Triethylphosphite as a network forming agent enhances in-vitro biocompatibility and corrosion protection of hybrid organic-inorganic sol-gel coatings for Ti6Al4V alloys

The biocompatibility and life of metallic implants can be enhanced through improving the biocompatibility and corrosion protection characteristics of the coatings used with these materials. In this study, triethylphosphite (TEP) was used to introduce phosphorus into organic-inorganic hybrid silica based sol gel coatings prepared using γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane and tetramethylorthosilicate. Addition of TEP dramatically increased the rate of intermolecular condensation and resulted in materials showing greater cross linking. Protein (fibrinogen) uptake, osteoblast in vitro biocompatibility and corrosion resistance was enhanced in coatings containing TEP. Although higher concentrations of phosphorus supported the greatest improvement in biocompatibility, a compromise in the phosphorus concentration used would be required if corrosion resistance was most desirable parameter for optimisation. Films prepared by dip coating on Ti6Al4V alloys from these sols offer a promising alternative to wholly metallic prostheses

Blasts and shocks in the disc of NGC 4258

We present integral field spectroscopic observations of the central region of the active galaxy NGC 4258 obtained with the fibre IFU system INTEGRAL. We have been able to detect cold neutral gas by means of the interstellar NaD doublet absorption and to trace its distribution and kinematics with respect to the underlying disc. The neutral gas is blue-shifted with projected velocities in the 120--370 km/s range. We have also detected peculiar kinematics in part of the ionized gas in this region by means of a careful kinematic decomposition. The bipolar spatial distribution of the broader component is roughly coincident with the morphology of the X-ray diffuse emission. The kinematics of this gas can be explained in terms of expansion at very high (projected) velocities of up to 300 km/s. The observations also reveal the existence of a strip of neutral gas, parallel to the major kinematic axis, that is nearly coincident with a region of very high [SII]/H$\alpha$ ratio tracing the shocked gas. Our observations are consistent with the jet model presented by \cite{wilsonetal01} in which a cocoon originating from the nuclear jet is shocking the gas in the galaxy disc. Alternatively, our observations are also consistent with the bipolar hypershell model of \cite{Sofue80} and \cite{SofueandVogler01}. On balance, we prefer the latter model as the most likely explanation for the puzzling features of this peculiar object.Comment: 7 pages, 10 colour figures. Accepted for publication in MNRAS

Controlled Rate Thermal Analysis (CRTA) as New Method to Control the Specific Surface in Hydroxyapatite Thin Coatings

The control of the texture in synthetic hydroxyapatite ceramics had limited their application in the field of the materials for bone implantation, even more when it is used as a filling in cements and other formulations in orthopedic surgery. The present article shows preliminary results demonstrating the effectiveness of a modification of the controlled rate thermal analysis (CRTA), developed by J. Rouquerol, used for the preparation of ceramic materials with controlled textural characteristics, during the formation of ceramic powders of synthetic hydroxyapatite at low temperatures. The thermal treatments of the hydroxyapatite were carried out in a device connected to a computer, to control temperature and pressure system, keeping the decomposition speed constant. Results, reported when preparing ceramic powders of hydroxyapatite at 300 and 850°C under controlled pressure, using synthetic hydroxyapatite with a Ca/P molar ratio equal to 1.64, were checked using IR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction, showed that the formed phase corresponds to that of crystalline hydroxyapatite, even at 300°C of maximum temperature. Values of specific surface (BET) between 17 and 66 m2/g, with pore size in the range of 50–300 Å in both cases are obtained by N2 absorption isotherms, when analyzing the isotherms of nitrogen absorption

SilvAdapt.Net: A Site-Based Network of Adaptive Forest Management Related to Climate Change in Spain

Funding: A.J. Molina is beneficiary of an “APOSTD” fellowship (APOSTD/2019/111) funded by the Generalitat Valenciana. M. Moreno-de las Heras is beneficiary of a Serra Hunter fellowship (UB-LE-9055) funded by the Generalitat de Catalunya. F.J. Ruiz-Gómez is supported by a postdoctoral fellowship of the Junta de Andalucía (Sevilla, Spain), and the European Social Fund 2014–2020 Program (DOC_0055). The authors received national and international funding through the following projects: SILVADAPT.NET (RED2018-102719-T), ESPECTRAMED (CGL2017-86161-R), Life-FOREST CO2 (LIFE14 CCM/ES/001271), ALTERACLIM (CGL2015-69773-C2-1-P), INERTIA (PID2019-111332RB-C22-BDV), CEHYRFO-MED (CGL2017-86839-C3-2-R), DEHESACLIM (IB16185), RESILIENTFORESTS (LIFE17 CCA/ES/000063), Rhysotto (PID2019-106583RB-I00), AGL2017-83828-C2-2-R, RTI2018-096884-B-C31, ESPAS (CGL2015-65569-R), and caRRRascal (RTI2018-095037-B-I00).Acknowledgments: We thank the financial support from the “Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación -Redes de Investigación 2018, Programa Estatal de Generación de Conocimiento y Fortalecimiento Científico y Tecnológico del Sistema de I + D + I”.Adaptive forest management (AFM) is an urgent need because of the uncertainty regarding how changes in the climate will affect the structure, composition and function of forests during the next decades. Current research initiatives for the long-term monitoring of impacts of silviculture are scattered and not integrated into research networks, with the consequent losses of opportunities and capacity for action. To increase the scientific and practical impacts of these experiences, it is necessary to establish logical frameworks that harmonize the information and help us to define the most appropriate treatments. In this context, a number of research groups in Spain have produced research achievements and know-how during the last decades that can allow for the improvement in AFM. These groups address the issue of AFM from different fields, such as ecophysiology, ecohydrology and forest ecology, thus resulting in valuable but dispersed expertise. The main objective of this work is to introduce a comprehensive strategy aimed to study the implementation of AFM in Spain. As a first step, a network of 34 experimental sites managed by 14 different research groups is proposed and justified. As a second step, the most important AFM impacts on Mediterranean pines, as one of the most extended natural and planted forest types in Spain, are presented. Finally, open questions dealing with key aspects when attempting to implement an AFM framework are discussed. This study is expected to contribute to better outlining the procedures and steps needed to implement regional frameworks for AFM.CEHYRFO-MED CGL2017-86839-C3-2-RDEHESACLIM AGL2017-83828-C2-2-R, IB16185, LIFE17 CCA/ES/000063, PID2019-106583RB-I00, RTI2018-096884-B-C31ESPAS CGL2015-65569-R, RTI2018-095037-B-I00ESPECTRAMED CGL2015-69773-C2-1-P, CGL2017-86161-R, LIFE14 CCM/ES/001271European Social Fund 2014–2020 ProgramINERTIA PID2019-111332RB-C22-BDVGeneralitat de CatalunyaGeneralitat Valenciana UB-LE-9055Ministerio de Ciencia e InnovaciónEuropean Social Fund DOC_0055, RED2018-102719-TJunta de Andalucí

Effect of an intervention based on child-care centers to reduce risk behaviors for obesity in preschool children

AbstractBackgroundPreschool age is a critical stage for health promotion and prevention of obesity, which is an emerging public health problem in children. The aim of this study was to design and evaluate the effect of a multifaceted intervention based on child-care centers to reduce risk behaviors for obesity among preschool children.MethodsA 12-month cluster-randomized community trial was conducted in 16 Mexican Institute of Social Security child-care centers in Mexico City. Children between 2 and 4 years of age enrolled in the selected child-care centers participated in the study. Intervention comprised 12 weekly curriculum sessions for the children, and six family workshops. Changes in children’s dietary and physical activity, food availability at home, and maternal feeding styles were determined after 6 and 12 months. Changes within groups among stages, and between groups by stage were analyzed through X2 test.ResultsThe intervention showed a decrease of home availability for some non-recommended foods and an increase in physical activity in the intervention group compared to the control group.ConclusionsImprovement in physical activity can be effective in the long term; innovative strategies aimed to modify family dietary risk behaviors are required

Development of porosity upon physical activation of grape seeds char by gas phase oxygen chemisorption–desorption cycles

Activation of grape seeds char upon cyclic oxygen chemisorption-desorption permits a controlled development of porosity versus burn-off using air as a cheap activation agent. In this work the influence of chemisorption and desorption temperature and the number of cycles is investigated. A fast increase of BET surface area (SBET) is obtained in the two first cycles; that increase becomes then lower although the SBET continues increasing upon the successive cycles. Regarding the Dubinin-Astakhov surface area (SDA) a slow increase was observed from cycle to cycle. The activation process led to the development of both micro and mesoporosity. Under the optimum conditions for surface area development, i.e. an oxidation temperature of 275°C and desorption temperatures between 850 and 950°C, values of 1129-1256 and 1339-1219m2/g were obtained for SBET and SDA, respectively. Porosity was found to increase mainly during the desorption stage, although chemisorption also led to some surface area development. SEM characterization showed that the activated carbon maintained the granular morphology of the seeds even after 10 cycles showing the egg-shell structure of the precursor with longer and deeper cracks at the outer surface. The activated carbons showed a good mechanical strength during attrition testsThe authors greatly appreciate financial support from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (CTQ2009-09983

El patrimonio universitario como laboratorio vivo para el implemento de técnicas y procesos tradicionales de restauración

La Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, es una institución con alto prestigio a nivel nacional que se ha caracterizado por los grandes logros que ha alcanzado en sus diferentes disciplinas. Dentro de sus principales misiones, está el preservar y conservar el amplio patrimonio que lo ha identificado. Bajo este fundamento, la Facultad de Arquitectura desarrolla el proyecto de restauración de uno de los inmuebles pertenecientes al gran acervo que le pertenece a la universidad, en la Ciudad de Puebla, ciudad que cuenta con gran valor cultural debido a la gran diversidad patrimonial con que cuenta, como lo afirma Anon (2012). Este trabajo se proyecta para albergar la Mapoteca Digital Universitaria de la actual Mapoteca Jorge A. Vivo Escoto. El desarrollo de este proyecto, realizado bajo la metodología de los sistemas complejos, permitió mejorar la dinámica educativa haciendo del inmueble analizado un laboratorio vivo, en donde además de poner en práctica los conocimientos adquirido en el aula, logra el implemento práctico de las técnicas y los procesos constructivos tradicionales que fueron empleados en edificios históricos. Desde el primer contacto que se tuvo con el inmueble, se llevaron a cabo acciones preliminares para poder ingresar al edificio y poder desarrollar los estudios necesarios. Otras de las prácticas implementadas fueron realizadas en talleres aplicados dentro del inmueble analizado, con el fin de acercarse al conocimiento de los materiales de fábrica, así como su manejo, implementación y difusión en la práctica de la restauració