanocrystalline Cu with a grain size of 16 and 8 nm, respectively. The influence of the applied current and temperature on the electro-catalytic activity and selectivity of these materials was investigated. Among the two investigated electrodes, the pure Cu catalyst film showed the highest CO2 specific electrocatalytic reduction rates and higher selectivity to methanol formation compared to the Cu–C electrode, which was attributed to the higher particle size of the former and lower CuO/Cu ratio. The obtained results show potential interest for the possible use of electrical renewable energy for the transformation of CO2 into valuable products using low metal loading Cu based electrodes (0.5 mg Cu cm−2) prepared by sputteringSe desarrolló una nueva celda electrocatalítica en fase gaseosa que contiene una membrana de intercambio de protones (PEM) de baja temperatura para convertir electroquímicamente el CO 2 en compuestos orgánicos. Se prepararon dos catalizadores de cátodo basados ​​en Cu diferentes (Cu y Cu–C) mediante el método de deposición física de vapor (pulverización) y posteriormente se emplearon para la electrorreducción de CO 2 en fase gaseosa a diferentes temperaturas (70–90 °C). Los electrodos Cu y Cu–C preparados se caracterizaron por difracción de rayos X (XRD), fotoemisión de rayos Xespectroscopía (XPS) y microscopía electrónica de barrido (SEM). Como se reveló, el Cu está parcialmente oxidado en la superficie de las muestras y los catalizadores catódicos de Cu y Cu-C estaban compuestos por una película porosa, continua y homogénea con Cu nanocristalino con un tamaño de grano de 16 y 8 nm, respectivamente. Se investigó la influencia de la corriente y la temperatura aplicadas sobre la actividad electrocatalítica y la selectividad de estos materiales. Entre los dos electrodos investigados, la película de catalizador de Cu puro mostró la mayor cantidad de CO 2tasas específicas de reducción electrocatalítica y mayor selectividad para la formación de metanol en comparación con el electrodo de Cu-C, lo que se atribuyó al mayor tamaño de partícula del primero y a la menor relación CuO/Cu. Los resultados obtenidos muestran un potencial interés para el posible uso de energía eléctrica renovable para la transformación de CO 2 en productos valiosos utilizando electrodos basados ​​en Cu de baja carga de metal (0,5 mg Cu cm −2 ) preparados por pulverización catódica

    Correction : Chaparro et al. Incidence, Clinical Characteristics and Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Spain: Large-Scale Epidemiological Study. J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10, 2885

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    The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...]

    Incidence, Clinical Characteristics and Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Spain : Large-Scale Epidemiological Study

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    (1) Aims: To assess the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Spain, to describe the main epidemiological and clinical characteristics at diagnosis and the evolution of the disease, and to explore the use of drug treatments. (2) Methods: Prospective, population-based nationwide registry. Adult patients diagnosed with IBD-Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC) or IBD unclassified (IBD-U)-during 2017 in Spain were included and were followed-up for 1 year. (3) Results: We identified 3611 incident cases of IBD diagnosed during 2017 in 108 hospitals covering over 22 million inhabitants. The overall incidence (cases/100,000 person-years) was 16 for IBD, 7.5 for CD, 8 for UC, and 0.5 for IBD-U; 53% of patients were male and median age was 43 years (interquartile range = 31-56 years). During a median 12-month follow-up, 34% of patients were treated with systemic steroids, 25% with immunomodulators, 15% with biologics and 5.6% underwent surgery. The percentage of patients under these treatments was significantly higher in CD than UC and IBD-U. Use of systemic steroids and biologics was significantly higher in hospitals with high resources. In total, 28% of patients were hospitalized (35% CD and 22% UC patients, p < 0.01). (4) Conclusion: The incidence of IBD in Spain is rather high and similar to that reported in Northern Europe. IBD patients require substantial therapeutic resources, which are greater in CD and in hospitals with high resources, and much higher than previously reported. One third of patients are hospitalized in the first year after diagnosis and a relevant proportion undergo surgery

    Association Between Preexisting Versus Newly Identified Atrial Fibrillation and Outcomes of Patients With Acute Pulmonary Embolism

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    Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) may exist before or occur early in the course of pulmonary embolism (PE). We determined the PE outcomes based on the presence and timing of AF. Methods and Results Using the data from a multicenter PE registry, we identified 3 groups: (1) those with preexisting AF, (2) patients with new AF within 2 days from acute PE (incident AF), and (3) patients without AF. We assessed the 90-day and 1-year risk of mortality and stroke in patients with AF, compared with those without AF (reference group). Among 16 497 patients with PE, 792 had preexisting AF. These patients had increased odds of 90-day all-cause (odds ratio [OR], 2.81; 95% CI, 2.33-3.38) and PE-related mortality (OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.37-4.14) and increased 1-year hazard for ischemic stroke (hazard ratio, 5.48; 95% CI, 3.10-9.69) compared with those without AF. After multivariable adjustment, preexisting AF was associated with significantly increased odds of all-cause mortality (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.57-2.32) but not PE-related mortality (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 0.85-2.66). Among 16 497 patients with PE, 445 developed new incident AF within 2 days of acute PE. Incident AF was associated with increased odds of 90-day all-cause (OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.75-2.97) and PE-related (OR, 3.64; 95% CI, 2.01-6.59) mortality but not stroke. Findings were similar in multivariable analyses. Conclusions In patients with acute symptomatic PE, both preexisting AF and incident AF predict adverse clinical outcomes. The type of adverse outcomes may differ depending on the timing of AF onset.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

    Effectiveness of an intervention for improving drug prescription in primary care patients with multimorbidity and polypharmacy:Study protocol of a cluster randomized clinical trial (Multi-PAP project)

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    This study was funded by the Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias ISCIII (Grant Numbers PI15/00276, PI15/00572, PI15/00996), REDISSEC (Project Numbers RD12/0001/0012, RD16/0001/0005), and the European Regional Development Fund ("A way to build Europe").Background: Multimorbidity is associated with negative effects both on people's health and on healthcare systems. A key problem linked to multimorbidity is polypharmacy, which in turn is associated with increased risk of partly preventable adverse effects, including mortality. The Ariadne principles describe a model of care based on a thorough assessment of diseases, treatments (and potential interactions), clinical status, context and preferences of patients with multimorbidity, with the aim of prioritizing and sharing realistic treatment goals that guide an individualized management. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a complex intervention that implements the Ariadne principles in a population of young-old patients with multimorbidity and polypharmacy. The intervention seeks to improve the appropriateness of prescribing in primary care (PC), as measured by the medication appropriateness index (MAI) score at 6 and 12months, as compared with usual care. Methods/Design: Design:pragmatic cluster randomized clinical trial. Unit of randomization: family physician (FP). Unit of analysis: patient. Scope: PC health centres in three autonomous communities: Aragon, Madrid, and Andalusia (Spain). Population: patients aged 65-74years with multimorbidity (≥3 chronic diseases) and polypharmacy (≥5 drugs prescribed in ≥3months). Sample size: n=400 (200 per study arm). Intervention: complex intervention based on the implementation of the Ariadne principles with two components: (1) FP training and (2) FP-patient interview. Outcomes: MAI score, health services use, quality of life (Euroqol 5D-5L), pharmacotherapy and adherence to treatment (Morisky-Green, Haynes-Sackett), and clinical and socio-demographic variables. Statistical analysis: primary outcome is the difference in MAI score between T0 and T1 and corresponding 95% confidence interval. Adjustment for confounding factors will be performed by multilevel analysis. All analyses will be carried out in accordance with the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion: It is essential to provide evidence concerning interventions on PC patients with polypharmacy and multimorbidity, conducted in the context of routine clinical practice, and involving young-old patients with significant potential for preventing negative health outcomes. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02866799Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

    La administración electrónica como herramienta de inclusión digital

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    ¿Puede ser la administración electrónica una herramienta de inclusión digital? ¿Qué puede aportar la administración electrónica para avanzar en la inclusión digital? ¿Qué podemos hacer, cada uno desde nuestra actividad, para favorecer la inclusión digital? Estas son algunas de las preguntas que se formulaban los participantes en las III Jornadas sobre Derecho y Tecnología así como al XI Encuentro de Gobierno Electrónico e Inclusión Digital, celebrados en Zaragoza los días 23 y 24 de mayo de 2011. Cada uno, desde su perspectiva, trató de aportar ideas en esa línea que marcamos en la convocatoria del evento: «La administración electrónica como herramienta de inclusión digital». Estas aportaciones están recogidas en este libro, agrupadas en tres bloques diferentes. En el primero, bajo el título Políticas de inclusión digital desde la perspectiva de la administración electrónica, tienen cabida aquellas reflexiones sobre qué hacer para favorecer la inclusión digital desde la administración electrónica, con enfoques concretos en Brasil o Iberoamérica, o de tipo general, aplicable en cualquier país. En el segundo, el título Casos reales de inclusión digital desde la perspectiva de la administración electrónica reúne experiencias concretas llevadas a cabo en España y Brasil. Por último, y no menos importante, el título Inclusión digital desde las aulas universitarias recoge propuestas para fomentar la inclusión digital desde las aulas universitarias

    Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

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    Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries
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