Flexible and low-cost binderless capacitors based on p- and n-containing fibrous activated carbons from denim cloth wastes

Activated carbon cloths have been prepared from denim cloth wastes (DCWs) through chemical activation with H3PO4. The effect of the H3PO4/DCWs impregnation ratio and the carbonization temperature on the porous texture, the chemical composition, the fibers morphology, and the electrochemical performance has been studied. Low H3PO4/DCWs impregnation ratios lead to flexible and microporous activated carbons cloths, whereas more fragile and rigid activated carbon cloths with higher external surface area are produced upon increasing the amount of H3PO4. The increase in the carbonization temperature allows for obtaining a more ordered and conductive carbon structure. The activated carbon prepared at 900 ºC with a H3PO4/DCWs impregnation ratio of 0.5 (w/w) exhibits the best performance as electric double layer capacitor. This electrode shows a specific surface area of 2016 m2 g-1 and the highest registered gravimetric capacitance (227 F g-1). Moreover, its flexibility minimizes the ohmic resistance of the electrode, thus increasing the feasibility of working at higher current densities than the other synthesized electrodes.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech; MINECO CTQ2015-68654-

Prótesis híbrida de arco completo con implante inmediato en un paciente edéntulo utilizando una sobredentadura retenida en barra en la mandíbula: reporte de un caso.

The hybrid prosthesis is a very predictable treatment option that allows patients to recover their oral functionality. It is a good alternative to conventional treatments and overdentures. The present report describes controlled an 80 year old female patient with controlled hypertension, who came for consultation with a bar overdenture with attachment holders on two external hexagonal dental implants; an immediate loading hybrid prosthesis was installed over four mandibular dental implants.La prótesis híbrida es una opción de tratamiento muy predecible que permite al paciente recuperar su funcionalidad oral. Es una buena alternativa frente a tratamientos convencionales y sobredentaduras. El presente artículo muestra el reporte de caso de una paciente de sexo femenino de 80 años, hipertensa controlada, quien llegó a la consulta con una sobredentadura inferior en barra con ataches sobre dos implantes dentales hexágono externo, se le realizó una prótesis tipo híbrida con carga inmediata sobre cuatro implantes mandibulares

Phylogenetic analysis of the Pantomorus-Naupactus complex (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae) from North and Central America

We undertook the first cladistic analysis of the Pantomorus-Naupactus complex (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from North and Central America, based on 35 species and 61 morphological characters, plus 1151 bp of the mtDNA COI and Cyt b genes. The morphological and the combined matrices analyzed with TNT yielded a single most parsimonious cladogram that allows recognition of two main lineages within the Pantomorus-Naupactus complex in North and Central America. One is represented by the species formerly placed in Phacepholis and the Pantomorus species group II sensu Sharp, ranging along the Pacific coast of Central America and Mexico and reaching the Great Plains of North America in the United States, yet not occurring in South America. The other lineage is represented by the species of Naupactus and Pantomorus: species group I, with closer relationships to the South American species of these genera. The Pantomorus group I includes the type species of the genus P. albosignatus Boheman whereas the Pantomorus group II includes the type species of Athetetes Pascoe, 1886 (A. globicollis Pascoe). Based on the results of our phylogenetic analysis, we recommend retaining the name Pantomorus Schoenherr for most species of the Pantomorus group I, except P. stupidus (Boheman) and P. femoratus Sharp which should be transferred to Naupactus Dejean. Moreover, we enlarge the previous concept of Phacepholis to include most species of the Pantomorus group II, and we establish the synonymy of Athetetes Pascoe, 1886 with Phacepholis Horn, 1876, being the latter the valid name, by priority.We undertook the first cladistic analysis of the Pantomorus-Naupactus complex (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from North and Central America, based on 35 species and 61 morphological characters, plus 1151 bp of the mtDNA COI and Cyt b genes. The morphological and the combined matrices analyzed with TNT yielded a single most parsimonious cladogram that allows recognition of two main lineages within the Pantomorus-Naupactus complex in North and Central America. One is represented by the species formerly placed in Phacepholis and the Pantomorus species group II sensu Sharp, ranging along the Pacific coast of Central America and Mexico and reaching the Great Plains of North America in the United States, yet not occurring in South America. The other lineage is represented by the species of Naupactus and Pantomorus: species group I, with closer relationships to the South American species of these genera. The Pantomorus group I includes the type species of the genus P. albosignatus Boheman whereas the Pantomorus group II includes the type species of Athetetes Pascoe, 1886 (A. globicollis Pascoe). Based on the results of our phylogenetic analysis, we recommend retaining the name Pantomorus Schoenherr for most species of the Pantomorus group I, except P. stupidus (Boheman) and P. femoratus Sharp which should be transferred to Naupactus Dejean. Moreover, we enlarge the previous concept of Phacepholis to include most species of the Pantomorus group II, and we establish the synonymy of Athetetes Pascoe, 1886 with Phacepholis Horn, 1876, being the latter the valid name, by priority.Fil: Rosas, María V.. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; MéxicoFil: Morrone, Juan José. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; MéxicoFil: del Rio, Maria Guadalupe. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Lanteri, Analia Alicia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; Argentin

Aprovechamiento de residuos de aluminio industrial para la obtención controlada de hidrógeno mediante la reacción aluminio-agua

La aparición de vehículos que funcionan con pilas de combustible tipo PEM (membrana de intercambio de protones) plantea la necesidad de proporcionar hidrógeno de alta pureza de forma dosificada y a baja presión. Actualmente se suministra mediante pesadas bombonas de hidrógeno a alta presión, 350 a 700 bar, que requieren de reguladores de presión, estrictos controles de seguridad y mantenimiento. Dicho hidrógeno proviene mayoritariamente del reformado del gas natural, gas no renovable. Una opción más segura y renovable a este sistema consiste en la obtención de hidrógeno, in situ, a partir de la reacción aluminio-agua en un medio alcalino, a ser posible de residuos de aluminio. Un problema que se plantea es la dificultad de obtener con este sistema un caudal constante de hidrógeno, de gran pureza y de evitar la precipitación del Al(OH)3 en la superficie del aluminio, si este queda en seco, lo que retardaría el reinicio de la reacción. Se describe en este artículo, un nuevo proceso para la obtención de hidrógeno, a partir de residuos de aluminio, de forma controlada por dosificación de agua, a partir de la reacción aluminio-agua en medio alcalino, utilizando un alcohol. El alcohol cubre en todo momento el aluminio, evitando la precipitación de Al(OH)3 en su superficie, estabilizando la reacción y filtrando el hidrógeno. En esta investigación, en primer lugar se ha estudiado el comportamiento de diferentes alcoholes: etanol, alcohol isopropílico, 1,2-propanodiol, y 1,2-etanodiol, obteniéndose que el alcohol isopropílico es el más adecuado para estos fines. Posteriormente, y utilizando este alcohol isopropílico, se han comparado y determinado la molaridad de NaOH que permite la obtención de caudales y rendimientos de hidrógeno mayores. También se ha analizado y comparado el caudal de hidrógeno obtenido para aluminio puro 99,7 % granulado (<1mm) y para diferentes virutas y residuos de aluminio procedentes de diversos procesos industriales. Finalmente, se ha estimado la relación entre el caudal de agua dosificada en el reactor y el caudal de hidrógeno obtenido, suponiendo que siempre exista suficiente superficie activa de aluminio para una reacción completa. Con estos datos, se ha determinado la pureza del hidrógeno y del hidróxido de aluminio Al(OH)3 resultante tras el filtrado y extracción a partir del residuo generado, NaAl(OH)4.Postprint (published version

Multiple-System Atrophy with Cerebellar Predominance Presenting as Respiratory Insufficiency and Vocal Cords Paralysis

Background. MSA (Multiple System Atrophy) may be associated either with Parkinsonism or with cerebellar ataxia (MSA-c subtype). It is considered a rare disease, but many patients are misdiagnosed as suffering from idiopathic Parkinson's disease. In this paper, we report a case of a patient admitted with respiratory failure and vocal cords paralysis due to MSA-c. Case Report. A 79-year-old Caucasian woman was admitted in March 2010 with dyspnea, asthenia, stridor, and respiratory failure needing noninvasive ventilation. She had orthostatic blood pressure decline, constipation, insomnia, daytime sleepiness, and snoring. The neurologic examination revealed cerebellar ataxia. A laryngoscopy revealed vocal cord paralysis in midline position and tracheostomy was performed. The Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging revealed atrophy of middle cerebellar peduncles and pons with the “hot cross bun sign.” Conclusion. Although Multiple-system atrophy is a rare disease, unexplained respiratory failure, bilateral vocal cord paralysis, or stridor should lead to consider MSA as diagnosis

Role of 99mTc-Sulesomab Immunoscintigraphy in the Management of Infection following Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery

Infection constitutes a serious adverse event in patients submitted to deep brain stimulation, often leading to removal of the device. We set to evaluate the potential role of immunoscintigraphy with 99mTc-labelled antigranulocyte antibody fragments (99mTc-sulesomab) in the management of infection following DBS. 99mTc-sulesomab immunoscintigraphy seems to correlate well with the presence and extent of infection, thus contributing to differentiate between patients who should remove the hardware entirely at presentation and those who could undergo a more conservative approach. Also, 99mTc-sulesomab immunoscintigraphy has a role in determining the most appropriate timing for reimplantation. Finally, we propose an algorithm for the management of infection following DBS surgery, based on the results of the 99mTc-sulesomab immunoscintigraphy

Multi-resonant frequency-locked loop for grid synchronization of power converters under distorted grid conditions

This paper presents a new multiresonant frequencyadaptive synchronization method for grid-connected power converters that allows estimating not only the positive- and negative-sequence components of the power signal at the fundamental frequency but also other sequence components at other harmonic frequencies. The proposed system is calledMSOGI-FLL since it is based on both a harmonic decoupling network consisting of multiple second-order generalized integrators (MSOGIs) and a frequency-locked loop (FLL), which makes the system frequency adaptive. In this paper, the MSOGI-FLL is analyzed for singleand three-phase applications, deducing some key expressions regarding its stability and tuning. Moreover, the performance of the MSOGI-FLL is evaluated by both simulations and experiments to show its capability for detecting different harmonic components in a highly polluted grid scenario.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Effect of fibrin-rich plasma and collagen sponge on healing of the palatal mucosa

The purpose was to evaluate the variation in thickness and early healing of the donor area of the palate with the placement of a collagen sponge and the use of fibrin-rich plasma (L-PRF).Thirty patients who required mucogingival surgery treatment were selected and distributed into 2 groups. After obtaining the free palate graft, L-PRF was placed in Group A, and a collagen sponge was placed in Group B. The healing process of the palate was evaluated at 24 hours and 7, 14, 21 and 28 days postsurgery. The thickness of the donor area (palate) was evaluated using an acrylic splint. These measurements were made before and 4 months after surgery.In the collagen sponge group, less gain of the palatal mucosa was observed, with a mean difference of 0.1 ± 0.8 mm (CI: −0.341–0.518) (p=0.691), whereas in the fibrin-rich plasma group, a mean difference of 0.0 ± 0.5 mm (CI: −0.229–0.229) (p=0.934) was found; however, when comparing the gain of the palatal mucosa in both groups, no significant difference was observed (p=0.932). The healing index at 24 hours indicated the presence of clots, on Day 28 vascularisation and total epithelialisation (100.0%), and finally, the collagen sponge group on Day 14 presented 93.3% partial vascularisation of connective tissue and 33.3% L-PRF (p=0.001).There was no statistically significant difference in the thickness of the palatal mucosa after the use of L-PRF and the collagen sponge

Enfermedades autoinmunes sistémicas en pacientes con infección por el virus de la hepatitis C: caracterización de 1020 casos (Registro HISPAMEC).

Objective. To describe the clinical and immunologic characteristics of a large series of patients with systemic autoimmune diseases (SAD) associated with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Methods. The HISPAMEC Registry is a multicenter international study group dedicated to collecting data on patients diagnosed with SAD with serological evidence of chronic HCV infection. The information sources are cases reported by physicians of the HISPAMEC Study Group and periodic surveillance of reported cases by a Medline search updated up to December 31, 2007. Results. One thousand twenty HCV patients with SAD were included in the registry. Patients were reported from Southern Europe (60%), North America (15%), Asia (14%), Northern Europe (9%), South America (1%), and Australia (1%). Countries reporting the most cases were Spain (236 cases), France (222 cases), Italy (144 cases), USA (120 cases), and Japan (95 cases). The most frequently reported SAD were Sjögren’s syndrome (SS; 483 cases), rheumatoid arthritis (RA; 150 cases), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE; 129 cases), polyarteritis nodosa (78 cases), antiphospholipid syndrome (59 cases), inflammatory myopathies (39 cases), and sarcoidosis (28 cases). Twenty patients had 2 or more SAD. Epidemiological data were available in 677 cases. Four hundred eighty-seven (72%) patients were female and 186 (28%) male, with a mean age of 49.5 ± 1.0 years at SAD diagnosis and 50.5 ± 1.1 years at diagnosis of HCV infection. The main immunologic features were antinuclear antibody (ANA) in 61% of patients, rheumatoid factor (RF) in 57%, hypocomplementemia in 52%, and cryoglobulins in 52%. The main differential aspect between primary and HCV-related SAD was the predominance of cryoglobulinemic-related markers (cryoglobulins, RF, hypocomplementemia) over specific SAD-related markers (anti-ENA antibodies, anti-dsDNA, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide) in patients with HCV. Conclusion. In the selected cohort, the SAD most commonly reported in association with chronic HCV infection were SS (nearly half the cases), RA and SLE. Nearly two thirds of SAD-HCV cases were reported from the Mediterranean area. In these patients, ANA, RF and cryoglobulins are the predominant immunological features. (First Release April 15 2009; J Rheumatol 2009;36:1442–8; doi:10.3899/jrheum.080874)

Long-term mortality analysis in Parkinson's disease treated with deep brain stimulation.

Background. Few data have been published regarding long-term mortality in patients with Parkinson's disease treated with DBS. Methods. This study analyzed long-term mortality rates, causes, and correlates in PD patients treated with DBS. Results. 184 consecutive patients were included; mean follow-up was 50 months. Fifteen deaths occurred (total 8.15%, annual mortality rate 1.94%). Mean age at disease onset and at surgery was 48 ± 2.4 and 63 ± 1.6 years, respectively. Mean disease duration until death was 21 ± 7.8 years. Most deaths related to stroke, myocardial infarction, other vascular/heart disorders, or severe infection; one suicide was recorded. Deceased PD patients were mostly male and had lower motor benefit after DBS, but univariate analysis failed to show significant differences regarding gender and motor benefit. Survival was 99% and 94% at 3 and 5 years. Conclusions. Long-term survival is to be expected in PD patients treated with DBS, possibly higher than previously expected. Death usually supervenes due to vascular events or infection