Reversible Self-Actuated Thermo-Responsive Pore Membrane.

Smart membranes, which can selectively control the transfer of light, air, humidity and temperature, are important to achieve indoor climate regulation. Even though reversible self-actuation of smart membranes is desirable in large-scale, reversible self-regulation remains challenging. Specifically, reversible 100% opening/closing of pore actuation showing accurate responsiveness, reproducibility and structural flexibility, including uniform structure assembly, is currently very difficult. Here, we report a reversible, thermo-responsive self-activated pore membrane that achieves opening and closing of pores. The reversible, self-actuated thermo-responsive pore membrane was fabricated with hybrid materials of poly (N-isopropylacrylamide), (PNIPAM) within polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) to form a multi-dimensional pore array. Using Multiphysics simulation of heat transfer and structural mechanics based on finite element analysis, we demonstrated that pore opening and closing dynamics can be self-activated at environmentally relevant temperatures. Temperature cycle characterizations of the pore structure revealed 100% opening ratio at T = 40 °C and 0% opening ratio at T = 20 °C. The flexibility of the membrane showed an accurate temperature-responsive function at a maximum bending angle of 45°. Addressing the importance of self-regulation, this reversible self-actuated thermo-responsive pore membrane will advance the development of future large-scale smart membranes needed for sustainable indoor climate control

Pinniped processing and consumption: early littoral occupations at Imiwaia I site, Tierra del fuego, República Argentina

El objetivo general de este artículo es analizar los patrones de procesamiento y consumo de pinnípedos en las ocupaciones canoeras tempranas de la región del canal Beagle. A tal efecto, se evalúan las modalidades explotación de dichos mamíferos marinos a través de los conjuntos óseos recuperados en depósitos arqueológicos del sitio Imiwaia I (Tierra del Fuego, Argentina) con cronologías cercanas a 6000 AP. Se presentan los perfiles de edad y sexo de los individuos explotados, así como el estudio detallado de las modificaciones óseas. Losresultados muestran: a) un predominio de especímenes juveniles/subadultos de sexo indeterminado y machos adultos de Arctocephalus australis; b) la mayoría de las unidades anatómicas de tales individuos están representadas; y c) las marcas de corte se encuentran concentradas sobre las regiones proximales y distales de las diáfisis de huesos largos y sobre sectores proximales y mediales de las costillas. Estos datos permitirían sostener que la captura de la generalidad de las presas identificadas posiblemente no se produjo en loberías de reproducción.Los individuos probablemente ingresaron enteros al sitio, donde sufrieron una desarticulación primaria y luego la reducción en porciones más pequeñas.The main objective of this article is to analyze the processing and consumption patterns of pinnipeds in the early human occupations of the Beagle Channel region. In order to achieve this aim, the modes of exploitation of these marine mammals is evaluated on the basis of the bone assemblages recovered from archaeological deposits at Imiwaia I site (Tierra del Fuego, Argentina), dated to around 6000 years BP. The age and sex profiles of exploited animals is presented, as well as a detailed study of bone modifications. The results show: a) a clear predominance of juvenile/subadult indeterminate sex and male adult specimens of Arctocephalus australis; b) all anatomical units of these individuals are present; and c) cut marks are mostly represented on the proximal and distal regions of long bone diaphyses and on the proximal and medial areas of ribs. These data support the view that it is unlikely that most of the identified prey were captured in rookeries. The animals arrived whole at the site, where they underwent primary disarticulation and then were butchered into smaller portions.Fil: Martinoli, Maria Paz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentin

Seasonal Variation of Essential Oil Yield and Composition of Sage (Salvia officinalis L.) Grown in Castilla - La Mancha (Central Spain)

Links between phenology, yield and composition of the essential oil of common sage, Salvia officinalis L., grown in Guadalajara (Central Spain) were determined in the different phases of the biological cycle during one year. Data showed an average yield about 1.0%. The analysis of the oil components was carried out by GC-FID and GC/MS. The main oil constituent was alpha thujone (40.1 - 46.5%). Other identified compounds are beta pinene (2.6 - 4.5%), cineole (3.5 - 8.7%), beta thujone (4.1 - 5.6%), camphor (4.1 - 8.0%), borneol (1.3 - 3.7%), alpha humulene (3.8 - 7.3%), viridiflorol (3.4-12.6%) and manool (0.1-4.5%). The highest yield of oil was obtained in the period of full flowering and the highest concentration of alpha thujone in the period of initial flowering

Ready, Set, Launch: Time Interval between a Binary Neutron Star Merger and Short Gamma-Ray Burst Jet Formation

The joint detection of GW170817/GRB 170817 confirmed the long-standing theory that binary neutron star mergers produce short gamma-ray burst (sGRB) jets that can successfully break out of the surrounding ejecta. At the same time, the association with a kilonova provided unprecedented information regarding the physical properties (such as masses and velocities) of the different ejecta constituents. Combining this knowledge with the observed luminosities and durations of cosmological sGRBs detected by the Burst Alert Telescope onboard the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, we revisit the breakout conditions of sGRB jets. Assuming self-collimation of sGRB jets does not play a critical role, we find that the time interval between the binary merger and the launch of a typical sGRB jet is ≾0.1 s. We also show that for a fraction of at least ~30% of sGRBs, the usually adopted assumption of static ejecta is inconsistent with observations, even if the polar ejecta mass is an order of magnitude smaller than that in GRB 170817. Our results disfavor magnetar central engines for powering cosmological sGRBs, limit the amount of energy deposited in the cocoon prior to breakout, and suggest that the observed delay of ~1.7 s in GW170817/GRB 170817 between the gravitational wave and gamma-ray signals is likely dominated by the propagation time of the jet to the gamma-ray production site

Effectiveness of a new one-hour blood pressure monitoring method to diagnose hypertension: a diagnostic accuracy clinical trial protocol

Introduction 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is the gold standard diagnostic method for hypertension, but has some shortcomings in clinical practice while clinical settings often lack sufficient devices to accommodate all patients with suspected hypertension. Home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) and office blood pressure monitoring (OBPM) also have shortcomings, such as the white coat effect or a lack of accuracy. This study aims to study the validity of a new method of diagnosing hypertension consisting of monitoring blood pressure (BP) for 1 hour and comparing it with OBPM and HBPM and examining the sensitivity and specificity of this method compared with 24-hour ABPM. The patient experience will be examined in each method. Methods and analysis A minimum sample of 214 patients requiring a diagnostic test for hypertension from three urban primary healthcare centres will be included. Participants will undergo 24-hour ABPM, 1-hour BP measurement (1-BPM), OBPM for three consecutive weeks and HBPM. Patients will follow a random sequence to first receive 24-hour ABPM or 1-hour ABPM. Daytime 24-hour ABPM records will be compared with the other monitoring methods using the correlation coefficient and Bland Altman plots. The kappa concordance index and the sensitivity and specificity of the methods will be calculated. The patient’s experience will be studied, with selected indicators of efficiency and satisfaction calculated using parametric tests. Ethics and dissemination The protocol has been authorised by the research ethics committee of the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona (Ref. HCB/2014/0615): protocol details and amendments will be recorded and reported to ClinicalTrials.com. The results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed literature, and to policy makers and healthcare partners.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Forest Hydrology, Soil Conservation and Green Barriers in Canary Islands

In volcanic islands, the rainfall regime and its torrential nature, together with the steep slopes and the soil types present are considered to be some of the main factors affecting forest hydrology and soil conservation. In such environments, rain regime is generally irregular and characterized by short and intense rainfalls, which could cause destructive flows at times, followed by long periods of rain absence. The volcanic nature of these islands have as a direct resultant steep slopes which influences the runoff volume and speed, as well as the amount of topsoil susceptible to be detached and transported downstream. The soil type also affects the susceptibility to erosion processes. Andisols are the most typical soil on volcanic islands. Their particularities derive their mineral constituents, called short-range-order products, which provide these soils with an increased structural stability, which in turn reduces their susceptibility to erosion. However, the land use changes and the environmental factors such as rain regime and steep slopes may be determinant factor in destabilizing these soils and ultimately a cause for soil erosion and runoffs, which become a threat to the population downstream. Green barriers have been traditionally used to prevent or reduce these processes, also to enhance the dew effect and the fog water collection, and as a firebreak which acts as a barrier to slow or stop the progress of a wildfire. Wooded species present and subsequently their performance have a major influence on their effectiveness. The use of this natural erosion and fire control methods on volcanic islands is discussed in this paper

Reflexiones sobre el paro agrícola en la Segunda República(I) : términos municipales y colocación obrera

El Decreto (después Ley) de Términos Municipales fue una de las primeras disposiciones promulgadas por el Gobierno Provisional. Marcaba una situación de preferencia a los braceros locales frente a los forasteros. Respondía a la necesidad de solucionar el problema social del sector agrícola y anunciar una futura reforma agraria. Las numerosas excepciones a su aplicación junto con el establecimiento de un sistema de colocación de carácter nacional, público y gratuito provocaran su desaparición.The Decree - which later became Law - of Municipal Boundaries was one of the first provisions promulgated by the Provisional Government of the Spanish Second Republic. It settled a preference for hiring local agricultural workers (braceros) instead of foreigners. It responded to the need to solve the social problem of the agricultural sector and to announce a future agrarian reform. The numerous exceptions to its application, together with the establishment of a national, public and free placement system, would lead to its disappearance

Influence of chemical reaction kinetics on electrokinetic remediation modelling results

A numerical model describing transport of multiple species and chemical reactions during electrokinetic treatment is presented. The transport mechanisms included in the model were electromigration and electroosmosis. The chemical reactions taken into account were water electrolysis at the electrodes, aqueous species complexation, precipitation, and dissolution. The model was applied to simulate experimental data from an acid-enhanced electrokinetic treatment of a Pb-contaminated calcareous soil. The kinetics of the main pH buffering process (i.e., calcite dissolution) was taken into account and its time-dependent behavior was described by a rate law. The influence of kinetics was evaluated by comparing the results from a set of simulations in which calcite dissolution was implemented considering thermodynamic equilibrium and another set in which the same reaction was described by the rate law. The results show that the prediction capability of the model significantly improves when the kinetic rate is taken into account.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech