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OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare two routes of administration and different dosages of streptozotocin (STZ) for the pharmacological induction of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in pregnant CD1 females. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 35 female CD1 mice were divided into 5 groups (n = 7). Diabetes mellitus (DM) was induced with STZ by two routes and two doses: 1) Control Group without administration of STZ (CL), 2) Intraperitoneal Group with 200 mg of STZ/Kg of weight (IP200), 3) Intraperitoneal Group with 230 mg of STZ/Kg of weight (IP230), 4) Subcutaneous Group with 200 mg of STZ/Kg of weight (SC200) and 5) Subcutaneous Group with 230 mg of STZ/Kg of weight (SC230). Body weight, food and water intake, glycemia, Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance Index (HOMA-IR), survival, and birth rate were identified. RESULTS: The SC230 group turned out to be the most effective dose and route for the induction of GDM in pregnant females. This scheme managed to reproduce sustained hyperglycemia with high HOMA-IR, the presence of polyphagia, polydipsia, and weight loss. In addition, the birth rate and survival were high compared to the other doses and routes of administration. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of a single dose of 230 mg/kg of weight by subcutaneous route supposes advantages compared to previously used models since it decreases the physiological stress due to manipulation and the costs since it does not require repeated doses or adjuvants such as high lipid diets to potentiate the diabetogenic effect of STZ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Microplastics (MPs) were detected in free drinking water from outdoor urban kiosks. • MPs concentration ranged from 23 ± 11.31 to 202 ± 28.39 L−1. • Fiber-shaped MPs were the most prevalent. • 56% of the MPs identified were between 20 and 200 μm in size. • Cellulose, viscose, and polypropylene made up the majority of the polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The circular economy policy enables the use of waste as an input to generate value repeatedly or at least to have the opportunity to be used a second time to extract valuable substances such as metals, dyes, hydrogen, phosphorus, nitrogen, nutrients, and fertilizers. For this reason, the present paper discusses approaches to valorizing wastewater, communal production, and agricultural wastes. In particular, techniques are considered to valorize biomass, lignin-containing residues, wastewater with a high organic content, sewage sludge, oily sludge, mine tailings, fly ashes, and iron production wastes. The procedures evaluated include biological processes, microbial fuel cells, electrokinetics, electro-demulsification, electrodialysis, and the Fenton process; their rational application promotes the reuse of different chemical and biological compounds to eventually supply some economic sectors with raw materials in a sustainable manner, solve the problem of pollution in the environment, and generate power at the same time. Of particular and emerging interest is the valorization of iron wastes, which serves to obtain low-cost catalysts for wastewater treatment processes. Additionally, the correct characterization of the chemical composition of wastes and determination of their final use allows better results and less time to valorize any wastes considered. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research paper, we discuss systems of conformable linear differential equations. The conformable fundamental exponential matrix has been used to express the solution of the homogeneous and nonhomogeneous systems. The method of variation of parameters has been investigated to find the particular solution of the conformable system of nonhomogeneous linear differential equations. Several illustrative examples have been provided at the end of our study to validate all obtained results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accidental hypothermia (AH) in Mediterranean countries often is underestimated. AH should be suspected in patients also in moderate climates throughout all seasons. Compared with other countries, the mortality rate due to AH in Spain is low, and hypothermia rarely is recognized and treated. The case of a patient who experienced cardiac arrest due to severe AH and was resuscitated for more than six hours using extracorporeal life support recently was published. Herein that case is reviewed, with the anesthetic management during cannulation detailed. In addition, the authors highlight how the application of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation guidelines is different in AH patients, how in-hospital (HOPE score) triage criteria should be applied, and how the establishment of clear standard operating procedures and education strategies should be promoted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • A Cu/Ca molar ratio of 2 allowed achieving 95% CaCO 3 calcination efficiency. • The mixture sorbent/catalyst produced 94% vol. H 2 at 10 bar, 650 °C and S/C = 3. • SMR at 800 °C generated a gas with H 2 /CO molar ratio of 3.5 and cooled the bed. • The calcination/reduction and SMR reactions can be performed in a single step. Abstract The exothermic reduction of the CuO present in a bed of solids (39% wt. CuO, 24.5% wt. CaCO 3 and 1.5% wt. Ni, being the rest inert species for the process) with a fuel gas, generated a pure CO 2 stream once steam was condensed (and free of N 2). In this way, a Cu/Ca molar ratio of approximately 2 in the bed of solids allowed for CaCO 3 calcination efficiencies of around 95% molar basis at the reducing gases break-through. This allowed performing consecutive cycles of the main reaction steps involved in the Ca/Cu H 2 production process. The mixture CaO-based sorbent, reforming catalyst and Cu-based material was able to produce a gas stream with a 94.0% vol. H 2 at 10 bar during the CH 4 sorption enhanced reforming stage. The Cu-based material was oxidized with a highly diluted air stream at 10 bar, reacting in a well defined reaction front. A pure CO 2 gas stream was obtained at reactor exit during the calcination/reduction stage with a fuel gas typical composition of a Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) stage with low steam to carbon molar ratio (S/C). The experimental results indicated that it was possible to cool the bed and to produce a syngas with a H 2 /CO molar ratio of about 3.5 suitable for its use in the calcination/reduction stage, in a SMR stage with low (S/C). It was also possible to perform the calcination/reduction and SMR in one single stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In recent years, due to the increasing concerns about their negative impact on wildlife and possible toxicity to living organisms (including humans), microplastics have become the subject of intense investigations. In the ocean, microplastics can be easily ingested by numerous marine organisms because of their small size (<5 mm). The Northwest African upwelling system is an important fishery area, and the present study is the first one in the region to reveal the presence of microplastic particles in the digestive tract of Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias). From the 120 examined fish gastrointestinal tracts, 78.3% contained some type of microplastics, 74.2% contained fibres, 17.5% plastic fragments, and 16.7% paint. More studies are needed on fish, but S. colias is a candidate for being a good indicator of microplastic contamination in the region. Highlights • Ingestion of microplastics by fish around the Canary Islands was documented for the first time. • Microplastics were found in the digestive tract of 78.4% of the sampled fish. • Fibres comprised 74.2% of the microplastics found. • We hypothesize that high fibres incidence may be related to untreated wastewater discharges. • Scomber colias could be a good indicator of microplastic contamination in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • 1D simulation of the Ca-Cu fixed bed reactors and process integration study. • Economic optimization of the Ca-Cu reactors size and pressure drops through heat exchangers. • Net efficiency 0.5% points higher than benchmark with 89.1% of CO 2 capture efficiency. • ˜5% lower cost of CO 2 avoided cost than the benchmark. Abstract A techno-economic analysis of a natural gas combined cycle integrated with a pre-combustion CO 2 capture process based on the Ca-Cu process has been carried out. An extensive calculation of the balances of the entire power plant has been done, including the results obtained from a 1-D pseudo homogeneous model for the fixed bed reactors that compose the Ca-Cu process. Moreover, a methodology developed by the authors is here presented for calculating the cost of the electricity produced and of the CO 2 avoided. This methodology has been used to perform the economic analysis of the Ca-Cu based power plant and to optimize the size of the Ca-Cu reactors and the pressure drop in critical heat exchangers. An electricity cost of 82.6 €/MWh has been obtained for the Ca-Cu based power plant, which is 2.2 €/MWh below the benchmark power plant based on an Auto Thermal Reformer with an MDEA absorption process for CO 2 capture. The improved performance of the Ca-Cu based power plant in terms of electric efficiency and reduced capital cost expenditure is the reason for the reduced electricity costs. Moreover, a lower cost of CO 2 avoided is also obtained for the Ca-Cu plant with respect to the benchmark (80.75 €/t CO2 vs. 85.38 €/t CO2), which features 89% of CO 2 capture efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Española de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatologia (English Edition) is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: To contribute the design, development, and assessment of a new concept: Micro ad hoc Health Social Networks (uHSN), to create a social-based solution for supporting patients with chronic disease.Design: After in-depth fieldwork and intensive co-design over a 4-year project following Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR), this paper contributes a new paradigm of uHSN, defining two interaction areas (the "backstage", the sphere invisible to the final user, where processes that build services take place; and the "onstage", the visible part that includes the patients and relatives), and describes a new transversal concept, i.e., "network spaces segments," to provide timely interaction among all involved profiles and guaranteeing qualitative relationships. This proposal is applicable to any service design project and to all types of work areas; in the present work, it served as a social-based solution for supporting patients with chronic disease in two real-life health scenarios: a Parkinson disease patient association and a Stroke rehabilitation service in a hospital. These two scenarios included the following main features: thematic (related to the specific disease), private, and secure (only for the patient, relatives, healthcare professional, therapist, carer), with defined specific objectives (around patient support), small size (from tens to hundreds of users), ability to integrate innovative services (e.g., connection to hospital information service or to health sensors), supported by local therapeutic associations, and clustered with preconfigured relationships among users based in network groups.Measurements: Using a mixed qualitative and quantitative approach for 6 months, the performance of the uHSN was assessed in the two environments: a hospital rehabilitation unit working with Stroke patients, and a Parkinson disease association providing physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychological support, speech therapy, and social services. We describe the proposed methods for evaluating the uHSN quantitatively and qualitatively, and how the scientific community can replicate and/or integrate this contribution in its research.Results: The uHSN overcomes the main limitations of traditional HSNs in the main areas recommended in the literature: privacy, security, transparency, system ecology, Quality of Service (QoS), and technology enhancement. The qualitative and quantitative research demonstrated its viability and replicability in four key points: user acceptance, productivity improvement, QoS enhancement, and fostering of social relations. It also meets the expectation of connecting health and social worlds, supporting distance rehabilitation, improving professionals' efficiency, expanding users' social capital, improving information quality and immediacy, and enhancing perceived peer/social/emotional support. The scientific contributions of the present paper are the first step not only in customizing health solutions that empower patients, their families, and healthcare professionals, but also in transferring this new paradigm to other scientific, professional, and social environments to create new opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine debris accumulation was analyzed from three exposed beaches of the Canary Islands (Lambra, Famara and Las Canteras). Large microplastics (1–5 mm), mesoplastics (5–25 mm) and tar pollution were assessed twice a month for a year. There was great spatial and temporal variability in the Canary Island coastal pollution. Seasonal patterns differed at each location, marine debris concentration depended mainly of local-scale wind and wave conditions. The most polluted beach was Lambra, a remote beach infrequently visited. The types of debris found were mainly preproduction resin pellets, plastic fragments and tar, evidencing that pollution was not of local origin, but it cames from the open sea. The levels of pollution were similar to those of highly industrialized and contaminated regions. This study corroborates that the Canary Islands are an area of accumulation of microplastics and tar rafted from the North Atlantic Ocean by the southward flowing Canary Current. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inadvertent human exposure to microplastics by the ingestion of microplastic-contaminated processed foods poses health risks and new preventative issues; nevertheless, investigations analyzing microplastic occurrences in commercially dried fish for direct human consumption are scarce. This study assessed the abundance and characteristics of microplastics in 25 commercially sold dried fish products (4 supermarkets, 3 street vendors, and 18 traditional agri-product farmers' markets) from two widely consumed and commercially important Chirostoma species (C. jordani and C. patzcuaro) in Mexico. Microplastics were detected in all the samples examined, with abundances ranging from 4.00 ± 0.94 to 55.33 ± 9.43 items g−1. C. jordani dried fish samples had higher mean microplastic abundance (15.17 ± 5.90 items g-1) than the C. patzcuaro dried fish samples (7.82 ± 2.90 items g−1); nevertheless, there was no statistically significant difference in microplastic concentrations between the samples. The most prevalent type of microplastic was fiber (67.55%), followed by fragment (29.18%), film (3.00%), and sphere (0.27%). Non-colored microplastics (67.35%) predominated, while microplastic sizes varied from 24 to 1670 μm, with sizes less than 500 μm (84%) being the most common. ATR-FTIR analysis revealed polyester, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene-propylene copolymer, nylon-6 (3), cellophane, and viscose in the dried fish samples. Overall, this study's findings are the first in Latin America to demonstrate microplastic contamination in dried fish for human consumption, underscoring the need for developing countermeasures to prevent plastic pollution in fish-caught regions and reduce the risks of human exposure to these micropollutants. [Display omitted] • Microplastics were prevalent in two commonly consumed dried fish in Mexico City. • Non-colored (67.35%), fibrous (67.55%), and smaller microplastics (<500 μm; 84%) prevailed. • Polyethylene terephthalate, cellophane, viscose, nylon, and polyvinyl alcohol were found. • Microplastic abundances were higher than in previous worldwide studies. • The potential human health risks of ingesting microplastics from dried fish must be studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cuadernos de Psicología del Deporte is the property of Cuadernos de Psicologia del Deporte and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this work, the integration of Calcium looping (CaL) process into a cement plant for post-combustion CO 2 capture is assessed via process simulations. In the proposed scheme, the carbonator of the CaL process is used as an end-of-pipe unit to capture the CO 2 from the cement kiln gas. From the results obtained, it is demonstrated that CO 2 capture efficiencies of the order of 90% are achievable, with CaL reactors operating in conditions not far from those demonstrated for application in power plants. The integration of the tail-end CaL process results in a significant increase of the total fuel consumption (about two to three times higher) compared to the benchmark cement plant without CO 2 capture. On the other hand, the heat from the CaL process can be recovered by a steam cycle producing decarbonized electric power that may exceed the needs of the plant auxiliaries (including the ASU and the CO 2 compression and purification unit), exporting in this way electricity to the grid and so resulting in CO 2 emission credits from a life cycle perspective. The resulting specific primary energy consumption for CO 2 avoided (SPECCA) highly depends on the reference power generation technology considered, and it ranges between 2.7 and 3.7 MJ LHV /kg CO2 in a coal-fired power generation scenario. As for the retrofittability of existing cement plants, the operation of the suspension preheating tower after the implementation of the CaL unit, as well as the position of the CaL carbonator with respect to the raw mill, have been assessed. Based on the results obtained, no critical issues have been found from a technical point of view in the adoption of the tail-end CaL process in existing cement kilns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ca-Looping (CaL) has been demonstrated as a promising technology for CO 2 capture in coal-fired power plants. A promising application is also in cement plants, where the CaO-rich material purged from the CaL process can replace part or all of the raw material used for clinker production. The aim of this work is to investigate two process integration options of the CaL system based on fluidized bed and entrained flow reactors in a clinker burning process. The main advantages, constrains and research questions of the two configurations are discussed, and the mass and energy balances of the whole processes are detailed and analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reconstruction of behavioural patterns performed by non-avian dinosaurs is an important task of palaeontology in order to globally understand how these animals interacted with their environment. Their relation with aquatic lifestyles has always been an intriguing question that has been extensively studied during the last decades, especially focused on some specific groups. The present work describes a new tracksite with 27 swimming tracks located in a fluvial setting from the Lower Cretaceous Urbion Group of La Rioja (Spain). They are preserved as natural casts with sizes between 8.5 and 29.2 cm and a predominant orientation. The tracks have been classified into 6 different morphotypes according to their morphology, and grouped into 5 different categories depending on the different pes-substrate interactions, following the proposal of Romilio et al. (2013). Some tracks were produced while the animal was moving in partial or complete buoyancy, and displacement was conducted by water and sediment impulsion, not just a mere paddling. Other tracks could be impressed in a bottom-walked, when the trackmaker touched the digit tips on the ground vertically or sub-vertically. This new tracksite confirms the capabilities of some groups of non-avian dinosaurs to interact with shallow water environments where they could print their pedes as they moved, either in complete buoyancy or during a displacement with some vertical component in the water column. It also contributes to the better understanding of swimming track morphologies as especially dependent on pes-sediment interaction and environment more than differences in pes configuration itself, causing the high variability of swimming footprints even when they belong to the same trackway. The classification of swimming tracks and footprints into categories dependent on the pes-substrate interaction could be a good guiding principle to avoid problematics about ichnotaxonomical definition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]