Protocol for assessing the effectiveness of protective coatings for roofing slate

España es líder mundial en producción de pizarras de techar; la producción supera las 600.000 toneladas de pizarra de gran calidad, suponiendo más de 300 millones de euros. La aplicación de la pizarra con productos protectores permite comercializar placas más oxidables reduciendo escombreras y problemas ambientales. El presente protocolo sirve para evaluar estos nuevos productos protectores que empiezan a utilizarse en el sector pizarrero. Se propone una combinación de tres ensayos tecnológicos junto con un cuestionario visual para otorgar índices de calidad. Cada ensayo está orientado para clarificar una propiedad importante en el uso de la pizarra de techar: (i) Ciclo térmico para determinar el grado de oxidación de los sulfuros de hierro; (ii) Exposición al gas SO2 para conocer su comportamiento en ambientes urbanos ácidos; (iii) Exposición a la niebla salina y rayos UV para evaluar la eficacia de la capa protectora frente a la corrosión salina y la radiación solaroduction, quarriying more than 600,000 tons of slate of great quality and generating around 300 euros million in sales each year. However, an enormous quantity of slate plates is considered as a low quality product or discarded every year as waste. The application of protective products on roofing slate tiles helps to commercialise slate with higher oxidation rates, reducing wastes and environmental problems. The present protocol serves to evaluate the new protective products that are now used by slate producers. A combination of three technological tests is proposed here, along with a visual questionnaire to grant quality indices. Each test is oriented to clarify critical properties for the future use of the roofing slate, as follows: (i) Thermal cycles were used to determine the oxidation rate of iron sulphides; (ii) Slate behaviour in acid urban atmospheres was interpreted by exposition of slate tiles to SO2 gas; (iii) Effectiveness of the protective layer under saline corrosion and solar radiation was obtained by exposition to saline fog and UV-irradiationFinancial support was provided by the project “Development of a new methodology to protect the roofing slate from oxidation” sponsored by Dirección Xeral de I+D de la Consellería de Industria de la Xunta de Galicia. Thanks are also due to projects S-0505/MAT/000094 of author J.G.Guinea and CGL2004-03564/BTES

Ensayos normativos para la caracterización de patologías en pizarras para cubiertas

The pathologies formed in slate roofs are mainly due to the presence of potentially unstable minerals (iron sulfides, carbonates and organic matter). These minerals may become altered by the effect of environmental agents, once the slate roof is finished. The pathologies are mainly associated with oxidation and gypsification processes of the cited mineral phases. In this work, the potential pathologies of several Spanish roofing slates are identified, using the tests defined in the European Norms EN 12326:2005, 14147:2004 and 11597:2007.Las patologías que se originan en pizarra para cubiertas son debidas fundamentalmente a la presencia de materiales alterables (sulfuros de hierro, carbonatos y materia orgánica). Estos minerales pueden llegar a alterarse por efecto de los agentes medioambientales, una vez que la pizarra es puesta en obra. Las patologías están principalmente asociadas a procesos de oxidación y yesificación de las citadas fases minerales. En este trabajo se determinan las patologías potenciales de varias pizarras para cubiertas españolas, utilizando los ensayos definidos en las normas UNE-EN 12326:2005, 14147:2004 y 11597:2007

Earthquake Archaeological Effects (EAEs) in Machupicchu. Preliminary results

[ENG] : The National Archaeological Park of Machupicchu (Cusco, Peru) is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. The relevance of this site makes the necessity of the prevention against natural hazards. Peru is affected by earthquakes from the Pacific Trench, but there are important active faults in the Andean Range that could generate destructive earthquakes. In this study we show the preliminary result of the analysis of Earthquake Archaeological Effects (EAEs) and their differentiation from the effects generated by slope movement (creep) in the archaeological site. This type of studies may be useful in the future for the prevention of earthquake effects in the archaeological site

Standard tests for the characterization of roofing slate pathologies

Las patologías que se originan en pizarra para cubiertas son debidas fundamentalmente a la presencia de materiales alterables (sulfuros de hierro, carbonatos y materia orgánica). Estos minerales pueden llegar a alterarse por efecto de los agentes medioambientales, una vez que la pizarra es puesta en obra. Las patologías están principalmente asociadas a procesos de oxidación y yesificación de las citadas fases minerales. En este trabajo se determinan las patologías potenciales de varias pizarras para cubiertas españolas, utilizando los ensayos definidos en las normas UNE-EN 12326:2005, 14147:2004 y 11597:2007.The pathologies formed in slate roofs are mainly due to the presence of potentially unstable minerals (iron sulfides, carbonates and organic matter). These minerals may become altered by the effect of environmental agents, once the slate roof is finished. The pathologies are mainly associated with oxidation and gypsification processes of the cited mineral phases. In this work, the potential pathologies of several Spanish roofing slates are identified, using the tests defined in the European Norms EN 12326:2005, 14147:2004 and 11597:2007.El presente trabajo se ha desarrollado en el marco del proyecto PERDURABLE: Durabilidad de materiales de piedra natural. Análisis y prevención de patologías. MICINN-09-CIT-380000-2009-25, financiado por el Ministerio de Ciencia e InnovaciónS

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder involving the ovary as an initial manifestation: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Because the normal ovary is assumed to be devoid of lymphoid tissue, it is unusual for it to be an initial manifestation of malignant lymphoma. This case is the first report, to our knowledge, of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder involving the ovary as an initial manifestation.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>Twenty-nine weeks after a living renal transplantation, a 38-year-old Japanese female, whose ethnic origin was Asian, presented with abdominal pain and a chronic high fever. Computed tomography revealed a right ovarian tumor and liver metastases. The patient underwent oophrectomy based on the clinical diagnosis of liver metastasis from the primary ovarian tumor. The pathological diagnosis was Epstein-Barr Virus-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder. While ovarian malignant lymphoma has a poor prognosis, complete remission of liver involvement in this case was achieved only with a reduction of immunosuppressants.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Clinicians should remember that malignant lymphoma could initially involve the ovary, especially if the patient is immunosuppressed after transplantation therapy.</p

Roofing Slate Deposits in the Iberian Peninsula

España es el principal exportador mundial de pizarras, debido tanto a la calidad excepcional de sus yacimientos, como a los avances tecnológicos que se han ido incorporando en los últimos años en el proceso productivo. El presente artículo describe de manera general los principales litotectos de la Península Ibérica, incluidos dentro del área noroeste del Macizo Ibérico Hespérico, y entre los que destacan los pertenecientes a la Formación Pizarras de Luarca, que en Portugal se correlaciona con la Formación Pizarras de Valongo. En total, en la Península Ibérica se pueden distinguir 12 distritos mineros de pizarra para cubiertas, los cuales son valorados como yacimientos según criterios de tipo minero y petrológico.The exceptional quality of the slate of northwest Spain and the new technological advances incorporated in the last years into the production process have made the country the largest roofing slate producer in the World. This article describes the main slate lithotecs of the Iberian Peninsula. Most of them belong to the Luarca Slates Formation, which in Portugal correlates into the Valongo Slates Formation. Following mining and petrological criteria, a total of 12 mining districts of the Iberian Peninsula have been evaluated as roofing slates deposits.Depto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y PaleontologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasTRUEConselleria de Industria y Minas de la Xunta de Galiciapu

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Agriculture intensity and landscape configuration influence the spatial use of wildcats across Europe

Land use intensification is increasing worldwide and affects wildlife movements, particularly of specialist carnivores. Resource availability and anthropogenic activities drive the extent and shape of home range size. Wildlife may respond to decreased resource availability under intensification scenarios by increasing their home ranges; however they may be less affected when inhabiting sustainable agricultural landscapes. We investigate whether agricultural practices and landscape configuration influence the spatial behaviour of wildcats, a medium-sized specialist carnivore inhabiting landscapes with different degrees of agricultural presence across Europe. We focus on the effect of the proportions of high impact and low impact agriculture, forest integrity and forest edge density on wildcat home range size. We found that wildcat home range increased along with the proportion of high impact agriculture and the forest integrity, whereas it decreased when forest edge density increased. Forest edge density buffered the detrimental effects caused by high impact agriculture. To enhance the long term conservation of wildcats in Europe it is crucial to protect the sustainable mosaic-structured landscapes and prevent its conversion to homogenous intensified agricultural landscapes.HRV is beneficiary of a PhD scholarship “Severo Ochoa” from the Regional Government of Principality of Asturias. JVLB was supported by a Ramón y Cajal research contract (RYC-2015-18932) from the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness. F. Díaz-Ruiz was supported by a postdoctoral contract from the University of Málaga (I Plan Propio de Investigación y Transferencia, call 2020).Peer reviewe