Determination of Cu in blood: Via direct analysis of dried blood spots using high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

The performance of state-of-the-art high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (HR CS GFAAS) instrumentation and four novel devices to produce dried blood spots of perfectly defined volumes is evaluated with the aim of developing a simple, direct method for the determination of Cu in blood samples. In all cases, it is feasible to obtain accurate quantitative information using any of the four devices tested (Mitra, HemaXis DB10, Capitainer qDBS and HemaPEN) via simple external calibration with aqueous standards. One of the main differences in the performance of such devices is related to the blanks obtained, such that HemaXis DB10 and HemaPEN are preferred when abnormally low Cu levels (500 µg L-1 or lower), associated with some diseases, need to be determined. The results prove that accurate values with RSD values below 10% can be achieved for these devices even for such Cu levels, while for Capitainer qDBS and, to a higher extent, for Mitra, blank variations will ultimately increase the uncertainty. It is important to stress that analysis of four real samples using both venipuncture and all the DBS specimens showed a very good agreement. Thus, the approach proposed could be readily applied, such that patients with disorders requiring Cu control can prepare their own samples and submit them via postal mail to labs for HR CS GFAAS direct and fast analysis. © The Royal Society of Chemistry

Early degradation of silicon PV modules and guaranty conditions

The fast growth of PV installed capacity in Spain has led to an increase in the demand for analysis of installed PV modules. One of the topics that manufacturers, promoters, and owners of the plants are more interested in is the possible degradation of PV modules. This paper presents some findings of PV plant evaluations carried out during last years. This evaluation usually consists of visual inspections, I–V curve field measurements (the whole plant or selected areas), thermal evaluations by IR imaging and, in some cases, measurements of the I–V characteristics and thermal behaviours of selected modules in the plant, chosen by the laboratory. Electroluminescence technique is also used as a method for detecting defects in PV modules. It must be noted that new defects that arise when the module is in operation may appear in modules initially defect-free (called hidden manufacturing defects). Some of these hidden defects that only appear in normal operation are rarely detected in reliability tests (IEC61215 or IEC61646) due to the different operational conditions of the module in the standard tests and in the field (serial-parallel connection of many PV modules, power inverter influence, overvoltage on wires, etc.

Morphological characterization of contourite and mass-wasting recent processes at the Guadalquivir Bank Margin uplift, Gulf of Cádiz

The Gulf of Cadiz records the interplay of a variety of sedimentary processes related to the circulation of water masses. The most important one is the Mediterranean Outflow Water (MOW) that exits the Mediterranean Sea, but other water masses also affect the seafloor, with complex variations along time and space. This work studies the interplay between oceanographic and gravitational sedimentary processes on the Guadalquivir Ridge, based on bathymetry and high-resolution seismic profiles. A series of morphological features including flat terraces, circular/elliptical depressions, semicircular scarps and valley-shaped features are analysed in order to better understand the interaction between water masses circulation and mass-wasting processes of the Gulf of Cadiz.Versión del edito

A randomized study of nutritional supplementation in patients with unilateral wet age-related macular degeneration

The purpose of this study is evaluate the efficacy and safety of medicinal products con-taining the original Age-Related Eye Disease group (AREDS) formulation at doses approved in Europe (EU, control group; n = 59) with a product that adds DHA, lutein, zeaxanthin, resveratrol and hydroxytyrosol to the formula (intervention group; n = 50). This was a multicenter, random-ized, observer-blinded trial conducted in patients aged 50 years or older diagnosed with unilateral exudative Age related Macular Degeneration AMD. At month 12, the intervention did not have a significant differential effect on visual acuity compared with the control group, with an estimated treatment difference in Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) of -1.63 (95% CI -0.83 to 4.09; p = 0.192). The intervention exhibited a significant and, in most cases, relevant effect in terms of a reduction in some inflammatory cytokines and a greater improvement in the fatty acid profile and serum lutein and zeaxantin concentration. In patients with unilateral wet AMD, the addition of lutein, zeaxanthin, resveratrol, hydroxytyrosol and DHA to the AREDS EU recommended doses in the short-term did not have a differential effect on visual acuity compared to a standard AREDS EU formula but, in addition to improving the fatty acid profile and increasing carotenoid serum levels, may provide a beneficial effect in improving the proinflammatory and proangiogenic profile of patients with AMD. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Performance of grid-tied PV facilities based on real data in Spain: Central inverter versus string system

Two complete years of operation of two grid-tied PV facilities is presented. Energetic and economic performance of both installations has been compared. Located in the same place, the installation of these facilities followed the same construction criteria – PV panels, panel support system and wiring – and the facilities are exposed to the same atmospheric temperature and solar radiation. They differ with regard to their inverter topology used: one facility uses a central inverter and the other a string inverter configuration. The performance of the facilities has been determined using a procedure based on a small number of easily obtained parameters and the knowledge of the analyzed system and its operation mode. Electrical losses have been calculated for both systems and a complete comparison between them has been carried out. The results have shown better performance for distributed system in economic and energetic terms.Spanish Government (Grant ENE2011-27511) and the Department of Culture and Education of the Regional Government of Castilla y León, Spain (Grant BU358A12-2)

Influence of age on the occurrence of adverse events in rheumatic patients at the onset of biological treatment : Data from the BIOBADASER III register

To assess whether age, at the beginning of biologic treatment, is associated with the time a first adverse event (AE) appears in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), or psoriatic arthritis (PsA). All patients in the BIOBADASER registry diagnosed with RA, AS, and PsA, and classified as young ( 75 years old) at start of biological treatment were included. Factors associated with the appearance of a first AE using adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRR) (Poisson regression) were analyzed. Survival to first AE was studied by Kaplan-Meier analysis and hazard ratios (HR) by Cox regression. 2483 patients were included: 1126 RA, 680 PsA, and 677 AS. Age group stratification was as follows: 63 young, 2127 adults, 237 elderly, and 56 very elderly. Regression model revealed an increased probability of suffering a first AE at age 65 years or older [IRR elderly: 1.42 (CI95% 1.13-1.77)]. Other characteristics associated with AE were female gender, the use of DMARDs, including methotrexate, the presence of comorbidities, and the time of disease duration. Factors that had the greatest impact on survival over a first AE were age > 75 years [HR 1.50 (1.01-2.24)] and female gender [HR 1.42 (1.22-1.64)]. Age at the start of treatment and female gender are key factors associated with the appearance of a first AE with biologics. Other factors related to patient status and treatment were also associated with a first AE in rheumatic patients treated with biologics

Understanding the complex geomorphology of a deep sea area affected by continental tectonic indentation: the case of the Gulf of Vera (Western Mediterranean)

We present a multidisciplinary study of morphology, stratigraphy, sedimentology, tectonic structure, and physical oceanography to report that the complex geomorphology of the Palomares continental margin and adjacent Algerian abyssal plain (i.e., Gulf of Vera, Western Mediterranean), is the result of the sedimentary response to the Aguilas Arc continental tectonic indentation in the Eurasian–Africa plate collision. The inden tation is imprinted on the basement of the margin with elongated metamorphic antiforms that are pierced by igneous bodies, and synforms that accommodate the deformation and create a complex physiography. The basement is partially covered by Upper Miocene deposits sealed by the regional Messinian Erosive Surface characterized by palaeocanyons that carve the modern margin. These deposits and outcropping basement highs are then covered and shaped by Plio-Quaternary contourites formed under the action of the Light Intermediate and Dense Deep Mediterranean bottom currents. Even though bottom currents are responsible for the primary sedimentation that shapes the margin, 97% of this region's seafloor is affected by mass-movements that modified contourite sediments by eroding, deforming, faulting, sliding, and depositing sediments. Mass-movement processes have resulted in the formation of recurrent mass-flow deposits, an enlargement of the submarine canyons and gully incisions, and basin-scale gravitational slides spreading above the Messinian Salinity Crisis salt layer. The Polopo, Aguilas and Gata slides are characterized by an extensional upslope domain that shapes the continental margin, and by a downslope contractional domain that shapes the abyssal plain with diapirs piercing (hemi)pelagites/sheet-like turbidites creating a seafloor dotted by numerous crests. The mass movements were mostly triggered by the interplay of the continental tectonic indentation of the Aguilas Arc with sedimentological factors over time. The indentation, which involves the progressively southeastward tectonic tilting of the whole land-sea region, likely generated a quasi-continuous oversteepening of the entire margin, thus reducing the stability of the contourites. In addition, tectonic tilting and subsidence of the abyssal plain favoured the flow of the underlying Messinian Salinity Crisis salt layer, contributing to the gravitational instability of the overlying sediments over large areas of the margin and abyssal plain