Calibratge, caracterització i aplicació d'un sistema de mesura ambulatori de la temperatura de la pell i l'activitat física

The project focuses on the design and development of a portable peripheral temperature measurement device to study the sleep cycle that is closely linked. The distal skin temperature increases around the first hours of the night, reaching the maximum when the user is completely slept, where it remains constant until the awakening begins. This is the continuation of a previous project where improvements have been made. Changes have been made in the interconnection of the sensors and the user interface. Moreover, a calibration procedure to correct the error due to the ambient temperature drifts on the skin temperature has been made to obtain an accurate system that correctly acquires the temperature of the distal skin. Some statistics applied to the measurements allow to detect when a user has a good quality sleep. Physical activity, another function added in the project, has been seen to be related with changes in temperature obtained at night

Combined in situ XRF–LIBS analyses as a novel method to determine the provenance of central Mediterranean obsidians

This work presents a new calibration method for determining the provenance of obsidian artefacts based on the combined use of XRF and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). At first, obsidian samples collected from the main Mediterranean sources were characterized using portable XRF and LIBS systems. After data treatment, elemental information was used to carry out principal component analysis (PCA) for each technique. Rb, Sr, Zr, Y and Fe elements, detected by using XRF, were found to be the key parameters enabling obsidians discrimination. Likewise, LIBS data helped differentiating the analysed patterns by the intensity of their main elemental components (Ca, Al, Mg and K). After selecting the key parameters detected by each technique, a new data matrix combining XRF and LIBS data was finally built. According to PCA results, the discrimination of Mediterranean sources based on combined XRF–LIBS data ensured a higher reliability over mono-analytical models, by increasing the Euclidean distance between sources projections over three-dimensional principal components plots. Knowing that the representativeness of elemental data could be compromised by the presence of superficial degradation products or deposition patinas, a shot-to-shot comparison of in-depth LIBS analyses is finally proposed as a method to disclose whether the spot under analysis was superficially contaminated or altered. Thus, the proposed strategy based on the combined use of portable XRF and LIBS spectrometers could be particularly useful for the in situ analysis of obsidian artefacts that underwent superficial alteration or could be covered by patina products.This work has been financially supported by the DEMORA project (Grant No. PID2020-113391GB-I00), funded by the Spanish Agency for Research (through the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Grant No. BIA2017-870´63-P), MICINN, and the European Regional Development Fund (Grant No. BIA2017-870´63-P), FEDER). I. Costantini gratefully acknowledges to the UPV/EHU for her postdoctoral contract. Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature

Time-course distribution of fluorescent microplastics in target tissues of mussels and polychaetes.

The majority of the plastic produced in the last century is accumulated in the environment, leading to an exacerbated contamination of marine environments due to transport from land to the ocean. In the ocean, mechanical abrasion, oxidation, and photodegradation degrade large plastics into microplastics (MPs) - 0.1mum to 5mm (EFSA, 2016) which are transported through water currents reaching the water surface, water column, and sediments. Further, they can be accumulated by aquatic and benthic species, entering the trophic chain and becoming a potential threat to humans. In the present research, we aimed to decipher the accumulation and distribution time-courses between different organs or target tissues of organisms inhabiting coastal areas such as mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis and polychaetes Hediste diversicolor. Both were exposed in microcosm experiments to fluorescent polystyrene MPs (1mum) which were spiked at two doses (103 and 105 particles/mL) for 1, 4, 24, and 72h. Mussels and polychaetes were digested with 10% KOH and filtered to quantify the number of MPs incorporated. Different anatomical parts of the body were selected and processed for cryosectioning and posterior microscopic localisation of MPs. Both species accumulate MPs spiked in water column, mainly after exposure to the highest dose. In mussels, particles were found in distinct parts of the digestive tract (stomach, digestive diverticula, ducts) and gills. Even if the majority of MPs were localised in the lumen of the digestive tract, in some cases, were inside the digestive epithelium. The identification of MPs and their internalization in the digestive system was studied using Raman spectroscopy. A decreasing trend with time regarding MPs number in the digestive tract (stomach) of mussels was observed while the opposite was recorded for polychaetes and sediments. The combination of microscopical observations of frozen sections and Raman, appeared to be accurate methodologies to address MPs abundances and to reveal their localisation in different organs. This work has enabled to understand the distribution and fate of MPs in different environmental compartments and it could contribute to gain knowledge about their impact after ingestion by coastal organisms.This work was funded by MINECO (PID 2020-118685RB-I00, PLASTeMER); Basque Government (KK 2021/00001 ELKARTEK 2021 2022) and Basque Government (IT1743-22)

Development of a Novel Method for the In-Situ Dechlorination of Immovable Iron Elements: Optimization of Cl- Extraction Yield Through Experimental Design

The conservation of iron objects exposed to marine aerosol is threatened by the formation of akaganeite, a highly unstable Cl-bearing corrosion phase. As akaganeite formation is responsible of the exfoliation of the rust layer, chlorides trigger a cyclic alteration phenomenon that often ends with the total consumption of the iron core. To prevent this degradation process, movable iron elements (e.g. archaeometallurgical artefacts) are generally immersed in alkaline dechlorination baths. Aiming to transfer this successful method to the treatment of immovable iron objects, we propose the in-situ application of alkaline solutions through the use of highly absorbent wraps. As first step of this novel research line, the present work defines the best desalination solution to be used and optimizes its extraction yield. After literature review, a screening experimental design was performed to understand the single and synergic effects of common additives used for NaOH baths. Once the most effective variables were selected, an optimization design was carried out to determine the optimal conditions to be set during treatment. According to the experimental work here presented, the use of 0.7 M NaOH solutions applied at high temperatures (above 50 °C) is recommended. Indeed, these conditions enhance chloride extraction and iron leaching inhibition, while promoting corrosion stabilization.This work has been funded by the DEMORA project (Grant No. PID2020-113391GB-I00), funded by the Spanish Agency for Research (through the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, MICINN, and the European Regional Development Fund, FEDER)

The potential of in situ Raman spectroscopy in the study of the health of cement-based materials of modern buildings during restoration works

Although Raman spectroscopy is a common technique for the analysis of cement-based materials in the research studies or in the field of Cultural Heritage to carried out multianalytical studies, it is not generally used as unique technique of a research or to carry out analysis during ordinary restoration works of modern urban buildings affected by environmental stressors. The disadvantages associated with Raman spectroscopy as fluorescence limits its implementation beyond research studies, more in the case of in situ equipment. However, the technological development allows high-quality results with in situ equipment, so its use could be useful during restoration works. Thus, this work demonstrates how the implementation of the correct methodology could lead to useful and fast results during restoration works. The proposed methodology is based on the use of in situ analysis (screening) on the scaffolding, followed by the sampling of layers based on the previous screening and a posterior exhaustive laboratory analysis. The research has been conducted during the restoration works of a reinforced concrete building in which the attack of atmospheric acid gases (CO2, SO2, and NOx) was identified as the main affection suffered, and the fixed sulfates were the most important intermediary compounds of decaying processes. Many of the pollutants and decaying compounds were even identified during the in situ analysis, improving the anticipation and responsiveness. Therefore, this methodology allows the understanding of the chemistry of the materials to evaluate its health state in a fast and reliable way.Spanish Agency for Research AEI (MICINN/FEDER-UE), Grant/Award Number: PID2020-113391GB-I0

Study Of The Soluble Salts Formation In A Recently Restored House Of Pompeii By In-Situ Raman Spectroscopy

The walls and mural paintings of Pompeii exposed directly to the rainfalls are the most impacted in view of the observed decay. However, there are also wall paintings in protected rooms showing evidences of decaying. The aim of this research was to study the salts formed in such protected wall paintings only by non-invasive and in-situ Raman spectroscopy to understand their decaying processes. The perystile of the House of the Gilded Cupids (Regio VI, Insula 16), one of the most important houses of Pompeii was studied. Although an exhaustive restoration was carried out in 2004, a new conservation treatment was needed in 2013 and only two years later, extensive crystallizations of soluble salts were again threatening several of the restored surfaces, thus, the presence of an unsolved degradation pathway was deduced. Thank to the proposed methodology, it was pointed out that the key is the acidified rainfall impact in the non-protected backside of the walls containing the wall paintings. Thus, a new concept in the preservation of the houses of Pompeii is provided, in which the need of the protection of those walls from both sides is suggested to avoid the movement of water through the pores of the walls.The authors would like to thank the direction of Archaeological Park of Pompeii, for the permissions to perform our field studies during the 2015 APUV expedition. This work has been financially supported by the projects DISILICA-1930 (ref: BIA2014-59124) and MADyLIN (ref. BIA2017-87063-P) funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) and the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER). Moreover, the sponsorship of the APUV 2015 by BWTEK is also appreciated. Marco Veneranda and Iker Marcaida are grateful for their pre-doctoral grants to the MINECO and Basque government, respectively

Comparing Notes: Recording and Criticism

This chapter charts the ways in which recording has changed the nature of music criticism. It both provides an overview of the history of recording and music criticism, from the advent of Edison’s Phonograph to the present day, and examines the issues arising from this new technology and the consequent transformation of critical thought and practice

Adelante / Endavant

Séptimo desafío por la erradicación de la violencia contra las mujeres del Institut Universitari d’Estudis Feministes i de Gènere "Purificación Escribano" de la Universitat Jaume

Wider Still and Wider: British Music Criticism since the Second World War

This chapter provides the first historical examination of music criticism in Britain since the Second World War. In the process, it also challenges the simplistic prevailing view of this being a period of decline from a golden age in music criticism