Increment of specific heat capacity of solar salt with SiO2 nanoparticles

Thermal energy storage (TES) is extremely important in concentrated solar power (CSP) plants since it represents the main difference and advantage of CSP plants with respect to other renewable energy sources such as wind, photovoltaic, etc. CSP represents a low-carbon emission renewable source of energy, and TES allows CSP plants to have energy availability and dispatchability using available industrial technologies. Molten salts are used in CSP plants as a TES material because of their high operational temperature and stability of up to 500°C. Their main drawbacks are their relative poor thermal properties and energy storage density. A simple cost-effective way to improve thermal properties of fluids is to dope them with nanoparticles, thus obtaining the so-called salt-based nanofluids. In this work, solar salt used in CSP plants (60% NaNO3 + 40% KNO3) was doped with silica nanoparticles at different solid mass concentrations (from 0.5% to 2%). Specific heat was measured by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A maximum increase of 25.03% was found at an optimal concentration of 1 wt.% of nanoparticles. The size distribution of nanoparticle clusters present in the salt at each concentration was evaluated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and image processing, as well as by means of dynamic light scattering (DLS). The cluster size and the specific surface available depended on the solid content, and a relationship between the specific heat increment and the available particle surface area was obtained. It was proved that the mechanism involved in the specific heat increment is based on a surface phenomenon. Stability of samples was tested for several thermal cycles and thermogravimetric analysis at high temperature was carried out, the samples being stable.Universitat Jaume I (project P1-1B2013-43

On the relationship between the specific heat enhancement of salt-based nanofluids and the ionic exchange capacity of nanoparticles

Nanoparticles have been used in thermal applications to increase the specific heat of the molten salts used in Concentrated Solar Power plants for thermal energy storage. Although several mechanisms for abnormal enhancement have been proposed, they are still being investigated and more research is necessary. However, this nanoparticle-salt interaction can also be found in chemical applications in which nanoparticles have proved suitable to be used as an adsorbent for nitrate removal given their high specific surface, reactivity and ionic exchange capacity. In this work, the ionic exchange capacity mechanism for the nanoparticles functionalization phenomenon was evaluated. The ionic exchange capacity of silica and alumina nanoparticles dispersed in lithium, sodium and potassium nitrates was measured. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy tests confirmed the adsorption of nitrate ions on the nanoparticle surface. A relationship between the ionic exchange capacity of nanoparticles and the specific heat enhancement of doped molten salts was proposed for the first time

Characterization of halloysite-water nanofluid for heat transfer applications

Nanofluids based on water with halloysite (Hal) nanotubes were prepared and characterized in order to evaluate its suitability to be used as a heat transfer fluid. A characterization of the Hal powder nanoparticles was per- formed by means of SEM, TEM, WAXS, FTIR and TGA so that chemical composition, size and shape were determined. Stability of nanofluids was analyzed by means of zeta potential and light transmission measurements. Thermal conductivity, specific heat and viscosity of nanofluids prepared at different solid contents (0.5, 1, 3 and 5% volume fraction) and temperatures (40, 60 and 80 °C) were obtained in order to optimize the Prandtl number. The nanofluids exhibited a good performance for its application as heat transfer fluids, with low Prandtl numbers compared to other commonly used nanofluids. High thermal conductivity enhancement with moderate viscosity and good stability results was obtained for the Hal nanofluid

Aproximación al léxico de los Fueros de Alfambra (1174-1176)

Este Trabajo Fin de Grado es una aproximación al estudio del léxico de los Fueros de Alfambra (1174-1176), una pequeña localidad de la provincia de Teruel. Analizamos para ello el léxico relacionado con la agricultura, la ganadería y los diferentes oficios. El objetivo es fundamentalmente comprobar la presencia del léxico aragonés. Para observar mejor los rasgos del léxico estudiado se realiza una breve comparativa con otros fueros: con la edición de Gunnar Tilander del Vidal Mayor, la edición de Antonio Pérez Martín del Fuero de Aragón y la edición de Max Gorosch del Fuero de Teruel

MOOCKnowledge: Establishing a large-scale data-collection about participants of European Open Online Courses

While MOOCS have emerged as a new form of open online education around the world,there are still no cross- provider and large-scale data collections that provides reliable information about demographic details of the population of MOOC participants on the one hand, and their motivation, intentions, social context, lifelong learning profile and impact on study success and career development on the other hand. The MOOCKnowledge project is an initiative to establish a large-scale data-collection about participants of European MOOCs. In this paper we describe the motivation behind the project and discuss the research focus. We explain the structure of the survey instrument, report about the data collection process and provide an outlook on potential future developments of the project.JRC.J.3-Information Societ

Perinatal contraceptive counselling: effectiveness of a reinforcement intervention on top of standard clinical practice

Objective: to assess the effectiveness of supplemental perinatal contraceptive counselling in addition to standard Spanish postpartum contraceptive counselling with regard to contraceptive use and use of effective contraception up to 1 year postpartum. Women's satisfaction with counselling and the method chosen was also assessed. Design: community-randomized trial. Setting: 'Reproductive and Sexual Health Care' units of the National Health Care System at twenty public Primary Care facilities in Catalonia. Participants: 1,004 consecutive pregnant women (~week 30) receiving prenatal care between 1st October 2015 and 31st March 2016. Women were considered eligible for analysis if appropriate information was available. Interventions: at half of the centres, midwives provided the standard Spanish postpartum contraceptive counselling (control group, CG). At the other half, supplemental perinatal contraceptive counselling was provided in addition to standard counselling (intervention group, IG) at different time points during pregnancy and postpartum. This consisted of a leaflet and a blog with practical information about all contraceptive options plus a short reminder message in the mobile phone during the third quarter of pregnancy and a face-to-face or a virtual meeting lasting 20 min in the first 15 days postpartum. Midwives used ad hoc questionnaires to collect information at week 30 of pregnancy (recruitment), and week 6, month 6 and month 12 postpartum. Measurements and findings: 975 women were eligible for analysis (482 in the CG and 493 in the IG). ~33% women had resumed sexual intercourse by week 6, and nearly all by months 6 and 12. Use and effectiveness of contraceptives was similar in both groups at week 6 and month 6. At month 12, more women in the IG used more effective contraception and less women used contraceptives considered somewhat effective vs. those of the CG (P = 0.006). When considering the place of origin, this was only true for Spanish women. Women of other origins had a much higher use of very effective contraceptives at month 12 also in the CG, with contraceptive counselling having scarce effect. On multivariate analysis, conducted only in Spanish women, the additional counselling resulted in a higher use of highly effective methods while having a university degree increased 3.6 times the OR for this behaviour. A bias towards fostering use of very effective contraceptives among women with low education was seen in standard clinical practice. Satisfaction with counselling and the type of contraception chosen was higher in the IG. Key conclusions: our study has shown that the supplemental counselling tested has a moderate impact on contraceptive use and use of effective contraception in postpartum women. Results of this effort were seen after 6 months postpartum. A possible bias towards women who were more socially vulnerable was found in standard clinical practice, which reduced the effectiveness of the intervention in women who were otherwise the most needy. Implications for practice: despite the benefits provided by supplemental support in perinatal contraceptive counselling, the existence of a possible bias affecting the effectiveness of these interventions should be investigated and addressed

Adolescents and Young Adults Evaluating a Website for Affective-Sexual Information and Education: Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Today's young people have long been demanding a paradigm shift in the emotional and sexual education they receive. While for them, affective-sexual and gender diversity is already a reality, the sexual and reproductive health professionals they encounter lack sufficient training. The digital devices and affective-sexual education websites aimed at today's young people must also be thoroughly evaluated. The website Sexe Joves is a website on sexuality by the Department of Health of the Government of Catalonia (Spain). It is designed for people aged 14 to 25 years. It currently needs to undergo a process of evaluation. Affective-sexual education aimed at young people must stem from their participation and the whole range of sexual and gender diversity in order to reach the entire population equally. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the website Sexe Joves as a source of affective-sexual health information, education, and communication for young people. It takes into account sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and location within Catalonia (urban, semiurban, and rural areas). Methods: This was an observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study that forms part of a larger mixed methods study. An ad hoc questionnaire was used to collect data. In total, 1830 participants were included. The study was carried out simultaneously in all the territorial administrations of Catalonia. Results: Almost 30% of the sample obtained were young people who experience affective-sexual and gender diversity. Of those surveyed, only 14.2% (n=260) said they were familiar with the website and of these, 6.5% said they used it (n=114). The website content rated most indispensable was on sexual abuse, harassment, and violence, followed by sexually transmitted infections; 70.5% (n=1200) reported that they visit pornographic websites. Conclusions: The results of this study will contribute to the design of new strategies for the website Sexe Joves, a public health resource, in order to improve affective sexual education for young people

Understanding factors that influence the decision to be vaccinated against influenza and pertussis in pregnancy : A qualitative study

Acord transformatiu CRUE-CSICAims and Objectives: To identify how pregnant women perceive pertussis and influenza and the factors that influence their decision to be vaccinated. Background: Suffering from influenza during pregnancy increases complications in the pregnant woman, foetus and newborn. Pertussis in children under six months of age causes severe complications. Maternal vaccination against influenza and pertussis is effective and safe. However, vaccination rates are insufficient. Design: We conducted a qualitative descriptive study, using semi-structured interviews. This research adheres to the COREQ guidelines and checklist. Methods: We carried out 18 semi-structured face-to-face interviews with pregnant women, using intentional sampling and thematic analysis. Results: We identified an overarching theme, 'factors that influenced participants' decision to be vaccinated or not', which was composed of four subthemes that were in turn made up of 12 categories. The factors that influenced participants' decision to be vaccinated against influenza and pertussis were related to their knowledge of and their perception of risk for these diseases. Participants perceived the risk of pertussis to be greater, and they focused their concern on the newborn. The recommendations and convictions of nurse-midwives were the most important factors encouraging vaccination. Participants trusted their nurse-midwives and most reported that they would have been vaccinated if their midwife had recommended it. Other factors were linked to lack of information, fear and concerns about economic interests. Conclusions: The convictions and actions of the nurse-midwife in recommending vaccination to pregnant women are decisive. Strategies to improve vaccination rates should be directed to helping health professionals understand how their practice affects the final decision of pregnant women. Relevance to clinical practice: Understanding the factors that limit vaccination rates among pregnant women provides valuable information to nurse-midwives that can help to improve vaccination strategies and practices. Increased maternal vaccination rates would reduce morbidity and mortality among pregnant women and newborns

Adolescents and young adults evaluating a website for affective‐sexual information and education: a mixed‐methods study protocol

The website Sexe Joves is a website on sexuality of the Department of Health of the Government of Catalonia (Spain). This study aims to understand the experiences and opinions of people aged 14 to 25 regarding this website, taking into account sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and location within Catalonia (urban, semiurban and rural areas). With the objective of improving the website and adpating the resources allocated to it, this study evaluates whether this population is familiar with it and uses it, as well as the website's usability and accessibility (digital equity), usefulness and the relevance of its content. A parallel convergent triangulation design is used: a qualitative study using a social constructivist perspective, and an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional quantitative study. We conduct a discourse analysis of participants and use an 'ad hoc' questionnaire to collect quantitative data. A descriptive analysis of all variables is carried out. Affective-sexual education aimed at young people must stem from their participation and the whole range of sexual and gender diversity in order to reach the entire population equally. This analysis will contribute to the design of new strategies for the wesbite Sexe Joves, a public health resource, in order to improve affective-sexual education for young people

Influenza and Pertussis Maternal Vaccination Coverage and Influencing Factors in Spain : a Study Based on Primary Care Records Registry

The purpose was to determine the coverage of maternal vaccination against influenza and pertussis, and the characteristics associated with being vaccinated, in a health area of Catalonia, Spain. Some 36,032 anonymized and computerized clinical records registries of pregnant women from Primary Care Centres (e-CAP database) were analysed, from between 2015 and 2018. Vaccination coverage and the association with sociodemographic variables and clinical conditions were estimated using a Poisson regression model. Maternal vaccination coverage against influenza ranged between 11.9% in 2015 and 6.8% in 2018, following a decreasing trend (p < 0.001). Coverage with the tetanus toxoid, diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis vaccine varied between 49.8% in 2016 and 79.4% in 2018, following an increasing trend (p < 0.001). Having living children and suffering from obesity were factors associated with not being vaccinated against both infections. The predictive variables of vaccination against influenza were diabetes (IRR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.42-3.30) and asthma (IRR: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.76-2.38); and for pertussis, it was asthma (IRR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.03-1.17). Different socio-demographic factors and chronic conditions in pregnant women were associated with maternal vaccination, and which will have to be taken into account in clinical practice when implementing strategies to improve the coverage of the programme