Electrodes based on nafion and epoxy-graphene composites for improving the performance and durability of open cathode fuel cells, prepared by electrospray deposition

Fabrication of electrodes for polymer electrolyte fuel cells is a intriguing process in which a balance between gas transport, electrical conductivity, proton transport and water managing must be optimized. In this work four different electrodes prepared by electrospray deposition have been studied using different catalytic inks, in which Nafion and epoxy doped with Graphene-Nanoplatelets were used as binders. After studying the behavior of those electrodes in a single open cathode fuel cell proton electrolyte membrane, it is clear that the addition of epoxy as binder doped with graphene, improves the performance of the fuel cell and increase the mechanical stability of the electrode avoiding the loose of catalyst during the electrode manipulation in the fuel cell assembly process and the durability of the fuel cell. To explain this behavior, an ex-situ study was carried out, in which properties such as its surface morphology, hydrophobicity and electrical and thermal conductivity of those electrodes were studied. From the results of this study, such improvement in the performance of the fuel cell was justified on the basis of the increase in the electrical conductivity, a diminution in its thermal conductivity and an enhancement of hydrophobicity (surface morphology) of the deposited catalyst layer, when an optimum quantity of epoxy is added to the catalytic ink that makes to improve the mechanical properties of those electrodesAJN and MAG are actually working on this project with a contract funded by the Comunidad Atonoma de la Región de Murcia, Conserjería de Desarrollo Económico, Turismo y Empleo, and the European Union, through the program RIS3- MUR, grant number 2I20SAE00079. This work has also been funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (AEI, Spain,PID2020-112744GB-I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and RTI2018-095844-B-I00), Fundacion Seneca (Región de Murcia, Spain), grant number: 20985/PI/18 and Agencia estatal española de Investigación, grant number PID2019-104272RBC55/AEI/10.13039/501100011033. The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper

Sondeo 3: a classic locality in Cueva Victoria (Cartagena, Región de Murcia). First evaluative intervention within the framework of the Cidaris Foundation work camp

RESUMEN: Sondeo 3 es una acumulación de material ex situ en Cueva Victoria, un yacimiento clásico del Pleistoceno inferior con hallazgos de restos fósiles importantes (Theropithecus, Hystrix y Homo). En 2019, la Fundación Cidaris desarrolló un campo de trabajo, incluyendo una intervención paleontológica. Su objetivo fue hacer un estudio patrimonial y formar alumnado, realizando una excavación sistemática de los materiales superiores en cinco cuadrículas posicionadas con coordenadas UTM, tamizando con luces de malla de 5 y 1 mm y cuantificando los diferentes fósiles. Aparecen abundantes restos de microvertebrados, así como restos de actividad antrópica reciente y huesos sin signos diagenéticos visibles. Estratigráficamente, diferenciamos dos unidades: superior (con cinco niveles), e inferior. Todo indica que los sedimentos estudiados provienen de una re-deposición, probablemente de tamizado en campañas anteriores (con un origen incierto de algunos restos). Sondeo 3 posee un valor científico menor que otras localidades in situ de la cueva, pero un enorme potencial didáctico.RESUMO: Sondeo 3 é uma acumulação ex situ na Cueva Victoria, um local clássico do Pleistocénico inferior com importantes vestígios de fósseis (Theropithecus, Hystrix e Homo) encontrados. Em 2019, a Fundación Cidaris desenvolveu um campo de trabalho, incluindo uma intervenção paleontológica. O objetivo era realizar um estudo patrimonial e a formação de alunos, realizando uma escavação sistemática dos materiais superiores em cinco quadrículas posicionadas com coordenadas UTM, crivando com peneiros de malhas de 5 e 1 mm e quantificando os diferentes fósseis. Foram encontrados abundantes restos de microvertebrados, bem como restos de atividade antrópica recente e ossos sem sinais diagenéticos visíveis. Estratigraficamente, diferenciamos duas unidades: superior (com cinco níveis) e inferior. Tudo indica que os sedimentos estudados se encontram re-depositados, provavelmente devido a uma crivagem prévia em campanhas anteriores (com origem incerta de alguns restos). Sondeo 3 possui um valor científico menor do que outras localidades in situ, mas um enorme potencial educacional.ABSTRACT: Sondeo 3 is an accumulation of ex situ materials in Cueva Victoria, a classical site from the Lower Pleistocene where relevant fossil remains have been found (Theropithecus, Hystrix y Homo). In 2019, Fundación Cidaris carried out a field school that included the paleontological intervention of Sonedo3. The objectives were to study its patrimonial value and to instruct students systematically excavating the materials from the superior levels in five squares positioned with UTM coordinates, sieving the materials with 5 and 1mm mesh sizes and quantifying the recovered fossils. Numerous microinvertebrate remains were found, as well as remains of recent human activity and bones with no apparent signs of diagenesis. Two stratigraphic units were distinguished: superior (with five levels) and inferior. All the evidence points that the studied materials are a re-deposition as the result of the sieving labors carried out in past excavation campaigns (some remains have an uncertain origin). Sondeo 3 has less scientific value than other in situ localities in the cave, but a great didactic potential.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Carbon redistribution by erosion processes in an intensively disturbed catchment

29 Pags.- 6 Tabls.- 6 Figs. This article belongs to a special issue of Catena titled "Geoecology in Mediterranean mountain areas. Tribute to Professor José María García Ruiz". The definitive version is available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03418162Understanding how organic carbon (OC) moves with sediments along the fluvial system is crucial to determining catchment scale carbon budgets and helps the proper management of fragile ecosystems. Especially challenging is the analysis of OC dynamics during fluvial transport in heterogeneous, fragile, and disturbed environments with ephemeral and intense hydrological pulses, typical of Mediterranean conditions. This paper explores the catchment scale OC redistribution by lateral flows in extreme Mediterranean environmental conditions, from a geomorphological perspective. The study area is a catchment (Cárcavo) in SE Spain with a semiarid climate, erodible lithologies, and shallow soils, which is highly disturbed by agricultural terraces, land levelling, reforestation, and construction of check-dams. To increase our understanding of catchment scale OC redistribution induced by erosion, we studied in detail the subcatchments of eight check-dams distributed along the catchments main channel. We determined 137Cs, physicochemical characteristics, and the OC pools of the catchment soils and sediments deposited behind each check-dam, performed spatial analysis of catchment properties and buffer areas around the check-dams, and carried out geomorphological analysis of the slope-channel connections. The soils showed very low total organic carbon (TOC) values, oscillating between 15.2 and 4.4 g kg− 1 for forest and agricultural soils, respectively. Sediments mobilized by erosion were poor in TOC (6.6 ± 0.7 g kg– 1) compared to the eroded (forest) soils, and the redistribution of OC through the catchment, especially of the mineral associated organic carbon (MAC) pool, showed the same pattern as clay particles and 137Cs. The TOC erosion rates estimated for the Cárcavo watershed are relatively low (0.031 ± 0.03 Mg ha− 1 y− 1) but similar to those reported for subhumid Mediterranean catchments that are less fragile and more conducive to plant growth. The TOC erosion/total erosion ratio was lower (0.06%) than other estimates, although the average OC concentration of the sediments was higher than that of the agricultural soils of the catchment, underlining the problem of maintaining sustainable soil OC contents. The OC in deposited sediments came not only from surface erosion processes, but also from deeper soil or sediment layers mobilized by concentrated erosion processes. Sediment richer in OC came from the surface soil of vegetated (reforested) areas close and well connected to the channels. Subcatchments dominated by laminar erosion processes showed a TOC erosion/total erosion ratio that was two times higher than that of subcatchments dominated by concentrated flow erosion processes. The lithology, soils, and geomorphology exert a more important control on OC redistribution than land use and vegetation cover in this geomorphologically very active catchment.This work was financially supported by the projects ADAPT (CGL2013-42009-R) and DISECO (CGL2014-55-405-R) from the Spanish Government, National Plan of Science; the project CAMBIO (18933/JLI/13) of the Seneca Foundation, Regional Government of Murcia (Spain); and the project SOGLO (P7/24 IAP BELSPO) from the Belgian Government. Joris de Vente was supported by a ‘Ramón y Cajal’ grant (RYC-2012-10375).Peer reviewe

Efficient inhibition of iron superoxide dismutase and of Trypanosoma cruzi growth by benzo[g]phthalazine derivatives functionalized with one or two imidazole rings

The synthesis and trypanosomatic behavior of a new series of 1,4-bis(alkylamino)benzo[g]phthalazines 1−4 containing the biologically significant imidazole ring are reported. In vitro antiparasitic activity against Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes is remarkable, especially for compound 2, whereas toxicity against Vero cells is very low. Conversion of epimastigotes to metacyclic forms in the presence of the tested compounds causes significant decreases in the amastigote and trypomastigote numbers. Fe-SOD inhibition is noteworthy, whereas effect on human Cu/Zn-SOD is negligible.The authors thank the Spanish CICYT for the financial support

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on a Cancer Fast-Track Programme

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many aspects of clinical practice in oncology, particularly regarding early cancer diagnosis, sparking public health concerns that possible delays could increase the proportion of patients diagnosed at advanced stages. In 2009, a cancer fast-track program (CFP) was implemented at the Clinico-Malvarrosa Health Department in Valencia, Spain with the aim of shortening waiting times between suspected cancer symptoms, diagnosis and therapy initiation. Objectives: The study aimed to explore the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our cancer diagnosis fast-track program. Methods: The program workflow (patients included and time periods) was analysed from the beginning of the state of alarm on March 16th, 2020 until March 15th, 2021. Data was compared with data from the same period of time from the year before (2019). Results: During the pandemic year, 975 suspected cancer cases were submitted to the CFP. The number of submissions only decreased during times of highest COVID-19 incidence and stricter lockdown, and overall, referrals were slightly higher than in the previous 2 years. Cancer diagnosis was confirmed in 197 (24.1%) cases, among which 33% were urological, 23% breast, 16% gastrointestinal and 9% lung cancer. The median time from referral to specialist appointment was 13 days and diagnosis was reached at a median of 18 days. In confirmed cancer cases, treatment was started at around 30 days from time of diagnosis. In total, 61% of cancer disease was detected at early stage, 20% at locally advanced stage, and 19% at advanced stage, displaying time frames and case proportions similar to pre-pandemic years. Conclusions: Our program has been able to maintain normal flow and efficacy despite the challenges of the current pandemic, and has proven a reliable tool to help primary care physicians referring suspected cancer patients.S

Mechanisms of Degradation and Identification of Connectivity and Erosion Hotspots

The context of processes and characteristics of soil erosion and land degradation in Mediterranean lands is outlined. The concept of connectivity is explained. The remainder of the chapter demonstrates development of methods of mapping, analysis and modelling of connectivity to produce a spatial framework for development of strategies of use of vegetation to reduce soil erosion and land degradation. The approach is applied in a range of typical land use types and at a hierarchy of scale from land unit to catchment. Patterns of connectivity and factors influencing the location and intensity of processes are identified, including the influence of topography, structures such as agricultural terraces and check dams, and past land uses. Functioning of connectivity pathways in various rainstorms is assessed. Modes of terrace construction and extent of maintenance, as well as presence of tracks and steep gradients are found to be of importance. A method of connectivity modelling that incorporates effects of structure and vegetation was developed and has been widely applied subsequently

1,4-Bis(alkylamino)benzo[g]phthalazines able to form dinuclear complexes of Cu(II) which as free ligands behave as SOD inhibitors and show efficient in vitro activity against Trypanosoma cruzi

The synthesis of a new series of 1,4-bis(alkylamino)benzo[g]phthalazines 1–3 is reported, and their ability to form dinuclear complexes with Cu(II) assayed. The geometry of the complexes is dependent on the nature of the electron-donor sites at the sidechains. Compounds 1 and 2, that contain sp3 or sp2 nitrogens at the end of the alkylamino groups, originate monopodal dinuclear complexes which seem to include endogenous OH bridges, and the sidechains seem to actively participate in complexation. However, the substitution of nitrogen by oxygen in 3 leads to a tripodal dinuclear complex in which the sidechains are not involved. The in vitro antiparasitic activity on Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes and amastigotes and the SOD activity inhibition have been evaluated for compounds 1–3, and, as expected, 1 and 2 show in all cases relevant results, whereas 3 is always the less active among the three substrates tested.The authors thank the Spanish Comision Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnologia for the economical support given to this work (SAF99-0066)