Radiation damage evaluation on AlGaAs/GaAs solar cells

A computer model to evaluate radiation damage on AlGaAs-based solar cells is reported. The model is based on a piecewise approach that divides the cell structure in an adaptive number of slices. Inside a particular slice the semiconductor parameters are constant; consequently, it is easy to find an analytical solution of the semiconductor transport equations with suitable boundary conditions for the interfaces with the adjacent slices. The model provides all electrical parameters of the cells in the operating temperature range. Different structures, including graded band gaps and double heterofaces can be analyzed. Proton damage coefficients as well as proton damage ratios can be calculated for energies between 30 and 10/sup 4/ keV with only two adjustable parameters. Coirradiation experiments with different energy protons were simulated by improving the conventional method of degradation computering.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Measurement and simulation of reflector antenna

Well-established procedures are consolidated to determine the associated measurement uncertainty for a given antenna and measurements scenario [1-2]. Similar criteria for establishing uncertainties in numerical modelling of the same antenna are still to be established. In this paper, we investigate the achievable agreement between antenna measurement and simulation when external error sources are minimized. The test object, is a reflector fed by a wideband dual ridge horn (SR40-A and SH4000). The highly stable reference antenna has been selected to minimize uncertainty related to finite manufacturing and material parameter accuracy. Two frequencies, 10.7GHz and 18GHz have been selected for detailed investigation

INFRAESTRUTURA VERDE E RESILIÊNCIA URBANA PARA AS MUDANÇAS CLIMÁTICAS NA PENÍNSULA IBÉRICA: ESTUDOS DE CASO

Este artigo visa descrever o “estado da arte” na aplicação de conceitos de infraestrutura verde em cidades e territórios da Península Ibérica, vistos e vividos por um viajante numa rota circular entre Barcelona, Lisboa e Madrid e mais cinco cidades nos entremeios, realizada nos meses de junho e julho de 2014. Para tanto foram considerados como elementos principais os seguintes aspectos de infraestrutura verde: áreas de preservação continentais, áreas de preservação costeiras e ribeirinhas, anéis verdes, parques urbanos, parques lineares, hortas urbanas, florestas urbanas, arborização urbana, jardins botânicos, caminhos verdes e ciclovias.This article aims to describe the “state of the art” in the application of green infrastructure concepts in cities and territories of the Iberian Peninsula, visited and experienced by a traveler in the circular route Barcelona, Lisbon, Madrid and five other cities in the circuit, during June and July 2014. The following main elements of green infrastructure were considered: areas of continental preservation, areas of riparian and coastal preservation, green rings, urban parks, linear parks, urban gardens, urban forests, urban arborization, botanical gardens, green paths and bike paths

Características de la canal y calidad instrumental de la carne en cabritos y corderos lechales

Meat from very young, milk-fed, small ruminants is an appreciated product in Mediterranean countries where milk is the main product derived from the herds. Nevertheless, many aspects of the quality of the products are virtually unknown for many goat breeds, especially among those that are reared for their meat. In this study, the quality from 50 animals from 5 local goat breeds (one dairy purpose and 4 meat purpose) and 19 lambs (from Churra, a dairy breed) was compared at commercial cold carcass weights of 4.4-6.6 kg. Carcass quality, ultimate pH and meat colour were assessed following standard procedures. Statistical differences (p < 0.05) were found in all of the variables analysed. Some of these differences might have been due to the influence of the genotype, the dam’s production potential, or differences in carcass weight and age, but most were species dependent. Lambs differed from the kids, especially from those of meat purpose breeds, due to their high proportion of bone (25.0 vs. 21.3 to 23.7%), and a more intense meat colour (higher hue: 29.2 vs. 23.4 to 28.7, and chroma: 14.6 vs. 12.1 to 14.6). Among the goat breeds, Murciano Granadina (dairy breed) and Blanca Celtibérica (meat breed) were the most different in terms of carcass morphology, fatness, and meat colour. The other three local meat-purpose goat breeds (Moncaína, Negra Serrana, and Pirenaica) differed little. To obtain a better understanding of goat species, the differences among breeds, in kids or in their most common products, require further studies. Additional key words: carcass morphology; colour; goat; pH; sheep; tissue composition.La carne de lechal es muy apreciada en los países mediterráneos, en los que la leche es una producción fundamental. Además, muchos aspectos de los productos de las razas caprinas locales son prácticamente desconocidos. En este estudio se analizó la calidad de 50 animales de 5 razas caprinas (una lechera y 4 de aptitud cárnica) y de 19 corderos (raza Churra de tipo lechero), a pesos comerciales de 4,4-6,6 kg de canal fría. Se evaluaron la calidad de la canal, el pH último y el color de la carne, siguiendo metodologías estandarizadas. Se encontraron diferencias significativas (p < 0,05) en todas las variables analizadas. Algunas de estas diferencias se podrían justificar por diferencias raciales, potencial lechero de las madres o peso canal final, pero la mayor parte fueron debidas a la especie considerada. Los corderos fueron diferentes, especialmente de los cabritos de razas con orientación predominantemente cárnica, en la proporción de hueso (25,0 vs. 21,3-23,7%) y color de carne más intenso (superiores valores de tono: 29,2 vs. 23,4-28,7 y saturación: 14,6 vs. 12,1-14,6). Entre las razas caprinas, la Murciano Granadina (raza de aptitud lechera) y la Blanca Celtibérica (raza cárnica) fueron las más diferentes en morfología de la canal, engrasamiento y color de carne. Las otras tres razas de aptitud cárnica (Moncaína, Negra Serrana y Pirenaica) fueron poco diferentes entre sí. Para conocer mejor a la especie caprina, las diferencias entre razas y la calidad de sus productos, son necesarios una mayor cantidad de estudios

Sub-bandgap external quantum efficiency in Ti implanted Si heterojunction with intrinsic thin layer cells

In this work we present the manufacturing processes and results obtained from the characterization of heterojunction with intrinsic thin layer solar cells that include a heavily Ti ion implanted Si absorbing layer. The cells exhibit external circuit photocurrent at photon energies well below the Si bandgap. We discuss the origin of this below-bandgap photocurrent and the modifications in the hydrogenated amorphous intrinsic Si layer thickness to increase the open-circuit voltage. © 2013 The Japan Society of Applied Physics.This work has been supported by the Regional Government of Comunidad de Madrid within the project NUMANCIA II (S-2009/ENE-1477). J. Olea and D. Pastor would like to acknowledge a Juan de la Cierva fellowship from the Spanish Science Ministry (JCI-2011-10402, JCI-2011-11471). E. Antolín acknowledges a Marie Curie Fellowship from the European Commission (Project Siracusa, Grant PIEF-GA-2011-302489.S-2009/ENE-1477/NUMANCIA-IIPeer Reviewe

Mediterranean Diet and atherothrombosis biomarkers: a randomized controlled trial

Scope. To assess whether following a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) improved atherothrombosis biomarkers in high cardiovascular risk individuals. Methods and results. In 358 random volunteers from the PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea trial, we assessed the 1-year effects on atherothrombosis markers of an intervention with MedDiet, enriched with virgin olive oil (MedDiet-VOO; n=120) or nuts (MedDiet-Nuts; n=119) versus a low-fat control diet (n=119). We also studied whether large increments in MedDiet adherence (≥3 score points, relative to compliance decreases) and intake changes in key food items were associated with 1-year differences in biomarkers. We observed differences between 1-year changes in the MedDiet-VOO intervention and control diet on the activity of platelet activating factor acetylhydrolase in HDLs (+7.5% [95% confidence interval: 0.17; 14.8]) and HDL-bound α1-antitrypsin levels (- 6.1% [-11.8; -0.29]), and between the MedDiet-Nuts intervention and the control arm on non-esterified fatty acid concentrations (-9.3% [-18.1; -0.53]). Large MedDiet adherence increments were associated with less fibrinogen (-9.5% [-18.3; -0.60]) and non-esterified fatty acid concentrations (-16.7% [-31.7; -1.74]). Increases in nut, fruit, vegetable, and fatty fish consumption, and decreases in processed meat intake were linked to beneficial changes in atherothrombosis biomarkers. Conclusion. Following a MedDiet improved atherothrombosis biomarkers in high cardiovascular risk individual

American heart association's life simple 7 and the risk of atrial fibrillation in the PREDIMED study cohort

Background and aims The American Heart Association proposed 7 ideal cardiovascular health metrics (Life's Simple 7 [LS7]) namely, not smoking, body mass index <25 kg/m2, healthy diet, moderate physical activity ≥150 min/week, total blood cholesterol <200 mg/dL, blood pressure <120/80 mmHg and fasting blood glucose <100 mg/dL. Our objective was to assess the association between these LS7 metrics and the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods and results A total of 6,479 participants of the PREDIMED study were included. We calculated the participants’ baseline LS7 index ranging 0–7 points to categorize them according to their adherence to these LS7 health metrics. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to estimate Hazard Ratios (HR) and their 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CI). After a median follow-up of 4.8 years, we identified 250 incident cases of AF. After adjusting for potential confounders, adherence to LS7 index was not associated with the incidence of AF (adjusted HR 0.90 [95% CI: 0.56–1.45] for highest vs. lowest LS7 categories). Body mass index <25 kg/m2 was the only health metric individually associated with a lower risk of AF (HR 0.36 [95% CI: 0.16–0.78]). Conclusions In a high cardiovascular risk Spanish population, adherence to American Heart Association's LS7 metrics was not associated with the risk of incident AF

Caso: Infección cutánea en el punto de punción de anestesia subaracnoidea

Mujer de 76 años de edad, con antecedentes de asma bronquial en tratamiento con bromuro de ipatropio e hipertiroidismo tratado con carbimazol. Artrosis generalizada y gonartrosis bilateral. Propuesta para cirugía traumatológica de protesis total de rodilla derecha. Se realiza técnica locorregional mediante anestesia subaracnoidea resultando exitosa tras 4 intentos fallidos de punción, confirmando salida de LCR transparente. Se administra bupivacaina isobárica 14 mg. más 20 mcg de fentanilo. Se administra Amchafibrin (según protocolo de la Unidad de Anestesia y Reanimación del Hospital Vega Baja de Orihuela)