High Pressure optical nanothermometer based on Er3+ photoluminescence

The optical properties of a sparsely investigated material, LaGdO3 doped with Er3+, are explored regarding its suitability as nanothermometer. Besides its excellent capabilities for dielectric applications, when doping with Er3+, this material provides a highly efficient upconversion photoluminescence (PL) for high temperature thermometry at high pressure due to its structural stability. LaGdO3 belongs to the perovskite-type ABO3 compounds with a B-type monoclinic C2/m space group (a = 14.43 Å; b = 3.69 Å; c = 9.00 Å; and ? = 100.70º) at ambient conditions. It undergoes a structural phase transition to a hexagonal ?3#?1 phase at 3GPa yielding a notable PL enhancement, thus enabling it as a potential high-pressure hightemperature nanothermometer.We acknowledge financial support from MAT2015-69508-P (MINECO/FEDER), MAT2015-71070-REDC; PGC2018-101464-B-I00 (MICIN/FEDER), IDIVAL 18/28, the European Research Council FET-OPEN NCLas H2020 Project (EU829161), and BSH Electrodomésticos España, S.A

Anaerobic Thermophilic Colonization of Porous Support

Biofilm development in an open-pore sintered glass material (SIRAN) was studied using a laboratory-scale anaerobic fixed-film bioreactor under thermophilic conditions. The startup and performance of that bioreactor, operating on distillery waste water feed (vinasses), were also studied. Results obtained indicated that stepped organic loading during initial bioreactor start-up reduced the periods of adaptation in the colonization process and micro-organism attachment and biofilm formation was accelerated by the surface characteristics of the carrier. The results obtained by operating with stepped organic loading (& = 2.0 kg m–3 d–1 COD) over a period of 70 days suggest that a stable operation of the process (90% COD removal) and high density of biomass immobilized on the support (20 kgVSatt per m3 SIRAN) is achieved. Epifluorescence microscopy demonstrated that, initially, attached growth was developed in crevices, where biomass was protected from shear forces and, finally, SIRAN was completely covered and biofilm developed on the entire SIRAN particles

Resistencia a Tuta absoluta en una entrada de la especie silvestre de tomate Solanum pimpinellifolium

2 páginas, 1 figura, 1 tabla.-- Artículo publicado en la revista profesional de sanidad vegetal.-- et al.[EN]: We previously found resistance to pests (twospotted spider mite and whitefly) based on type IV glandular trichomes and acylsucrose production in an accession of the wild tomato species S. pimpinellifolium from the germplasm collection at the Experimental Station La Mayora – CSIC. Resistance to the South American tomato pinworm of that accession and plant materials derived from it was investigated in greenhouse conditions at CNPH (Brasilia, Brazil) and, when Tuta absoluta was introduced into Spain, at Exp. Sta. La Mayora (Málaga, southern Spain). Genotypes carrying type IV glandular trichomes showed reduced pest damage, especially on young, apical leaves. Possibility for control of Tuta by the utilization of resistant tomato cultivars looks forward to future breeding programmes for the trait.[ES]: Una entrada de la especie silvestre de tomate S. pimpinellifolium del banco de germoplasma de la Estación Experimental La Mayora-CSIC presenta resistencia a plagas (araña roja y mosca blanca) merced a sus tricomas glandulares de tipo IV y producción de acilsacarosas. Con el fin de estudiar si esta entrada y otros genotipos de tomate de ella derivados eran también resistentes a T. absoluta, se realizaron experimentos en condiciones de invernadero en CNPH (Brasilia, Brasil) y, una vez que Tuta se introdujo en España, en la E.E. La Mayora (Algarrobo, Málaga). Los genotipos con tricomas de tipo IV sufrieron menores daños por la plaga, especialmente en las hojas apicales, más jóvenes. La posibilidad del control de Tuta mediante la utilización de variedades resistentes queda abierta a futuros programas de mejora genética del carácter.Trabajo financiado por MICINN-FEDER (Proyecto AGL2007-66760-C02-02/AGR).Peer reviewe

Improving electrochemical hydrogen evolution of Ag@CN nanocomposites by synergistic effects with α-rich proteins

A graphitic carbon nitride nanostructure has been successfully functionalized by incorporation of different silver contents and subsequent modification with an α-rich protein, namely hemoglobin. Mechanochemistry has been employed, as an efficient and sustainable procedure, for the incorporation of the protein. A complete characterization analysis has been performed following a multitechnique approach. Particularly, XPS data exhibited considerable differences in the C 1s region for the Hb/xAg@CN, ensuring the successful protein anchorage on the surface of the graphitic carbon nitride-based materials. The as-synthesized nanomaterials delivered impressive performance toward hydrogen evolution reactions with an overpotential of 79 mV at a current density of 10 mA/cm2 for Hb/20Ag@CN nanohybrids, which is comparable with the most efficient HER electrocatalysts reported in the literature. The outstanding HER properties were associated with the unique synergistic interactions, quantitatively measured, between AgNPs, Hb tertiary architecture, and the graphitic carbon nitride networks

Smoking cessation and depressive symptoms at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-months follow-up

Background The relationship between tobacco and depressive symptoms has been examined. However, there is little information on the evolution of these symptoms when an individual quits. The aim of this study was to analyze the evolution of depressive symptoms over time (pre-, post-treatment, 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-months follow-up) in relation to smoking status 12 months after having received a psychological treatment for smoking cessation. Method The sample was made up of 242 adults who received cognitive-behavioral treatment for smoking cessation (64.4% women; mean age=41.71 years). The BDI-II was used to assess depressive symptomatology. Participants were classified into three groups according to smoking status at 12-months follow-up (abstainers, relapsers, and smokers). Results There were no significant differences in depressive symptoms among the three groups at pretreatment. At the end of treatment, abstainers and relapsers presented less depressive symptomatology than smokers. At follow-up, abstainers continued to present less depressive symptomatology than smokers, whereas in relapsers, symptoms began to increase as the relapses occurred. Regarding the evolution of depressive symptomatology, the abstainer and relapser groups showed a significant reduction at the end of treatment. Only in the group of abstainers did the decrease continue during 12 months follow-up. Limitations The decrease of the initial sample size from 562 to 242 participants. Variables such as self-esteem and self-efficacy were not assessed. Conclusions Smoking cessation is associated with a decrease in depressive symptomatology, that is maintained over time. In contrast, relapse is associated with an increase of such symptoms. These findings signify the potential importance of addressing depressive symptomatology in smoking cessation treatment

Hazardous Alcohol Drinking as Predictor of Smoking Relapse (3-, 6-, and 12-Months Follow-Up) by Gender

Diverse studies have found a relation between alcohol consumption and smoking relapse. Few studies have analyzed the relation of smoking relapse with pretreatment alcohol consumption and gender differences. The main purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of alcohol consumption in smoking relapse over 12 months (3-, 6-, and 12-months follow-up) and to determine possible gender differences. The sample included 374 smokers who quit smoking by participating in a psychological smoking cessation treatment. We assessed hazardous pretreatment alcohol drinking (AUDIT), cigarette consumption (FTND; number of cigarettes) and sociodemographic variables. Higher scores on hazardous pretreatment alcohol drinking predict smoking relapse at 3-, 6-, and 12-months after smoking cessation. In males, higher scores on hazardous pretreatment alcohol drinking predict relapse at 6 and at 12 months. In females, higher scores on hazardous pretreatment alcohol drinking predict tobacco relapse at 3 months. Hazardous pretreatment alcohol drinking predicts relapse at all intervals after smoking cessation (3-, 6-, and 12-months follow-up). However, the influence of hazardous pretreatment alcohol drinking on smoking relapse differs as a function of gender, as it is a short-term predictor in women (3 months) and a long-term predictor in men (6 and 12 months)

Cognitive-behavioral treatment with behavioral activation for smokers with depressive symptomatology: Study protocol of a randomized controlled trial

Background: Smoking is an important risk factor for mental health-related problems. Numerous studies have supported a bi-directional association between cigarette smoking and depression. Despite the advances in understanding the comorbidity between both problems, the most effective psychological treatment that simultaneously targets smoking and depressive symptomatology remains unclear. The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral intervention for smoking cessation with components of behavioral activation for managing depressed mood. Method: A single blind, three-arm, superiority randomized controlled trial is proposed. Participants will be smokers over 18years old, who smoke at least 8 cigarettes per day. Participants will be randomized to one of three conditions, using a 2:2:1 allocation ratio: 1) standard cognitive-behavioral smoking cessation treatment; 2) standard cognitive-behavioral smoking cessation treatment plus behavioral activation; or 3) a three-month delayed treatment control group. The primary outcome measures will be biochemically verified point-prevalence abstinence (carbon monoxide in expired air) and significant change from baseline in depressive symptoms to the end of treatment, and at the 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. Discussion: This study aims to assess the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral intervention with behavioral activation components for smoking cessation and depressive symptoms, compared to a standard cognitive-behavioral intervention to quit smoking. As the relation between depressive symptoms, even at subclinical levels, and quitting smoking difficulties is well known, we expect that such intervention will allow obtaining higher abstinence rates, lower relapse rates, and mood improvement. Trial registration:ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02844595. Retrospectively registered 19th July, 2016. The study started in January 2016, and the recruitment is ongoing

Ultrastable CoxSiyOz Nanowires by Glancing Angle Deposition with Magnetron Sputtering as Novel Electrocatalyst for Water Oxidation

Cobalt is one of the most promising non‐noble metal as electrocatalyst for water oxidation. Herein, a highly stable silicon‐cobalt mixed oxide thin film with a porous columnar nanostructure is proposed as electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). CoOx and CoxSiyOz layers with similar thickness were fabricated at room temperature by magnetron sputtering in a glancing angle configuration (MS‐GLAD) on tin‐doped indium oxide (ITO) substrates. After characterization, a comparative study of the electrocatalytic performance for OER of both layers was carried out. The excellent long‐term stability as electrocatalyst for OER of the porous CoxSiyOz thin film demonstrates that the presence of silicon on the mixed oxide network increases the mechanical stability of the Si/Co layer, whilst maintaining a considerable electrocatalytic response

The interaction of depressive symptoms and hazardous drinking in relation to tobacco craving among treatment seeking depressed smokers: Sex differences

Objectives: The present study sought to address whether there is sex effect in the interactive effect between depressive symptoms and hazardous drinking in the prediction of smoking craving after cognitive-behavioral smoking cessation treatment among those with at least mild depression. Methods: Participants (n=114, mean age 42.0, SD=9.73, 64% women) were treatment-seeking smokers who attended 6 weekly 1-hour sessions involving psychological treatment for cessation. Participants reported depressive symptoms and alcohol use at baseline and reported craving at baseline and after treatment. Results: Results indicated that there was a statistically significant 3-way interaction (depression by alcohol use by sex) for smoking craving (B=-0.30, standard error [SE]=0.14, P=0.042) and appetitive craving (B=-.21, SE=0.09, P=0.031), but not negative reinforcement craving. The form of the significant interactions indicted that higher levels of depressive symptoms and alcohol use were related to greater levels of craving at the end of treatment only among men. Conclusions: The current findings provide novel empirical evidence suggesting that there is a clinically relevant interplay between depressive symptoms and alcohol use regarding general craving and appetitive craving among male treatment-seeking smokers. Although the present results should be replicated in larger samples, this type of research can inform the development of sex-specific interventions for smoking cessation

Evaluación de la reforma de la atención primaria de salud: prácticas preventivas y desigualdades

ObjetivoEvaluar la reforma de la atención primaria (RAP) en Barcelona durante el año 2000 mediante 3 prácticas preventivas: el consejo antitabaco, la toma de la presión arterial y la vacunación antigripal. Además, se quiere evaluar las desigualdades de sexo, edad o clase social en la recepción de estas prácticas.DiseñoEstudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal.EmplazamientoEncuesta de Salud de Barcelona del año 2000, atención primaria de salud.ParticipantesPersonas mayores de 15 años no institucionalizadas residentes en la ciudad de Barcelona el año 2000 (n = 10.000 personas).Mediciones principalesLos indicadores utilizados fueron las prevalencias de recepción de las 3 prácticas preventivas. Se realizaron análisis descriptivos y de regression logística multivariante.ResultadosLa recepción de las practices preventivas estudiadas es mayor en las areas con mayor tiempo de instauración de la RAP respecto a los centros no reformados (el 63,7 frente al 53,2%, respectivamente). El consejo antitabaco, en el caso de las mujeres, es menos frecuente en las clases sociales más desfavorecidas (odds ratio [OR] = 0,72; intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95 %,0,55-1).ConclusionesLa RAP es un factor asociado con la realización de las practices preventivas. No se han encontrado desigualdades significativas de clase social o sexo en la recepción de las 3 prácticas preventivas.ObjectiveTo evaluate primary care reform (PCR) in Barcelona during the year 2000 using 3 preventive practices: anti-smoking advice, blood pressure measurement, and flu vaccination. Any inequalities of gender, age, or social class in receiving these practices are also assessed.DesignCross-sectional, descriptive, observational study.SettingBarcelona Health Survey, primary health care, Spain, year 2000.ParticipantsNon-institutionalised residents of the city of Barcelona over 15 years old in the year 2000 (N=10 000 people).Main measurementsThe indicators used were the prevalences of receiving the 3 practices. Descriptive and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.ResultsReceiving the preventive practices studied is greater in areas where PCR was established longer, compared to the centres that had not begun the reforms (63.7% as opposed to 53.2%, respectively).Anti-smoking advice, for women, is less frequent in the more disadvantaged classes (odds ratio [OR] = 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55-1).ConclusionsPCR is a factor associated with carrying out preventive practices. No significant disparities between social class or gender were found for those who received the preventive practices