Short-term effects on soil properties and wheat production from secondary paper sludge application on two Mediterranean agricultural soils

This study was conducted under greenhouse conditions to evaluate the potential use of SPS as a fertilizer, amendment and/or liming agent for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Two representative Mediterranean agricultural soils, a Cambic Arenosol (cmAR) and a Cromic Cambisol (crCM) were used. Treatments included four sludge rates ranging from 0 to 40 g kg 1 (equivalent of 0, 38, 88 and 120 Mg ha 1). A significant increment in soil pH, organic carbon, N total, available P and exchangeable K were observed in both soils. Sludge application significantly increased N and decreased Zn, Mn and Cu concentrations in wheat. Wheat grain yields were reduced by 33% and 37% when 120 Mg SPS ha 1 was applied to cmAR and crCM soils, respectively, due apparently to unavailability of Mg. However, straw yields, with much lower Mg requirements, increased significantly with SPS rates. Secondary pulp mill sludge seems to be a potential source of organic matter, N, P, K and a potential soil amendment liming agent for acid soils, when appropriate supplemental fertilizer was provided. For grain crops grown in these soils, addition of Mg is required for proper nutrient balance

Laser Peening Induced Shock Waves and Cavitation Bubbles in Water Studied by Optical Schlieren Visualization

AbstractA temporal and spatial study of the dynamics of generated shock waves and cavitation bubbles in water by laser peening using nanosecond Nd:YAG laser pulses is reported. False schlieren photographs of the zone surrounding the laser spot on the target were recorded by a fast ICCD camera. The developed experimental setup allowed us to obtain a visualization of the different phenomena (hemispherical, cylindrical and plane shock fronts, cavitation bubbles, phase disturbance tracks, plasma formation, etc.) that occur after the arrival of the laser pulse and that contain valuable information about the mechanical processes that take place on the sample

Gender differences in personality patterns and smoking status after a smoking cessation treatment

Background: The lack of conclusive results and the scarce use of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III) in the study of the relationship between smoking and personality are the reasons that motivated the study reported here. The aim of the present study was to analyze the influence of personality patterns, assessed with the MCMI-III, and of nicotine dependence on treatment outcomes at the end of the treatment and at 12 months follow-up in men and women smokers receiving cognitive-behavioral treatment for smoking cessation. Methods: The sample was made up of 288 smokers who received cognitive-behavioral treatment for smoking cessation. Personality patterns were assessed with the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III). Abstinence at the end of the treatment and at 12-month follow-up was validated with the test for carbon monoxide in expired air. Results: The results showed significant differences by personality patterns that predict nicotine dependence (Narcissistic and Antisocial in men and Schizoid in women). At the end of the treatment it is more likely that quit smoking males with a Compulsive pattern and less likely in those scoring high in Depressive, Antisocial, Sadistic, Negativistic, Masochistic, Schizotypal and Borderline. In women, it is less likely that quit smoking those with the Schizoid pattern. At 12 months follow-up it is more likely that continue abstinent those males with a high score in the Compulsive pattern. Furthermore, nicotine dependence was an important variable for predicting outcome at the end of the treatment and smoking status at 12 months follow-up in both men and women. Conclusions: We found substantial differences by gender in some personality patterns in a sample of smokers who received cognitive-behavioral treatment for smoking cessation. We should consider the existence of different personality patterns in men and women who seek treatment for smoking cessation

Motivation to quit as a predictor of smoking cessation and abstinence maintenance among treated Spanish smokers

Introduction: Although quitting motivation predicts smoking cessation, there have been inconsistent findings regarding motivation predicting long-term maintenance of abstinence. Moreover, most such research has been conducted in North America and the United Kingdom. The aim of this study was to examine motivation to quit as a predictor of smoking cessation and of abstinence maintenance in a Spanish sample. Method: The sample comprised 286 Spanish smokers undergoing psychological treatment for smoking cessation. Motivation to quit was assessed pre-treatment and post-treatment with the Readiness to Quit Ladder. Abstinence post-treatment and at 6 month follow-up was biochemically verified. Results: Participants with higher levels of pre-treatment and post-treatment motivation were more likely to be abstinent at the end of the treatment (OR. = 1.36) and at 6 month follow-up (OR. = 4.88). Among abstainers at the end of the treatment (61.9%), higher levels of motivation to quit post-treatment predicted maintaining abstinence at 6 months (OR. = 2.83). Furthermore, participants who failed to quit smoking reported higher levels of motivation to quit post-treatment than they had pretreatment (p<. .001). Conclusions: Motivation to quit smoking predicted short and long-term cessation, and also predicted long-term maintenance of abstinence. These results have implications for understanding motivational processes of smoking cessation in general, while extending research to Spanish smokers. They may also help in the design of cessation and relapse-prevention interventions. Specifically, the results suggest that motivational enhancement is important throughout the cessation and maintenance periods

The Historical Significance of the Welded Tuffs from Arucas, Canary Islands

[Abstract] Arucas Stone (Piedra de Arucas) is a welded tuff quarried in the town of Arucas, on the island of Gran Canaria in the Canary Archipelago. This rock has been quarried for centuries, not only for building but also for many other purposes, such as manufacturing water cisterns or conduits, and especially for carving. The quarrying and economic activity related to this stone have profoundly shaped the history and economy of the city of Arucas, in terms not only of extraction, but also of a highly valued local artisan tradition of stone carving. Immigrants from the Canary Islands even brought this stone to several countries in South America, where it was used to erect numerous important architectural heritage sites. Nowadays, this stone is only quarried in two areas, even though it is often required for the restoration and rehabilitation of historical buildings. Its special characteristics, and, above all, its historical importance, make this stone a prime candidate for Global Heritage Stone designation

Enhanced dimerization of TiOCl under pressure: spin-Peierls - to - Peierls transition

We report high-pressure x-ray diffraction and magnetization measurements combined with ab-initio calculations to demonstrate that the high-pressure optical and transport transitions recently reported in TiOCl, correspond in fact to an enhanced Ti3+-Ti3+ dimerization existing already at room temperature. Our results confirm the formation of a metal-metal bond between Ti3+ ions along the b-axis of TiOCl, accompanied by a strong reduction of the electronic gap. The evolution of the dimerization with pressure suggests a crossover from the spin-Peierls to a conventional Peierls situation at high pressures.Comment: 9pages, 4 figure

Biomechanical analysis of the penalty-corner drag-flick of elite male and female hockey players

The aim of this study was to analyse the kinematic sequencing in the penalty-corner drag-flicks of elite male and female field hockey players of international calibre. Thirteen participants (one skilled male drag-flicker and six male and six female elite players) participated in the study. An optoelectronic motion analysis system was used to capture the drag-flicks with six cameras, sampling at 250 Hz. Select ground reaction force parameters were obtained from a force platform which registered the last support of the front foot. Twenty trials were captured from each subject. Both player groups showed significantly (p < 0.05) smaller ball velocity at release, peak angular velocity of the pelvis, and negative and positive peak angular velocities of the stick than the skilled subject. Normalised ground reaction forces of the gender groups were also smaller than that of the skilled drag-flicker. By comparing these players we established that the cues of the skill level are a wide stance, a whipping action (rapid back lift) of the stick followed by an explosive sequential movement of the pelvis, upper trunk and stick

Smoking habit profile and health-related quality of life

Background: Few studies have investigated the relationship between smoking and health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and the results are not consistent. The aim of this study is to explore the association between smoking and HRQOL. Method: Cross-sectional study of 714 Spanish adults (44.7% never smokers and 55.3% smokers) without diagnosis of physical or mental disorder. Each participant provided information about different sociodemographic variables and data on HRQOL. Smokers also reported smoking-related information about smoking-related variables. Results: Nicotine dependence was not associated with the physical dimension of HRQOL, but in the mental component, nicotine dependent smokers showed worse HRQOL than never smokers (p = 0.004) and than non-nicotine dependent smokers (p = 0.014). There were no differences between no-nicotine dependent smokers and never smokers. Smoking status (non smokers vs. smokers), number of cigarettes smoked per day, stage of change, quit attempts in the past year or age of smoking onset were not related to HRQOL. Conclusions: In subjects without physical or mental diseases, only nicotine dependent smokers showed a significant impairment in the mental component of HRQOL. Therefore, it is important to consider nicotine dependence in the relationship between smoking and HRQOL. Perfil de tabaquismo y calidad de vida relacionada con la salud. Antecedentes: pocos estudios han investigado la relación entre tabaquismo y calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) y los resultados han sido discrepantes. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la relación entre consumo de tabaco y CVRS. Método: estudio transversal en el que participaron 714 adultos (44,7% no fumadores y 55,3% fumadores) sin diagnóstico de enfermedad física o mental. De cada participante se recogieron datos sociodemográficos y de CVRS, y de los fumadores también se recogió información sobre distintas variables relacionadas con el consumo de tabaco. Resultados: la dependencia de la nicotina no se asoció a la dimensión física de CVRS, pero en la dimensión mental los fumadores dependientes mostraron peor CVRS que los no fumadores (p= 0.004) y que los fumadores sin dependencia (p= 0.014). No se encontraron diferencias en función del número de cigarrillos fumados diariamente, el estadio de cambio, los intentos de abandono o la edad de inicio en el consumo de tabaco. Conclusiones: en personas sin diagnóstico de enfermedad física o mental solo los fumadores dependientes de la nicotina muestran deterioro en la dimensión mental de la CVRS. Es importante considerar el grado de dependencia de la nicotina en la relación entre consumo de tabaco y CVRS

¿Mejora la entrevista motivacional la eficacia del tratamiento psicológico para dejar de fumar?

Several studies show that when using motivational interviewing (MI) added to standard treatment, in order to increase motivation, treatment outcomes improve. The aim of this study was to examine whether smokers who receive an intervention with MI before a cognitive-behavioral psychological treatment to quit smoking they improve adherence and treatment effectiveness, and they reduce the risk of relapse at follow-up compared with smokers who only receive cognitive-behavioral psychological treatment for smoking cessation. We compared the effectiveness of adding or not MI to a psychological treatment to quit smoking in a sample of 58 smokers (46.6% men and 53.4% women). The experimental group received 2 sessions of MI before the beginning of the 6 sessions of the psychological treatment, while the control group received only 6 sessions of treatment. The results showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups in adherence to treatment, and treatment outcomes at the end of treatment and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. We conclude that intervention with MI does not produce better results compared to the application of cognitive-behavioral psychological treatment alone

Smoking relapse situations among a community-recruited sample of Spanish daily smokers

Introduction Relapse is a common factor within the behavior change process. However, there is scarce and limited knowledge of smoking relapse situations in population-based samples. The aim of this study was to identify smoking relapse situations among a sample of Spanish relapsers from the general population. Methods A sample of 775 relapsers was recruited among the general population using a snowball method. Participants completed a survey including sociodemographic, smoking-related and psychopathology variables. Smoking relapse situations were identified through specific questions assessing different aspects related to the last relapse episode. Results The majority of smoking relapse situations were attributed to positive affect (36.6%) and negative affect (34.3%), followed by lack of control (10.1%), smoking habit (6.7%), craving or nicotine withdrawal (6.3%), and social pressure (5.9%). Being unemployed and having a mental disorder in the past increased the likelihood of relapse in situations of negative affect. Being single and having quit smoking to save money were associated with an increased likelihood of relapse in situations of positive affect. Conclusions Affect plays a significant role in smoking relapse among a community sample of unassisted Spanish smokers. Relapse may be much more of an affective and situational process than a habit, physiological or social pressure. Findings from this study may help develop tailored community smoking relapse prevention strategies or programs