El consumo de drogas en menores extranjeros no acompañados en situación de calle. Análisis de los factores de riesgo e intervención

Los Menores Extranjeros No Acompañados (MENA) es un colectivo más vulnerable que el resto de los refugiados e inmigrantes en general ya que, además de su condición de extranjeros, también son menores y han emigrado solos a otro país. Habitualmente se le otorga más importancia a su condición de extranjeros que a la de menores desamparados que necesitan protección, siendo vulnerables ante factores de riesgo como el consumo de sustancias. Este trabajo tiene la finalidad de conocer y analizar cuáles son los motivos que llevan a los MENA a consumir drogas y acercarnos a los principales factores de riesgo que pueden incidir en dichos consumos problemáticos, realizando una propuesta de intervención donde diferentes instituciones trabajan coordinadas para cubrir sus necesidades.Foreign Unaccompanied Minors (MENA) is a more vulnerable group than the rest of refugees and immigrants in general since, in addition to their status as foreigners, they are also minors and they have migrated alone to another country. Their status as foreigners is usually given more importance than that of homeless minors who need protection, being vulnerable to risk factors such as substance use. This work has the purpose of knowing and analyzing what are the reasons that lead MENA to consume drugs and to get closer to the main risk factors that may affect such problematic consumption, making a proposal for intervention where different institutions work in coordination to serve their needs.Grado en Educación Socia

The Effect of Different Oxygen Surface Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes on the Electrical Resistivity and Strain Sensing Function of Cement Pastes

Different studies in the literature indicate the effectiveness of CNTs as reinforcing materials in cement–matrix composites due to their high mechanical strength. Nevertheless, their incorporation into cement presents some difficulties due to their tendency to agglomerate, yielding a non-homogeneous dispersion in the paste mix that results in a poor cement–CNTs interaction. This makes the surface modification of the CNTs by introducing functional groups on the surface necessary. In this study, three different treatments for incorporating polar oxygen functional groups onto the surface of carbon nanotubes have been carried out, with the objective of evaluating the influence of the type and oxidation degree on the mechanical and electrical properties and in strain-sensing function of cement pastes containing CNTs. One treatment is in liquid phase (surface oxidation with HNO3/H2SO4), the second is in gas phase (O3 treatment at 25 and 160 °C), and a third is a combination of gas-phase O3 treatment plus NaOH liquid phase. The electrical conductivity of cement pastes increased with O3- and O3-NaOH-treated CNTs with respect to non-treated ones. Furthermore, the oxygen functionalization treatments clearly improve the strain sensing performance of the CNT-cement pastes, particularly in terms of the accuracy of the linear correlation between the resistance and the stress, as well as the increase in the gage factor from 28 to 65. Additionally, the incorporation of either non-functionalized or functionalized CNTs did not produce any significant modification of the mechanical properties of CNTs. Therefore, the functionalization of CNTs favours the de-agglomeration of CNTs in the cement matrix and consequently, the electrical conductivity, without affecting the mechanical behaviour.This research was funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme, grant number 760940

Contribution of Dynamic and Genetic Tests for Short Stature Diagnosing: A Case Report

Genetics; Macimorelin; Short statureGenètica; Macimorelina; Baixa estaturaGenética; Macimorelina; Baja estaturaGenetic tests have led to the discovery of many novel genetic variants related to growth failure, but the clinical significance of some results is not always easy to establish. The aim of this report is to describe both clinical phenotype and genetic characteristics in an adult patient with short stature associated with a homozygous variant in disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs type 17 gene (ADAMTS17) combined with a homozygous variant in the GH secretagogue receptor (GHS-R). The index case had severe short stature (SS) (−3.0 SD), small hands and feet, associated with eye disturbances. Genetic tests revealed homozygous compounds for ADAMTS17 responsible for Weill–Marchesani-like syndrome but a homozygous variant in GHS-R was also detected. Dynamic stimulation with an insulin tolerance test showed a normal elevation of GH, while the GH response to macimorelin stimulus was totally flattened. We show the implication of the GHS-R variant and review the molecular mechanisms of both entities. These results allowed us to better interpret the phenotypic spectrum, associated co-morbidities, its implications in dynamic tests, genetic counselling and treatment options not only to the index case but also for her relatives

Patient with adrenal insufficiency due to a de novo mutation in the NR0B1 gene

Adrenal insufficiency; Congenital adrenal hypoplasiaInsuficiència suprarenal; Hipoplàsia suprarenal congènitaInsuficiencia suprarrenal; Hipoplasia suprarrenal congénitaObjectives Congenital X-linked adrenal hypoplasia is a rare disease with a known genetic basis characterized by adrenal insufficiency, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, and a wide variety of clinical manifestations. Case presentation We present the case of a 26-day old male newborn with symptoms consistent with adrenal insufficiency, hyponatremia, and hyperkalemia. Following NaCl and fludrocortisone supplementation, the patient remained clinically stable. 17-OH-progesterone testing excluded congenital adrenal hyperplasia. The rest of hormones were within normal limits, except for adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which was significantly elevated, and aldosterone, which was below the reference value. Further testing included very long chain fatty acids to exclude adrenoleukodystrophy, the CYP11B2 gene (aldosterone synthase), and an MRI to screen for other morphological abnormalities. All tests yielded normal results. Finally, after cortisol deficiency was detected, expanded genetic testing revealed a mutation in the NR0B1 gene, which led to a diagnosis of congenital adrenal hypoplasia. Conclusions Diagnosis of congenital adrenal hypoplasia is challenging due to the heterogeneity of both clinical manifestations and laboratory abnormalities. As a result, diagnosis requires close monitoring and genetic testing

Production of bamboo-type carbon nanotubes doped with nitrogen from polyamide pyrolysis gas

Bamboo-type carbon nanotubes (BCNTs) doped with nitrogen were produced by catalytic chemical vapor deposition from the effluent gases resulting from pyrolysis of polyamide 6.6. This polymer provides the carbon and nitrogen source and allows to obtain enough hydrogen during its decomposition for the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) production without prior catalyst reduction. The influence of pyrolysis and growth temperatures was studied in order to obtain the best quality CNTs. Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectrometry showed that the best results were obtained at 900 °C pyrolysis temperature and 750 °C growth temperature, since the presence of amorphous carbon was negligible and the best crystalline degree was obtained. These BCNTs had from 5 to 20 layers and their arcs of bamboo-like compartments had from 3 to 15 layers. They had 20 nm in diameter and lengths typically on the order of micrometers.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation [CTQ 2008-05520 project], the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness [CTQ 2013-44213-R project] and the Valencian Community Government (Spain) [Prometeo/2009/043/FEDER and PrometeoII/2014/007 projects]

Chemical characterization of emissions from a municipal solid waste treatment plant

Gaseous emissions are an important problem in municipal solid waste (MSW) treatment plants. The sources points of emissions considered in the present work are: fresh compost, mature compost, landfill leaks and leachate ponds. Hydrogen sulphide, ammonia and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were analysed in the emissions from these sources. Hydrogen sulphide and ammonia were important contributors to the total emission volume. Landfill leaks are significant source points of emissions of H2S; the average concentration of H2S in biogas from the landfill leaks is around 1700 ppmv. The fresh composting site was also an important contributor of H2S to the total emission volume; its concentration varied between 3.2 and 1.7 ppmv and a decrease with time was observed. The mature composting site showed a reduction of H2S concentration (<0.1 ppmv). Leachate pond showed a low concentration of H2S (in order of ppbv). Regarding NH3, composting sites and landfill leaks are notable source points of emissions (composting sites varied around 30–600 ppmv; biogas from landfill leaks varied from 160 to 640 ppmv). Regarding VOCs, the main compounds were: limonene, p-cymene, pinene, cyclohexane, reaching concentrations around 0.2–4.3 ppmv. H2S/NH3, limonene/p-cymene, limonene/cyclohexane ratios can be useful for analysing and identifying the emission sources.Ingeniería Urbana, S.A. must be acknowledged for the financial support and cooperation in this work

Patient with adrenal insufficiency due to a de novo mutation in the NR0B1 gene

Congenital X-linked adrenal hypoplasia is a rare disease with a known genetic basis characterized by adrenal insufficiency, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, and a wide variety of clinical manifestations

Paciente con insuficiencia suprarrenal por mutación de novo en el gen NR0B1

La hipoplasia suprarrenal congénita ligada al cromosoma X es una enfermedad rara con base genética conocida, que se presenta con insuficiencia suprarrenal e hipogonadismo hipogonadotrófico y expresión clínica variable

Production of Carbon Nanotubes from Polyethylene Pyrolysis Gas and Effect of Temperature

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were produced by catalytic chemical vapor deposition using, as carbon source, a mixture of hydrocarbons and hydrogen that simulates the effluent gases from pyrolysis of polyethylene (PE). An Fe/Al3O3 catalyst was used in a range of temperatures from 600 to 800 °C. Multiwall carbon nanotubes of 20 nm in diameter and length on the order of micrometers were obtained. Higher yields were observed at 650 °C, where no prior catalyst reduction was necessary. Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectrometry show a higher crystalline quality at 750 °C, although the balance yield–quality indicates that 650 °C is a satisfactory temperature for producing CNTs at a reasonable cost, since no extra hydrogen is necessary for the process. In addition to this, the effluent gas from the process can be further used for energy production.The CTQ 2008-05520 project of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and Prometeo 2009/043/FEDER