Biochar production through slow pyrolysis of different biomass materials: Seeking the best operating conditions

In the last years, special attention has been focused on analyzing the effect of pyrolysis conditions (mainly peak temperature) on the yield and properties of produced biochar. Given that the nature of biomass plays a key role in the pyrolysis process, it becomes really difficult to establish generic trends and correlations, which can be used for any biomass feedstock to predict the properties of derived biochar. Thus, more experimental studies focused on a given biomass source are still needed with the aim of providing reliable data for further research goals. In addition, a number of techniques have been proposed to estimate the long-term stability of biochar in a relatively easy and fast way (e.g., recalcitrance index, percentage of aromatic carbon, H2O2 oxidation, etc.). Please click on the file below for full content of the abstract

Improving Fire Severity Analysis in Mediterranean Environments: A Comparative Study of eeMETRIC and SSEBop Landsat-Based Evapotranspiration Models

[EN] Wildfires represent a significant threat to both ecosystems and human assets in Mediterranean countries, where fire occurrence is frequent and often devastating. Accurate assessments of the initial fire severity are required for management and mitigation efforts of the negative impacts of fire. Evapotranspiration (ET) is a crucial hydrological process that links vegetation health and water availability, making it a valuable indicator for understanding fire dynamics and ecosystem recovery after wildfires. This study uses the Mapping Evapotranspiration at High Resolution with Internalized Calibration (eeMETRIC) and Operational Simplified Surface Energy Balance (SSEBop) ET models based on Landsat imagery to estimate fire severity in five large forest fires that occurred in Spain and Portugal in 2022 from two perspectives: uni- and bi-temporal (post/pre-fire ratio). Using-fine-spatial resolution ET is particularly relevant for heterogeneous Mediterranean landscapes with different vegetation types and water availability. ET was significantly affected by fire severity according to eeMETRIC (F > 431.35; p-value 373.83; p-value < 0.001) metrics, with reductions of 61.46% and 63.92%, respectively, after the wildfire event. A Random Forest machine learning algorithm was used to predict fire severity. We achieved higher accuracy (0.60 < Kappa < 0.67) when employing both ET models (eeMETRIC and SSEBop) as predictors compared to utilizing the conventional differenced Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR) index, which resulted in a Kappa value of 0.46. We conclude that both fine resolution ET models are valid to be used as indicators of fire severity in Mediterranean countries. This research highlights the importance of Landsat-based ET models as accurate tools to improve the initial analysis of fire severity in Mediterranean countries.S

Reflectometry measurements of the m=1 satellite mode in L- and H-mode plamas in ASDEX

In ASDEX, with strong NB, heating, often a large central m=1, n=1 mode is observed on the SXR emission. For PNBI > 1 MW a mode rotating with the same frequency, the so-called`m=1 satellite`, is seen on the magnetic pick-up coils in the L and H-phases. Magnetic measurement s in the divertor chamber suggest that the satellite mode might be located outside the separatix, on open field lines reaching the diretor /1/. Here we present results from localized microave reflectrometric measurements. The time evolution of the satellite mode frequency is studied for plasmas with different qa and the mode localization is estimated, confirming that is shoud be close to but outside the separatrix. The central toroidal rotation velocities of the plasma can be inferred from the measured frenquencies of the satellite modes

Halitosis and the pH variation with four mouthwashes

Poster apresentado no XXV Congresso da Ordem dos Médicos Dentistas, 10-12 Novembro 2016. Porto, PortugalSob uma licença CC-BY-NC - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/Introduction: It is estimated that the prevalence of halitosis, varies between 2-44% at world population. It is suggested that the oral pH value is an important factor on the oral microbiota composition which has impact in gaseous breath constitution (2).The aim of this study was to compare the effect of four mouthwashes on salivary pH values, over time.N/

Improving fire severity analysis in Mediterranean environments: A comparative study of eeMETRIC and SSEBop Landsat-based evapotranspiration models

Producción CientíficaWildfires represent a significant threat to both ecosystems and human assets in Mediterranean countries, where fire occurrence is frequent and often devastating. Accurate assessments of the initial fire severity are required for management and mitigation efforts of the negative impacts of fire. Evapotranspiration (ET) is a crucial hydrological process that links vegetation health and water availability, making it a valuable indicator for understanding fire dynamics and ecosystem recovery after wildfires. This study uses the Mapping Evapotranspiration at High Resolution with Internalized Calibration (eeMETRIC) and Operational Simplified Surface Energy Balance (SSEBop) ET models based on Landsat imagery to estimate fire severity in five large forest fires that occurred in Spain and Portugal in 2022 from two perspectives: uni- and bi-temporal (post/pre-fire ratio). Using-fine-spatial resolution ET is particularly relevant for heterogeneous Mediterranean landscapes with different vegetation types and water availability. ET was significantly affected by fire severity according to eeMETRIC (F > 431.35; p-value 373.83; p-value < 0.001) metrics, with reductions of 61.46% and 63.92%, respectively, after the wildfire event. A Random Forest machine learning algorithm was used to predict fire severity. We achieved higher accuracy (0.60 < Kappa < 0.67) when employing both ET models (eeMETRIC and SSEBop) as predictors compared to utilizing the conventional differenced Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR) index, which resulted in a Kappa value of 0.46. We conclude that both fine resolution ET models are valid to be used as indicators of fire severity in Mediterranean countries. This research highlights the importance of Landsat-based ET models as accurate tools to improve the initial analysis of fire severity in Mediterranean countries.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación - (LANDSUSFIRE project PID2022-139156OB-C21)Junta de Castilla y León - (WUIFIRECYL project LE005P20)Fundación Portuguesa para la Ciencia y la Tecnología (FCT) - ( project UIDB/04033/2020)Ministerio de Educación, Formación Profesional y Deportes, Programa Salvador de Madariaga - (grants PRX22/00305 and PRX22/00307

Changes in the density profile due to the m=2 tearing mode in asdex

Resistive MHO tearing modes can develop magnetic islands near the rational magnetic surfaces, where q=m/ n

Variants in the inflammatory IL6 and MPO genes modulate stroke susceptibility through main effects and gene-gene interactions

A complex interplay between genetic background, clinical and life-style factors and the environment is expected to ultimately regulate the onset, acute phase and outcome of stroke. There is substantial evidence that inflammation within the Central Nervous System contributes to stroke risk, and known clinical risk factors for stroke, like atherosclerosis, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and peripheral infection, are associated with an elevated systemic inflammatory profile. The inflammatory response is equally of major importance in recovery and healing processes after stroke. In this study we tested the genetic association of major inflammatory players IL1B (2q14), IL6 (7p21), TNF (6p21.3) and MPO (17q23.1) with stroke susceptibility and with stroke outcome at three months, in a population sample of 672 patients and 530 controls, adjusting for demographic, clinical and life-style risk factors and/or stroke severity parameters. The apparent complexity of the inflammatory mechanisms in stroke, and the multiplicity of players involved suggest a concerted process, in which implicated molecules interact to tightly regulate each other. We therefore examined both independent gene effects and the occurrence of gene-gene interactions among the tested inflammatory genes in stroke risk and stroke recovery. Two IL6 and one MPO SNP were significantly associated with stroke risk after multiple testing correction (0.022 correctedP 0.042), highlighting gene variants of low to moderate effect in stroke risk. An epistatic interaction between the IL6 and MPO genes was also identified in association with stroke susceptibility (P=0.031 after 1000 permutations). In the subset of 546 patients assessed for stroke outcome at three months using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), we found one IL6 haplotype associated with stroke outcome (correctedP=0.024). In the present study we present supporting evidence for a role of the IL6 and MPO inflammatory genes in stroke susceptibility, and show that stroke risk is modulated by main gene effects together with clinical and life-style factors as well as by gene-gene interactions. Our findings are compatible and strengthen previous genetic and biological observations, highlighting the need of further functional studies, particularly in view of the possible utility of IL-6 as a diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarker for stroke

Sonication of intramedullary nails: Clinically-related infection and contamination

Background and Aim: Sonication is currently considered the best procedure for microbiological diagnosis of implant-related osteoarticular infection, but studies in nail-related infections are lacking. The study aim was to evaluate implant sonication after intramedullary nail explantation, and relate it to microbiological cultures and clinical outcome. Patients and Methods: A study was performed in two University Hospitals from the same city. Thirty-one patients with implanted nails were prospectively included, whether with clinical infection (8 cases) or without (23 cases). Retrieved nails underwent sonication according a previously published protocol. The clinical and microbiological outcome patient was related to the presence of microorganisms in the retrieved implant. Results: Positive results appeared in 15/31 patients (9 with polymicrobial infections) almost doubling those clinically infected cases. The most commonly isolated organisms were Staphylococcus epidermidis (19.2 %) and Staphylococcus aureus (15.4 %). A significant relationship was found between the presence of positive cultures and previous local superficial infection (p=0.019). The presence of usual pathogens was significantly related to clinical infection (p=0.005) or local superficial infection (p=0.032). All patients with positive cultures showed pain diminution or absence of pain after nail removal (15/15), but this only occurred in 8 (out of 16) patients with negative cultures. Conclusions: In patients with previously diagnosed infection or local superficial infection, study of the hardware is mandatory. In cases where pain or patient discomfort is observed, nail sonication can help diagnose the implant colonization with potential pathogens that might require specific treatment to improve the final outcomePart of this work was funded by grants from the Comunidad de Madrid (S2009/MAT-1472) and from the CONSOLIDER-INGENIO Program (FUNCOAT-CSD2008- 00023). DMM was funded by a grant from the Fundación Conchita Rábago de Jiménez Día

Teaching profession in the discourses of UNESCO, OECD and European Union

Las agendas educativas globales no están exentas de los cambios a nivel económico y social de las últimas décadas. En este contexto, al profesorado se le exige cada vez más y se reconfigura su definición. Al mismo tiempo, los Organismos Internacionales han tenido un importante papel a la hora de implementar políticas docentes en los sistemas educativos mediante diversas recomendaciones plasmadas en documentos que requieren un estudio en profundidad. Esta investigación tiene como objetivo, precisamente, analizar la definición de la profesión docente desde una perspectiva supranacional realizando un estudio comparado entre la UNESCO, la OCDE y la Unión Europea. Se analizan un total de 4.267 citas de 11 documentos con ayuda del software Atlas.ti y la aplicación de un libro de códigos. Los principales resultados evidencian una armonización de la definición de la profesión docente a nivel supranacional centrada en un enfoque sistémico en el que predomina la formación del profesorado y el discurso de la efectividad para determinar los ideales de la profesión. Se concluye señalando que la autonomía y participación, a diferencia de otras profesiones, todavía no es una parte esencial de la identidad docenteAs agendas educacionais globais não estão isentas das mudanças econômicas e sociais das últimas décadas. Nesse contexto, os professores são cada vez mais requisitados e sua definição tem sido reconfigurada. Ao mesmo tempo, as organizações internacionais têm desempenhado um papel importante na implementação de políticas docentes nos sistemas educacionais por meio de várias recomendações contidas em documentos que exigem um estudo aprofundado. Esta pesquisa busca justamente analisar a definição da profissão docente numa perspectiva supranacional, realizando um estudo comparativo entre a UNESCO, a OCDE e a União Europeia. São analisadas 4.267 citações de 11 documentos com o auxílio do software Atlas.ti e do aplicativo de um livro de códigos. Os principais resultados mostram uma harmonização da definição da profissão docente a nível supranacional cen-tralizada numa abordagem sistêmica em que a formação docente e o discurso da eficácia predominam na determinação dos ideais da profissão. A pesquisa conclui indicando que autonomia e participação, diferentemente de outras profissões, ainda não são parte essencial da identidade docente.Palavras-chave: profissão docente; identidade profissional; organizações internacionais; educação comparadaGlobal educational agendas are not exempt from the economic and social changes of recent decades. In this context, teachers are increasingly required and their definition is reconfigured. Inter-national organizations have played an important role in shaping teacher policies in education systems through various recommendations reflected in documents that suggest an in-depth study. The objective of this research is to analyze the definition of the teaching profession from a supranational perspective through a comparative study between UNESCO, OECD and the European Union. A total of 4,267 citations from 11 documents were analyzed with the help of the Atlas.ti software and the application of a Code book. The main results show a harmonization of the definition of the teaching profession at a supranational level centered on a systemic approach in which teacher training and the discourse of effectiveness predominate in determining professional ideals. It concludes by pointing out that autonomy and participation, unlike other professions, is not yet an essential part of teaching identityArtículo elaborado en el marco del proyecto #LobbyingTeachers: Fundamentos teóricos, estructuras políticas y prácticas sociales de las relaciones público-privadas en materia de profesorado en España (Ref. PID2019-104566RA-I00/ AEI/10.13039/501100011033) del Programa Estatal del Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación de Españ

Vitamin D Deficiency Is Significantly Associated with Retinopathy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Case-Control Study

Aim: Results from meta-analyses point to an association between vitamin D deficiency and the onset of diabetic retinopathy (DR). The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the association of vitamin D for the development of DR and to determine the levels of vitamin D associated with a greater risk of DR. Methods: Between November 2013 and February 2015, we performed a case-control study based on a sample of patients with diabetes in Spain. The study population comprised all patients who had at least one evaluable electroretinogram and recorded levels of 25(OH)D. We collected a series of analytical data: 25(OH)D, 1,25(OH)2D, iPTH, calcium, albumin, and HbA1c. Glycemic control was evaluated on the basis of the mean HbA1c values for the period 2009?2014. A logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the variables associated with DR. Results: The final study sample comprised 385 patients, of which 30 (7.8%) had DR. Significant differences were found between patients with and without DR for age (69.54 vs. 73.43), HbA1c (6.68% vs. 7.29%), years since diagnosis of diabetes (10.9 vs. 14.17), level of 25(OH)D (20.80 vs. 15.50 ng/mL), level of 1,25(OH)2D (35.0 vs. 24.5 pg/mL), treatment with insulin (14.9% vs. 56.7%), hypertension (77.7% vs. 100%), cardiovascular events (33.2% vs. 53.3%), and kidney failure (22.0% vs. 43.3%). In the multivariate analysis, the factors identified as independent risk factors for DR were treatment of diabetes (p = 0.001) and 25(OH)D (p = 0.025). The high risk of DR in patients receiving insulin (OR 17.01) was also noteworthy. Conclusions: Levels of 25(OH)D and treatment of diabetes were significantly associated with DR after adjusting for other risk factors. Combined levels of 25(OH)D < 16 ng/mL and levels of 1,25(OH)2D < 29 pg/mL are the variables that best predict the risk of having DR with respect to vitamin D deficiency. The risk factor with the strongest association was the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. This was particularly true for patients receiving insulin, who had a greater risk of DR than those receiving insulin analogues. However, further studies are necessary before a causal relationship can be established