Comparison of microcrystalline and ultrananocrystalline boron doped diamond anodes: Influence on perfluorooctanoic acid electrolysis

This work aims to study the effect of the distinctive chemical and structural surface features of boron doped diamond (BDD) anodes on their electrochemical performance for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) degradation. Commercial BDD anodes were compared: (i) a microcrystalline (MCD) coating on silicon; and (ii) an ultrananocrystalline (UNCD) coating on niobium. MCD gave rise to the complete PFOA (0.24 mmol L−1) degradation in 4 h, at any applied current density in the range 1–5 mA cm−2. On the contrary, only 21% PFOA removal was achieved when using UNCD at 5 mA cm−2 under comparable experimental conditions. Similarly, the total organic carbon (TOC) was reduced by 89% using MCD, whereas only 13% TOC decrease was obtained by UNCD. In order to explain the dissimilar electrochemical activities, the morphological and chemical characterization of the electrode materials was developed by means of FESEM microscopy, XPS and Raman spectroscopy. The UNCD anode surface showed characteristic ultrananocrystalline grain size (2–25 nm), higher boron doping and greater content of H-terminated carbon, whereas the MCD anode was less conductive but contained higher sp3 carbon on the anode surface. Overall, the MCD electrode features allowed more efficient PFOA electrolysis than the UNCD anode. As a result of their distinctive performance, the energy needed for the maximum PFOA degradation (after 4 h) using MCD anode was only 1.4 kWh m−3, while the estimated energy consumption for the UNCD anode would be 37-fold higher. It is concluded that the use of the MCD anode involves considerable energy costs savings.Financial support from the projects CTM2013-44081-R, CTM2016-75509-R and to the Spanish Excellence Network E3TECH (CTQ2015-71650-RDT) (MINECO, SPAIN-FEDER 2014–2020) is gratefully acknowledged. B. Gomez also thanks the FPI research scholarship (BES-2014-071045). Dr. J. Carrillo-Abad is gratefully acknowledged for performing the cyclic voltammograms included in supplementary data

Cursos de formación continua on-line de la SEM. Cinco años de actividad.

Se presentan los objetivos y las actividades llevadas a cabo en el área de formación continua on-line de la Sociedad Española de Microbiología (SEM)

Programa de intervención psicológica para cuidadores primarios de enfermos crónicos en la comunidad de Apaxco, Edo. México.

Contiene cuadrosEl cuidar un enfermo en la familia puede llevar a sus integrantes a tomar nuevos roles, o en todo caso dejar a uno el cuidado del familiar enfermo, cuando esta persona ignora cómo manejar la situación puede generar sobrecarga en el cuidador primario pues ahora atiende sus actividades y las del familiar que cuida. Por ello, el objetivo fue implementar un programa de intervención psicológica para disminuir la sobrecarga y las repercusiones psicológicas y sociales de cuidadores primarios de enfermos crónicos en la comunidad de Apaxco. El método aplicado fue un estudio preexperimental mediante la aplicación del programa de apoyo psicológico para cuidadores primarios, por medio del diseño pre prueba- pos prueba, utilizando la escala de Zarit, Cuestionario de Percepción de estrés (CPE) y Cuestionario General de Salud (GHQ-28), para evaluar los efectos del programa bajo el modelo de dos etapas. En los resultadosse observó que la sobrecarga había disminuido, al igual que las participantes retomaron e implementaron actividades de forma individual y en equipo para su cuidado personal. Se concluye sobre la importancia de atender. Conclusión: se deben de realizar programas de prevención en los cuales se atiendan las necesidades del cuidador primario de forma individual y grupal, por lo que es de suma importancia apoyarse de un equipo multidisciplinario, en donde se retome la parte médica y psicológica con programas que se oriente a la población abierta

The basal subcellular distribution of β-adrenergic receptor kinase is independent of G-protein βγ subunits

Abstractβ-adrenergic receptor kinase (βARK-1 or GRK2) is a key regulatory protein involved in the regulation of G-protein-coupled receptors which associates with microsomal and plasma membranes. βγ subunits of G-proteins have been suggested to mediate agonist-dependent membrane translocation of βARK, but their possible role in maintaining the complex subcellular distribution of the kinase is not known. In this study we show that lovastatin-mediated inhibition of Gγ subunits isoprenylation in HEK-293 cells stably transfected with βARK1 leads to a significant release of Gβ subunits to the cytosol without causing changes in total particulate βARK or in the association of this kinase to plasma or microsomal membrane fractions. In addition, transient overexpression of mutant forms of Gγ unable to become isoprenylated resulted in a marked sequestration of Gβ to the soluble compartment, but caused no rearrangement in the distribution of cotransfected βARK. These results indicate that anchoring of βARK to cellular membranes under basal conditions is independent of the availability of heterotrimeric G-protein subunits

International dimensions of media literacy in a connected world

ABSTRACT: This article presents an in-depth study of international indicators of media literacy in its most relevant contexts. The essay analyzes the main dimensions necessary to be taken into account as the starting point to measure, develop or foster media literacy for students or adults in any scenario. The UNESCO, European, and Australian framework are the three contexts studied as significant contributors to media literacy development. After the analysis, the conclusions focus on four specific indicators that are common to the three contexts studied. These four issues constitute the starting point for every research or researcher interested on media literacy studies.This work is supported by the R+D+I Project entitled "Media competences of citizens in emerging digital media (smartphones and tablets): Innovative practices and educational strategies in multiple contexts", EDU2015-64015-C3-1-R (MINECO / FEDER), financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of Spain

Materiales calcolíticos procedentes de "La Longuera" (El Viso, Córdoba)

El norte de la provincia de Córdoba conforma un marco de enorme interés para el análisis de los primeros momentos de la metalurgia en Andalucía Occidental dada la excepcional riqueza en recursos mineros, y muy especialmente cupríferos que encierra su subsuelo. A este hecho viene a sumarse su singularidad geográfica como lugar de interrelación entre los desarrollos culturales coetáneos en el valle del Guadalquivir, Extremadura y zona occidental de la Submeseta sur. Conscientes de estos hechos, nos planteamos hace varios años un programa de investigación que, partiendo de una serie de prospecciones sistemáticas, nos permitiera una primera y sólida aproximación a la dinámica del Calcolítico en estas tierras cordobesas, labor que ya ha dado sus primeros frutos (MURILLO, 1986,1986 b, 1987) y en la que debe inscribirse el presente trabajo

Acetazolamide in the resolution of cerebrospinal fluid cutaneous fistula after peridural analgesia: Case report1

AbstractBackgroundCerebrospinal fluid cutaneous fistula following spinal anaesthesia is a serious and rare complication which requires a prompt diagnosis. However, the treatment management is not well defined.Clinical caseFemale aged 50 with a stage IIB cervical carcinoma, who had a peridural catheter inserted at lumbar level. Three days after surgery she refers severe headache, which was corroborated by leakage of cerebrospinal fluid through the puncture. She was prescribed antibiotics and acetazolamide 250mg every 8hours for five days with a favourable outcome.ConclusionIn this case, management with acetazolamide and suture of the fistula inhibits cerebrospinal fluid leakage, without the need for a blood patch

Promoting light hydrocarbons yield by catalytic hydrodechlorination of residual chloromethanes using palladium supported on zeolite catalysts

Gas catalytic hydrodechlorination (HDC) of trichloromethane (TCM) and dichloromethane (DCM) was analyzed using Pd (1 wt.%) on different zeolites as catalysts. The aim of this study was to know the surface properties of the catalysts and reaction conditions that promote the yield to light hydrocarbons in this reaction. Five different zeolite supports were used from three commercial zeolites (KL, L-type; NaY, Faujasite; H-MOR, Mordenite). KL and NaY were submitted to ionic exchange treatments in order to increase their acidity and analyze the effect of the acidity in the activity and selectivity of the HDC reaction. Exchanged zeolites (HL and HY) showed the highest Pd dispersion due to their higher surface acidity. The best TCM/DCM conversion and selectivity to light hydrocarbons was obtained using the two non-exchanged zeolite-catalysts, KL and NaY. Low surface acidity seems to be the key aspect to promote the formation of light hydrocarbons. The formation of these products is favored at high reaction temperatures and low H2: chloromethane ratios. KL showed the highest selectivity to olefins (60%), although with a lower dechlorination degree. Non-exchanged NaY catalyst showed high selectivity to paraffins (70% and 95% for the HDC of DCM and TCM, respectively)Authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from FEDER/Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades—Agencia Estatal de Investigación/ CTM2017-85498-R. C. Fernández Ruiz acknowledges MINECO for his research gran

Caracterización del biodeterioro en películas cinematográficas de interés patrimonial en Cuba

La conservación del patrimonio cultural constituye una actividad de vital importancia para salvaguardar nuestra identidad, así como para transmitir conocimientos sobre hechos históricos de gran importancia. Las obras de arte y los documentos, son testimonio de lo acontecido en nuestro pasado y presente por lo que su preservación a lo largo del tiempo es vital para las futuras generaciones. Se ha observado, en repositorios cinematográficos, que la contaminación microbiana ambiental puede deteriorar las películas cinematográficas [1]. El objetivo del presente trabajo es identificar los microorganismos que deterioran las películas cinematográficas del Patrimonio Documental de Cuba mediante técnicas biotecnológicas y microscópicas para después establecer una política de conservación certera en la institución

Boron doped diamond electrooxidation of 6:2 fluorotelomers and perfluorocarboxylic acids. Application to industrial wastewaters treatment

The aim of this study was to determine the viability of electrochemical oxidation to degrade and mineralize poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in wastewaters from an industrial facility dedicated to the production of side-chain-fluorinated polymers and fluorotelomer-based products for fire-fighting foams. 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide alkylbetaine (6:2 FTAB, 1111 μg/L), 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FTSA, 242.5 μg/L) and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide propyl N,N dimethylamine (M4, 34.4 μg/L) were the most abundant PFASs in the industrial wastewater, that also contained perfluorocarboxylic acids (ΣPFCAs, 12.2 μg/L), high TOC and chloride as main anion. 2 L samples were treated in bench scale experiments performed at a current density of 50 mA/cm2, in a commercial cell equipped with a boron doped diamond (BDD) anode (70 cm2). 97.1% of the initial PFASs content was removed after 8 h of electrochemical treatment. Furthermore, the TOC removal (82.5%) and the fluoride release confirmed the PFASs mineralization. Based on the evolution of the different PFASs, electrochemical degradation pathways were proposed. Fluorotelomers sulfonamides 6:2 FTAB and M4 would be degraded into 6:2 FTSA, which conversely would give rise to PFHpA and preferentially PFHxA. The latter PFCAs were transformed into shorter-chain PFCAs, and eventually into CO2 and fluoride. The reported results support the technical viability of BDD electrooxidation for the treatment of PFASs in industrial wastewater.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (CTM2013-44081-R and CTM2016-75509-R). B. Gomez also thanks the FPI postgraduate research grant (BES-2014-071045)