Considering the concerns for emissions reduction in the maritime sector, the present paper evaluates, through modeling and simulation, the oxy-fuel combustion in a two-stroke ship engine (2SE) and the best production system configuration to obtain the required oxygen (O2). An initial model of a ship engine is calibrated with the engine manufacturer’s data, and then adapted to work with O2 as the oxidant to eliminate nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions and with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) to control the in-cylinder combustion temperature. Mixed Ionic-Electronic Conducting (MIEC) membranes produce the necessary O2 from the ambient air, which is heated up and pressurized by a heat exchanger and turbocharging coupled system to provide the air conditions required for the proper operation of the MIEC. Several layouts of this system are evaluated for the full load engine operating point to find the optimum O2 production system configuration. Results reveal that the engine operating under oxy-fuel combustion conditions avoids NOx emissions at the expense of higher brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) to obtain the original brake torque, and also expels a stream composed exclusively of CO2 and H2O, what facilitates the separation of CO2 from exhaust gases.

Stipa tenacissima (S. tenacissima), or esparto, is a perennial tussock grass that coexists with Pinus halepensis (P. halepensis) in semi-arid mediterranean woodlands. This research was carried out to explore diurnal transpiration at leaf level in esparto grass under different levels of pine-esparto competition and in contrasting environmental conditions of soil water. The measurements were spanned from the summer 2020 to spring 2021. The relationship between transpiration and competence was conducted in open and closed P. halepensis stands and taken into account the type of leave (green, senescent) and the maturity of the esparto grass. We observed a higher control of transpiration in green leaves, and correlations between transpiration and soil water were noted exclusively in this type of leaf. Our results substantiated a significant impact of pine competitors on transpiration of esparto grass, particularly during seasons characterized by high water-demand scenarios: the summer drought period and the commencement of the growing and flowering period (spring). Furthermore, our findings confirmed a greater response to transpiration in mature bushes compared to young ones under severe water stress, denoting higher adaptation to drought as esparto ages. Our results may have important implications for the dynamics and management of these semi-arid mixed woodlands, as well as the planning of reforestation programs aimed at restoring esparto grass steppes.

Studies on the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders show a gender disproportion. In the last years, there has been an increasing interest in the search for an explanation. There are two main lines of research; the first one looks for sex-related biological reasons that justifies the low prevalence of ASD in women (some protective factor related to hormones or immune system among others), and the second line of studies is related to the possible biases introduced in the diagnostic tools or procedures. In this article, a review of the latter line of research is made. Theoretical analysis following two objectives: a) Analysis of possible biases in diagnostic tools and b) Other non-biological explanations for gender differences in the prevalence of ASD. The literature analyzed provides contradictory results although it evidences the possible bias both in the construction of the diagnostic tools and in the assessment and determination of their standards. It is necessary to develop specific or complementary tools and diagnostic procedures differentiated by gender in order to control for this bias.

This study aims to develop a clinical trial to test the efficacy of a Mindfulness Based Stress Re-duction (MBSR) and Self Compassion (SC) Program on self-reported values of anxiety, depres-sion, and stress in parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in primary school, in order to assess their integration into the framework of community intervention programs in Spain. Methods: A brief 8-week training program using Mindfulness based intervention (MBSR) and self-compassion (SC) has been applied to ten parents from the Valencian ASD parents’. Partici-pants were assigned to two groups, both groups received the same treatment but at two different measurement moments. Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Satisfaction with Life and Mindful Atten-tion Awareness measurements were assessed, in all participants, in three testing moments. Results: Analysis of Variance results suggested that MBSR and SC training reduces stress and anxiety and increases Mindful Attention Awareness. No significant changes were found in Life Satisfaction measurements. Conclusions: The small number of participants prevents us from generalising the results found. More MBSR and SC clinical trials are needed in parents of ASD with results on anxiety, depression and stress in order to demonstrate the relevance of the inclusion of these programmes in community-based early intervention services.

The purpose of this study is to analyse the feasibility of using waste from granite gang saws (GCW-GS) to manufacture ultra-high performance, steel-fibre reinforced concrete (UHPFRC). These machines cut granite blocks by abrasion using a steel blade and slurry containing fine steel grit. The waste generated by gang saws (GCW-GS) contains up to 15% Fe2O3 and up to 5% CaO. This is the main difference from the waste produced by diamond saws (GCW-D). Consequently, the second objective of this study is to compare the results of the waste obtained with gang saws with that from diamond saws, in order to determine the influence of iron and calcium oxides. The waste from cutting granite with gang saws was used in different percentages to replace micronized quartz powder of natural origin in the manufacture of UHPRFC. All the test specimens were analysed to determine their compressive strength, elasticity modulus, flexural strength and indirect tensile strength. The final conclusion is that wastes from both gang saws and diamond saws can be used to manufacture UHPFRC with an improvement in the mechanical properties up to a 35% replacement. The results for GCW-GS are better, mainly due to the pozzolanic effect of the iron dioxide. For higher percentage replacements the mechanical properties are close to the control concrete with small decreases.

The production of high-quality wines is one of the primary goals of modern oenology. In this regard, it is known that the potential quality of a wine begins to be determined in the vineyard, where the quality of the grape, initially, and later that of the wine, will be influenced by the soil properties. Given the spatial variability of the fundamental soil properties related to the potential grape production, such as texture, soil organic matter content, or cation exchange capacity, it seems that a uniform management of a vineyard is not the most optimal way to achieve higher grape quality. In this sense, the delineation of zones with similar soil characteristics to implement site-specific management is essential, reinforcing the interest to incorporate technologies and methods to determine these homogeneous zones. A case study was conducted in a 3.3 ha vineyard located near Évora, South of Portugal. A non-contact sensor (DUALEM 1S) was used to measure soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) in the vineyard, and later, a kriged ECa map was generated. ECa and elevation maps were utilised to delineate homogeneous zones (management zones, MZs) in the field through a clustering process. MZs were validated using some soil properties (texture, pH, organic matter -OM, phosphorous -P2O5, potassium -K2O, sum of the exchange bases -SEB; and cation exchange capacity -CEC) which were determined from 20 soil samples taken in the different MZs. Additionally, validation was also performed using Rasch measures, which were defined based on the formula-tion of the objective and probabilistic Rasch model, integrating the information from the afore-mentioned soil properties at each sampling location. The comparison of the MZs was more evident with the use of the Rasch model, as only one value was to be employed in each MZ. The use of ECa constitutes an efficient technological tool for implementing site-specific man-agement in viticulture, which allows for the improvement of decision-making processes by con-sidering the inherent spatial variability of the soil.

Transcription is carried out in most eukaryotes by three multimeric complexes (RNA polymerases I, II and III). However, plants contain two additional RNA polymerases (IV and V), which have evolved from RNA polymerase II. RNA polymerases II, IV and V contain both common and specific subunits that may specialize some of their functions. In this study, we conducted a search for the genes that putatively code for the specific subunits of RNA polymerases IV and V, as well as the corresponding of RNA polymerase II in olive. Based on the homology with the genes of Arabidopsis thaliana, we identified 13 genes that putatively code for the specific subunits of polymerases IV and V, and 16 genes that code for the corresponding specific subunits of polymerase II in olive. The transcriptomic analysis by RNA-Seq revealed that the expression of the RNA polymerases IV and V genes was induced during the initial stages of fruit development. Given that RNA polymerases IV and V are involved in the transcription of long non-coding RNAs, we investigated their expression and observed relevant changes in the expression of this type of RNAs. Particularly, the expression of the intergenic and intronic long non-coding RNAs tended to increase in the early steps of fruit development, suggesting their potential role in this process. The positive correlation between the expression of RNA polymerases IV and V subunits and the expression of non-coding RNAs supports the hypothesis that RNA polymerases IV and V may play a role in fruit development throughout the synthesis of this type of RNAs.

A relativistic positioning system is a set of four emitters broadcasting their proper times by means of light signals. The four emitter times received at an event constitute the emission coordinates of the event. Covariant quantities associated with relativistic positioning systems are analysed relatively to an observer in Minkowski space-time by splitting them in their relative space-like and time-like components. The location of a user in inertial coordinates from a standard set of emission data (emitted times and satellite trajectories) is solved in the underlying 3+1 formalism. The analytical location solution obtained by Kleusberg for the GPS system is recovered and interpreted in a Minkowskian context.

Worldwide emission standards are now required to cover engine operation under extreme ambient conditions, which affect the raw emissions and the efficiency of the exhaust aftertreatment systems. These regulations also target new combustion technologies for decarbonization, such as neat hydrogen (H2) combustion or dual-fuel strategies, which involve a challenge to the analysis of exhaust aftertreatment systems requirements and performance. This work addresses the impact of high altitude and low ambient temperature conditions on the reactivity of an oxidation catalyst in the presence of H2. A reaction mechanism is proposed to cover the main conversion paths of CO, HC, and H2, including the formation and consumption of high-energy surface reaction intermediates. The mechanism has been implemented into a faster-than-real-time reduced-order model for multi-layer washcoat honeycomb catalytic converters. The model was utilized to investigate the effect of H2 concentration on the reactivity of CO and HC within the catalyst under various operating and ambient conditions. By applying the model and examining the selectivity towards different reaction pathways in the presence H2, insights into surface intermediates and reactivity across different cross-sections of the monolith were obtained. This analysis discusses the underlying causes of reactivity changes promoted by H2 and its relative importance as a function of driving boundary conditions.

The tourism sector in general and the hotelier in particular face the challenge of managing appropriate measures to deal with the covid-19 pandemic. In this sense it is useful to know what the measures are most demanded by the clientele. This research, by analyzing the variance (ANOVA) of a factor concluded that women are more demanding than men in terms of the level of demand in relation to the measures to be taken in hotels. This, as a practical application, allows to know more accurately the expectations, demands and demands of the client segmented by sex, in order to satisfy and improve the tourist experiences.

The tourism sector in general and the hotelier in particular face the challenge of managing appropriate measures to deal with the covid-19 pandemic. In this sense it is useful to know what the measures are most demanded by the clientele. This research, by analyzing the variance (ANOVA) of a factor concluded that women are more demanding than men in terms of the level of demand in relation to the measures to be taken in hotels. This, as a practical application, allows to know more accurately the expectations, demands and demands of the client segmented by sex, in order to satisfy and improve the tourist experiences.

The tourism sector in general and the hotelier in particular face the challenge of managing appropriate measures to deal with the covid-19 pandemic. In this sense it is useful to know what the measures are most demanded by the clientele. This research, by analyzing the variance (ANOVA) of a factor concluded that women are more demanding than men in terms of the level of demand in relation to the measures to be taken in hotels. This, as a practical application, allows to know more accurately the expectations, demands and demands of the client segmented by sex, in order to satisfy and improve the tourist experiences.

After 40 years of the discovery of metallocene catalysts, there are still several aspects that remain unresolved, especially when the “conventional” alkylaluminum activators are not used. Herein, we systematically investigate the synthesis of PE via three different zirconocene catalysts, with different alkyl substituents, activated via different organoboron compounds. The polymerization behavior, as well as the properties of the materials, are evaluated. The results demonstrate that the highest catalytic activity is shown by Bis(cyclopentadienyl)dimethylzirconium activated by trityl tetra(pentafluorophenyl)borate. Also finding that toluene is the optimum solvent for these systems and at these reaction conditions. Moreover, to validate our experimental results, a comprehensive mathematical model is developed on the basis of thermodynamic and kinetic principles. The concentration of ethylene transferred to the solvent phase (toluene) in a liquid-vapor equilibrium (LVE) system is estimated based on the Duhem’s theorem. Arrhenius expressions for the kinetic rate constants of a proposed kinetic mechanism are estimated by a kinetic model, in which the rate of polymerization is fitted by a least-square optimization procedure and the molecular weight averages by the method of moments. The simulations of the coordination polymerization suggest the presence of two types of active sites, principally at low temperatures, and the reactivation of the deactivated sites via a boron-based activator. However, the effect of the temperature on the reactivation step is no clear; a deeper understanding via designed experiments is required.

Drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHR) to platinum-based compounds (PC) are on the rise, and their personalized and safe management is essential to enable first-line treatment of these cancer patients. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of basophil activation test by flow cytometry (BAT-FC) and the newly developed sIgE-microarray and BAT-microarray in diagnosing IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reactions to PC. 24 patients with DHR to PC (20 oxaliplatin and four carboplatin) were evaluated: 13 patients diagnosed as allergic with positive skin tests (STs) or drug provocation tests (DPTs), six patients diagnosed as non-allergic with negative STs and DPTs, and five patients classified as suspected allergic because DPTs could not be performed. In addition, four carboplatin-tolerant patients were included as controls. BAT-FC was positive in 2 of 13 allergic patients, with a sensitivity of 15.4% and specificity of 100%. However, the sIgE- and BAT-microarrays were positive in 11 of 13 DHR patients, giving a sensitivity of over 84.6% and a specificity of 90%. Except for one patient, all samples from the non-allergic and control group were negative for the sIgE- and BAT-microarrays. Our experience indicates that sIgE- and BAT-microarray could be helpful in the endophenotyping of IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reactions to PC and may provide an advance in decision-making for drug provocation testing.

Over the last two decades, a considerable amount of equipment has been acquired (spreaders, seeders, sprayers, among others) to respond to the challenges of Precision Agriculture (PA) concept. Most of this equipment has been purchased at a high cost. However, many of them, despite still being functional and equipped with sensors, actuators, and electronic processing units capable of adjusting to variations in speed, have become obsolete in terms of communication, and incompatible with new monitoring and control systems based on the “Isobus” protocol. This work aims to present a solution for updating the control system (“Ferticontrol”) of a “Vicon RS-EDW” spreader with variable rate application (VRA), making it compatible with the “InCommand” system from “Ag Leader”. The solution includes low-cost “Arduino” and “Raspberry Pi” microcontrollers and open-source software. The development shows that it is possible to implement a solution that is accessible to farmers in general. It also provides a niche business opportunity for young researchers to set up small technology-based enterprises associated with universities and research centers. These partnerships guarantee permanent innovation and represent a decisive step towards modern, technological, competitive, and sustainable agriculture.

The behaviour of the pseudo-protic ionic liquids TOAH+Cl- and TODAH+Cl- in the facilitated transport of indium(III) from HCl solutions is described. Metal transport is investigated as a function of different variables: hydrodynamic conditions, HCl concentration in the feed phase and indium and carrier concentrations. The experimental data are used to model both transport systems and to estimate diffusional parameters associated to them.

Cutaneous mycoses are common infections whose treatment has become more complex due to increasing antifungal resistance and the need for prolonged therapies, hindering patient adher-ence and increasing the incidence of adverse effects. Consequently, the use of physical therapies, especially photodynamic therapy (PDT), has increased for the treatment of onychomycosis due to its antimicrobial capacity mediated by the production of reactive oxygen species. This study investigates the in vitro effect of the combination of blue light (448 nm) and red light (645 nm) with terbinafine on the cell viability of human keratinocytes and the production of reactive ox-ygen species. The combination of terbinafine and blue light exhibits a synergistic effect on the production of reactive oxygen species and a significant increase in the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD), an enzyme involved in the reduction of superoxide ions (O2-) and the genera-tion of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Such effect could be useful in clinical practice to improve the response of cutaneous mycoses to pharmacological treatment, reduce their toxicity, and shorten their duration.

Ready-to-eat fresh fruit have an increasing presence in international markets due to its convenience and health benefits. However, these produces are highly perishable and efficient technologies to increase their shelf life are needed. In the present research, different citrus fruit species and cultivars from organic farming were assayed to obtain enzymatically citrus segments. The best results in terms of segment quality were observed for ‘Hernandina’ clementine which was chosen to make a new ready-to-eat produce based on peeled citrus segments packaged in glass jars with slight syrup made on citrus juice and organic sugar cane. The most appreciated syrup was those containing 50-50 (v/v) of ‘Fino’ lemon juice and ‘Hernandina’ clementine based on the sensory scores given by the panellists. In addition, different pasteurization treatments were assayed to preserve the new produce safety and nutritional and sensory quality properties during storage at cold temperature. Results showed that pasteurization treatment at 50 °C for 45 min could be enough to avoid microbial contamination with mesophilic and psychrophilic aerobic bacteria or yeast and mould and to maintain sensory properties until five weeks of storage at 4 °C. In addition, only a 10 % reduction of vitamin C was observed from fresh segments or syrup until the end of storage period, showing that the new ready-to-eat produce would conserve high bioactive compound content and health benefits after pasteurization and prolonged cold storage.

This article is a theoretical contribution to mental model research, which currently has different threads. Whereas some researchers focus on the perceived causal structure, others also include decision policies and decisions. We focus on the link between recognized causal structure (“mental models of dynamic systems”) and policies, proposing Johnson-Laird’s theory of mental models as the link. The resulting framework hypothesizes two types of systematic mental model errors: (1) misrepresentation of the system’s structure and (2) failure to deploy relevant mental models of possibilities. Examination of three experiments through this lens reveals errors of both types. Therefore, we propose that the cognitive theory of mental models opens a path to better understand how people construct their decision policies and develop interventions to reduce such mental model errors. The article closes by raising several questions for empirical studies of the reasoning process leading from mental models of dynamic systems to decision policies.

Our starting point is the covariant coordinate transformation equation of a relativistic positioning system in Minkowski space-time, which maps the receiver’s emission coordinates (proper times broadcast by the emitters) to its coordinates in some inertial reference frame. Bancroft’s analytical (closed-form) solution to the basic pseudorange navigation equations with four emitters is recovered and the subjacent elements are geometrically interpreted. The case of four static beacons is analized as a clarifying situation.

The cultural and historical heritage of a city is a major resource to attract tourists. Therefore, reaching out to perceive and identify the characteristics of persons visiting a locality attracted by their property is relevant for the purpose of better meeting their expectations and needs. This research focuses on knowing the perceptions, motivations and satisfaction of women visiting Cordoba (Spain). Thus, on the basis of the questionnaire carried out on women visiting Cordoba during the months of June and November 2019, a statistical analysis has been made. Using various multivalent case-grouping techniques, tourist segments with similar perceptions of cultural heritage have been detected. Moreover, non-parametric statistical techniques have showed up significant differences between the valuations obtained in the various segments. This analysis has exposed a segment of women who, known as absorbent tourists, are characterized by the high cultural motivation to visit the city of Cordoba linked to the heritage they have visited. The conclusions obtained should be useful in adjusting the city's tourist supply to the specific demand of a population sector such as women visiting the city.

Even in the first quarter of XXI century, the presence of organic dyes in wastewaters is a normal occurrence in a series of countries, and being these compounds toxics, their removal from these waters is of a necessity. Among the separation technologies, adsorption processing appeared as one of the most widely used to reach this goal. The present work reviewed the most recent approaches (first half of 2021 year) about the use of a variety of adsorbents on the removal of, also, a variety of organic dyes of different nature.

Mercury is a toxic metal, thus, it is an element which has more and more restrictions in its uses, but despite the above, the removal of this metal, from whatever the form in which it is encountered (zero valent metal, inorganic or organic compounds), and from different sources, is of a widespread interest. In the case of Hg(II), or Hg²⁺, the investigations about the treatment of Hg(II)-bearing liquid effluents (real or in most cases synthetic solutions) appear not to end, and from the various separation technologies, adsorption is the most popular among researchers. In this topic, and in the 2019 year, more than 100 publications had been devote to this field: Hg(II)-removal-adsorption. This work examined all of them.

On the system Au(III)-HCl-A324H⁺Cl^-, liquid-liquid extraction experiments were used to define the extraction equilibrium and the corresponding extraction constant, and the facilitated transport of this precious metal, from HCl solutions, across a flat-sheet supported liquid membrane was investigated, using the ionic liquid as carrier, as a function of hydrodynamic conditions, concentration of gold(III) (0.01-0.1 g/L), and HCl (0.5-6 M) in the feed phase, and carrier concentration (0.023-0.92 M) in the membrane. An uphill transport equation was derived considering aqueous feed boundary layer diffusion and membrane diffusion as controlling steps. The aqueous diffusional resistance (Δf) and the membrane diffusional resistance (Δm) were estimated from the proposed equation, being their values 241 s/cm an 9730 s/cm, respectively. The performance of the present carrier was compared against results yielded by other ionic liquids, and also it was investigated the influence that other metals had on gold(III) transport both from binary or quaternary solutions. Gold was finally recovered from receiving solutions as zero valent gold nanoparticles.

The transport of indium(III), from HCl solutions, across a supported liquid membrane in flat-sheet configuration was investigated, being the carrier the ionic liquid HA324H+Cl- (derived from the tertiary amine Hostarex A324 and hydrochloric acid). Different variables affecting the metal transport: hydrodynamic conditions in the source and receiving phases, metal and HCl concentrations in the source phase, and carrier concentration in the membrane phase, were investigated. Also the transport of indium(III) using carriers of various nature: ionic liquids, alcohol, ketone, phosphine oxide and phosphoric ester, was compared. The metal transport was modelled describing the transport mechanism as: diffusion across the source diffusion layer, a fast interfacial chemical reaction, and diffusion of the InCl4--carrier complex through the membrane support. Diffusional parameters for the transport of indium(III), from the experimental data and the model, were estimated.

The transport of indium(III), from HCl solutions, across a supported liquid membrane in flat-sheet configuration was investigated, being the carrier the ionic liquid HA324H⁺Cl^- (derived from the tertiary amine Hostarex A324 and hydrochloric acid). Different variables affecting the metal transport: hydrodynamic conditions in the source and receiving phases, metal and HCl concentrations in the source phase, and carrier concentration in the membrane phase, were investigated. Also the transport of indium(III) using carriers of various nature: ionic liquids, alcohol, ketone, phosphine oxide, etc., was compared. The metal transport was modelled describing the transport mechanism as: diffusion across the source diffusion layer, a fast interfacial chemical reaction, and diffusion of the InCl₄^--carrier complex through the membrane support. Diffusional parameters for the transport of indium(III), from the experimental data and the model, were estimated.

The present investigation deals with the adsorption of chromium(III) from alkaline media using multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The adsorption of Cr(III) has been studied under various experimental conditions: stirring speed of the aqueous solution, initial metal and adsorbent concentrations, NaOH concentration in the aqueous solution, and temperature. The rate law indicated that chromium adsorption is well represented by the particle diffusion model, whereas the adsorption process fits to the pseudo-second order kinetic model within an exothermic character. Equilibrium data fit to the Langmuir type-2 equilibrium isotherm in an spontaneous process. Chromium(III) can be eluted from metal-loaded nanotubes using acidic solutions, from which fine chromium(III) oxide pigment can be ultimately yielded.

Having garnered significant attention in the scientific community over the past decade, Wire Arc Directed Energy Deposition (arc-DED) technology is at the heart of this investigation into additive manufacturing parameters. Singularly focused on invar as the selected material, the primary objective revolves around devising an indirect cord height measurement approach. This innovative methodology involves the seamless integration of internal signals and sensors, enabling the derivation of crucial measurements sans the requirement for direct physical interaction or conventional measurement methodologies. Through the course of this research, meticulous alteration of deposition parameters is undertaken to thoroughly scrutinize their influence on the ultimate cord dimensions. The fusion of cutting-edge manufacturing techniques with advanced sensor technology constitutes the essence of this endeavor, offering substantial potential to augment precision and efficiency in additive manufacturing processes. Remarkably cost-effective, this solution circumvents the need for intricate measurements and significantly contributes to the proper layer-by-layer growth process.

Critical infrastructures are those that are essential. For this type of infrastructure, it is necessary to implement analytical methodologies that will allow us to quickly obtain the susceptibility or resilience and possible damage generated in extreme precipitation episodes, through a holistic perspective in which the factors linked to hydrological risk intervene. In particular, urban hydraulic infrastructures are analyzed considering the degree of criticality, defined as the number of interactions on the different activities of the population. For this purpose, a hydrological risk analysis methodology is required. This methodology is focused on an integral approach of the system indicators to be analyzed and linked to the hydrological threat. This work proposes to delimit and analyze those factors that involve risk using an analytical expression. This model will estimate the damage to these infrastructures breaking down the factors involved in the risk equation and analyzing their variability according to the intrinsic characteristics linked to them as well as the interaction with external factors.

Many buildings built before the energy performance regulations are in a situation of thermal discomfort and energy inefficiency. The creation of intelligent environments advances towards new opportunities, based on real-time monitoring and on the development of sensors and technologies. Furthermore, the standards for building automation and electronic systems enable interoperability and interconnection between control devices and systems. The application of soft computing has significantly improved the energy efficiency, however, requires prior assessment to design the automation functions. Temperature, humidity, air quality, occupancy and energy consumption are the most common measured parameters, but the relationship with other operational variables such as occupancy or some building states remains as a research challenge. This article presents a methodology to develop the automatization of an existing large public building. The methodology consists of three stages: 1. Assessment and diagnosis to set appropriate actions using EN ISO 52120-1. 2. EN 50090 for open communication networks, and EN ISO 52120-1 to assign the technical building management. 3. System control deploying of low-cost and low-consumption input and output devices. It has been proved that it is possible to effectively automate an obsolete building with a low cost, open source system that can be easily applied in other buildings.

Innovative teaching strategies are designing a new and promising landscape in education. They fill up the lessons with creativity and imagination either for the students and teachers. This article addresses an attempt to make easier the approach to science in a non-scientific environment: primary education at university level. Gamification methodologies were combined with flipped classroom in order to free up in-class time and engage the students with the taught courses. A qualitative study was merged with quantitative measures of emotional and motivational parameters. These results were improved with four semi-structured interviews. The results clearly showed a raise in the students' motivational level, an acknowledgment of good teaching practice and an evident enhancement of felt positive emotions toward science teaching and scientific issues.

In recent decades, particularly intense changes have occurred in Spanish urban areas. This is the result of demographic and urbanizing transformations that have led to a change in the city model. The predominance of compact forms has been replaced by the growing prominence of urban sprawl. Structures are now more extensive, characterized, in turn, by fragmentation and notable consumption of land in the peripheries. In medium-sized cities, the municipalities bordering the central cities have concentrated the processes of suburbanization and periurbanization. This paper addresses the process of change for 34 cities and their urban areas located in inland Spain. A proposal is made for the delimitation and characterization of urban areas, taking the municipality as the unit of analysis. At the methodological level, six variables are used, analyzed by means of multicriteria statistical techniques combined with the use of GIS tools. An Urban Transformation Index (ITU) has been developed that synthesizes urbanizing, demographic and socioeconomic dynamics. In the territorial area, the 20-minute isochrone is used as a reference. In the temporal domain, the period of analysis addresses the events of the first two decades of the twenty-first century.

It is known that high N doses, N/K imbalances, and frequent irrigation favor verticillium wilt. The influence of fertilization and its interaction with the frequency of irrigation on the development of Verticillium wilt of olive (VWO) has been evaluated. A split-split-plot design in microplots with two naturally infested soils of different texture was established for studying three fertilization treatments (NO3Ca, N-P-K and without fertilization), plus two irrigation frequencies (daily and deficit). The treatments were applied by means of fertigation, evaluating the susceptible cultivar Picual. Final disease incidence in plants subjected to NO3Ca-daily treatment was 100% regardless soil texture. However, final mortality in these plants was 37% and 85.2% in clay and sandy loam soils, respectively. As well, the area under the disease progress curve values were significantly higher (49.1%) in plants subjected to NO3Ca fertilization compared to those not fertilized or fertilized with N-P-K when plants grown in clay soil. This value in the sandy loam soil was significantly higher in the NO3Ca-daily irrigation treatment (94.3%), followed by the N-P-K-daily treatment (61.1%) which also was significantly higher than the unfertilized-daily, N-deficit and NPK-deficit treatments (37.8, 42.6 and 44.9 %, respectively). The plants submitted to unfertilized-deficit treatment reached the lowest value 9.6%. In this work it can be concluded that the application of fertilizer or the application of fertilizer with daily frequency irrigations in naturally infested soils increases the development of VWO in 'Picual'.

A winemaking waste was used as a precursor of activated carbon used in hazardous Cr(VI) removal from solutions. The preparation process consisted of a hydrothermal process, and a chemical activation, of the resulting product, with KOH. The adsorption results showed that the adsorption of Cr(VI) on the obtained activated carbon is strongly dependent on the stirring speed applied to the carbon/solution mixture, pH of the solution, and temperature. The equilibrium isotherm was well fitted to the Langmuir type-II equation, whereas the kinetic can be described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Thermodynamic studies revealed that Cr(VI) adsorption was an exothermic and spontaneous process. Finally, desorption experiments showed that Cr(VI) was effectively desorbed using hydrazine sulfate solutions, and at the same time, the element was reduced to the less hazardous Cr(III) oxidation state.

The consequences of a fall on an elderly person can be reduced if the accident is attended by medical personnel within the first hour. Independent elderly people use to stay alone for long periods of time, being in more risk if they suffer a fall. The literature offers several approaches for detecting falls with embedded devices or smartphones using a triaxial accelerometer. Most of these approaches were not tested with the target population, or are not feasible to be implemented in real-life conditions. In this work, we propose a fall detection methodology based on a non-linear classification feature and a Kalman filter with a periodicity detector to reduce the false positive rate. This methodology requires a sampling rate of only 25 Hz; it does not require large computations or memory and it is robust among devices. We test our approach with the SisFall dataset achieving 99.4% of accuracy. Then, we validate it with a new round of simulated activities with young adults and an elderly person. Finally, we give the devices to three elderly persons for full-day validations. They continued with their normal life and the devices behaved as expected.

Worldwide, hernia repair represents one of the most frequent surgical procedures encompassing a global market valued at several billion dollars. This type of surgery usually requires the implantation of a mesh that needs the appropriate chemical, physical and biological properties for the type of repair. This review thus presents a description of the types of hernias, current hernia repair methods, and the state of the art of prosthetic meshes for hernia repair providing the most important meshes used in clinical practice by surgeons working in this area classified according to their biological or chemical nature, morphology and whether bioabsorbable or not. We emphasise the importance of surgical site infection in herniatology, how to deal with this microbial problem, and we go further into the future research lines on the production of advanced antimicrobial meshes to improve hernia repair and prevent microbial infections, including multidrug-resistant strains. A great deal of progress has been made in this biomedical field in the last decade. However, we are still far from an ideal antimicrobial mesh that can also provide excellent integration to the abdominal wall, mechanical performance, low visceral adhesion and minimal inflammatory or foreign body reactions, among many other problems.

A valorization process of spent coffee grounds (SCG) was studied. Thus, a two-stage process, a stage of extraction of the polyphenols and a stage of obtaining activated carbon (AC) by a carbonization process, was performed. The extraction was carried out with a hydro-alcoholic solution in a pressure reactor, modifying time and temperature. To optimize the extraction of polyphenols, a two-level factorial design with three replications at the central values was used. The best results were obtained by performing the extraction at 80 °C during 30 min, using a mixture of EtOH:H2O 1:1 (v/v) as extraction solution. Caffeine and chlorogenic acid were the most abundant compounds in the analyzed extracts, ranging from 0.09 to 4.8 mg∙g^-1 and 0.06 to 9.7 mg∙g^-1, respectively. The precursor obtained in the extraction stage were transformed into AC. An experimental design was realized in order to analyze the influence of different variables in the AC obtained process (reaction time and amount of potassium hydroxide used). Actived carbons with BET specific surface (SBET) comprised between 1600 m^2∙g^-1 and 2330 m²∙g^-1 had a microporous surface. Under the optimum conditions, the obtained AC presented a maximum adsorption capacity of methylene blue (qm) between 411 mg∙g^-1 and 813 mg∙g^-1.

Poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAC) is a ubiquitous polymer in various industrial applications, including paints and adhesives. While extensive research has focused on understanding the degradation mechanisms of PVAC-based paint, under different environmental conditions, limited attention has been paid to the long-term stability of PVAC-based white glues, especially when used in artworks. This study investigates the accelerated degradation of a commercial PVAC-based white glue considered as representive of this class of materials as used in contemporary artworks, to predict its durability and assess its behavior in art objects. Through accelerated aging experiments and comparison with natural aging observed in artworks, the study reveals the formation of chromophores and the release of plasticizer as key degradation processes. Despite minimal structural modifications in PVAC, the loss of plasticizer leads to an increase in glass transition temperature, affecting the adhesive's cohesive strength and contributing to detachment of materials in artworks. The findings underscore the importance of preventive conservation measures to mitigate degradation issues in PVAC-based artworks.

E2F4 was initially described as a transcription factor with a key function in the regulation of cell quiescence. Nevertheless, a number of recent studies have established that E2F4 can also play a relevant role in cell and tissue homeostasis as well as tissue regeneration. For these non-canonical functions, E2F4 can also act in the cytoplasm, where it is able to interact with many homeostatic and synaptic regulators. Since E2F4 is expressed in the nervous system, it may fulfill a crucial role in brain function and homeostasis, being a promising multifactorial target for neurodegenerative diseases and brain aging. The regulation of E2F4 is complex as it can be chemically modified through acetylation, from which we present evidence in the brain, as well as methylation, and phosphorylation. The phosphorylation of E2F4 within a conserved threonine motif induces cell cycle re-entry in neurons, while a dominant negative form of E2F4 (E2F4DN), in which the conserved threonines have been substituted by alanines, has been shown to act as a multifactorial therapeutic agent for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We have generated transgenic mice neuronally expressing E2F4DN. We have recently shown using this mouse strain that expression of E2F4DN in 5xFAD mice, a known murine model of AD, improved cognitive function, reduced neuronal tetraploidization, and induced a transcriptional program consistent with modulation of amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptide proteostasis and brain homeostasis recovery. 5xFAD/E2F4DN mice also showed reduced microgliosis and astrogliosis in both cerebral cortex and hippocampus at 3-6 months of age. Here we have analyzed the immune response in 1 year-old 5xFAD/E2F4DN mice, concluding that reduced microgliosis and astrogliosis is maintained at this late stage. In addition, the expression of E2F4DN also reduced age-associated microgliosis in wild-type mice, thus stressing its role as a brain homeostatic agent. We conclude that E2F4DN transgenic mice represent a promising tool for the evaluation of E2F4 as a therapeutic target in neuropathology and brain aging.

Since the 1960s Rare earths (REs) applications gradually have expanded to everyday life. REs have great strategic importance in industrial and technological development, so it is expected an increase in their demand. Among the REs the European Commission considered Cerium and Lanthanum as critical raw materials. This research article studies the adsorption of Ce and La onto two carbon nanomaterials, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and carboxylic functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT_ox). The latter has slightly more affinity for REs than MWCNT. The recovery percentage for Ce were 89 and 98% and in the case of for La were 99 and 92% using 0.8 g of MWCNT and 0.2 g of MWCNT_ox respectively. The adsorption process fits a pseudo second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm best represented the metal uptake.

Considering nutritional qualities of gofio (Gf) and aloe vera juice (AVJ), their combination is indicated as an easy and fast source of ingest of basic bio elements. As the texture of the final product must be accepted by customers, the influence of Gf concentration on the rheological behavior of Gf/AVJ suspensions was determined. Shear thinning index of AVJ maintains unaltered despite the presence of Gf particles, although the viscosity value increases as expected. Linear viscoelastic studies on Gf/AVJ confirmed this is a viscoelastic liquid that changes from chewy to creamy texture with Gf concentration increase.

Adipose tissue has acquired considerable importance due to its role in maintaining body homeostasis. Beyond storing energy, adipose tissue is essential in numerous processes of energy metabolism, food intake, endocrine and immunological functions as well as neromodulatory functions by secreting hormones that participate in the regulation of homeostasis and being responsive to soluble proteins secreted by other tissues. An imbalance of these functions will generate structural and functional changes in the adipose tissue, favouring the secretion of deleterious adipocytokines that benefit a pro-inflammatory state, allowing the development of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Obesity is a disease that has increased rapidly in recent decades and is caused by environmental, hormonal, and genetic factors, which probably work in combination. Environmental factors that contribute to the increase in obesity include decreased physical activity, associated with increased screen time, increased accessibility and consumption of foods rich in fats and sugars. Weight loss should be recommended for all obese patients and overweight patients with comorbidities. For many patients who need to lose weight for medical reasons, the initial goal is to lose 5-10% of their body weight in the first 6 months. A common theme worldwide has been the development of professional guidelines for the control and treatment of obesity and in Chile, the Chilean Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery led the process of adopting the adult obesity clinical practice guideline, which establishes changes in the approach to managing obesity as a chronic disease, with an emphasis on multifactorial lifestyle interventions that include dietary changes, increased physical activity, and behavioural modifications. Pharmacotherapy, medical devices, and bariatric surgery are other options for patients who need additional interventions, so the objective of this review is to know the pathophysiological mechanisms of obesity from its origin to the current treatments available for treatment.

In the last decade there has been a growing interest in infrared thermography in the field of sports medicine in order to elucidate the mechanisms of thermoregulation. The aim of this study was to describe bilateral variations in skin temperature of the anterior thigh and patellar tendon in healthy athletes, to provide a model of baseline tendon and muscle thermoregulation in healthy sprinters following a unilateral isokinetic fatigue protocol. Fifteen healthy national-level sprinters underwent unilateral isokinetic force testing and electrostimulation in which body temperature was measured before, during, and after the protocol using an infrared thermographic camera. ANOVA detected a significant difference in the time x side interaction for patellar temperature changes (p≤0.001) and a significant difference in the time x side interaction for quadriceps temperature changes (p≤0.001). The thermal challenge produces homogeneous changes evident in quadriceps areas, but not homogeneous in tendon areas. these data show that metabolic and blood flow changes may depend on the physical and mechanical properties of each tissue.

By the use of the tertiary amine A327 and 1 M HCl solution as precursors, the ionic liquid A327H+Cl- was generated and used to investigate its performance in the transport of Au(III) form hydrochloric acid medium. The influence of the stirring speed (600-1800 min-1), ionic liquid concentration (1.25-50% v/v) in the membrane phase and gold concentration (0.01-0.15 g/L) in the feed phase on metal transport have been investigated. An equation which included both equilibrium and kinetics parameters was derived, and the membrane diffusional resistance (Δm) and feed phase diffusional resistance (Δf) was estimated as 9.5x106 s/cm and 307 s/cm, respectively. At carrier concentrations in the 5-50% v/v range and gold concentrations in the 0.01-0.15 g/L range, metal transport is controlled by diffusion of metal species through the feed boundary layer, whereas at the lowest carrier concentrations, membrane diffusion is predominant. From the receiving solutions, gold can be recovered as gold nanoparticles.

Hip fractures are an important socio-economic problem in western countries. Over the past 60 years orthogeriatric care has improved the management of older patients admitted to hospital after suffering hip fractures. Orthogeriatric co-management units have increased quality of care, reducing adverse events during acute admission, length of stay, both in-hospital and mid-term mortality, as well as healthcare and social costs. Nevertheless, a large number of areas of controversy regarding the clinical management of older adults admitted due to hip fracture remain to be clarified. This narrative review, centered in the last 5 years, combined the search terms “hip fracture”, “geriatric assessment”, “second hip fracture”, “surgery”, “perioperative management” and “orthogeriatric care”, in order to summarise the state of the art of some questions such as the optimum analgesic protocol, the best approach for treating anemia, the surgical options recommendable for each type of fracture and the efficiency of orthogeriatric co-management and functional recovery.

The isolation and characterization of chitin (CHI) obtained from Vespa velutina (CHIVV) is described. Moreover, a trapping procedure is presented to selectively catch the invasive species. The chitin contents of dry Vespa velutina was observed to be 11.7 %. The physicochemical properties of CHIVV was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), solid-state NMR (ssNMR), elemental analysis (EA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). Obtained CHIVV is close to pure (43, 47% C, 6.94% H, and 6.85% N) and full acetylated with a value of 95.44%. Also, lifetime and kinetic parameters such as activation E and the frequency factor A using model-free and model-fitting methods, were determined. For CHIVV the solid state mechanism that follows the thermodegradation is of type F2 (Random nucleation around two nuclei). Vespa velutina chitin should not be used at temperatures above 60ºC, since its half-life would be only one year, and from an industrial point of view it would not be profitable. Based on certain factors such as the current and probable continued abundance of Vespa velutina and the quality of the product obtained, the invasive Asian hornet is a promising alternative source of chitin.

In the present paper, we efficiently solve the two-body problem for extreme cases such as those with high eccentricities. The use of numerical methods, with the usual variables, cannot maintain the perihelion passage accurately. In previous articles, we have verified that this problem is treated more adequately through temporal reparametrizations related to the mean anomaly through the partition function. The biparametric family of anomalies, with an appropriate partition function, allows a systematic study of these transformations. In the present work, we consider the elliptical orbit as a meridian section of the ellipsoid of revolution, and the partition function depends on two variables raised to specific parameters. One of the variables is the mean radius of the ellipsoid at the secondary, and the other is the distance to the primary. One parameter regulates the concentration of points in the apoapsis region, and the other produces a symmetrical displacement between the polar and equatorial regions. The three most used geodesy latitude variables are also studied, resulting in one not belonging to the biparametric family. However, it is in the one introduced now, which implies an extension of the biparametric method. The results obtained by the method presented here now allow a causal interpretation of the operation of numerous reparametrizations used in the study of orbital motion.

There are important challenges for modeling large electrical distribution circuits, even more with the presence of distributed renewable generation. Constructing simulations for assessing the effect of the penetration of distributed generation on electrical distribution networks has become of great importance for Distribution Network Operators (DNOs). This paper proposes a simulation strategy based on open-source platforms and the integration of scripting tools for the rapid modeling of large-scale electrical distribution circuits with distributed renewable generation. The implementation is based on the adaptation of a tool called QGIS2OpenDSS, which creates OpenDSS distribution network models directly from an open-source geographic information system, QGIS. The plugin’s capabilities are demonstrated using a real distribution feeder with more than 60% penetration of renewable generation based on photovoltaic systems. These simulations are carried out using real data from a circuit provided by a DNO in the Dominican Republic, which is used to demonstrate how this approach provides a more accessible and flexible way to simulate and assess the effect of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) in Medium Voltage (MV) and Low Voltage (LV) networks, enabling utilities to evaluate system performance and identify potential issues.

In recent years, intensive work has been carried out to achieve maximum energy production in photovoltaic power plants. Today, this challenge has to be solved for arrays of solar panels that move with the object on which they are installed (vehicles, trucks, ships, etc.). The present work tries to find the best solution for both constant voltage systems and for cases of maximum intensity. Once found, these solutions will be applied in real time for the dynamic recharging of battery packs, trying to achieve energetically autonomous vehicles.To solve these situations, a new computational method of voltage and amperage calculation has been developed in this paper, based on Dijkstra’s minimum path finding algorithm on graph theory, adapted to electrical circuits. For this purpose, panel performance analysis sensors, developed at the University of Malaga, have been combined with different electronic solutions (wifi relay devices using esp8266 or similar chips) achieving an accurate and sufficiently fast solution at very low cost. With this, series or parallel configurations can be carried out depending on the type of energy generation sought. The theoretical solutions using Minkowski paths, achieved in the past, have been simulated and subsequently constructed in this article, indicating the diagrams necessary for their realisation.

The influence of hafnium metal (Hf) and sulfate ions (SO₄^-2) on the acidic properties of SiO₂ mesopores synthesized by a non-hydrothermal method was studied using the following characterization techniques; TG-DTG, XRD, BET, SEM, TEM, EDS, FTIR, n-butylamine titration, FTIR-pyridine, and alcohol dehydration. The incorporation of 3.6% mol of Hf during the silicate synthesis step caused the characteristic structural arrangement of MCM-41 to collapse. However, an increase in the acid strength of the catalyst of up to 315 mV was observed, with Brönsted and Lewis-type acid sites being mostly present therein. Furthermore, the acidity of Hf- and (SO₄^-2) -modified SiO₂ in the dehydration of ethanol and methanol was evaluated, resulting in a selectivity towards ethylene and dimethyl ether, respectively. Acid solids have enormous potential to produce important compounds for the chemical industry using alternative routes other than petrochemical processes. They also represent a significant advance for biorefineries.

We study an air-fluidized granular monolayer, composed in this case of plastic spheres, which roll on a metallic grid. The air current is adjusted so that the spheres never loose contact with the grid, so that the dynamics may be regarded as pseudo two-dimensional (or two-dimensional, if the effects of sphere rolling are not taken into account). We find two surprising continuous transitions, both of them displaying two coexisting phases. Moreover, in all cases, we found the coexisting phases display strong energy non-equipartition. In the first transition, at weak fludization, a glassy phase coexists with a disordered fluid-like phase. In the second transition, a hexagonal crystal coexists with the fluid phase. We analyze, for these two-phase systems, the specific diffusive properties of each phase, as well as the velocity correlations. Surprisingly, we find a glass phase at very low packing fraction and for a wide range of granular temperatures. Both phases are characterized also by a strong anti-correlated velocities upon collision. Thus, the dynamics observed for this quasi two-dimensional system unveils phase transitions with peculiar properties, very different from the predicted behavior in well know theories for their equilibrium counterparts.

Background: The relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) and both physical fitness (PF) and physical activity (PA) level has been analysed in several studies. The aim of this research was to describe, compare and analyse the level of PF and PA in schoolchildren aged 6-13 in the Region of Murcia, according to adherence to the MD. Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was performed. A total of 370 schoolchildren (44.9% girls) aged 6-13 (8.7±1.8) from six primary schools in the Region of Murcia (Spain). Results: Only 25.9% of the schoolchildren had optimal adherence to the MD. Regarding the scores of the different PF tests in MD groups, only statistically significant differences were found for CRF (p=0.048) in boys. PA level, showed statistically significant differences in both boys (p=0.040) and girls (p=0.016). A positive relationship was found between the KIDMED index and CRF (ρ=.127), standing broad jump (ρ=.133) and PA level (ρ=.235). A higher probability of having a greater CRF (OR=1.17; CI95%=1.02–1.34) and PA level (OR=7.84; CI95%=2.84–21.60) was found in High MD group. Conclusion: These results suggest that an optimal adherence to the MD is associated with higher CRF and PA level in the selected schoolchildren.

Phosphite (Phi) has gained attention in agriculture due to its biostimulant effect on crops. This molecule has been found to benefit plant performance by providing protection against pathogens, improving yield and fruit quality, and improving nutrient and water use efficiency. It is still unclear how Phi enhances plant growth and protects against multiple stresses. It has been hypothesized that Phi acts by directly affecting the pathogens and interacting with the plant cellular components and molecular machinery to elicit defense responses. This study delves into elucidating the mechanisms underlying Phi’s beneficial effects on plants, revealing a complex interplay with fundamental signaling pathways. A RNA-seq study of Arabidopsis seedlings under optimal and limiting phosphate conditions helped us unveil Phi’s role in promoting plant growth by activating the expression of genes involved in the biosynthesis and signaling pathways associated with abscisic acid (ABA), salicylic acid (SA), and jasmonic acid (JA). Expression of ABA-related genes, known for their involvement in stress response and development regulation, is triggered by Phi treatment, contributing to enhanced resilience and growth. Simultaneously, the activation of the SA pathway, associated with defense responses, suggests Phi’s potential in bolstering plant immunity. Moreover, Phi influences JA biosynthesis and signaling, which are crucial for defense against herbivores and pathogens, thereby strengthening plants’ defenses. Our findings reveal a multifaceted mechanism through which Phi benefits Arabidopsis development. Understanding its intricate interplay with key signaling pathways opens avenues for leveraging Phi as a strategic tool to enhance plant resilience, immunity, and growth in agricultural and ecological contexts.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease mainly characterized by joint inflammation. It presents extra-articular manifestations, with the lungs one of the affected areas. Among these, damage to the pulmonary interstitium (Interstitial Lung Disease -ILD) has been linked to proteins involved in the inflammatory process and related to extracellular matrix deposition and lung fibrosis establishment. Peptidyl arginine deiminase enzymes (PAD), which carry out protein citrullination, play a role in this context. A genetic association analysis was conducted on genes encoding two PAD isoforms, PAD2 and PAD4. This analysis also included ancestry informative markers and protein level determination in samples from patients with rheumatoid arthritis, RA-associated ILD, and clinically healthy controls. Significant single nucleotide variations (SNV) and a haplotype were identified as susceptibility factors for ILD-RA development. Elevated levels of PAD4 were found in ILD-RA cases, while PADI2 showed an association with RA susceptibility. This document presents the data obtained from the conducted research, which has been published.

Background: The university must take on the challenges that arise at all levels. Within this mechanism, university professors play an important role as facilitators of knowledge. Aim: To analyse the motivations that influence the professional performance of Spanish university professors. Methods: 102 university professors from 9 Spanish public universities participated in the study. [Male: 54 (52.9%); Female: 48 (47.1%)]. A questionnaire of 22 closed-ended Likert-type questions was designed, scoring from 0-10 (do not agree at all, strongly agree). Results: The questionnaire, finally composed of 17 items, showed good internal consistency. (Cronbach's alpha=0.858). The validity analysis showed a value of 0.822 (>0.5) ) in the sample adequacy measure KMO (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin) and Bartlett's sphericity test (p<0.0001). The exploratory factor analysis showed a clustering in 4 factors (2 for internal goods and 2 for external goods), explaining 64.33% of the total variance. Comparisons between each factor scores by gender (male and female) showed differences statistically significant by gender for factor F1 (higher for females) and F2 (higher for males). Finally, Q1 and Q13 showed a statistically significant correlation (p≤0.05) with years of teaching experience. Conclusions: The motivations of Spanish university professors seem to be associated with the age and gender of the teacher.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a structural review of the progress made on detection and localization of leaks in pipelines by using approaches based on the Kalman filter. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first review on the t opic. In particular, it is the first to try to draw the attention of the leak detection community to the important contributions that use the Kalman filter as the core of a computational pipeline monitoring system. Without being exhaustive, we try to gather the results from different research groups and present them in a unified fashion. For this reason, we propose a classification of the current approaches based on the Kalman filter. For each of the existing approaches within this classification, the basic concepts, fundamental results, and relations with the other approaches are discussed in detail. The review starts from a short summary of basic concepts about state observers. Then, a brief history of the use of the Kalman filter for diagnosing leaks is described by mentioning the most outstanding approaches. At last, we briefly discuss some emerging research problems, such as the leak detection in pipelines transporting heavy oils, and we discuss the main challenges and some open problems.

Breakthrough curves for the adsorption of H2S using a metal-oxides mixture were predicted using the Bohart-Adams model of fixed bed adsorption. This mixture (ZnMn2O4+ZnO+Mn2O3) came from the processing of an urban waste as spent alkaline batteries were. The H2S adsorption experiments were carried out in a fixed-bed column at 20º C, and under various experimental conditions: gas flow rate, inlet H2S concentration and adsorbent dosage. Curves predicted by the model matched well with experimental data, providing data for the possible scale-up of the system. At the various experimental variables, the efficiency of the column, were also provided in the work. This investigation demonstrated the usefulness of a waste material, like spent alkaline batteries, to provide an adsorbent material to mitigate the problem of the presence of this harmful gas.

An activated carbon manufacturing process using winemaking waste is analyzed and designed at industrial scale. Starting from experimental research, the chemical transformations and thermodynamics during pruning wood conversion are studied as a basis for plant design. In this way, mass and energy balances of hydrothermal carbonization and physical activation are fulfilled and a thermoeconomic methodology is applied to develop an energy-integrated plant. To achieve this target, a network of heat exchangers is allocated to minimize heat consumption and supply hot domestic water, while a cogeneration cycle is designed to provide electricity and satisfy the remaining heat demand. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis is carried out to determine the influence of the production scale and other operation parameters, such as annual workload, service life, and capital and feedstock costs, on the economic viability of the plant. The energy balance of the plant indicates that the energy integration design manages to provide 48.9% of the overall process energy demand by crossing hot and cold streams and recovering heat from residual flue gas. On the other hand, the exergy cost analysis identifies the combustion of pruning wood used to provide heat demands as the main source of exergy destruction, confirming the suitability of integration to improve the thermodynamic performance. Including activated carbon production, electricity, and hot domestic water, the exergy efficiency of the plant stands at 11.5%.

This article presents the copper ions adsorption process using an activated carbon from winemaking wastes. The pH, temperature, activated carbon amount and initial copper concentration were varied based on a full factorial 2^k experimental design. Kinetic and thermodynamic studies were also carried out. The adsorption kinetics was found follow a pseudo-second-order model. The adsorption data fit better to the Langmuir isotherm. The ANOVA demonstrated that both pH of the solution and activated carbon dosage had the greatest influence on copper adsorption. The activation energy was -32 kJ·mol^-1 suggesting that the copper adsorption is a physic-sorption process. The best fit to a linear correlation was the moving boundary equation that controls the kinetics for the adsorption copper ions onto the activated carbon. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results reveal the existence of different copper species (Cu²⁺, Cu⁺ and or Cu⁰) on the surface of the carbonaceous adsorbent after the adsorption, which could suggest a simultaneous reduction process.

This study is dedicated to understanding and simulating the mechanical properties of concrete, with a specific focus on the mesoscopic scale. Investigating concrete at this level involves examining its composition as a heterogeneous amalgamation comprising mortar, aggregates, and the interfacial transition zone (ITZ). Such an approach provides a detailed examination of the material's behavior and attributes. Numerical models are utilized, leveraging the finite element method (FEM), to examine the behavior of concrete. The study employs MATLAB programming to develop three-dimensional models, subsequently subjected to FEM analysis. Various mesoscopic Representative Volume Elements (RVEs) are formulated, encompassing varied shapes and dimensions. The MATLAB framework generates input files for numerical FEM simulations, replicating compression strength tests. As complexity increases with the inclusion of the ITZ, prismatic RVEs are developed. The proposed mesoscopic model establishes a foundational framework for a numerical simulation methodology tailored to laboratory compression tests. It provides detailed insights into concrete behavior, elucidating deformation, and fracture mechanisms. Although not a complete substitute for experimental methods, these models offer a cost-effective and expeditious alternative, pinpointing vulnerable areas and exploring the implications of additional materials on concrete behavior. Experimental data and virtual tests pave the way for mitigating carbon footprint and improving concrete sustainability.

Demand for niobium and tantalum is increasing exponentially as these are essential ingredients for the manufacture of, among others, capacitors in technological devices and ferroniobium. Mine tailings rich in such elements could constitute an important source of Nb and Ta in the future and so alleviate potential supply risks. This paper evaluates the possibility of recovering niobium and tantalum from the slags generated during the tin beneficiation process of mine tailings from the old Penouta mine, located in Spain. To do so, a simulation of the processes that would be required to beneficiate and refine both elements is carried out. After tin carbothermic reduction, the slags are sent to a hydrometallurgical process where at the end niobium oxide and tantalum oxide are obtained. Reagents, water and energy consumption, in addition to emissions, effluents and product yields are assessed. Certain factors were identified as critical, and recirculation was encouraged in the model to maximize production and minimize reagents use and wastes. With this simulation, considering 3000 production hours per year, the metal output from the tailings of the old mine could cover around 1% and 7.4% of the world annual Nb and Ta demand, respectively.

Abstract: Understanding the reliability and sensitivity of jump testing is essential to determine the neuromuscular progress of athletes and make informed decisions. This study aimed to assess the reliability and sensitivity of countermovement jump (CMJ) and drop jump (DJ) tests metrics in female volleyball players. Sixteen semi-professional female volleyball players participated in the study. Intrasession and intersession reliability of CMJ and DJ metrics were evaluated using a randomized cross-over design. Dual force platform was used to collect data, and several dependent variables were calculated using forward dynamics. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), coefficients of variation (CV) and minimum difference (MD) were calculated. The third attempt presented the highest values for both test, and changes in jump strategy in DJ. CMJ is consistent across sessions, while DJ also shows intersession differences (p<0.05) in 11 out of 15 variables. Most CMJ variables exhibit excellent reliability while DJ variables have lower reliability and higher variability. Concentric and eccentric impulses for DJ showed excellent reliability. Most CMJ variables showed excellent reliability and variability, DJ had lower reliability, higher variability, and lower sensitivity. These findings provide valuable information when assessing athletes' performance and highlight the reliability, sensitivity, and variability in jump performance for CMJ and DJ tests.

In the last years, advances in materials engineering based on adaptive electronics have found a new paradigm to optimize drawbacks in signal processing. A two-layer MnO/ZnO:Zn heterostructure envisioned for frequency adaptive electronic signal processing is synthesized by sputtering where the use of internal states allows reconfigurability to obtain new operating modes at different frequency input signals. An X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) is performed on each layer, MnO:Mn had a cubic and ZnO:Zn a hexagonal structure with preferential growth in [111] and [002] directions respectively. It is determined that the coupling in this heterojunction is compatible with a mismatch less 1 % due texture in each layer which implies a low number of defects. An electrical characterisation with an oscilloscope and signal generator was carried out to obtain the time-response signals and current-voltage (I-V) curves where no degradation is detected when changing from a range of frequencies (100 Hz – 1 MHz). An equivalent circuit is proposed to explain the effects in the interface. Finally, the MnO/ZnO:Zn heterojunction delivers states that are stable, repeatable, and reproducible and it demonstrates how the interaction of the materials can be used in adaptive device applications applying frequencies and internal states as to create new and innovative design schematics, reducing the numbers of components/connections in a system for future sustainable electronics.

pump as turbine (PAT); computational fluid dynamics; variable rotational nominal speed; OpenFoam.

The aim of this study was to examine the seasonal variations in relevant indices of physical performance in female soccer players. Twenty-seven female soccer players were assessed at week 2 of the season (pre-season, PS), week 7 (end of pre-season, EP), week 24 (half-season, HS), and week 38 (end of season, ES). Testing sessions consisted of: 1) vertical countermovement jump (CMJ); 2) 20-m running sprint (T20); 3) 25-m side-step cutting maneuver test (V-CUT); and 4) progressive loading test in the full-squat exercise (V1-LOAD). Participants followed their normal soccer training, which consisted of three weekly training sessions and an official match, without any type of intervention. No significant time effects were observed for CMJ height (P = 0.29) and T20 (P = 0.11) along the season. Significant time effects were found for V-CUT (P = 0.004) and V1-LOAD (P = 0.001). V-CUT performance significantly improved from HS to ES (P = 0.001). Significant increases were observed for V1-LOAD throughout the season: PS-HS (P = 0.009), PS-ES (P &lt; 0.001); EP-ES (P &lt; 0.001); HS-ES (P = 0.009). In conclusion, female adapted soccer training may be effective for increasing muscle strength and change of direction ability. The high volume of endurance-type training typically accumulated throughout the season may prevent any sprint and jump improvements.

Water scarcity is a key challenge to global development. In Brazil, the Sao Francisco River Basin (SFB) has experienced water scarcity problems because of decreasing streamflow and increasing demands from multiple sectors. However, the drivers of decreased streamflow, particularly the potential role of surface-groundwater interaction, have not been yet investigated. Here, we assess long-term trends in baseflow, quickflow, and streamflow of the SFB during 1980–2015 and constrain the most likely drivers of observed decreases through trend analysis of precipitation (P), evapotranspiration (ET), and terrestrial water storage change (TWS). We found that over 82% of the observed decrease in streamflow can be attributed to a significant decreasing baseflow trend (< -20 m3 s-1 y-1) along the SFR with spatial agreement between decreased baseflow, increased ET, and irrigated agricultural land. We also noted a decrease in TWS across the SFB with trends exceeding -20 mm y-1. Overall, our findings indicate that decreasing groundwater contributions (i.e., baseflow) is providing the observed reduction in total SFR flow. A lack of significant P trends indicates that only P variability likely has not caused the observed baseflow reduction, mainly in the Middle and Sub-middle SFB. Therefore, groundwater and surface withdrawals may be likely a driver of water scarcity over the SFB.

Preparation of a low-cost cellulose-based bioadsorbent from the cellulosic material extracted from the rose stems (CRS) was carried out; rose stems were considered agricultural wastes. After the required pretreatment of this waste, and its further treatment with an acidic mixture of acetic and nitric acids, the CRS product was yielded. The resulting bioadsorbent was characterized by several techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, which revealed diffraction maxima related to cellulose structure, whose calculated crystallinity index (CrI) was 75 %. In addition, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) showed signs of acetylation of the sample, also, the thermal properties of the solid was evaluated through Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed cellulose fibers before and after the adsorption process, some particles with not regular shapes were also observed. The CRS bioadsorbent was used in the effective adsorption of valuable Tb(III) from aqueous solution. The adsorption data resulted in a better fit to the Freundlich isotherm, and pseudo-second-order kinetic models; however, chemisorption had not been ruled out. Finally, desorption experiments revealed a recovery of terbium ions with an efficiency of 97 % from terbium-loaded bioadsorbent.

The behaviour of oxidized and non-oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes in the adsorption of lanthanum(III) from aqueous solutions is described. Metal uptake is studied as a function of several variables such as the stirring speed of the system, pH of the aqueous solution and metal and nanomaterial concentrations. The experimental results are fitted to various kinetics and isotherm models, being the rate law fitted to the film diffusion and particle diffusion models, when the non-oxidized and the oxidized nanomaterials are used to remove lanthanum from the solution, respectively. Sulphuric acid solutions seem to be appropriate to recover the metal from La-loaded nanomaterials.

Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT), also known as Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome, is a rare and inherited vascular disorder, characterized by the development of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in various organs and telangiectasia (small AVM) in the mucocutaneous. The majority of HHT patients have haploinsufficiency of genes involved in the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) signaling pathway, including endoglin (ENG), activin receptor-like kinase 1 (ALK1, also known as ACVRL1), or SMAD4. Active angiogenesis is also required for telangiectasia and AVM development. Anti-angiogenic strategies have been tested in patients and animal models extensively. However, the exact mechanisms for telangiectasia and AVM development remain unclear. In this review, we discuss recent advances in identifying disease mechanisms, and potential therapeutic targets.

Diatoms are among the most common epibionts and have been recorded on the surfaces of various living substrates, either plants or animals. However, said studies are still scarce in view of the many substrata available. In this study, epibiotic diatoms living on Callinectes bellicosus were identified for the first time from a subtropical coastal lagoon in northwest Mexico. We tested the null hypothesis that the diatom flora living on the shells of C. bellicosus would not be similar to that recorded for mangrove sediments, its typical habitat. The epibiotic diatoms were brushed off from the carapaces of two specimens, acid-cleaned, mounted in synthetic resin, and identified based on frustule morphology. In this way, 106 taxa from 45 genera were recorded, including 24 singletons, and six new records for the Mexican northwest region. The best-represented genera were Nitzschia (10 taxa), Mastogloia (9), Diploneis (7), Navicula (7), Amphora (5), Cocconeis (5), Tryblionella (4), and Gyrosigma (4). Species composition included 93% of local taxa, thus refuting the proposed hypothesis and supporting the alternate one. Although the estimated species richness was lower than in sediments, it deems the green crab carapace a favorable substrate for the growth of benthic diatoms.

Wildfires present a significant risk to societies globally due to population growth, con- centrated activities, climate change, and extreme environmental conditions. To establish effective fire suppression and management policies, it is crucial to determine whether the distance between ignition points and urban areas is increasing or decreasing. This study analyses 101,597 fires in Spain and California between 2007 and 2015, using the Mann-Kendall test to determine trends. The study analyses the location and cause of fires to determine their distance from human constructions over time at two spatial scales. The findings suggest that wildfires are not moving away from buildings and, in some areas, are moving significantly closer.

The proliferation of radio frequency devices in today's society, especially in smart homes, Internet of Things devices, and smartphones, underscores the urgent need for robust identification methods to strengthen cybersecurity. This paper delves into the field of radio frequency fingerprinting to propose a Bluetooth device identification method based on the application of the Jensen-Shannon divergence to the statistical distribution of noise in Bluetooth signals. A detailed case study is performed to investigate the Bluetooth radio frequency noise recorded at 5 Gsps from different devices is investigated to define a statistical radio frequency fingerprint for each Bluetooth device. A noise model is used to extract a unique, universal, persistent, recoverable, and robust statistical radio frequency fingerprint that identifies each Bluetooth device. Then, using the Jensen-Shannon divergence, different noise signals provided by each Bluetooth device are compared with the statistical radio frequency fingerprint of all devices and a membership resolution is declared. The study shows that the proposed method can discriminate between devices of the same brand and model, achieving an identification effectiveness of 99.5 \%. By leveraging the statistical radio frequency fingerprint of Bluetooth devices, this research not only contributes to the advancement of the field of implicit device authentication systems based on wireless communication but also provides valuable insights into the practical implementation of radio frequency identification techniques that could be useful in forensic processes.

The embryonic epicardium originates from the proepicardium, an extracardiac primordium constituted by a cluster of mesothelial cells. In early embryos, the embryonic epicardium is characterized by a squamous cell epithelium resting on the myocardium surface. Subsequently, it invades the subepicardial space and thereafter the embryonic myocardium by means of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Within the myocardium, epicardial-derived cells present multilineage potential, later differentiating into smooth muscle cells and contributing both to coronary vasculature and cardiac fibroblasts in the mature heart. Over the last decades, we have progressively increased our understanding of those cellular and molecular mechanisms driving proepicardial/embryonic epicardium formation. This study provides a state-of-the-art review of the transcriptional and emerging post-transcriptional mechanisms involved in the formation and differentiation of the embryonic epicardium.

The construction industry has a notable negative impact on the environment; thus, the promotion of the use of timber structures is an alternative to mitigate its effects. The research develops an artificial intelligence-based decision approach in the calculation of timber structures focused on the enhancement of the sustainability of roof structures. Based on the optimization carried out through genetic algorithms and the framework established in Eurocode 5, a general set of equations has been proposed for a laminated timber roof structure. The tool, which determines the most suitable roof structure for each strength class of laminated timber, allows for the determination of the dimensions of beams and purlins and their respective separations in order to minimize wood consumption. The ultimate goal is to offer multiple solutions regarding strength classes and structural designs in order to foster informed sustainable choices that promote efficient use of resources in construction.

The intensive variables, geochemical, mineralogical and petrogenetic constraints of the Iberian rare metal granites, many of them unknown, are presented. It allows to distinguish two main granitic types with contrasting characteristics: Nb-Ta-rich granites and Nb-Ta-poor granites. The former have lower emplacement temperatures, higher water contents and probably lower emplacement pressures than Nb-Ta-poor granites. Nb-Ta-rich granites also have higher fluoride contents, strong fractionation into twin pairs such as Zr-Hf, Y-Ho and Nb-Ta, and an abundant, probably exsolved, fluid phase, which is not or not as evident in Nb-Ta-poor granites, probably in part because the Nb-Ta-rich granites reach their solidus later (about 550 ºC). The geochemical signature of the Iberian rare metal granites follows the trends of mainly two-mica granites and P-rich cordierite granites, but also of granodiorites and even type I granites, suggesting that the rare metal granites may have different parental magmas. Thermodynamic modeling shows that many of the geochemical characteristics of the RMGs can be explained by a process of extreme differentiation, while others cannot, e.g. Na evolution. In terms of ore deposition, white mica plays a very important role in explaining the variation of the Ta/Nb ratio, although the latter could also be controlled by late Nb-Ta oxides crystallization and even by acidic fluids that remove Nb relative to Ta from earlier Nb-Ta oxides.

UAV photogrammetry development during the last decade has allowed to catch information at a very high spatial and temporal resolution from terrains with very difficult or impossible human access. This paper deals with the application of these techniques to study and produce information of very extreme topography which is useful to plan works on this terrain or monitoring it over the time to study its evolution. The methodology stars with the execution of UAV flights on the cut slope studied, one with the cam vertically oriented and other at 45º respect that orientation. Ground control points (GCPs) and check points (CPs) were measured for georeference and accuracy measurement purposes. Orthophoto was obtained projecting on a fitted plane to a studied surface. Moreover, since a digital surface model (DSM) is not able to represent faithfully that extreme morphology, information to project works or monitoring it has been derived from the point cloud generated during the photogrammetric process. An informatics program was developed to generate contour lines and cross sections derived from the point cloud, which was able to represent all terrain geometric characteristics, like several Z coordinates for a given planimetric (X, Y) point. Results yield a root mean square error (RMSE) in X, Y and Z directions of 0.053 m, 0.070 m and 0.061 m respectively. Furthermore, comparison between contour lines and cross sections generated from point cloud with the developed program on one hand and those generated from DSM on other hand, shown that the former are capable of representing terrain geometric characteristics that the latter cannot. The methodology proposed in this work has been shown as an adequate alternative to generate manageable information, as orthophoto, contour lines and cross sections, useful for the elaboration, for example, of projects for repairing or maintenance works of cut slopes with extreme topography.

Sustainability enhancement is one of the main challenges of aquaculture. Since feeds represent one of the major costs from an environmental point of view, it is priority to find sustainable alterna-tive ingredients for aquaculture diet. Insect meals have some advantages as ingredients for aqua-culture, like its sustainability and nutritional value. However, the biggest drawback of full-fat in-sect meal is its fatty acid profile. The objective of this work was to assess the effects of partial plant or marine-derived ingredients replacements with full-fat Tenebrio molitor meal (TM) at two differ-ent levels on growth performance and fatty acids profiles of Solea senegalensis. For this purpose, a control diet and four experimental diets were tested, two of them contained 5 and 10% w/w TM that replaced mostly fish meal. Two other experimental diets included 10 and 15% w/w TM that replaced mostly plant meals. The inclusion of insect meal resulted in an improvement in growth rate and feed efficiency in both cases. Moreover, dietary inclusion of insect meal increased muscle total protein and decreased total lipid, without changes in phospholipids, and maintaining the relative level of n-3 PUFA. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that full-fat TM inclusion up to 15% in S. senegalensis diets had no negative effects or even positive effects on fish survival, growth performance, nutrient utilization and flesh quality.

In this work epitaxial Au islands have been grown on epitaxial α-Fe2O3 thin film by pulsed laser deposition on SrTiO3(111) substrate. Both Au and α-Fe2O3 layer show an island-type growth with an average particle size of 40 and 62 nm, respectively. The crystallographic coupling of lattices is confirmed with a rotation of 30º between the in-plane crystallographic axes of α-Fe2O3(0001) structure and those of SrTiO3(111) substrate and between the in-plane crystallographic axes of Au(111) and those of α-Fe2O3(0001) structure. α-Fe2O3 is the only phase of iron oxide identified before and after its functionalization with Au nanoparticles. In addition, its structural character-istics are also preserved after Au deposition, with minor changes at short-range order. The func-tional character of the complex systems as gas sensor has been proven at room temperature. Con-ductance measurements of Au(111)/α-Fe2O3(0001)/ SrTiO3(111) system show that the incorpora-tion of Au islands on top of the α-Fe2O3(0001) layer induces an enhancement of the gas-sensing ac-tivity for CO and CH4 gas in comparison to a bare α-Fe2O3(0001) layer grown on SrTiO3(111).

Introduction: Osteosarcomas of the jaw (OSJ) are rare tumors with a different behavior from osteosarcomas of other bones. This study aims to analyze the clinical, pathological, and therapeutic characteristics of this type of sarcoma. Methods: a retrospective observational study of cases diagnosed with OSJ registered at the “La Paz” University Hospital (Madrid). Results: Eight cases with a diagnosis of OSJ were obtained in a study period of 22 years (2000-2022). The mean age was 41 years. The distribution was 1:1 between the maxilla and mandible. Painful inflammation was the most frequent clinical manifestation. Conventional osteoblastic osteosarcoma was the most common. Survival at 5 years was 50%, while at 10 years, it decreased to 25%. Conclusions: OSJ differs from conventional osteosarcomas of long tubular bones. Surgery continues to be the mainstay of treatment; more studies are needed in which more standardized protocols can be proposed for adjuvant therapeutic management.

As a hazardous waste, pickling waste liquor must be properly treated. An alternative consists in promoting the formation of ferrous salts from this residue, due to its higher ferrous content. Since FeCl2·4H2O is widely used in several applications, obtaining pure crystals of this material appears to be an interesting prospect. However, this compound has scarcely been investigated. In the present work, FeCl2·4H2O crystals have been obtained from pickling waste liquors. Their structural and morphological characteristics have been investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy as well as Mössbauer spectroscopy. In addition, the photoluminescence study of the obtained samples was also assessed. It was observed that after some aging time, the obtained crystals change in colour from green to more yellowish. So, the aged sample has also been evaluated, and their structural characteristics are compared with the original crystals. Despite this, the obtained crystals exhibit a FeCl2·4H2O structure, which is not modified with the aging of the sample.

Wood is poised to become a material of choice for future construction. When appropriately managed, it is a renewable material with unique mechanical properties. Beyond its inherent sustainability, the use of wood has a crucial role in addressing climate change concerns due a significantly lower energy consumption and emissions during manufacturing and transportation, while simultaneously acting as a carbon sink. Thus, there has been a growing demand for hardwoods for structural applications, including Castanea sativa Mill., the focal point of this investigation. Albeit in a limited capacity, Eurocode 5-2 offers friction coefficients for softwoods, but it falls short for hardwoods which it is a gap to bridge with this research. These coefficients play a critical role in numerical simulations involving friction, enabling the optimization of joints and, by extension, the overall structural integrity. Test samples were evaluated at 18% moisture content, which is typical of Service Class 2, for various orientations of timber-to-timber and timber-to-steel friction. Considering previous friction coefficients at 12% moisture content, the linear variation was evaluated at an intermediate value of 15%. The results provide an experimental database for numerical simulations and highlight the influence of moisture content on the coefficients, which increase linearly along moisture percentages.

In recent years, several alternatives for improving the thermal comfort conditions inside buildings have been proposed. Among these alternatives, Thermally Activated Building Systems (TABS) have become of interest due to the benefits this technology brings to the building sector. The TABS are embedded in different building components and exchange heat with building envelope to improve the indoor air temperature. This review presents relevant results presented in the literature on the thermal behavior of TABS, the different types of TABS configurations, and the main parameters of TABS studied such as pipe separation, fluid inlet temperature, fluid velocity, and volumetric flow rate. The potential of TABS to improve thermal comfort conditions and provide energy savings is also discussed. Further, this study presents the different modes of application.

The abundant use of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in a wide variety of electric devices and vehicles will generate a large number of depleted batteries, which contain several valuable metals such as Li, Co, Mn, and Ni present in the structure of the cathode material (LiMO2). The present work investigates chemical, technological, and environmental aspects in the treatment of such wastes, development of a methodology for the extraction of lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, and graphite by a carbochlorination pyrometallurgical process. Mixtures of cathode and anode materials (called black mass, mixed oxides of Li, Co, Ni, Mn, and graphite) from different LIBs, carbon black (as reducing agent), and CaCl2 (as chlorinating agent) were used. Non-isothermal thermogravimetric tests up to 850°C and isothermal tests at 700°C of the mixtures in an inert atmosphere were carried out. It was experimentally observed that the LiMO2-C-CaCl2 reaction takes place at 700°C. LiCl, Ni, and Co were obtained as final products, and to a lesser extent, CoO, NiO, and MnO2. CaCO3 was also obtained as a by-product. The obtained results show that carbochlorination is an efficient and effective alternative route for the extraction and recovery of metals from different LIBs, focused on the sustainability and circular economy

Deep eutectic solvents have emerged as a greener alternative and have attracted so much interest in the last two decades. This paper present alternative synthesis method to classical heating-stirring. The ultrasound method is one of the most promising syntheses DESs in terms of yield and energy. So, ultrasound synthesis method was studied to obtain hydrophobic (Aliquat 336: L-Menthol 3:7; Li-docaine: decanoic acid 1:2) and hydrophilic DESs based on Choline chloride and urea, ethylene glycol and oxalic acid. The physical characterization of DESs by comparison of FTIR spectra no show difference between DESs obtained by heating-stirring and ultrasound synthesis methods. The RMN spectra of the DESs obtained by heating-stirring revealed the DESs formation. Density and viscosity properties of DESs were evaluated. The density values are similar for both synthesis methods. However, lower viscosity values are obtained to the hydrophilic DESs prepared by ul-trasound methods.

Consumers are attracted by the increasing number of available SVOD platforms, but subscribing to all of them would be too expensive. To reduce costs, consumers could combine the use of proprietary subscriptions, non-proprietary subscriptions, and illegal streaming sites. In turn, platforms could enforce access control, a decision that could produce the desired reduction in non-proprietary subscriptions but also an undesired reduction in proprietary subscriptions. The effects of this decision and the determinants of SVOD content demand remain largely unexplored. We propose a baseline model where the SVOD content demand is driven by variety seeking, household financial situation, ethical evaluation, and social norms, as well as a change model where the subscription variation is driven by users’ trait reactance and perceived fairness of the decision. We conducted a survey on the current ways of SVOD content consumption and the responses to a hypothetical access control enforcement, with four randomized versions of the authentication mode. Results confirmed many of the proposed determinants and showed a noteworthy reduction in proprietary subscriptions due to the control enforcement but no effect due to the authentication modes. All these findings may help improve future models on SVOD content consumption and better address the difficult challenge of converting unauthorized users into authorized ones.

The ongoing expansion in volume, velocity and variety of geospatial data has stimulated the development of artificial intelligence applications and associated online cartographic visualizations. In this context, the cartographic communication through peer-reviewed media evolved to incorporate Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability and Re-usability (FAIR) principles. In this paper, we review the functionalities proposed by current international peer-reviewed media for accessing, exploring and re-using geospatial data, and situate them on a diagram conceived for peer-reviewed cartography in the artificial intelligence era. We then present an overview of the cartographic infrastructure and workflow currently available in the Terra Digitalis journal for the online publication of massive spatiotemporal data. This free and opensource based solution allows a smooth integration, from data submission to final peer reviewed publication, of dynamic, interactive 2D and 3D maps. As a proof of concept, we present two maps derived from massive spatiotemporal data, related, respectively, to a climate numerical model (raster data) and a bike sharing system’s origin-destination dataset (vector data). We argue that the combination of technologies used in the journal provides an efficient and low-cost solution, unmatched by other publication media, to boost the accessibility and FAIR principles for geospatial big data.

Many estuarine ecosystems and the fish communities that inhabit them have undergone substantial changes in the past several decades, largely due to multiple interacting stressors that are often of anthropogenic origin. Few are more impactful than droughts, which are predicted to increase in both frequency and severity with climate change. In this study, we examined over five decades of fish monitoring data from the San Francisco Estuary, California, U.S.A, to evaluate the resistance and resilience of fish communities to disturbance from prolonged drought events. High resistance was defined by the lack of decline in species occurrence from a wet to a subsequent drought period, while high resilience was defined by the increase in species occurrence from a drought to a subsequent wet period. We found some unifying themes connecting the multiple drought events over the fifty-year period. Pelagic fishes consistently declined during droughts (low resistance), but exhibit a considerable amount of resiliency and often rebound in the subsequent wet years. However, full recovery does not occur in all wet years following droughts, leading to permanently lower baseline numbers for some pelagic fishes over time. In contrast, littoral fishes seem to be more resistant to drought and may even increase in occurrence during dry years. Based on the consistent detrimental effects of drought on pelagic fishes within the San Francisco Estuary and the inability of these fish populations to recover in some years, we conclude that freshwater flow remains a crucial but not sufficient management tool for the conservation of estuarine biodiversity.

City marathons have evolved and grown exponentially in type and popularity, managerial complexity, for their financial impact on their host cities and for the attraction of corporate sponsors. Much research has focused on evaluating the broad economic, urban, tourist, social, sporting, and symbolic effects of city marathons on host cities. Research have not examined the importance of the contribution of sponsors to the financial stability and its implications to the overall management and further success of marathons. This article focuses on the cases of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and the Marathon Valencia Trinidad Alfonso and examines how effective has been the contribution of their sponsors to the financial stability and its implications for the management and success of both races over time. Results show that the international success of both events –in terms of sporting participation, performance and economic impact– is closely related to the design and management of the event; the synergies between the political, business and sporting spheres that the organizational leadership of the event has made it possible to implement and, as a consequence, the support received from sponsors, which has not only provided both races with financial stability, but also has contributed to improve the management of the race.

Commercially available oxidized (carboxylic groups) and non-oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes were studied as adsorbents of cerium(III) in batch operation mode. Several variables affecting the rare earth adsorption were investigated, including: the stirring speed applied to the system, the pH of the solution and the metal concentration and carbon dosages. Although the removal of cerium from the solution is different and dependent upon the adsorbent type: i) adsorption in non-oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes, ii) cation exchange in the case of using oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes, the adsorption kinetics, the rate law and the isotherm models are the same for both adsorbents: pseudo-second order, film diffusion and Langmuir Type-1, respectively. Cerium is desorbed from loaded adsorbents using acidic solutions.

Air pollution in urban centers depends directly on anthropogenic activities. The objective of the present study was to predict tropospheric ozone levels from temperature data in the city of Durango, Dgo. Temperature and tropospheric ozone values were obtained from 18 sampling points in the urban area of the city of Durango, of which 15 were obtained by collecting from the Ventusky service and the rest from three fixed monitoring stations established in the city. These values were interpolated in order to determine the spatial values for the entire city. A correlation analysis was performed for three different periods in the day established as follows (24:00-03:00-06:00, 09:00-12:00-15:00 and 15:00-18:00-21:00). Subsequently, a linear regression analysis was performed by time period. The results showed a higher positive correlation between ozone concentration and temperature from 15:00 hrs to 21:00 hrs; likewise, this period showed a higher goodness of fit in the ozone prediction (R2=0.99; RMSE: 1.12 ppbv). Temperature allows spatial prediction of ozone concentrations in urban areas with acceptable accuracy.

In this paper is presented the design and syntheis of a dynamic output feedback neural network controller for a non-holonomic mobile robot. First the dynamic model of a non-holonomic mobile robot is presented, in which these constraints are considered for the mathematical derivation of a feasable representation for this kind of robot. Then two control strategies are provided based on kinematic control for this kind of robot. The first control strategy is based on driftless control, this means, that considering that the velocity vector of the mobile robot is orthogonal to its restriction a dynamic output feedback and neural network controller is designed in order that the control action would be zero only when the velocity of the mobile robot is zero. The Lyapunov stability theorem is implemented in order to find a suitable control law. Then another control strategy is designed for trajectory tracking purposes, which similar to the driftless controller, a kinematic control scheme is provided but suitable to implement in more sophisticated hardware. In both control strategy a dynamic control law is provided along with a feedforward neural network controller, so in this way, by the Lyapunov theory the stability and convergence to the origin of the mobile robot position coordinates is ensured. Finally, two numerical experiment are presented in order to validate the theoretical results synthetized in this research study. Discussions and conclusions are provided in order to analyze the results found in this research study.

Few-layer graphene oxide (GO) has shown none or very weak cytotoxicity and anti-proliferative effects in a wide range of cell lines such as glyoma cells and human skin HaCaT cells, in concentrations up to 100 µg/mL However, multi-layer GO has been hardly explored in the biomedical field. Thus, multi-layer GO was examined here in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells treated with different concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 150 µg/mL during different periods of times (3, 12 and 24 hours). The results of this study showed a time-concentration dependence with two non-cytotoxic concentrations (0.01 and 0.05 µg/mL) and a median effective concentration value of 4.087 µg/mL at 24 hours of GO exposure. Contrary to what has been reported for few-layer GO, cell proliferation of the HaCaT cells in contact with the multi-layer GO at 0.01 μg/mL showed identical proliferative activity compared to an epidermal growth factor (1.6-fold greater than the control group) after 96 hours. The effects of the multi-layer GO on the expression of 13 genes (SOD1, CAT, MMP1, TGFB1, GPX1, FN1, HAS2, LAMB1, LUM, CDH1, COL4A1, FBN and VCAN) at the non-cytotoxic concentrations of GO in the HaCaT cells were analyzed after 24 hours. Thus, the lowest non-cytotoxic GO concentration was able to up-regulate the CAT, TGFB1, FN1 and CDH1 genes, which confirms the great potential of multi-layer GO in the biomedical field.

Introduction: A central role for neuroinflammation in epileptogenesis has recently been suggested by several investigations. This systematic review explores the role of inflammatory mediators in epileptogenesis, its association with seizure severity, and its correlation with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). Material and Methods: The study analysed articles published in JCR journals from 2019 to 2024, including retrospective, prospective, case-control, or cross-sectional studies. It combined MESH and free terms for "Epileptogenesis" and "Neuroinflammation" and included searches for biomarkers previously reported in narrative reviews. Results: The study analysed 243 articles related to epileptogenesis and neuroinflammation, with 356 from selective searches by biomarker type. After eliminating duplicates, 324 articles were evaluated, with 272 excluded and 52 evaluated by authors. 21 articles were included in the qualitative evaluation, including 18 case-control studies, 2 case series, and 1 prospective study. This systematic review provides acceptable support for five biomarkers: TNF-a and some of its soluble receptors (sTNFr2), HMGB1 and TLR-4, CCL2 and IL-33. Discussions: Certain receptors, cytokines, and chemokines are examples of neuroinflammation-related biomarkers that may be crucial for the early diagnosis of refractory epilepsy or may be connected to the control levels of epileptic patients. Their value will be better defined by future studies.

Background: Understanding the trophic ecology of threatened freshwater fishes is relevant to managing their conservation. The genus Orestias is endemic to the Andes region and shows great biogeographical interest in the Neotropics due to its adaptation to the high-altitude systems of the Andes as well as because several species are considered threatened. (2) Methods: Here, we synthesize the documented trophic interaction of Orestias spp. in freshwater ecosystems of the Andes region available in the literature and use available data to explore the trophic interaction of Orestias species via null models. (3) Results: Our findings showed that Orestias spp. consume a wide range of prey (i.e., mainly aquatic insects, crustaceans, and mollusks) that varied according to their habitats and feeding morphology. The null model revealed that species associations in diet were random because of the presence of many repeated species. Our results would reveal that some Orestias spp. may show an opportunistic feeding strategy that concurs with previous reports. Additionally, we highlight major information gaps associated with the trophic ecology of Orestias spp. and propose some direction for future studies. (4): Our study provides valuable in-formation on Orestias spp. trophic ecology, which may be useful for developing conservation strategies for native fish in the Neotropical region.

Maze navigation using one or more robots has become a recurring challenge in scientific literature and real life practice, with fleets having to find faster and better ways to navigate environments such as a travel hub (e.g. airports) or to evacuate a disaster zone. Many methods have been used to solve this issue, including the implementation of a variety of sensors and other signal receiving systems. Most interestingly, camera-based techniques have increasingly become more popular in this kind of applications, given their robustness and scalability. In this paper, we have implemented an end-to-end strategy to address this scenario, allowing a robot to solve a maze in an autonomous way, by using computer vision and path planning. In addition, this robot shares the generated knowledge to another by means of communication protocols, having to adapt its mechanical characteristics to be able to solve the same challenge. The paper presents experimental validation of the four components of this solution, namely camera calibration, maze mapping, path planning and robot communication. Finally, we present the integration and functionality of these methods applied in a pair of NAO robots.

Water conflicts have been a significant issue in Brazil, especially in the Sao Francisco River basin. Subseasonal forecasts, up to a 60-day forecast range, can provide information to support decision-makers in managing water resources in the river basin, especially before drought events. Predictability in the subseasonal forecasts range is a research topic as this range contains mixed dependence on weather and seasonal phenomena. Numerical models may inherit this mixed dependence on their skills. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the Eta Model simulations to reproduce the drought events between the years 2011 and 2016. Two sets of 60-day simulations were produced; one started in September (SO) and the other in January (JF) each year. These months were chosen to evaluate the model skill to reproduce the onset and the middle of the rainy seasons in Central Brazil, where the Upper Sao Francisco River is located. The SO simulations reproduced the observed spatial distribution of precipitation but underestimated the amounts. Precipitation errors exhibit large variability across the subbasins. The JF simulations also reproduced the observed precipitation distribution but overestimated it in the Upper and Lower subbasins. The JF simulations better captured the interannual variability of precipitation. The 60-day simulations were discretized in six 10-day accumulations to assess the intra-monthly variability. They showed that simulations can capture the onset of the rainy season and the small amounts of the rainy months that occurred in these severe drought years.

Recent studies suggest that the developmental curves in adolescence, related to the development of executive functions, could be fitted to a non-linear trajectory of development with progressions and retrogressions. Therefore, the present study proposes to analyze the pattern of development in Perceptual Inhibition (PI), considering all stages of adolescence (early, middle, and late) in intervals of one year. To this aim, we worked with a sample of 275 participants between 10 and 25 years, who performed a joint visual and search task (to measure PI). We have fitted exGaussian functions to the probability distributions of the mean response time across the sample and performed a covariance analysis (ANCOVA). The results showed that the 10- to 13-year-old groups performed similarly in the task and differ from the 14- to 19-year-old participants. We found significant differences between the older group and all the rest of the groups. We discuss the important changes that can be observed in relation to the nonlinear trajectory of development that would show the PI during adolescence.

The aim of this work was to describe the physiological limitations induced under drought conditions in young sweet orange trees, including the crop capability to recuperate its physiological status once re-watering, and after a water withholding. The trial was conducted during two consecutive months (July and August) in two-years old sweet orange trees. Three irrigation treatments were arranged: A full irrigation treatment; (FI); a low-frequency deficit-irrigation treatment (LFDI); and a sustained-deficit irrigation (SDI) treatment. The obtained results showed that for Stem values below -1.5 MPa, significant decreases in gas exchange rates, evidencing diffusive limitations to drought stress. Additionally, there was evidence of increased osmolyte synthesis, compatible as a defensive response to prevent oxidative damage. Likewise, the isohydric behaviour observed also resulted in significant decreases in gs even for moderate stress situations. In addition, it was observed that in the LFDI treatment, the stress levels reached caused a significant increase in the levels of Pro and MDA, which were not equal to those detected in FI during the recovery periods, which leads us to assume that potential values below -1.8 MPa would be causing significant oxidative damage with no capacity for subsequent recovery, and probably affecting the final yield.

During the European unification process, they stated the need for drawing up a common energy strategic plan that will affects electricity production system in terms of infrastructure, production and generation. The EU strategic action plans included; reduction in emissions, an increase in renewable energies, energy efficiency. In this light therefore the energy efficiency was booked for researching. This article presents an in-depth study of the challenges in transforming a functioning PMO model to an EPMO model within four electricity companies from different countries within the EU and how those challenges can be address within companies implementing same methodology to bring about electricity production efficiency. Will these identified challenges make it impossible for the companies to achieve electricity production efficiency in the transformation from PMO to EPMO? PMO has been the major methodology used by these companies. To achieve production efficiency, the need for a heavyweight methodology was identified (EPMO) and implemented in four mega electricity producing companies with cross boarder distributions, one from France; Germany; Spain and UK

Physical exercise is the greatest stress on the cardiovascular system, not only in humans but also in all vertebrates. Consequently, the cardiovascular response cannot be thought of as having only one "anthropocentric" interpretation. The modulation of cardiac output (Q) in response to exercise in the five major groups of vertebrates exhibits considerable variability. Moreover, the response of the heart rate (HR) and the stroke volume (SV), the fundamental factors that cause the rise in Q, is also highly variable. The difference in the range of HR is difficult to determine in many vertebrates, both at rest and at maximal effort. Additionally, the increase in SV varies among vertebrates. For example, while rainbow trout and leopards increase their SV by increasing end diastolic volume (EDV), humans do so at the expense of both increasing EDV and reducing end systolic volume (ESV). The variation in arterial pressure that arises during exercise varies notably among vertebrates, such as amphibians, whose blood pressure values do not increase as significantly as in mammals. Such differences in cardiovascular response among vertebrates may be linked to their habitat or living environment. This review aims to analyze the cardiovascular response of vertebrates to physical exercise as the most common stressor.