Water Splitting Electrocatalysis within Layered Inorganic Nanomaterials

The conversion of solar energy into chemical fuel is one of the “Holy Grails” of twenty-first century chemistry. Solar energy can be used to split water into oxygen and protons, which are then used to make hydrogen fuel. Nature is able to catalyze both the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) required for the conversion of solar energy into chemical fuel through the employment of enzymes that are composed of inexpensive transition metals. Instead of using expensive catalysts such as platinum, cheaper alternatives (such as cobalt, iron, or nickel) would provide the opportunity to make solar energy competitive with fossil fuels. However, obtaining efficient catalysts based on earth-abundant materials is still a daunting task. In this chapter, we review the advancements made with zirconium phosphate (ZrP) as a support for earth-abundant transition metals for the OER. Our studies have found that ZrP is a suitable support for transition metals as it provides an accessible surface where the OER can occur. Further findings have also shown that exfoliation of ZrP increases the availability of sites where active species can be adsorbed and performance is improved with this strategy

CB6 87. Sustitución valvular aórtica en octogenarios

IntroducciónEn las últimas décadas, la población mayor de 80 años que requiere una cirugía por estenosis aórtica degenerativa ha aumentado sustancialmente.Material y métodosSe compararon los resultados a corto y medio plazo de la sustitución valvular aórtica convencional (SVAo) en estenosis aórtica degenerativa en pacientes mayores y menores de 80 años intervenidos en nuestro centro entre abril de 2004 y diciembre de 2008. Los predictores de mortalidad y eventos adversos mayores cardio y cerebrovasculares (MACCE) en el postoperatorio y el seguimiento se determinaron por análisis multivariante.ResultadosCuatrocientos cincuenta y un pacientes fueron incluidos; 94 (20,8%) eran mayores de 80 años. La cirugía cardíaca previa (odds ratio [OR]: 4,08; p=0,047), la insuficiencia renal (OR: 6,75; p < 0,001), la cirugía coronaria concomitante (OR: 2,57; p=0,034), el sexo femenino (OR: 2,49; p=0,047) y la hipertensión pulmonar grave (OR: 3,68; p=0,024) fueron predictores independientes de mortalidad hospitalaria. En el seguimiento, la edad (hazard ratio [HR]: 2,24; p=0,02), la vasculopatía periférica (HR: 5,1; p < 0,001) e hipertensión arterial (HTA) (HR: 5,2; p=0,025) fueron predictores independientes de mortalidad tardía. Sólo la vasculopatía periférica (HR: 3,55; p=0,014) e HTA (HR: 8,24; p=0,04) fueron predictores independientes de mortalidad cardíaca tardía. La insuficiencia renal (OR: 2,57; p=0,005), hipertensión pulmonar grave (OR: 3,49; p=0,005) y cirugía coronaria asociada (OR: 2,49; p=0,002) fueron predictores independientes de MACCE postoperatorios. Diabetes mellitus (HR: 2,03; p=0,033) y vasculopatía periférica (HR: 2,3; p=0,041) predijeron una mayor incidencia de MACCE en el seguimiento.ConclusionesLa edad mayor de 80 años no empeora el pronóstico a corto y medio plazo tras la SVAo por estenosis aórtica grave degenerativa

Analycity and smoothing effect for the coupled system of equations of Korteweg - de Vries type with a single point singularity

We study that a solution of the initial value problem associated for the coupled system of equations of Korteweg - de Vries type which appears as a model to describe the strong interaction of weakly nonlinear long waves, has analyticity in time and smoothing effect up to real analyticity if the initial data only has a single point singularity at $x=0.

Evaluation of self-absorption of manganese emission lines in Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy measurements

This paper is part of a more general study aimed to the determination of the best experimental procedures for reliable quantitative measurements of Fe-Mn alloys by LIBS. In this work, attention is pointed on the self-absorption processes, whose effect deeply influences the LIBS measurements, reflecting in non-linear calibration curves. The effect of self-absorption on the line intensity can be quantified by defining a self absorption coefficient, that measures the deviation of the line intensity from the linear extrapolation of the curve of growth in the optically thin regime. The authors demonstrated in a previous paper that self absorption coefficients could be calculated once the electron density of the plasma is known and the Stark coefficients of the lines are available. However, when the Stark coefficients of the lines of interest are not known, a different approach is needed. In this work a new method for evaluation of self absorption coefficients in LIBS measurements is presented, which does not require the knowledge of Stark coefficients. In order to understand the basic principles and setting out the theoretical tools that will be used for the analysis o f the alloys, a preliminary study was done on pure Mn; LIBS spectra were acquired in different experimental conditions, at different laser energies and different delays after the laser irradiation o f the sample. Moreover, collinear double pulse measurements were also performed. Analytical relations were derived and experimental procedures devised for evaluation o f the self absorption coefficients of several Mn lines, which are important for characterization and control of the experimental conditions in which the analysis is performed

Evaluation of self-absorption of manganese emission lines in laser induced breakdown spectroscopy measurements

This paper is part o f a more general study aimed to the determination o f the best experimental procedures for reliable quantitative measurements o f F e-M n alloys by LIBS. In this work, attention is pointed on the self-absorption processes, whose effect deeply influences the LIBS measurements, reflecting in non-linear calibration curves. The effect o f self-absorption on the line intensity can be quantified by defining a self absorption coefficient, that measures the deviation o f the line intensity from the linear extrapolation o f the curve o f growth in the optically thin regime. The authors demonstrated in a previous paper that self absorption coefficients could be calculated once the electron density o f the plasma is known and the Stark coefficients o f the lines are available. However, when the Stark coefficients o f the lines o f interest are not known, a different approach is needed. In this work a new method for evaluation o f self absorption coefficients in LIBS measurements is presented, which does not require the knowledge o f Stark coefficients. In order to understand the basic principles and setting out the theoretical tools that w ill be used for the analysis o f the alloys, a preliminary study was done on pure Mn; LIBS spectra were acquired in different experimental conditions, at different laser energies and different delays after the laser irradiation o f the sample. Moreover, collinear double pulse measurements were also performed. Analytical relations were derived and experimental procedures devised for evaluation o f the self absorption coefficients o f several Mn lines, which are important for characterization and control o f the experimental conditions in which the analysis is performed.Facultad de Ingenierí

Caracterización productiva de explotaciones lecheras empleando metodología de análisis multivariado

The objective of this study was to characterize dairy productive systems of Vilcún commune, Cautín province, the IXth Region, Chile, linking qualitative and quantitative variables using statistical multivariate analysis of simple correspondence. 24 dairy farms were analyzed: 11 considered small size, 7 medium ones and 6 big dairy producers. The general results show that the big producers have a larger surface of hectares dedicated to the dairy, more days of lactation and an average production of 14 L per day, in comparison with 9 L of the medium and small producers. The multivariable analysis of simple correspondence shows association between the educational level of the dairy producers and the quantity of produced milk. Thus, big producers have possess a professional title of degree senior technician or engineer. On the other hand, the level of education of the milkers was at least secondary level for the big producers and basic complete and incomplete for the small and medium producers. Likewise, the producers who carry out twice-daily milking have bigger total production of milk, and the drying therapy is carried out more in big and medium producers than in the small ones. The use of cooling tank is of permanent use in the producers with a greater productive volume. Finally, the big producers used a reproductive records which are associated with their high productions. About the sanitary aspect was observed that the producers with more seniority in the business have fewer mastitis problems in their herd

Association between adiposity levels and cognitive impairment in the Chilean older adult population

Although both obesity and ageing are risk factors for cognitive impairment, there is no evidence in Chile on how obesity levels are associated with cognitive function. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the association between adiposity levels and cognitive impairment in older Chilean adults. This cross-sectional study includes 1384 participants, over 60 years of age, from the Chilean National Health Survey 2009–2010. Cognitive impairment was evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination. BMI and waist circumference (WC) were used as measures of adiposity. Compared with people with a normal BMI, the odds of cognitive impairment were higher in participants who were underweight (OR 4·44; 95 % CI 2·43, 6·45; P &lt; 0·0001), overweight (OR 1·86; 95 % CI 1·06, 2·66; P = 0·031) and obese (OR 2·26; 95 % CI 1·31, 3·21; P = 0·003). The associations were robust after adjustment for confounding variables. Similar results were observed for WC. Low and high levels of adiposity are associated with an increased likelihood of cognitive impairment in older adults in Chile

Evaluation of self-absorption of manganese emission lines in laser induced breakdown spectroscopy measurements

This paper is part o f a more general study aimed to the determination o f the best experimental procedures for reliable quantitative measurements o f F e-M n alloys by LIBS. In this work, attention is pointed on the self-absorption processes, whose effect deeply influences the LIBS measurements, reflecting in non-linear calibration curves. The effect o f self-absorption on the line intensity can be quantified by defining a self absorption coefficient, that measures the deviation o f the line intensity from the linear extrapolation o f the curve o f growth in the optically thin regime. The authors demonstrated in a previous paper that self absorption coefficients could be calculated once the electron density o f the plasma is known and the Stark coefficients o f the lines are available. However, when the Stark coefficients o f the lines o f interest are not known, a different approach is needed. In this work a new method for evaluation o f self absorption coefficients in LIBS measurements is presented, which does not require the knowledge o f Stark coefficients. In order to understand the basic principles and setting out the theoretical tools that w ill be used for the analysis o f the alloys, a preliminary study was done on pure Mn; LIBS spectra were acquired in different experimental conditions, at different laser energies and different delays after the laser irradiation o f the sample. Moreover, collinear double pulse measurements were also performed. Analytical relations were derived and experimental procedures devised for evaluation o f the self absorption coefficients o f several Mn lines, which are important for characterization and control o f the experimental conditions in which the analysis is performed.Facultad de Ingenierí

Purification and biochemical characterization of four iron superoxide dismutases in Trypanosoma cruzi

Four superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities (SOD I, II, III, and IV) have been characterized in the epimastigote form of Trypanosoma cruzi . The total extract was subjected to two successive ammonium sulphate additions between 35 and 85%, and the resulting fraction was purified using two continuous chromatography processes (ion exchange and filtration). Enzymes were insensitive to cyanide but sensitive to hydrogen peroxide, properties characteristic of iron-containing SODs. The molecular masses of the different SODs were 20 kDa (SOD I), 60 kDa (SOD II), 50 kDa (SOD III) and 25 kDa (SOD IV), whereas the isoelectric points were 6.9, 6.8, 5.2 and 3.8, respectively. Subcellular location and digitonin experiments have shown that these SODs are mainly cytosolic, with small amounts in the low- mass organelles (SOD II and SOD I) and the mitochondrion (SOD III), where these enzymes play an important role in minimizing oxidative damage.Financial support: CGL2006-27889-E/BOS, Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología