Recent Overview of Solar Photocatalysis and Solar Photo-Fenton Processes for Wastewater Treatment

This literature research, although not exhaustive, gives perspective to solar-driven photocatalysis, such as solar photo-Fenton and TiO2 solar photocatalysis, reported in the literature for the degradation of aqueous organic pollutants. Parameters that influence the degradation and mineralization of organics like catalyst preparation, type and load of catalyst, catalyst phase, pH, applied potential, and type of organic pollutant are addressed. Such parameters may also affect the photoactivity of the catalysts used in the studied solar processes. Solar irradiation is a renewable, abundant, and pollution-free energy source for low-cost commercial applications. Therefore, these solar processes represent an environmentally friendly alternative mainly because the use of electricity can be decreased/avoided

Impact of a transformation from flood to drip irrigation on groundwater recharge and nitrogen leaching under variable climatic conditions

[EN] The sustainability of agriculture in the Mediterranean climate is challenged by high irrigation water demands and nitrogen fertilizer losses to the environment, causing significant pressure on groundwater resources and groundwater dependent ecosystems. Advanced irrigation technologies and improved fertilizer management have been promoted as key solutions to reduce the agricultural impact on aquatic systems. However, it remains unclear how different irrigation-fertilizer practices perform on the long-term under a highly variable climate, such as the Mediterranean one. Here, we conduct hydrological simulations over a fifty-year period to quantify the magnitude and dynamics of groundwater recharge and nitrogen leaching under five real-case irrigation-fertilizer practices observed in Valencia (eastern Spain). The Valencian Region is the largest citrus-producing region of Europe and current irrigation fertilizer practices reflect the ongoing transformation of irrigation systems from flood to drip irrigation. Our simulations highlight three major implications of the irrigation transformation for groundwater resources. First, the transformation from flood to drip irrigation reduces the recharge fraction (19% vs. 16%) and especially the nitrogen leaching fraction (33%vs. 18%) on the long term. Second, the long-term performance of the two irrigation practices is subject to substantial inter-annual differences controlled by precipitation variability. The sensitivity of recharge and nitrogen leaching to annual meteorological conditions is stronger in drip irrigation, which eventually leads to a similar performance of flood and drip irrigation in wet years if fertilizer inputs are similar. Third, we identify a pronounced year-to-year nitrogen memory in the soil, whereby an enhanced (decreased) nitrogen leaching is observed after anomalously dry (wet) years, affecting the performance of irrigation-fertilizer practices. Overall, the study demonstrates the highly variable nature of the performance of irrigation-fertilizer practices, and the major findings can guide future efforts in designing sustainable water management strategies for agricultural areas with a Mediterranean climate.The authors thank the Coop Research Program on Sustainability in Food Value Chains of the ETH Zurich World Food System Center and the ETH Zurich Foundation for supporting this project. The Coop Research Program is supported by the Coop Sustainability Fund. The authors also acknowledge the financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through the research project TETISCHANGE (RTI2018-093717-B-100). This work was additionally supported by the ADAPTAMED (RTI2018-101483-BI00) research project funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation with European FEDER funds. The authors further thank AEMET and UC for the data provided for this work (Spain02 v5 dataset, available at http://www.meteo.unican.es/datasets/spain02).Pool, S.; Francés, F.; Garcia-Prats, A.; Puertes, C.; Pulido-Velazquez, M.; Sanchis Ibor, C.; Schirmer, M.... (2022). Impact of a transformation from flood to drip irrigation on groundwater recharge and nitrogen leaching under variable climatic conditions. Science of The Total Environment. 825:1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153805S11182

The Northern wraps of the Sagittarius Stream as traced by Red Clump stars: distances, intrinsic widths and stellar densities

We trace the tidal Stream of the Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal galaxy (Sgr dSph) using Red Clump stars from the catalog of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey - Data Release 6, in the range 150{\deg} < RA < 220{\deg}, corresponding to the range of orbital azimuth 220{\deg} < Lambda < 290{\deg}. Substructures along the line of sight are identified as significant peaks in the differential star count profiles (SCP) of candidate Red Clump stars. A proper modeling of the SCPs allows us to obtain: (a) <10% accurate, purely differential distances with respect to the main body of Sgr, (b) estimates of the FWHM along the line of sight, and (c) estimates of the local density, for each detected substructure. In the range 255{\deg} < Lambda < 290{\deg} we cleanly and continuously trace various coherent structures that can be ascribed to the Stream, in particular: the well known northern portion of the leading arm, running from d~43 kpc at Lambda ~ 290{\deg} to d ~ 30 kpc at Lambda ~ 255{\deg}, and a more nearby coherent series of detections lying at constant distance d ~ 25 kpc, that can be identified with a wrap of the trailing arm. The latter structure, predicted by several models of the disruption of Sgr dSph, was never traced before; comparison with existing models indicates that the difference in distance between these portions of the leading and trailing arms may provide a powerful tool to discriminate between theoretical models assuming different shapes of the Galactic potential. A further, more distant wrap in the same portion of the sky is detected only along a couple of lines of sight.[abridged]Comment: 31 pages, 28 figures, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal, a version with figures at full resolution can be downloaded at the following URL: http://www.bo.astro.it/SGR

Hypospadias: a review

Hypospadias is a congenital malformation of the male external genitalia, which includes: anomalous location proximal to the urethral meatus, in any portion of the glans penis and perineum, hooded dorsal foreskin, and inverted penile curvature on the dorsal side of the foreskin. The etiology has been considered multifactorial, secondary to the interaction of environmental factors with specific genetic background. It represents the second most frequent congenital defect in male newborns. It has increasing prevalence rates of 0.25 new cases per 10,000 newborns per year. Risk factors that have been identified include infants small for gestational age with weight below the 10th percentile, head length and/or circumference, intrauterine growth restriction, and placental insufficiency. Regarding environmental risk factors, maternal exposure to pesticides has been linked. Prenatal diagnosis has been described, however proximal hypospadias is usually detected, making it difficult to diagnose distal hypospadias using this method. So usually the diagnosis is made after birth during the physical examination. To date, more than 300 surgical techniques are known for the correction of hypospadias. The treatment of distal hypospadias is currently performed in one time; the management of proximal hypospadias is controversial; one group favors the one-stage procedure, while other groups choose to perform the two-stage procedure

Pseudoaneurysm due to femoral artery puncture: a review

The femoral artery is the most used percutaneous access site for different endovascular therapeutic options, this being an excellent anatomical site to achieve adequate compression after its puncture, which frequently makes it the site with the highest incidence of complications associated with posterior to arterial puncture. The most frequent complications related to arterial puncture are: hematoma, pseudoaneurysm, retroperitoneal hematoma, and arterial occlusion. The pseudoaneurysm is defined as the interruption in the wall of the artery, product of the lesion of the wall, which causes blood leakage towards the surrounding tissues, remaining contained in a fibrin sac, therefore, the importance of an adequate diagnosis and treatment lies above all in the high risk of rupture or thromboembolism.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis: a review

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XP), first described in 1916, is a rare form of chronic granulomatous inflammation. The etiology is still unclear; however, the development of the disease is associated with chronic urinary obstruction secondary to lithiasis, tumors and urological malformations, among others. This leads to the destruction of the renal parenchyma and its replacement by solid sheets of lipid-laden macrophages. Female gender, diabetes and obesity are attributed as predisposing factors to the development of XP. It is estimated that the incidence presents a maximum peak between 50 and 70 years, with a ratio of 2:1 women-men respectively. Computed tomography (CT) is described as the mainstay in the evaluation. However, the definitive diagnosis is made by histopathological study, where a mixture of lipid-laden foamy macrophages, lymphocytes, neutrophils, giant cells, and plasma cells can be seen. Nephrectomy (open or laparoscopic) continues to be the first-line treatment. The laparoscopic approach is associated with an increase in operating time; however, the recovery time is shorter compared to the open approach. Given the natural history of the disease and the associated complications, this makes it a challenging approach for the surgeon. Therefore, a surgeon experienced in laparoscopic skills is necessary. This review seeks to synthesize existing information regarding the appropriate surgical approach in conjunction with the clinical context

Biliary atresia: a review

Bile duct atresia (BA) is a severe, progressive cholangiopathy characterized by fibrous and inflammatory obliteration of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts. It leads to liver failure, scarring, and end-stage cirrhosis if timely treatment is not achieved. It represents the number one indication for pediatric liver transplantation as a single disease worldwide. Various etiological factors have been associated with BA, such as structural malformations, viral, immune-mediated, and genetic infections. The incidence of BA varies around the world. Untreated BA patients have a 2-year mortality of nearly 100%. The clinical picture is characterized by jaundice, acholia, and jaundice that persists beyond the first 2 weeks of life. Direct or conjugated bilirubin remains the primary screening laboratory test for BA; elevated values ​​occur within the first 2 days of life. Currently, the primary treatment of choice is the Kasai portoenterostomy; the success of surgery has been based on the restoration of bile flow and the elimination of jaundice. However, more than 70% of patients develop liver cirrhosis secondary to persistent liver inflammation, which will require liver transplantation. The following review of the literature aims to collect relevant information from what has been published in recent years on bile duct atresia; focused on the study of etiology, pathophysiology, advances in genetics and immunology. As well as the results associated with surgical treatment and the requirement for liver transplantation

Staghorn renal stones: a review

Staghorn lithiasis is described as the presence of stones in the urinary tract that create a mold of the renal collecting system, with the characteristic of being branched. It has a strong association with urinary tract infections caused by urea-splitting organisms. The composition of the stone usually consists of pure magnesium ammonium phosphate (struvite), or a mixture of struvite and calcium carbonate apatite. It is classified as complete and partial. In the complete one, the stones occupy the renal pelvis and the calyceal system, or more than 80% of the collecting system; unlike the partial ones that occupy the renal pelvis and at least two calyces. Computed tomography without intravenous contrast is the imaging method of choice for diagnosis and planning of surgical intervention. Allowing an accurate assessment of the morphology and location of the stones; that will set the standard for guiding percutaneous access. Complete stone cleaning is the cornerstone of staghorn lithiasis treatment. The guidelines of the European Association of Urology and the American Association of Urology mention that percutaneous nephrolithotomy continues to be the treatment of choice for large stones. Conservative management is related to renal loss and urosepsis, reporting a mortality of 28 % up to 30% within 10 years, as well as a 36% risk of developing chronic kidney disease