Passive Behavior and Passivity Breakdown of AISI 304 in LiBr Solutions through Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy

The passive behavior and passivity breakdown of AISI 304 stainless steel in LiBr solutions has been investigated by means of scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). The sample generation - tip collection (SG-TC) mode was used to operate the SECM and the tip potential was biased to detect the electroactive species. The evolution of the current at the ultramicroelectrode tip with the applied potential within the passive range was followed at different LiBr concentrations. Results show that the absolute value of the current at the tip increases with the applied potential. Additionally, SECM was also used to detect stable pits formed on the stainless steel surface in a 0.2 M LiBr solution. The results show clear evidence of the presence of high amounts of other reducible species (metal cations) apart from oxygen. Also, the dish-shape morphology of the pits observed using Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy will be discussed in relation to the kinetics of the reactions observed using SECM. (c) 2014 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.The authors would like to express their gratitude to the Generalitat Valenciana for its help in the SECM acquisition (PPC/2011/013) and in the CLSM acquisition (MY08/ISIRM/S/100) and to Dr. Asuncion Jaime for her translation assistance.Fernández Domene, RM.; Sánchez Tovar, R.; García Antón, J. (2014). Passive Behavior and Passivity Breakdown of AISI 304 in LiBr Solutions through Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy. Journal of The Electrochemical Society. 161(12):565-572. https://doi.org/10.1149/2.1051412jesS56557216112Cobb Harold M. (Ed.), Steel Products Manual: Stainless Steels, Iron & Steel Society, 1999.Schweitzer P. A. , Corrosion Engineering Handbook: Fundamentals of Metallic Corrosion, CRC Press, Boca Ratón, FL., 2007.Hakiki, N. 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Passivity Breakdown of Titanium in LiBr solutions

The passive behavior of titanium and its susceptibility to undergo localized attack in different LiBr solutions at 25 degrees C have been investigated using different electrochemical techniques: potentiodynamic polarization curves, potentiostatic passivation tests, EIS measurements and Mott-Schottky analysis. In low and moderately concentrated LiBr solutions, the breakdown potential E-b decreased with increasing bromide concentrations, while in highly concentrated LiBr solutions, E-b increased with increasing LiBr concentration. In the most concentrated LiBr solution (11.42M) Ti did not undergo passivity breakdown even at 9 V-Ag/AgCl. This observation can be explained by a a decrease in the activity of water in highly concentrated LiBr solutions. (C) 2013 The Electrochemical Society.We wish express our gratitude to the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (Project CTQ2009-07518), and to Dr. M. 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Productive evaluations of Aberdeen Angus and Argentina Criollo beef in two feeding systems in the northeast of The Pampa. Argentina

The objective of the study is to evaluate the productivity of two winter pastures under a rotational grazing system with and without energetic concentrates in the diet; in order to evaluate the productive behavior in Aberdeen Angus and Argentine Criollo beef. Sixty steer, castrated males of the breed Aberdeen Angus, of 6-7 months of age and 175 kg, and Argentine Criollo, at 8-9 months of age and 199 kg. The steer study were divided into four groups of 15 steer each. The study was conducted for 13 months in the first five months they grazed on oat farming (Avena sativa); and the following seven months on cebadilla (Bromus uniloides) and Lucerne (Medicago sativa) sown grassland, and the final month on oat. As a supplement they received ground grain sorghum (33 percent of the diet). The weight increment during the 13 months of the study went from 294,23 kg; 239,20 kg; 214,00 kg and 203,19 kg; an average weight gain of 0,754 kg/d; 0,613 kg/d; 0,549 kg/d and 0,520 kg/ d; a production per hectare of 374 kg/ha; 304 kg/ ha; 272 kg/ha and 258 kg/ha; and a stock efficiency of 77 percent, 67 percent, 59 percent, and 61 percent in the groups ACS, ASS, CCS and CSS, respectively.El objetivo del estudio es evaluar la productividad de dos invernadas pastoriles, bajo un sistema de pastoreo rotativo con y sin complemento de concentrados energéticos en la dieta; así como evaluar el comportamiento productivo de terneros Aberdeen Angus (AA) y Criollo Argentino (CA). Se cuenta con 60 terneros, machos castrados, de las razas Aberdeen Angus, con 6-7 meses de edad y 175 kg de peso, y Criollo Argentino, 8-9 meses de edad y 199 kg de peso. Se forman cuatro lotes de 15 terneros (ASS= Aberdeen sin complemento, ACS= Aberdeen con complemento, CSS= Criollo sin complemento y CCS= Criollo con complemento). El ensayo se realiza durante 13 meses: en los 5 primeros pastan en un cultivo de avena (Avena sativa) los siete meses siguientes en una pradera de alfalfa (Medicago sativa) y de cebadilla (Bromus uniloides) y en el último mes en un cultivo de avena. Como suplemento reciben grano de sorgo molido (33 p.100 de la dieta). El incremento medio de peso de los terneros, en los 13 meses de ensayo, fue 294,23 kg; 239,20 kg; 214,00 kg y 203,19 kg; la ganancia media de peso de 0,754 kg/d; 0,613 kg/d; 0,549 kg/d y 0,520 kg/d; la producción por hectárea de 374 kg/ ha, 304 kg/ha, 272kg/ha y 258 kg/ha; y la eficiencia en los lotes ACS, ASS, CCS y CSS, fue del 77, 67, 59 y 61 p.100, respectivamente

Prevalence of depression during the COVID-19 outbreak: A meta-analysis of community-based studies

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic, declared on March 11, 2020, constitute an extraordinary health, social and economic global challenge. The impact on people''s mental health is expected to be high. This paper sought to systematically review community-based studies on depression conducted during the COVID-19 and estimate the pooled prevalence of depression. Method: We searched for cross-sectional, community-based studies listed on PubMed or Web of Science from January 1, 2020 to May 8, 2020 that reported prevalence of depression. A random effect model was used to estimate the pooled proportion of depression. Results: A total of 12 studies were included in the meta-analysis, with prevalence rates of depression ranging from 7.45% to 48.30%. The pooled prevalence of depression was 25% (95% CI: 18% - 33%), with significant heterogeneity between studies (I2 = 99.60%, p < .001). Conclusions: Compared with a global estimated prevalence of depression of 3.44% in 2017, our pooled prevalence of 25% appears to be 7 times higher, thus suggesting an important impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on people's mental health. Addressing mental health during and after this global health crisis should be placed into the international and national public health agenda to improve citizens’ wellbeing

Optimization and validation of a new microbial inhibition test for the detection of antimicrobial residues in living animals intended for human consumption

Even though antibiotics are necessary in livestock production, they can be harmful not only due to their toxicity, but also in view of their contribution to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Screening tests based on microbial growth inhibition appeared to be useful tools to prevent its entry into the food chain. They have nevertheless been traditionally carried out post mortem, leading to great economical loss and harm to the environment in case a positive sample is found. Hence, the objective was to evaluate the use of a screening test as an ante mortem alternative for the detection of antibiotic residues in meat: thus, Explorer®-Blood test was optimized and validated. After adapting the procedure for matrix preparation, the assay parameters were assessed from 344 antibiotic-free blood serum samples. Limits of Detection (LoDs) were defined by spiking blood serum with several of the most common antimicrobials used in veterinary practice. LoDs were similar to those obtained for meat and were at or below the maximum residue limits set by EU legislation for muscle. Analyses of in vivo injected samples, previously characterized by LC-MS/MS, demonstrated the method’s accuracy and proved that Explorer®-Blood can be considered a suitable alternative to conventional post mortem screening methods

New uses of treated urban waste digestates on stimulation of hydroponically grown tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.)

One strategy to re-use solid urban wastes is the production of energy by anaerobic digestion. This process also generates high volume of digestates, which are frequently disposal in landfills. The aim of this work is to assess anaerobic digestates as agricultural inputs. Three different biomethanation wastes from different plants were collected. Firstly, a complete physico-chemical characterization of the wastes was done according to the Spanish regulation, showing that the materials had the 90% of the particles below 25 mm, high values of pH, electric conductivity, organic matter, humic acids and soluble nutrients such as NO3−, SO42−, Ca2+, Mg2+, PO43− and K+. Total concentrations of heavy metals and microbiological parameters were below the threshold levels allowed for agricultural use. The wastes were then treated with a strong acid and a strong base having two different solutions (ATr and BTr, respectively) which were evaluated as biostimulants for tomato plants in hydroponic culture. Those liquid extracts, ATr and BTr, demonstrated their biostimulant ability towards root system of tomato enhancing the hair root density and plant biometric parameters including plants weight and chlorophyll content. This work demonstrates the re-use feasibility of treated digestates in agriculture as fertilizers and more over as feedstock for biostimulants productio

Efectividad de las actividades preventivas a los 8 años de su introducción en una consulta de medicina general de un centro de salud

ObjetivoPrincipal: valorar la modificación del riesgo coronario (RC) en pacientes adultos tras 8 años de su incorporación al Programa Actividades Preventivas y Promoción Salud (PAPPS). Secundario: determinar nivel de vacunación antitetánica alcanzado y cumplimiento de actividades.DiseñoEstudio de intervención sin asignación aleatoria «antes-después».EmplazamientoUna consulta de medicina general de un centro de salud.PacientesUn total de 429 pacientes (204 varones, 225 mujeres) de 30-65 años seguidos durante 8 años, captados por búsqueda activa de casos en la consulta diaria.IntervencionesDeterminación de tensión arterial, colesterol, peso, tabaquismo, ingesta etílica, estado vacunal antitetánico, cálculo del RC a los 10 años según Framinghan y grado de cumplimiento de actividades. Estas variables se determinaron al inicio, a los 4 y a los 8 años. Datos obtenidos de la historia clínica.ResultadosPoblación total: a los 8 años descenso del RC, 0,8 (IC diferencia, 0,4-1,2), equivalente al 8,5% del inicial. Incremento obtenido de la vacunación antitetánica correcta del 64,4% (IC diferencia, 59,9-69%). Cumplimiento actividades al inicio y al octavo año: tensión, 100%, 71%; consumo tabaco, 99,5%, 71%; determinación colesterol, 89%, 64%. Subgrupo RC inicial alto: a los 8 años descenso del RC, 6,7 (IC diferencia, 4,9-8,5), equivalente al 24,8% del inicial.ConclusionesEn la población total el descenso del RC obtenido no es clínicamente significativo, mientras que en el subgrupo con RC inicial alto el descenso sí lo ha sido. Probablemente debería hacerse búsqueda activa de los pacientes con RC alto y actuar sobre ellos.ObjectivesMain: to assess the change in coronary risk (CR) in adults after 8 years of their involvement in the Programme of Preventive Activities and Health Promotion (PAPPS). Secondary: to determine the level of anti-tetanus vaccination reached and patients' compliance with activities.Design«Before and after» intervention study without random allocation.SettingA general medical clinic at a health centre.Patients429 patients (204 men, 225 women) between 30 and 65 monitored for 8 years, recruited by active search for cases at daily consultations.InterventionsBlood pressure, cholesterol, weight, tobacco habit, alcohol intake, anti-tetanus vaccination state, CR calculation at 10 years on the Framingham scale, and degree of compliance with activities were all determined at the start, at 4 years and at 8 years. Data was obtained from the clinical notes.ResultsTotal population: a 0.8 drop in CR (CI difference: 0.4-1.2), equivalent to 8.5% of the initial figure. 64.4% increase in correct anti-tetanus vaccination (CI difference: 59.9-69). Compliance with activities at the start and after eight years: pressure 100%, 71%; tobacco consumption 99.5%, 71%; cholesterol determination 89%, 64%. Initially high CR sub-group: 6.7 drop of CR at 8 years (CI difference: 4.9-8.5), equivalent to 24.8% of the initial figure.ConclusionsIn the total population, the CR drop found was not clinically significant, whereas in the initially high CR sub-group the drop was. There should probably be an active search made for patients with high CR and action taken on them

Effect of calcium carbonate addition to helix aspersa müller diet

In this paper is studied the effect of calcium carbonate addition to diet on growth, mortality rate and feed intake of snails Helix aspersa Müller during the juvenile stage under laboratory conditions. Two treatments have been tested; first one with 12.5 percent and second one with 22.5 percent of calcium carbonate. Five groups of 40 snails have been randomly assigned to each treatment. Results show significant (p<0.05) differences between both treatments; in the second one is obtained a higher growth and lower mortality rate; however there is no significant difference for dry matter intake.En el presente trabajo se estudia el efecto de la adición de carbonato de calcio a la dieta sobre el crecimiento, mortalidad y consumo del caracol Helix aspersa Müller durante la fase de alevinaje y en condiciones de laboratorio. Se plantean dos tratamientos; el I con 12,5 p.100 y el II con 22,5 p.100 de carbonato cálcico. A cada tratamiento se le asignan aleatoriamente cinco lotes de 40 animales. Los resultados muestran diferencias significativas (p<0,05) entre ambos tratamientos; obteniéndose con el tratamiento II mayor crecimiento y menor mortalidad; que no se aprecian diferencias significativas respecto al consumo de materia seca