Metal alloys, matrix inclusions and manufacturing techniques of Moinhos de Golas collection (North Portugal): a study by micro-EDXRF, SEM–EDS, optical microscopy and X-ray radiography

"Article:820"A collection of 35 metallic artefacts comprising various typologies, some of which can be attributed to the Bronze Age and others to later periods, were studied to provide detailed information on elemental composition, manufacturing techniques and preservation state. Elemental analysis by micro-EDXRF and SEM–EDS was performed to investigate the use of different alloys and to study the presence of microstructural heterogeneities, as inclusions. X-ray radiography, optical microscopy and SEM–EDS were used to investigate manufacturing techniques and degradation features. Results showed that most of the artefacts were produced in a binary bronze alloy (Cu–Sn) with 10–15 wt% Sn and a low concentration of impurities. Other artefacts were produced in copper or in brass, the latest with varying contents of Zn, Sn and Pb. A variety of inclusions in the metal matrices were also found, some related to specific types of alloys, as (Cu–Ni)S2 in coppers, or ZnS in brasses. Microstructural observations revealed that the majority of the artefacts were subjected to cycles of thermomechanical processing after casting, being evident that among some artefacts different parts were subjected to distinct treatments. The radiographic images revealed structural heterogeneities related to local corrosion processes and fissures that seem to have developed in wear-tension zones, as in the handle of some daggers. Radiographic images were also useful to detect the use of different materials in one particular brass artefact, revealing the presence of a possible Cu–Sn solder.This work was funded by FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 Programme and National Funds through FCT— Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia under the project UID/CTM/ 50025/2013 to CENIMAT/I3N. C2 TN/IST authors gratefully acknowledge the FCT support through the UID/Multi/04349/2013 project. EF acknowledges FCT for the grant SFRH/BPD/97360/2013. JF acknowledge FCT for the grant SFRH/BD/65143/2009. Part of this project has been done in the framework of the FCT project ENARDAS (PTDC/HISARQ/112983/2009).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Influence of the length of hospitalisation in post-discharge outcomes in patients with acute heart failure: Results of the LOHRCA study

Objective: To investigate the relationship between length of hospitalisation (LOH) and post-discharge outcomes in acute heart failure (AHF) patients and to ascertain whether there are different patterns according to department of initial hospitalisation. Methods: Consecutive AHF patients hospitalised in 41 Spanish centres were grouped based on the LOH (15 days). Outcomes were defined as 90-day post-discharge all-cause mortality, AHF readmissions, and the combination of both. Hazard ratios (HRs), adjusted by chronic conditions and severity of decompensation, were calculated for groups with LOH >6 days vs. LOH <6 days (reference), and stratified by hospitalisation in cardiology, internal medicine, geriatrics, or short-stay units. Results: We included 8563 patients (mean age: 80 (SD = 10) years, 55.5% women), with a median LOH of 7 days (IQR 4–11): 2934 (34.3%) had a LOH 15 days. The 90-day post-discharge mortality was 11.4%, readmission 32.2%, and combined endpoint 37.4%. Mortality was increased by 36.5% (95%CI = 13.0–64.9) when LOH was 11–15 days, and by 72.0% (95%CI = 42.6–107.5) when >15 days. Conversely, no differences were found in readmission risk, and the combined endpoint only increased 21.6% (95%CI = 8.4–36.4) for LOH >15 days. Stratified analysis by hospitalisation departments rendered similar post-discharge outcomes, with all exhibiting increased mortality for LOH >15 days and no significant increments in readmission risk. Conclusions: Short hospitalisations are not associated with worse outcomes. While post-discharge readmissions are not affected by LOH, mortality risk increases as the LOH lengthens. These findings were similar across hospitalisation departments

Nurses' perceptions of aids and obstacles to the provision of optimal end of life care in ICU

Contains fulltext : 172380.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access

Modelos de crecimiento y producción de selvicultura para Pinus halepensis Mill.

Growth and yield models of silviculture applied to four site indices have been drawn up. The data were obtained in 72 plots, installed in 1965 in man made stands of Pinus halepensis Mill., and inventoried in 1965, 1975, 1980, 1988 y 1999. The site index was defined as the top height at age 80 and models were adjusted using the Richards function, obtaining four site qualities: 20, 17, 14 and 11. Following this, silvicultural production models, including two different thinning regimes, were developed for the two higher site qualities sites, with more productive interest (20 and 17) using a simulation with the Hart-Becking rate. For 11 and 14 site quality, only one moderate thinning regime was developed, bearing in mind their most important protection value.A partir de los datos obtenidos de 72 parcelas instaladas en 1965, en masas repobladas de Pinus halepensis, inventariadas en 1965, 1970, 1975, 1980, 1988 y 1999, se han elaborado modelos de crecimiento y producci&oacute;n de selvicultura encontrada para cuatro calidades de estaci&oacute;n. Las curvas de calidad se han definido por la altura dominante alcanzada a los 80 a&ntilde;os de edad y se han ajustado por el modelo de Richards, resultando las siguientes curvas: calidad 20, calidad 17, calidad 14 y calidad 11. Posteriormente se han elaborado modelos de producci&oacute;n de selvicultura variable incluyendo dos reg&iacute;menes de claras, simulados a trav&eacute;s de la variaci&oacute;n del &iacute;ndice de Hart-Becking, para las calidades 20 y 17, que son las que presenta un mayor inter&eacute;s productivo. Para las calidades 14 y 11 se representan tablas con un &uacute;nico r&eacute;gimen moderado de claras, como corresponde a su mayor inter&eacute;s protector y su menor inter&eacute;s productivo

Country survey IX: Spain

From the early 1980s Spain embarked on a wide-ranging process of military reform, from organisational changes to defence industrial policies. Investment in military equipment was set to grow, policies were drawn up to foster the domestic defence industrial base, defence R&D rocketed, and Spain joined a myriad of international arms development programmes. Yet, by 1991 the process of reform had run out of steam. Expenditure planning proved unreliable, and firms suffered from sharp cutbacks in procurement expenditure. The model of defence industrial growth sketched in the mid-1980s had floundered. The Spanish case provides an example of how the quest to maximise defence procurement from domestic sources can fall victim to industrial and budgetary constraints. Spanish defence producers are now becoming increasingly intertwined with foreign defence companies.Spain, Defence expenditure, Arms production, Defence industry,