Enhanced Atenolol oxidation by ferrites photoanodes grown on ceramic SnO2-Sb2O3 anodes

The increase in the consumption of pharmaceutical compounds has caused the increment of their presence in different body waters. β-blockers are one of the most dangerous even at low concentrations (ng L−1). Anodic oxidation with a boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode presents good results to remove these compounds. However, since this anode is expensive, some cheaper materials are under study. In this work, Sb-doped SnO2 ceramic anodes (BCE) coated with Zn or Cd ferrites, in order to provide photocatalytic properties, have been applied to the degradation of the Atenolol (ATL) β-blocker. Increasing the applied current increased ATL degradation and mineralization but caused a decrease in mineralization current efficiency (MCE) and an increase in energy consumption (ETOC). Additionally, light irradiation enhanced the ATL mineralization rate between 10% and 20% for both ferrites, although this increase was higher for the cadmium ferrite one. Finally, when the ferrites were compared with BDD and BCE anodes, the oxidizing power of the different anodic materials can be ordered as follows BDD> Cd-Fe> Zn-Fe> BCE. Therefore, both ferrites improved the BCE performance but only the cadmium one appeared as an alternative to the BDD, especially for MCE and ETOC, reaching values of 15% and 0.5 kWh gTOC−1, respectively

Study of the chlorfenvinphos pesticide removal under different anodic materials and different reactor configuration

The present manuscript focuses on the study of the electrochemical oxidation of the insecticide Chlorfenvinphos (CVP). The assays were carried out under galvanostatic conditions using boron-doped diamond (BDD) and lowcost tin dioxide doped with antimony (Sb-doped SnO2) as anodes. The influence of the operating variables, such as applied current density, presence or absence of a cation-exchange membrane and concentration of supporting electrolyte, was discussed. The results revealed that the higher applied current density the higher degradation and mineralization of the insecticide for both anodes. The presence of the membrane and the highest concentration of Na2SO4 studied (0.1 M) as a supporting electrolyte benefited the oxidation process of CVP using the BDD electrode, while with the ceramic anode the elimination of CVP was lower under these experimental conditions. Although the BDD electrode showed the best performance, ceramic anodes appear as an interesting alternative as they were able to degrade CVP completely for the highest applied current density values. Toxicity tests revealed that the initial solution of CVP was more toxic than the samples treated with the ceramic electrode, while using the BDD electrode the toxicity of the sample increased

Evaluation of polyherbal methionine and choline in feedlot rations for lambs

Requirements of lambs for choline and methionine have not been clearly established, but because of their metabolic relationship, the availability of these two nutrients may affect protein synthesis and energy balance. Therefore, a trial was carried out to evaluate the effect on productive performance and blood metabolites of including methionine and choline from polyherbal mixtures in finishing lamb diets. Forty Hampshire x Suffolk lambs weighing 26.9 ± 2.8 kg were used for a 45-day experiment. The treatments were arranged as a 2x2 factorial, in which the factors were dietary supplementation with herbal methionine and choline at two levels (0% and 0.4% of dry matter (DM)). The treatments had no effects on the lambs’ productive variables (daily feed intake, average daily gain, and feed to gain ratio), carcass characteristics and lipid metabolites (P >0.05). The results indicated that the inclusion of polyherbal mixtures containing methionine, choline and their combination at 0.4% of DM in finishing lamb diets showed no benefits in productive response or in blood metabolites related to lipid metabolism. Keywords: amino acid, lipid metabolites, productive performance, ruminally protected, vitami

Reusing intravaginal progesterone releasing devices for oestrous synchoronization in ewes

In this study, the second use of an intravaginal progesterone-releasing device or controlled intravaginal drug release device (CIDR) was evaluated. After a first use of 11 days, the CIDR was again used for either nine or 12 days with 200 or 300 IU equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) being injected on its removal. Sixty-four ewes were randomly distributed to four treatments (n=16/group): CIDR9+eCG200, CIDR9+eCG300, CIDR12+eCG200, and CIDR12+eCG300. The eCG was administered intramuscularly on withdrawal of the device. Thus, the experiment was a completely randomized design with a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Oestrus presentation did not differ between treatments (P =0.29). However, with the dose of 200 IU of eCG, oestrus presentation tended to increase (P =0.08). The onset and duration of oestrus, percentage of gestation, and return to oestrus did not differ between treatments (P >0.05). Progesterone concentration in serum was greater (P < 0.05) in ewes treated with CIDR12+eCG300. Prolificacy was greatest (1.44) with the CIDR12+eCG300 treatment and was different (P = 0.001) from the treatments CIDR9+eCG200 (1.21) and CIDR9+eCG300 (1.20), but not from the CIDR12+eCG200 treated ewes (1.31). The CIDR12+eCG300 treatement produced the highest percentage of twin births (45.8%) (P =0.001). Leaving the device in place for 12 days increased (P =0.001) the incidence of twin births. Use of the CIDR for a second time synchronized oestrus in ewes successfully with better fertility being obtained when the device was left in place for 12 days, and 300 IU of eCG was injected on its removal. Key words: gonadotropin, progesterone device, synchronizatio

Enfermería : fármacos más utilizados en urgencias hospitalarias

El Servicio de Urgencias del C.H.G.U.V. cuenta con una plantilla de 84 Enfermeros/as. Una parte considerable de ellos es personal de nueva incorporación, de ahí que sea prioritaria la elaboración de protocolos de actuación. La administración de medicación intravenosa es sin duda una de las técnicas de mayor aplicación en los pacientes que acuden a Urgencias, que en nuestro Hospital oscila entre 550-600 atenciones diarias. Por ello nos planteamos, mediante la realización de reuniones de grupo, la elaboración del presente trabajo con el objetivo de elaborar un manual informativo sobre la medicación más habitual utilizada en nuestro Servicio de Urgencias; indicaciones, contraindicaciones, diluciones, cuidados y recomendaciones sobre la administración que nos ayude a visionar la practica en nuestro trabajo y la calidad del Servicio que prestamos a nuestros pacientes, y sirva de consulta sobre todo al personal de nueva incorporación.The First aid service of the C.H.G.U.V. Nurse is provided with a staff of 84, a considerable part of them is new staff, and therefore there is a priority of making of performance protocols. The administration of intravenous medication is undoubtedly one of the most used techniques in patients who come to the emergency room, which in our Hospital ranges between 550-600 daily attentions. For this reason, we considered that carrying out group meetings in order to elaborate the present essay. Our main objective is to prepare an informative guidebook about the most common used medicines in our first aid service: indications, contraindications, dilutions, care, and recommendations on the use. In this sense it will contribute to see the practice in our work and the service quality that we give to our patients. And what is more, it will serve as a reference particularly to the new [email protected]

Analysis of norfloxacin ecotoxicity and the relation with its degradation by means of electrochemical oxidation using different anodes

[EN] In this work, ecotoxicological bioassays based on Lactuca sativa seeds and bioluminescent bacterium (Vibrio fischeri) have been carried out in order to quantify the toxicity of Norfloxacin (NOR) and sodium sulfate solutions, before and after treating them using electrochemical advanced oxidation. The effect of some process variables (anode material, reactor configuration and applied current) on the toxicity evolution of the treated solution has been studied. A NOR solution shows an EC50 (5 days) of 336 mg L-1 towards Lactuca sativa. This threshold NOR concentration decreases with sodium sulfate concentration, in solutions that contain simultaneously Norfloxacin and sodium sulfate. In every case considered in this work, the electrochemical advanced oxidation process increased the toxicity (towards both Lactuca sativa and Vibrio fischeri) of the solution. This toxicity increase is mainly due to the persulfate formation during the electrochemical treatment. From a final solution toxicity point of view, the best results were obtained using a BDD anode in a divided reactor applying the lowest current intensity.The authors are very grateful to the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (Projects CTQ2015-65202-C2-1-R and RTI2018-101341-B-C21) for their economic support.Montañés, M.; García Gabaldón, M.; Roca-Pérez, L.; Giner-Sanz, JJ.; Mora-Gómez, J.; Pérez-Herranz, V. (2020). Analysis of norfloxacin ecotoxicity and the relation with its degradation by means of electrochemical oxidation using different anodes. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 188:1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.109923S110188Banks, M. K., & Schultz, K. E. (2005). Comparison of Plants for Germination Toxicity Tests in Petroleum-Contaminated Soils. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 167(1-4), 211-219. doi:10.1007/s11270-005-8553-4Barreto, J. P. d. P., Araujo, K. C. d. F., de Araujo, D. M., & Martinez-Huitle, C. A. (2015). Effect of sp3/sp2 Ratio on Boron Doped Diamond Films for Producing Persulfate. ECS Electrochemistry Letters, 4(12), E9-E11. doi:10.1149/2.0061512eelBueno, F., Borba, F. H., Pellenz, L., Schmitz, M., Godoi, B., Espinoza-Quiñones, F. R., … Módenes, A. N. (2018). Degradation of ciprofloxacin by the Electrochemical Peroxidation process using stainless steel electrodes. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 6(2), 2855-2864. doi:10.1016/j.jece.2018.04.033Carlesi Jara, C., Fino, D., Specchia, V., Saracco, G., & Spinelli, P. (2007). Electrochemical removal of antibiotics from wastewaters. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 70(1-4), 479-487. doi:10.1016/j.apcatb.2005.11.035Charles, J., Crini, G., Degiorgi, F., Sancey, B., Morin-Crini, N., & Badot, P.-M. (2013). Unexpected toxic interactions in the freshwater amphipod Gammarus pulex (L.) exposed to binary copper and nickel mixtures. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 21(2), 1099-1111. doi:10.1007/s11356-013-1978-1Chen, M., & Chu, W. (2012). Degradation of antibiotic norfloxacin in aqueous solution by visible-light-mediated C-TiO2 photocatalysis. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 219-220, 183-189. doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2012.03.074Coledam, D. A. C., Aquino, J. M., Silva, B. F., Silva, A. J., & Rocha-Filho, R. C. (2016). Electrochemical mineralization of norfloxacin using distinct boron-doped diamond anodes in a filter-press reactor, with investigations of toxicity and oxidation by-products. Electrochimica Acta, 213, 856-864. doi:10.1016/j.electacta.2016.08.003Da Silva, S. W., Navarro, E. M. O., Rodrigues, M. A. S., Bernardes, A. M., & Pérez-Herranz, V. (2019). Using p-Si/BDD anode for the electrochemical oxidation of norfloxacin. Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, 832, 112-120. doi:10.1016/j.jelechem.2018.10.049Davis, J., Baygents, J. C., & Farrell, J. (2014). Understanding Persulfate Production at Boron Doped Diamond Film Anodes. Electrochimica Acta, 150, 68-74. doi:10.1016/j.electacta.2014.10.104Oliveira, G. A. R. de, Leme, D. M., de Lapuente, J., Brito, L. B., Porredón, C., Rodrigues, L. de B., … Oliveira, D. P. de. (2018). A test battery for assessing the ecotoxic effects of textile dyes. Chemico-Biological Interactions, 291, 171-179. doi:10.1016/j.cbi.2018.06.026Drèze, V., Monod, G., Cravedi, J.-P., Biagianti-Risbourg, S., & Le Gac, F. (2000). Ecotoxicology, 9(1/2), 93-103. doi:10.1023/a:1008976431227Flaherty, C. M., & Dodson, S. I. (2005). Effects of pharmaceuticals on Daphnia survival, growth, and reproduction. Chemosphere, 61(2), 200-207. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2005.02.016González-Pleiter, M., Gonzalo, S., Rodea-Palomares, I., Leganés, F., Rosal, R., Boltes, K., … Fernández-Piñas, F. (2013). Toxicity of five antibiotics and their mixtures towards photosynthetic aquatic organisms: Implications for environmental risk assessment. Water Research, 47(6), 2050-2064. doi:10.1016/j.watres.2013.01.020Gustavson, K. E., Sonsthagen, S. A., Crunkilton, R. A., & Harkin, J. M. (2000). Groundwater toxicity assessment using bioassay, chemical, and toxicity identification evaluation analyses. Environmental Toxicology, 15(5), 421-430. doi:10.1002/1522-7278(2000)15:53.0.co;2-zHeberle, A. N. A., Alves, M. E. P., da Silva, S. W., Klauck, C. R., Rodrigues, M. A. S., & Bernardes, A. M. (2019). Phytotoxicity and genotoxicity evaluation of 2,4,6-tribromophenol solution treated by UV-based oxidation processes. Environmental Pollution, 249, 354-361. doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2019.03.057Iniesta, J. (2001). Electrochemical oxidation of phenol at boron-doped diamond electrode. Electrochimica Acta, 46(23), 3573-3578. doi:10.1016/s0013-4686(01)00630-2Larsson, D. G. J., de Pedro, C., & Paxeus, N. (2007). Effluent from drug manufactures contains extremely high levels of pharmaceuticals. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 148(3), 751-755. doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2007.07.008Leme, D. M., & Marin-Morales, M. A. (2009). Allium cepa test in environmental monitoring: A review on its application. Mutation Research/Reviews in Mutation Research, 682(1), 71-81. doi:10.1016/j.mrrev.2009.06.002Li, Y., Niu, J., & Wang, W. (2011). Photolysis of Enrofloxacin in aqueous systems under simulated sunlight irradiation: Kinetics, mechanism and toxicity of photolysis products. Chemosphere, 85(5), 892-897. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.07.008Liu, P., Zhang, H., Feng, Y., Yang, F., & Zhang, J. (2014). Removal of trace antibiotics from wastewater: A systematic study of nanofiltration combined with ozone-based advanced oxidation processes. Chemical Engineering Journal, 240, 211-220. doi:10.1016/j.cej.2013.11.057Mao, F., He, Y., & Gin, K. (2018). Evaluating the Joint Toxicity of Two Benzophenone-Type UV Filters on the Green Alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii with Response Surface Methodology. Toxics, 6(1), 8. doi:10.3390/toxics6010008Mora-Gómez, J., García-Gabaldón, M., Ortega, E., Sánchez-Rivera, M.-J., Mestre, S., & Pérez-Herranz, V. (2018). Evaluation of new ceramic electrodes based on Sb-doped SnO2 for the removal of emerging compounds present in wastewater. Ceramics International, 44(2), 2216-2222. doi:10.1016/j.ceramint.2017.10.178Mora-Gomez, J., Ortega, E., Mestre, S., Pérez-Herranz, V., & García-Gabaldón, M. (2019). Electrochemical degradation of norfloxacin using BDD and new Sb-doped SnO2 ceramic anodes in an electrochemical reactor in the presence and absence of a cation-exchange membrane. Separation and Purification Technology, 208, 68-75. doi:10.1016/j.seppur.2018.05.017Özcan, A., Atılır Özcan, A., & Demirci, Y. (2016). Evaluation of mineralization kinetics and pathway of norfloxacin removal from water by electro-Fenton treatment. Chemical Engineering Journal, 304, 518-526. doi:10.1016/j.cej.2016.06.105Priac, A., Badot, P.-M., & Crini, G. (2017). Treated wastewater phytotoxicity assessment using Lactuca sativa : Focus on germination and root elongation test parameters. Comptes Rendus Biologies, 340(3), 188-194. doi:10.1016/j.crvi.2017.01.002Radix, P., Léonard, M., Papantoniou, C., Roman, G., Saouter, E., Gallotti-Schmitt, S., … Vasseur, P. (2000). Comparison of Four Chronic Toxicity Tests Using Algae, Bacteria, and Invertebrates Assessed with Sixteen Chemicals. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 47(2), 186-194. doi:10.1006/eesa.2000.1966Rizzo, L. (2011). Bioassays as a tool for evaluating advanced oxidation processes in water and wastewater treatment. Water Research, 45(15), 4311-4340. doi:10.1016/j.watres.2011.05.035Seco, J. I., Fernández-Pereira, C., & Vale, J. (2003). A study of the leachate toxicity of metal-containing solid wastes using Daphnia magna. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 56(3), 339-350. doi:10.1016/s0147-6513(03)00102-7Uzu, G., Sobanska, S., Sarret, G., Muñoz, M., & Dumat, C. (2010). Foliar Lead Uptake by Lettuce Exposed to Atmospheric Fallouts. Environmental Science & Technology, 44(3), 1036-1042. doi:10.1021/es902190uVasconcelos, T. G., Henriques, D. M., König, A., Martins, A. F., & Kümmerer, K. (2009). Photo-degradation of the antimicrobial ciprofloxacin at high pH: Identification and biodegradability assessment of the primary by-products. Chemosphere, 76(4), 487-493. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.03.022Wang, W. C., & Freemark, K. (1995). The Use of Plants for Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 30(3), 289-301. doi:10.1006/eesa.1995.1033Wang, X., Sun, C., Gao, S., Wang, L., & Shuokui, H. (2001). Validation of germination rate and root elongation as indicator to assess phytotoxicity with Cucumis sativus. Chemosphere, 44(8), 1711-1721. doi:10.1016/s0045-6535(00)00520-8Yang, L.-H., Ying, G.-G., Su, H.-C., Stauber, J. L., Adams, M. S., & Binet, M. T. (2008). GROWTH-INHIBITING EFFECTS OF 12 ANTIBACTERIAL AGENTS AND THEIR MIXTURES ON THE FRESHWATER MICROALGA PSEUDOKIRCHNERIELLA SUBCAPITATA. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 27(5), 1201. doi:10.1897/07-471.1Yuan, F., Hu, C., Hu, X., Wei, D., Chen, Y., & Qu, J. (2011). Photodegradation and toxicity changes of antibiotics in UV and UV/H2O2 process. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 185(2-3), 1256-1263. doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2010.10.040Zhou, Y., Xu, Y.-B., Xu, J.-X., Zhang, X.-H., Xu, S.-H., & Du, Q.-P. (2015). Combined Toxic Effects of Heavy Metals and Antibiotics on a Pseudomonas fluorescens Strain ZY2 Isolated from Swine Wastewater. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 16(2), 2839-2850. doi:10.3390/ijms16022839Zhu, L., Santiago-Schübel, B., Xiao, H., Hollert, H., & Kueppers, S. (2016). Electrochemical oxidation of fluoroquinolone antibiotics: Mechanism, residual antibacterial activity and toxicity change. Water Research, 102, 52-62. doi:10.1016/j.watres.2016.06.00

Preferred growth direction by PbS nanoplatelets preserves perovskite infrared light harvesting for stable, reproducible, and efficient solar cells

Formamidinium-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) present the maximum theoretical efficiency of the lead perovskite family. However, formamidinium perovskite exhibits significant degradation in air. The surface chemistry of PbS has been used to improve the formamidinium black phase stability. Here, the use of PbS nanoplatelets with (100) preferential crystal orientation is reported, to potentiate the repercussion on the crystal growth of perovskite grains and to improve the stability of the material and consequently of the solar cells. As a result, a vertical growth of perovskite grains, a stable current density of 23 mA cm(-2), and a stable incident photon to current efficiency in the infrared region of the spectrum for 4 months is obtained, one of the best stability achievements for planar PSCs. Moreover, a better reproducibility than the control device, by optimizing the PbS concentration in the perovskite matrix, is achieved. These outcomes validate the synergistic use of PbS nanoplatelets to improve formamidinium long-term stability and performance reproducibility, and pave the way for using metastable perovskite active phases preserving their light harvesting capability

Evaluación continua, clase inversa y cooperación activa en Matemáticas para ingenieros

La Universitat Politècnica de Valencia (UPV) facilita la creación de equipos de innovación y calidad educativa (EICE). Uno de dichos equipos es GRIM4E (GRoup of Innnovative Methodologies and Assessment For Engineering education) que comenzó a realizar innovaciones metodológicas al adaptar las asignaturas de matemáticas a los grados surgidos dentro del proceso de Bolonia. Algunas de dichas innovaciones ya habían sido iniciadas con anterioridad como una evaluación continua de todas las actividades de aprendizaje desarrolladas durante el curso, con más de 30 actos de evaluación en la actualidad en las asignaturas anuales y 10 en las semestrales. Otras fueron pioneras como el empleo sistemático de la clase inversa en las prácticas informáticas de las asignaturas involucradas. Una innovación reciente destacada en nuestro ámbito ha sido el fomento de una actitud activa y colaborativa de los alumnos en la preparación de los actos de evaluación más relevantes.En este trabajo presentamos estas líneas desarrolladas por GRIM4E e incluimos resultados de encuestas anónimas realizadas para recabar la percepción de los alumnos sobre la metodología mixta empleada

Active Brownian Particles. From Individual to Collective Stochastic Dynamics

We review theoretical models of individual motility as well as collective dynamics and pattern formation of active particles. We focus on simple models of active dynamics with a particular emphasis on nonlinear and stochastic dynamics of such self-propelled entities in the framework of statistical mechanics. Examples of such active units in complex physico-chemical and biological systems are chemically powered nano-rods, localized patterns in reaction-diffusion system, motile cells or macroscopic animals. Based on the description of individual motion of point-like active particles by stochastic differential equations, we discuss different velocity-dependent friction functions, the impact of various types of fluctuations and calculate characteristic observables such as stationary velocity distributions or diffusion coefficients. Finally, we consider not only the free and confined individual active dynamics but also different types of interaction between active particles. The resulting collective dynamical behavior of large assemblies and aggregates of active units is discussed and an overview over some recent results on spatiotemporal pattern formation in such systems is given.Comment: 161 pages, Review, Eur Phys J Special-Topics, accepte