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We report a joint experimental and theoretical study of the lattice dynamics of cubic Tb2O3. Up to 16 optical Raman‐active modes have been observed with polarized and unpolarized Raman scattering measurements on a high‐quality Tb2O3 single crystal. The measured wavenumbers have been compared with those of other rare‐earth (RE) and related sesquioxides with cubic (C‐type or bixbyite) structure. First‐principles calculations have allowed us to assign the symmetry of the experimentally observed Raman‐active modes. Additional lattice‐dynamical calculations on the related cubic RE sesquioxides Dy2O3, Gd2O3, Eu2O3, and Sm2O3 indicate that the phonon wavenumbers of the Raman‐active modes in these compounds are monotonically reduced with increasing the lattice parameter along the Dy2O3‐Tb2O3‐Gd2O3‐Eu2O3‐Sm2O3 series, thus prompting for a revision of the experimental Raman spectra of some of these compounds (mainly Eu2O3 but also Gd2O3)., This study was supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad under Projects MAT2015‐ 71070‐REDC, MAT2015‐71035‐R, MAT2016‐75586‐C4‐2‐ P/3‐P, and FIS2017‐2017‐83295‐P.

Resistively heated diamond-anvil cells have been used together with synchrotron x-ray diffraction to investigate the phase diagram of calcium up to 50 GPa and 800 K. The phase boundaries between the Ca-I (fcc), Ca-II (bcc), and Ca-III (simple cubic, sc) phases have been determined at these pressure-temperature conditions, and the ambient temperature equation of state has been generated. The equation of state parameters at ambient temperature have been determined from the experimental compression curve of the observed phases by using third-order Birch-Murnaghan and Vinet equations. A thermal equation of state was also determined for Ca-I and Ca-II by combining the room-temperature Birch-Murnaghan equation of state with a Berman-type thermal expansion model., Part of the research was supported by the Spanish Government MINECO under Grants No. MAT2016-75586-C4-1/4P and No. MAT2015-71070-REDC.

The most severe biotic crisis on Earth history occurred during the Permian–Triassic (PT) transition around 252 Ma. Whereas in the marine realm such extinction event is well-constrained, in terrestrial settings it is still poorly known, mainly due to the lack of suitable complete sections. This is utterly the case along the Western Tethys region, located at Pangaea's equator, where terrestrial successions are typically build-up of red beds often characterised by a significant erosive gap at the base of the Triassic strata. Henceforth, documenting potentially complete terrestrial successions along the PT transition becomes fundamental. Here, we document the exceptional Coll de Terrers area from the Catalan Pyrenees (NE Iberian Peninsula), for which a multidisciplinary research is conducted along the PT transition. The red-bed succession, located in a long E-W extended narrow rift system known as Pyrenean Basin, resulted from a continuous sedimentary deposition evolving from meandering (lower Upper Red Unit) to playa-lake/ephemeral lacustrine (upper Upper Red Unit) and again to meandering settings (Buntsandstein facies). Sedimentary continuity is suggested by preliminary cyclostratigraphic analysis that warrants further analysis. Our combined sedimentological, mineralogical and geochemical data infer a humid-semiarid-humid climatic trend across the studied succession. The uppermost Permian strata, deposited under an orbitally controlled monsoonal regime, yields a relatively diverse ichnoassemblage mainly composed of tetrapod footprints and arthropod trace fossils. Such fossils indicate appropriate life conditions and water presence in levels that also display desiccation structures. These levels alternate with barren intervals formed under dry conditions, being thus indicative of strong seasonality. All these features are correlated with those reported elsewhere in Gondwana and Laurasia, and suggest that the Permian–Triassic boundary might be recorded somewhere around the Buntsandstein base. Consequently, Coll de Terrers and the whole Catalan Pyrenees become key regions to investigate in detail the Permian extinction event and the Triassic ecosystems recovery. © 2017 Elsevier B.V., E. Mujal obtained financial support from the PIF grant of the Geology Department at UAB, and from the Erasmus + program of the UAB performed at the Palaeontology Department from the Institut des Sciencies de l'Evolution (Université de Montpellier, France). E. Mujal received funding from the SYNTHESYS Project http://www.synthesys.info/ (FR-TAF-3621, FR-TAF-4808) which is financed by European Community Research Infrastructure Action under the FP7 “Capacities” Program. J. Fortuny acknowledges the support of the postdoc grant “Beatriu de Pinós” 2014 – BP-A 00048 from the Generalitat de Catalunya as well as from the Spanish Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad and the European Regional Development Fund of the European Union (MINECO/FEDER EU, project CGL2014-54373-P). J. Pérez-Cano acknowledges the support from the Spanish Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (FPI grants BES-2016-076469). This work received support from CERCA programme at Institut Català de Paleontologia (ICP) and from the projects “Vertebrats del Permià i el Triàsic de Catalunya i el seu context geològic” and “Evolució dels ecosistemes amb faunes de vertebrats del Permià i el Triàsic de Catalunya” (ref. 2014/100606), based at ICP and financially supported by the Departament de Cultura (Generalitat de Catalunya).

A B S T R A C T Introduction and objectives: To evaluate the use of health care resources and their cost according to the effects of kidney failure in heart failure patients during 2-year follow-up in a population setting. Methods: Observational retrospective study based on a review of medical records. The study included patients 45 years treated for heart failure from 2008 to 2010. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the presence/absence of KF. Main outcome variables were comorbidity, clinical status (functional class, etiology), metabolic syndrome, costs, and new cases of cardiovascular events and kidney failure. The cost model included direct and indirect health care costs. Statistical analysis included multiple regression models. Results: The study recruited 1600 patients (prevalence, 4.0%; mean age 72.4 years; women, 59.7%). Of these patients, 70.1% had hypertension, 47.1% had dyslipidemia, and 36.2% had diabetes mellitus. We analyzed 433 patients (27.1%) with kidney failure and 1167 (72.9%) without kidney failure. Patients with kidney failure were associated with functional class III-IV (54.1% vs 40.8%) and metabolic syndrome (65.3% vs 51.9%, P < .01). The average unit cost was s10 711.40. The corrected cost in the presence of kidney failure was s14 868.20 vs s9364.50 (P = .001). During follow-up, 11.7% patients developed ischemic heart disease, 18.8% developed kidney failure, and 36.1% developed heart failure exacerbation. Conclusions: Comorbidity associated with heart failure is high. The presence of kidney failure increases the use of health resources and leads to higher costs within the National Health System.

In this work, the fabrication and the structural, optical and electrical properties of Al-Tb/SiO2 nanomultilayers have been studied. The nanomultilayers were deposited by means of electron beam evaporation on top of p-type Si substrates. Optical characterization shows a narrow and strong emission in the green spectral range, indicating the optical activation of Tb3+ ions. The electrical characterization revealed conduction limited by the electrode, although trapped-assisted mechanisms can also contribute to transport. The electroluminescence analysis revealed also emission from Tb3+ ions, a promising result to include this material in future optoelectronics applications as integrated light-emitting devices. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim., This work was financially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (TEC2016-76849-C2-1-R and MAT2015-71035-R). O.B. also acknowledges the subprogram “Ayudas para Contratos Predoctorales para la Formaci on de Doctores” from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for economical support.

The new mineral abellaite (IMA 2014-111), ideally NaPb2(CO3)2(OH), is a supergene mineral that was found in one of the galleries of the long-disused Eureka mine, in the southern Pyrenees (Lleida province), Catalonia, Spain. Abellaite is found as sparse coatings on the surface of the primary mineralization, it forms subhedral crystals not larger than 10 mm as well as larger pseudohexagonal platelets up to ∼30 μm. Individual crystals commonly have a tabular to lamellar habit and form fairly disordered aggregates. The mineral is associated with a large number of primary minerals (roscoelite, pyrite, uraninite, coffinite, 'carbon', galena, sphalerite, nickeloan cobaltite, covellite, tennantite and chalcopyrite) and supergene minerals (hydrozincite, aragonite, gordaite, As-rich vanadinite andersonite, čejkaite, malachite and devilline). Abellaite is colourless to white, with a vitreous to nacreous lustre. The mineral is translucent, has a white streak and is non-fluorescent. The aggregates of microcrystals are highly friable. The calculated density using the ideal formula is 5.93 g/cm3. The chemical composition of the mineral (the mean of 10 electron microprobe analyses) is - Na 3.88, Ca 0.29, Pb 72.03, C 4.17, O 19.47 and H 0.17, total 100.00 wt% (H, C and O by stoichiometry assuming the ideal formula). On the basis of 7 O atoms, the empirical formula of abellaite is Na0.96Ca0.04Pb1.98(CO3)2(OH). The simplified formula of the mineral is NaPb2(CO3)2(OH). The mineral is hexagonal, space group P63mc, a = 5.254(2), c = 13.450(5) Å, V= 321.5(2)Å3 and Z = 2. The strongest powder-diffraction lines [d in Å (I) (h k l)] are: 3.193 (100) (0 1 3), 2.627 (84) (1 1 0), 2.275 (29) (0 2 0), 2.242 (65) (0 2 1, 0 0 6), 2.029(95) (0 2 3). Abellaite has a known synthetic analogue, and the crystal structure of the mineral was refined by using crystallographic data of the synthetic phase. The mineral is named in honour of the mineralogist and gemmologist Joan Abella i Creus (b. 1968), who has long studied the deposits of the Eureka mine and who collected the mineral. © 2017 E. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung., The work is partially funded by ERDF-EU Ref. CSIC10-4E-141.

Chert from the limestones and marly limestones of Castelltallat Formation (Ebro Basin) was widely used throughout prehistoric times in north-eastern Iberia to produce stone tools due to its properties and accessibility. A rough estimate indicates that this rock—either as raw material or as lithic products—was distributed mainly to the north of the outcrops, over an area of 6000–8000 km2. However, other rocks in the area have similar characteristics which can lead to confusion in the interpretation of its prehistoric use and distribution. In order to establish useful archaeometric criteria for differentiating this chert from other similar, the Castelltallat chert is characterised in petrographic, mineralogical and geochemical terms. The chert nodules are found to be homogenous at the macroscopic and microscopic level, with a significant presence of bioclasts, thus indicating they might be formed in a freshwater lake environment by the early diagenetic replacement of carbonates in shallow waters. The mineralogical composition is homogeneously uniform and of a flint type, characterised by an almost exclusive predominance of quartz, without any opaline phases, and a variable proportion of moganite. The iron oxide content is very low, whereas its chemical composition is unusually high in uranium which correlates positively with carbonate content and negatively with silica. Archaeometrical parameters are provided to reach a proper identification of tools knapped with this chert. This way, chert from Castelltallat Formation turns out to be a valuable lithological marker to evaluate the range of mobility of the human groups who lived in the north-eastern Iberia and their contacts with neighbouring areas., The fieldwork to obtain rock samples and the analysis of the samples was cofunded by the Direcció General del Patrimoni Cultural de la Generalitat de Catalunya and IMF-CSIC, within the framework of an interinstitutional collaboration agreement for the development of the Catalan Lithotheque of siliceous rocks (LITOcat project). Specific studies on the petrological characterisation of Castelltallat chert and its prehistoric use were carried out within the research project ‘Aprofitament prehistòric i històric del sílex a Catalunya: contextos extractius i de primera transformació’, funded by the Department of Culture of the Government of Catalonia (ref. núm. 2014/100778). The significance of human use and scope of distribution of Castelltallat chert are being approached within the project ‘Productions, technical variability and technological innovation in the Neolithic’, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Grant HAR2016–76534-C2–2-R).

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a prevalent condition mainly related to smoking, which is associated with a substantial economic burden. The purpose was to compare healthcare resource utilization and costs according to smoking status in patients with COPD in routine clinical practice. A retrospective cohort nested case–control study was designed. The cohort was composed of male and female COPD outpatients, 40 years or older, covered by the Badalona Serveis Assistencials (a health provider) health plan. Cases were current smokers with COPD and controls (two per case) were former smokers with COPD (at least 12 months without smoking), matched for age, sex, duration of COPD, and burden of comorbidity. The index date was the last visit recorded in the database, and the analysis was performed retrospectively on healthcare resource utilization data for the 12 months before the index date. A total of 930 COPD records were analyzed: 310 current and 620 former smokers [mean age 69.4 years (84.6 % male)]. Cases had more exacerbations, physician visits of any type, and drug therapies related to COPD were more common. As a consequence, current smokers had higher average annual healthcare costs: €3,784 (1,888) versus €2,302 (2,451), p

Multilayers consisting of silicon nanocrystals (Si NCs) and SiO2 are successfully fabricated by electron beam evaporation, using pure Si and SiO2 targets in an oxygen-rich atmosphere for alternately depositing silicon-rich oxide (SRO) layers and SiO2 barriers, respectively. A post-deposition annealing process is carried out at different temperatures in order to achieve the Si precipitation in the form of nanocrystals. The stoichiometry of the layers is determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, which confirms the controlled silicon oxidation in order to attain SRO layers. Transmission electron microscopy and Raman-scattering measurements confirm the presence of crystalline Si-nanoprecipitates. Photoluminescence spectra from the Si NC samples can be deconvolved into two contributions, whose dynamics suggest that two different luminescent centers are responsible for the optical emission of the samples. © 2019 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim, This work was financially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (TEC2016‐76849‐C2‐1‐R and MAT2015‐71035‐R). O.B. also acknowledges the subprogram “Ayudas para Contratos Predoctorales para la Formación de Doctores” from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for economical support. J.L.F. also acknowledges the subprogram “Ayudas para la Formación de Profesorado Universitario” from the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports for economical support.

To determine compliance, metabolic control, complications and healthcare costs of patients treated with metformin started a second antidiabetic drug in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).Design multicenter observational retrospective. Patients were evaluated ≥30 years (age), treated with metformin and started a second antidiabetic treatment during 2008-2009. There were 4 patient groups (metformin and another antidiabetic): a) dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (IDPP4), b) sulfonylureas, c) glitazones and d) insulin.comorbidity, metabolic control, compliance and complications. Patients were followed for 2 years. The cost model differed direct health costs (primary care / specialist) and indirect (labor productivity).logistic regression models and ANCOVA, p0.05.2067 patients were included (mean age: 66.6 years male: 53.1%). 25.1% started a second treatment with IDPP4; 42.9% sulfonylureas, 14.0% glitazones and 18.0% insulin. At 2 years follow-up, patients treated with IDPP4 showed greater adherence vs. 70.3%. 59.9%, 60.3% and 58.4; better control of 64.3% vs. DM2. 62.6%, 62.8% and 50.5% and a decrease of 13.9% compared to hypoglycaemia 40.4%, 37.6% and 58.9% respectively (p0.001). The average / unit total costs was €2,321 vs. €2,475, €2,724 and €3,164, respectively, p0.001. Rates of cardiovascular events and renal failure were 3.7%, 6.4%, 7.6% and 10.2% respectively.Sulfonylureas were the most commonly used drugs. Patients treated with IDPP4 had higher compliance and control of diabetes, with lower rates of hypoglycaemia and healthcare costs.

Treatment persistence is low in patients with overactive bladder (OAB), but persistence may vary among antimuscarinic agents. This study compared treatment persistence in patients with OAB receiving fesoterodine, solifenacin, or tolterodine as their initial OAB prescription in a routine clinical practice setting. This retrospective study used medical records from primary healthcare centers in three locations in Spain; records from patients aged ≥18 years with a diagnosis of OAB who initiated antimuscarinic treatment for OAB (fesoterodine, tolterodine, or solifenacin) were included. The first prescription of one of the OAB study medications was considered the index date; patients were followed for ≥52 weeks. Persistence was estimated using Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard regression models, adjusting for covariates. A total of 1,971 records of patients (58.3 % women; mean age 70.1 years) initiating treatment with fesoterodine (n = 302), solifenacin (n = 952), or tolterodine (n = 717) were included. Unadjusted mean (±SD) treatment duration was 31.5 ± 17.6 weeks for fesoterodine, 29.9 ± 21.4 for solifenacin and 29.0 ± 21.6 for tolterodine (p = 0.217). At week 52, 35.8 % of fesoterodine-treated patients remained on their initial therapy, versus 31.9 % of solifenacin-treated (hazard ratio [HR], 1.24; 95 % CI, 1.05–1.47; p = 0.011) and 30.9 % of tolterodine-treated (HR = 1.28; 95 % CI, 1.07–1.52; p = 0.006) patients. Findings were consistent when the definition for discontinuation was varied. Overall persistence at week 52 was low, but the cumulative probability of persisting with initial therapy was significantly higher for fesoterodine than for solifenacin or tolterodine in clinical practice in Spain.

Recent investigations have revealed the great potential of Raman spectroscopy for the characterization of clinker minerals and commercial Portland cements. The usefulness of this technique for the identification of anhydrous, hydrated, and carbonated phases in cement-based materials has been demonstrated. In the present work, the application of micro-Raman spectroscopy for the characterization of the main clinker phases of calcium aluminate cements and calcium sulfoaluminate cement is explored. The main stable hydrated phases as well as several important carbonated phases are investigated. Raman measurements on the following phases are reported: (i) pure, unhydrated phases: CA, C12A7, CA2, C2AS, cubic-C 3A, C4AF, and C4A3S̄; (ii) hydrated phases: ettringite, monosulfoaluminate, and hydrogarnet (C 3AH6); (iii) carboaluminate phases: hemicarboaluminate and monocarboaluminate. The present results, which are discussed in terms of the internal vibrational modes of the aluminate, carbonate, and sulfate molecular groups as well as stretching O-H vibrations, show the ability of Raman spectroscopy to identify the main hydrated and unhydrated phases in the aluminate and sulfoaluminate cements. The Raman spectra obtained in this work provide an extended database to the existing data published in the literature. © 2013 The American Ceramic Society., This study was funded by the MINECO (Ministerio de Economıa y Competitividad) through BIA0767-2008 project.

Fundamento y objetivo Determinar la relacion entre la polifarmacia y el control de la presion arterial (PA), el cumplimiento, la persistencia, el coste y la incidencia de episodios cardiovasculares (ECV) en pacientes con hipertension moderada/grave. Pacientes y metodos Diseno observacional-multicentrico de caracter retrospectivo. Se evaluaron pacientes > 30 anos que iniciaron un tercer tratamiento antihipertensivo durante 2004-2006. Segun el numero de medicamentos cronicos, se establecieron 3 grupos: consumo regular de 3-6 farmacos, entre 7-10 y = 11. Principales-medidas: sociodemograficas, comorbilidad, presion arterial, cumplimiento y persistencia. Para cada grupo se determinaron la incidencia de nuevos ECV y los costes totales. El seguimiento se realizo durante 4 anos. Resultados Se evaluaron 1.906 pacientes; 765 tomaban entre 3-6 farmacos; 624 entre 7-10 y 517 = 11 (p < 0,001). La edad media fue de 69,4 anos y el 55,5% eran mujeres. El grupo de 3-6 farmacos mostro mejor control de la PA (51,8 frente a 47,0 y 41,1%; p < 0,001), cumplimiento (71,4 frente a 69,9 y 67,1%; p = 0,017), persistencia (50,1 frente a 45,5 y 46,2%; p = 0,044) y menor incidencia de ECV (12,2 frente a 19,7 y 30,2%; p < 0,001), respectivamente. El promedio/unitario de los costes totales fue de 3.369,1, frente a 4.362,1 y 4.902,3 � (p < 0,001). La presencia de ECV se asocio al incumplimiento terapeutico (odds ratio [OR] 1,9, intervalo deconfianza del 95% [IC 95%] 1,1-3,6) y al bajo control de la PA (OR 1,4, IC 95% 1,1-2,0) (p < 0,05). El uso de antihipertensivos a dosis fijas conlleva mayor cumplimiento (72,8 frente a 68,2%), persistencia (64,4 frente a 39,3%) y grado de control de la PA (52,6 frente a 43,8%) (p < 0,001). Conclusiones La polifarmacia se asocia a menor cumplimiento y persistencia del tratamiento antihipertensivo, con aumento de ECV y costes sanitarios.

To determine the use of resources and economic impact of patients with gout at the population level.Observational design analysing records belonging to 6 primary care centers and 2 hospitals. We included patients' ≥18 years with an acute episode of gout over the years 2003-2007. Patient follow-up was 2 years. It produced two study groups: patients with 1-2 attacks/acute recurrences and 3 or more events. Main variables were: demographic, co-morbidity, metabolic syndrome (MS), and resource use and health/non-health costs.logistic regression-model ANCOVA, P.05.3,130 patients with gout were included. Prevalence: 3.3%, mean age: 55.8 years male: 81.1%. Groups were distributed as follows: 68.4% had 1-2 acute attacks and 31.6% with 3 or more, P.001. The prevalence of MS was 28.8% (confidence interval [CI] 95% CI 27.2 to 30.4%). The average/unit cost was € 2,228.6 (direct costs: 96.9%), 90.8% in primary care (visits: 23.5%; drugs: 57.7%). For groups, the average corrected model/unit total cost per patient was € 2,130.6 vs. € 2,605.4, respectively (P.001). In all cost components, the results were higher in the group with ≥ 3 attacks. The subgroup of diabetic patients (N=641, 20.5%) had a higher cost (€ 3,124.8€ vs. € 1,997.8, P.001).Gout is associated with substantial morbidity, presence of MS and resource consumption. The study provides useful data on the cost of the disease; the costs of outpatient follow up is the highest.

a b s t r a c t Objective: To determine the use of resources and economic impact of patients with gout at the population level. Patients and methods: Observational design analysing records belonging to 6 primary care centers and 2 hospitals. We included patients' ≥18 years with an acute episode of gout over the years 2003-2007. Patient follow-up was 2 years. It produced two study groups: patients with 1-2 attacks/acute recurrences and 3 or more events. Main variables were: demographic, co-morbidity, metabolic syndrome (MS), and resource use and health/non-health costs. Statistical analysis: logistic regression-model ANCOVA, P

The contribution of the central respiratory drive in the hypercapnic respiratory failure of neuromuscular diseases (NMD) is controversial.To compare the CO2 response and the duration of weaning of mechanical ventilation between a group of NMD patients and a group of quadriplegic patients due to ICU-acquired weakness (ICU-AW).We prospectively studied 16 subjects with NMD and 26 subjects with ICU-AW ready for weaning, using the method of the re-inhalation of expired air. We measured the hypercapnic drive response, defined as the ratio of change in airway occlusion pressure 0.1 second after the start of inspiration (ΔP0.1) to the change in Paco2 (ΔPaco2), and the hypercapnic ventilatory response, defined as the ratio of the change in minute ventilation (ΔVe) to ΔPaco2. We considered a value of ≤ 0.19 cm H2O/mm Hg as reduced hypercapnic drive response.Hypercapnic drive response (ΔP0.1/ΔPaco2 = 0.14 ± 0.08 cm H2O/mm Hg vs 0.37 ± 0.27 cm H2O/mm Hg, P = .002) and hypercapnic ventilatory response (ΔVe/ΔPaco2 = 0.21 ± 0.19 L/min/mm Hg vs 0.44 ± 0.40 L/min/mm Hg, P = .02) were lower in the NMD than in the ICU-AW subjects. Duration of weaning values, according to the Kaplan-Meier curves, were similar in both groups (Log-rank = 0.03, P = .96). Eleven NMD (69%) and 9 ICU-AW (35%) subjects had hypercapnic drive response ≤ 0.19 cm H2O/mm Hg. The duration of weaning was longer in subjects with hypercapnic drive response ≤ 0.19 cm H2O/mm Hg (log-rank = 15.4, P.001).Subjects with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure due to NMD had reduced hypercapnic drive response, compared to ICU-AW subjects. The duration of weaning was longer in subjects with reduced hypercapnic drive response.

Antimony trisulfide (Sb2S3), found in nature as the mineral stibnite, has been studied under compression at room temperature from a joint experimental and theoretical perspective. X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering measurements are complemented with ab initio total-energy, lattice-dynamics, and electronic structure calculations. The continuous changes observed in the volume, lattice parameters, axial ratios, bond lengths, and Raman mode frequencies as a function of pressure can be attributed to the different compressibility along the three orthorhombic axes in different pressure ranges, which in turn are related to the different compressibility of several interatomic bond distances in different pressure ranges. The structural and vibrational properties of Sb2S3 under compression are compared and discussed in relation to isostructural Bi2S3 and Sb2Se3. No first-order phase transition has been observed in Sb2S3 up to 25 GPa, in agreement with the stability of the Pnma structure in Bi2S3 and Sb2Se3 previously reported up to 50 GPa. Our measurements and calculations do not show evidence either for a pressure-induced second-order isostructural phase transition or for an electronic topological transition in Sb2S3. © 2016 American Chemical Society., This work has been performed under financial support from Spanish MINECO under Projects MAT2013-46649-C4-2/3-P and MAT2015-71070-REDC. This publication is fruit of “Programa de Valoración y Recursos Conjuntos de I+D+i VLC/CAMPUS” and has been financed by the Spanish Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte, as part of “Programa Campus de Excelencia Internacional” through Projects SP20140701 and SP20140871.

We report a study of the structural, vibrational, and electronic properties of layered monoclinic arsenic telluride (α-As2Te3) at high pressures. Powder X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering measurements up to 17 GPa have been complemented with ab initio total-energy, lattice dynamics, and electronic band structure calculations. Our measurements, which include previously unreported Raman scattering measurements for crystalline α-As2Te3, show that this compound undergoes a reversible phase transition above 14 GPa at room temperature. The monoclinic crystalline structure of α-As2Te3 and its behavior under compression are analyzed by means of the compressibility tensor. Major structural and vibrational changes are observed in the range between 2 and 4 GPa and can be ascribed to the strengthening of interlayer bonds. No evidence of any isostructural phase transition has been observed in α-As2Te3. A comparison with other group 15 sesquichalcogenides allows understanding the structure of α-As2Te3 and its behavior under compression based on the activity of the cation lone electron pair in these compounds. Finally, our electronic band structure calculations show that α-As2Te3 is a semiconductor at 1 atm, which undergoes a trivial semiconducting−metal transition above 4 GPa. The absence of a pressure-induced electronic topological transition in α-As2Te3 is discussed., This work has been performed under financial support from Projects MAT2013-46649-C4-2-P, MAT2013-46649-C4-3-P, MAT2015-71070-REDC, FIS2013-48286-C2-1-P, and FIS2013-48286-C2-2-P of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO), and the Department of Education, Universities and Research of the Basque Government and UPV/EHU (Grant No. IT756-13). This publication is also fruit of “Programa de Valoración y Recursos Conjuntos de I+D+i VLC/CAMPUS” and has been financed by the Spanish Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte as part of “Programa Campus de Excelencia Internacional” through Projects SP20140701 and SP20140871. Finally, authors thank ALBA Light Source for beam allocation at beamline MSPD.

Here, we present a terrestrial multi-proxy record of Late Quaternary environmental changes in the southern Iberian Peninsula covering approximately 30 ka. This sedimentary record originates from a saline playa lake (Laguna de Fuente de Piedra) hosted within a complex geological setting dominated by Triassic claystones and evaporites, Jurassic carbonates and Miocene deposits leading to a complex hydrogeological setting. Dissolution of evaporites in the catchment and intense evaporation are responsible for saline waters fluctuating in the basin. Thus, salinity as palaeohydrological proxy, requires a decoupling of internal and external hydrogeochemical processes. The greatest accumulation of evaporites in the LFP late Pleistocene–Holocene record coincides with a more humid or, at least, less evaporative, period. Based on multi-proxy data we describe five lacustrine lithofacies (2–5), and fluvial deposits (1) from sediment cores. The proposed conceptual lake margin model contains three main lake water stages repeated within the sedimentary succession and building up the characteristic lithofacies. Lake water stages refer to a flooding stage (influx > outflux), high water stage (influx = outflux), and low water stage (influx < outflux). The lithostratigraphy reveals a palaeohydrological record suggesting climate changes and associated lake level fluctuations. Lake level oscillations of different amplitudes have been identified. Low amplitude changes have been revealed for the periods from 28 ka cal BP to 17.5 ka cal BP and from 8.2 ka cal BP to present, whereas in between (17.5 ka cal BP to 8.2 ka cal BP) the Late Pleistocene/Holocene transition shows high amplitude lake level changes. The latter coincides with an increased influence of saline subsurface waters, due to groundwater level rising (sulfate signature). In contrast, the Holocene, records the low amplitude oscillations and a drop of the groundwater levels, which creates a less saline or fresher footprint in the sediments (carbonate signature). Thus, the periods of low amplitude lake level oscillations, low inputs of clastics and low groundwater levels (drier) coincide with periods of minimal seasonal insolation difference. In contrast, the period of higher amplitude lake level oscillations, higher input of clastics and higher groundwater table (wetter) is correlative to periods of maximum difference between summer and winter insolation., This study is a contribution to the Collaborative Research Centre 806“OurWay toEurope”. The project CGL2011-30302-C02-01,financed by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, has provided technical and scientific support to this research.

El objetivo del estudio fue determinar el uso de recursos y costos debidos a fracturas óseas en mujeres españolas mayores de 50 años en un ámbito poblacional. Se realizó un estudio observacional y retrospectivo, en seis centros de atención primaria y dos hospitales urbanos de España. Se registró datos sociodemográficos, de comorbilidad, uso de recursos (consultas médicas en atención primaria, pruebas complementarias, medicación, atención especializada, hospitalizaciones, visitas, urgencias), costos y pérdida de productividad. Se incluyeron los registros de 19 022 mujeres de los cuales el 7% presentó algún tipo de fractura entre el 2003 y 2007. Las fracturas se asociaron mayoritariamente con osteoporosis (OR: 3,2), fibromialgia (OR: 2,4) y alteraciones tiroideas (OR: 2,2). En el modelo corregido, el costo total para las pacientes que tuvieron fractura fue de USD 3727 mientras que en las que no la tuvieron fue USD 2705,5 (p

Financial support from the Spanish Ministry and Innovation (Project MAT2010-16116) and from CSIC (PIE 2009) is acknowl- edged.

Introduction and objectives: Evaluating patient outcomes following cardiac surgery is a means of measuring the quality of that surgery. The present study analyzes survival and the risk factors associated with mid-term mortality of patients undergoing cardiac surgery in Son Dureta University Hospital (Palma, Balearic Islands, Spain). Methods: From November 2002 thru December 2007, 1938 patients underwent interventions. Patients were stratified in 4 age groups. Of 1900 patients discharged from hospital, 1844 were followed until December 31, 2008. Following discharge, we constructed Kaplan-Meier survival curves and performed Cox regression analysis to determine which variables associated with mid-term mortality. Results: In-hospital mortality of the 1,938 patients was 1.96% (CI 95%, 1.36%-2.6%). Survival probability at 1, 3 and 5 years follow-up was 98%, 94% and 90%, respectively. Mean follow-up was 3.2 (0.01-6.06) years. Patients aged 70 years showed a lower survival rate than those aged

Evaluating patient outcomes following cardiac surgery is a means of measuring the quality of that surgery. The present study analyzes survival and the risk factors associated with mid-term mortality of patients undergoing cardiac surgery in Son Dureta University Hospital (Palma, Balearic Islands, Spain).From November 2002 thru December 2007, 1938 patients underwent interventions. Patients were stratified in 4 age groups. Of 1900 patients discharged from hospital, 1844 were followed until December 31, 2008. Following discharge, we constructed Kaplan-Meier survival curves and performed Cox regression analysis to determine which variables associated with mid-term mortality.In-hospital mortality of the 1,938 patients was 1.96% (CI 95%, 1.36%-2.6%). Survival probability at 1, 3 and 5 years follow-up was 98%, 94% and 90%, respectively. Mean follow-up was 3.2 (0.01-6.06) years. Patients aged ≥ 70 years showed a lower survival rate than those aged70 (log rank test, P.0001). At the end of follow-up, mortality was 6.5% (CI 95%, 5.4%-7.7%). Age ≥ 70 years, a history of severe ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction30%), severe pulmonary hypertension, diabetes mellitus, preoperative anemia, postoperative stroke, and hospital stay were independently associated with mid-term mortality.Mid-term survival after discharge was highly satisfactory. Mid-term mortality varied with age and other pre- and postoperative factors.

Low temperature micro-photoluminescence (μ-PL) has been applied to study GaInNAs bulklike layers grown on GaAs substrates with various crystallographic orientations [(100), (111)A, (311)A, (411)A, and (511)A]. At low excitation conditions, the μ-PL spectra show sharp PL lines of ∼100-300 μeV widths. The density of these lines changes from sample to sample as well as from place to place within one sample. When the excitation power is increased, an additional smooth PL band appears at the higher-energy side. This band is located ∼30-100 meV above the band of sharp PL lines and is attributed to free exciton/carrier recombination. The sharp PL lines are attributed to the recombination of localized excitons trapped at local potential minima. These lines are not resolved in macro-PL spectra because of their high density. (© 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

ZnO nanowires (NWs) have been grown using the Chemical-Vapor-Deposition (CVD) method on two different substrates, SiO2 and Al2O3. Striking differences have been observed between products. First, while only (0001) oriented NWs are found in SiO2 grown samples, m plane-oriented nanostructures have been observed for alumina substrates. Second, Au catalytic interdiffusion is evidenced in NWs grown on SiO2, whereas for the NWs grown on alumina the Au catalytic remains at the tip. The origin of the differences in morphology and catalytic location is discussed, with the help of detailed Transmission Electron Microscopy analyses, in terms of growth mechanisms and segregation of the Au particle influenced by the substrate nature and crystallinity. Finally, we show the consequences of such effects in the photoresponse of nano-detectors based on the studied nanowires.

Hypoxic hepatitis may be induced by hemodynamic instability or arterial hypoxemia in critically ill patients. We investigated the incidence, etiology, association with systemic ischemic injury and risk factors for mortality in this population. Retrospective analysis of patients with hypoxic hepatitis admitted to a multidisciplinary intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital. Hypoxic hepatitis was defined as the existence of a compatible clinical setting (cardiocirculatory failure or arterial hypoxemia) and aminotransferase levels higher than 1000 IU/L. During the 8-year study period, 182 out of the 7674 patients admitted presented hypoxic hepatitis (2.4%). The most common cause was septic shock. The rate of in-hospital mortality in hypoxic hepatitis was 61.5% (112 patients), and was higher in patients with septic shock (83.3%) and cardiac arrest (77.7%). Ischemic pancreatitis (25.6%), rhabdomyolysis (41.2%) and renal failure (67.2%) were common in these patients. Risk factors of mortality were prolonged INR (p = 0.005), need for renal replacement therapy (p = 0.001) and septic shock (p = 0.005). Hypoxic hepatitis was not a rare condition, and was frequently accompanied by multiorgan injury, with high mortality. Risk factors for increased mortality were prolonged INR, need for renal replacement therapy, and septic shock.

The importance of thin films in modern high technology products, such as semiconductors, requires fast and non-destructive analysis. A methodology to determine the thickness of single layers with benchtop energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) instrumentation is described and tested following analytical validation criteria. The experimental work was carried out on gallium nitride thin films epitaxially grown on sapphire substrate. The results of samples with layers in the range from 400 to 1000 nm exhibit a good correlation with the layer thickness determined by optical reflectance. Spectral data obtained using thin layered samples indicate the possibility to precisely evaluate layer thickness from 5 nm, with a low relative standard deviation (RSD

Objetivo El tratamiento con corticoides a dosis bajas (LDST) en los pacientes con shock septico tratados con soporte vasoactivo se ha asociado a una disminucion del tiempo de shock. Los pacientes con cortisol basal disminuido o con respuesta anormal a la estimulacion suprarrenal deberian tener un mayor beneficio con los LDST, por lo que hemos estudiado la respuesta hemodinamica precoz en pacientes con shock septico tratados o no con LDST. Diseno Estudio retrospectivo. Ambito Unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) en un hospital universitario de tercer nivel. Pacientes Estudiamos a 96 pacientes ingresado en la UCI, distribuidos en dos grupos de 48 pacientes segun hubieran recibido corticoids (grupo A) o no (grupo B), apareados segun los valores de cortisol basal y los requerimientos de noradrenalina. Intervenciones A todos los pacientes, se realizo un test de estimulacion suprarrenal con 250 μg de corticotrofina en las primeras 72 h del inicio del shock. Variables principales de interes Cortisol basal, incremento de cortisol, cortisol maximo, reduccion de la dosis de noradrenalina, duracion del shock. Resultados Ambos grupos fueron comparables. Las cifras de cortisol basal antes del test de estimulacion suprarrenal y el cortisol maximo fueron similares en ambos grupos. No hubo diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos en la dosis de noradrenalina antes y a las 24 h tras la estimulacion suprarrenal. La reduccion en la dosis de noradrenalina a las 24 h no se correlaciono con las cifras de cortisol basal ni con la respuesta a la estimulacion suprarrenal. Conclusiones El tratamiento con LDST no se asocio a una mejoria hemodinamica a las 24 h, independientemente de las cifras de cortisol basal y de la respuesta a la estimulacion suprarrenal.

Objetivos Identificar los efectos de un protocolo de aplicacion secuenciado de dos tecnicas manuals de tejidos blandos en puntos gatillo latentes miofasciales (PGLM) de los maseteros. Material y metodo La muestra esta formada por 57 sujetos de ambos sexos con edades comprendidas entre 18 y 50 anos. Se los dividio en tres grupos mediante aleatorizacion simple: grupo control (n = 19), a los que se aplico una tecnica placebo; grupo TNM (tecnica neuromuscular, n = 17) y grupo de Jones (tecnica strain/counterstrain, n = 21). Todos ellos realizaron 3 sesiones con una frecuencia de 1 sesion por semana, valorando antes y despues de cada intervencion las siguientes variables: dolor a la presion mediante algometro en el PGLM del masetero en disfuncion, dolor a la presion utilizando un algometro con una carga prefijada de 2,5 kg/cm2 en el PGLM del masetero en disfuncion y apertura bucal activa. Todas las evaluaciones fueron realizadas por un investigador que desconocia el grupo de estudio de cada sujeto. En el analisis descriptivo se empleo la media y la desviacion tipica en variables cuantitativas, asi como las frecuencias en variables cualitativas. En los analisis inferenciales se utilizaron la prueba de ajuste de Kolmogorov-Smirnov, la de la t de Student para muestras independientes, la de la χ2 y ANOVA de medidas repetidas (factor intrasujeto, tiempo; factor entre sujetos, grupo). Resultados Los valores antes de la intervencion (edad, sexo, escala visual analogica [EVA], algometria de presion y apertura de la boca) no mostraron diferencias estadisticamente significativas entre los tres grupos, y las variables cuantitativas tenian una distribucion normal. El analisis comparativo multiple y el apareado de las variables cuantitativas antes y despues de la intervencion durante las tres sesiones (factor intrasujeto tiempo con seis valores) han mostrado diferencias estadisticas en las tres ariables resultado evaluadas entre los tres grupos. Sin embargo, en el analisis apareado por grupos, el dolor a la presion no mostro diferencias estadisticamente significativas entre los grupos TNM y Jones. El dolor por EVA por pares no mostro diferencias significativas entre ninguna de las combinaciones intergrupales. Por ultimo, la apertura de la boca solo mostro diferencias entre los grupos control y Jones (p = 0,02), y no aparecio en el grupo TNM con ninguno de los otros dos. Conclusiones La tecnica de Jones y la TNM son efectivas en el tratamiento de los PGLM de los maseteros evaluada a traves de algometria de presion y la apertura.

Endocrine disturbances are common after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response in TBI patients may be related with hemodynamic status. However, its relationship with outcome is unclear. Our objective was to evaluate HPA axis response in the acute phase after TBI in patients with or without extracerebral trauma (ECT), and to investigate the impact of systemic injury and the mechanisms underlying HPA response.We prospectively studied 165 patients with moderate to severe TBI. Between 24 and 48 h after TBI, blood samples were taken for plasma adrenocorticotrophin hormone (ACTH) and baseline cortisol measurements. Afterwards, a short corticotrophin hormone test (250 mug Synacthen) was performed and samples were obtained at 30 and 60 min. We compared HPA response in TBI patients presenting with and without ECT and investigate potential mechanisms underlying this response.One hundred and eight patients presented with isolated TBI, whereas 57 patients presented associated ECT. Both groups were comparable. Overall, 23.6% of patients fulfilled adrenal insufficiency (AI) criteria. Patients with plasma ACTH9 pg/ml and patients presenting with hemorrhagic shock were more likely to present adrenal impairment. Variables associated with mortality were Injury Severity Score, Glasgow Coma Scale, Traumatic Coma Data Bank classification different than type II, need of second level measures to control intracranial pressure and plasma ACTH9 pg/ml.Patients with TBI presenting with or without associated ECT present similar acute HPA response. AI is present in 23.6% of patients. Risk is increased in patients with low plasma ACTH levels and in patients with hemorrhagic shock. Both primary and secondary mechanisms of HPA failure were found. However, AI did not affect outcome.

Objective We evaluated the expression of Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 (TLR-2 and TLR-4) in circulating monocytes from peripheral blood of critical care patients treated with and without glutamine. Because no research has been published to date on the effect of glutamine on TLR receptors in critical patients, it was determined in an initial sample of 30 patients. Methods This was a prospective, randomized, single-blind study with 15 patients assigned to receive parenteral nutrition with a daily glutamine supplement of 0.35 g/kg. The control group received isocaloric-isonitrogenous parenteral nutrition. Blood samples were extracted before beginning the treatment and at 5 and 14 d. Expressions of CD14, TLR-2, and TLR-4 were determined by flow cytometry. Levels of TLRs were expressed as mean fluorescence intensity (mfi). Results Basal characteristics were similar in both groups. The expressions of TLR-2 in the treatment group with glutamine were 4.67 ± 3.82 mfi before treatment, 3.91 ± 2.04 mfi at 5 d, and 4.28 ± 2.47 mfi at 14 d. The expressions of TLR-2 in the control group were 5.49 ± 3.20 mfi before treatment, 4.48 ± 2.15 mfi at 5 d, and 4.36 ± 2.36 mfi at 14 d. The expressions of TLR-4 in the treatment group were 1.65 ± 1.89 mfi before treatment, 1.23 ± 1.10 mfi at 5 d, and 1.77 ± 1.97 at 14 d. The expressions of TLR-4 in the control group were 1.51 ± 1.76 mfi before treatment, 1.36 ± 0.99 mfi at 5 d, and 1.26 ± 0.59 mfi at 14 d. Infections were detected in 11 patients who received glutamine and 13 control patients (P = 0.51). Conclusion In critical care patients, parenteral nutrition supplemented with glutamine does not increase the expression of TLR-2 or TLR-4 in peripheral blood monocytes.

We have used Raman scattering to investigate a series of undoped and As-doped GaN epilayers grown on sapphire substrates by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy with different Ga-to-N ratios. We find that the frequency of the E2h phonon mode of GaN is very sensitive to the Ga-to-N ratio used to grow both types of samples, which may be attributed to strain effects arising from the different growth conditions. We observe Raman signatures corresponding to the formation of submicron cubic domains in some of the spectra of the As-doped samples. We discuss the origin of a broad band located at 232 cm−1 that appears in both the undoped and the As-doped epilayers. We speculate that this band, reported in previous Raman studies on As-doped and Bi-doped GaN, may be attributed to the formation of Ga clusters.

We have used photoreflectance (PR) and photoluminescence (PL) measurements to characterize the optical properties of a series of strained In x Ga 1 - x As 1 - y N y thin films ( x ∼ 20 % , y ∼ 3 % ) grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) on different GaAs substrates with the following surface orientations: (1 0 0), (5 1 1)A, (4 1 1)A, (3 1 1)A, and (1 1 1)A. The aim of our work is to investigate the effect of substrate orientation on the optical emission of ( In , Ga ) ( As , N ) . Our results indicate that the growth direction affects the crystal quality, the N incorporation, and the optical properties of the films.

Background Refractory intracranial hypertension (ICH) to second level measures after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with mortality up to 84% to 100%. The use of external lumbar drainage (ELD) has been described in these patients. We report our experience with the use of ELD in 17 cases of refractory ICH after severe TBI. Methods In our Level 3 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at a university hospital, ICH is treated according to a progressive approach following the Brain Trauma Foundation guidelines. When second level measures fail to control ICH, we use an ELD as a rescue therapy if basal cisterns are discernible. Outcome at ICU discharge and 6 months after injury were analyzed using Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Results Mean age was 32.5 +/- 13.3 years. ICH was reduced in all patients. ICP before ELD was 30.9 +/- 7.9 mm Hg and after ELD 14.1 +/- 5.9 mm Hg. Four patients (24%) had an ICH rebound after 5 days of ELD placement and died in the ICU. At 6 months after TBI, 13 patients (76%) presented a good outcome (GOS score of 4 and 5). No patient presented pupillary changes or cerebrospinal fluid infection during ELD use. Conclusion External lumbar drainage is an effective and safe procedure to treat refractory ICH when basal cisterns are discernible. Control of refractory ICH with ELD is associated with an important reduction of mortality and a good functional recovery at 6 months.

We investigate the optical properties of high-quality Si nanocrystals $(\mathrm{NCs})/\mathrm{Si}{\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ multilayers under high hydrostatic pressure with Raman scattering and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. The aim of our study is to shed light on the origin of the optical emission of the Si $\mathrm{NCs}/\mathrm{Si}{\mathrm{O}}_{2}$. The Si NCs were produced by chemical-vapor deposition of Si-rich oxynitride $(\mathrm{SRON})/\mathrm{Si}{\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ multilayers with 5- and 4-nm SRON layer thicknesses on fused silica substrates and subsequent annealing at 1150 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C, which resulted in the precipitation of Si NCs with an average size of 4.1 and 3.3 nm, respectively. From the pressure dependence of the Raman spectra we extract a phonon pressure coefficient of $8.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{c}{\mathrm{m}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}/\mathrm{GPa}$ in both samples, notably higher than that of bulk $\mathrm{Si}\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}(5.1\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{c}{\mathrm{m}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}/\mathrm{GPa})$. This result is ascribed to a strong pressure amplification effect due to the larger compressibility of the $\mathrm{Si}{\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ matrix. In turn, the PL spectra exhibit two markedly different contributions: a higher-energy band that redshifts with pressure, and a lower-energy band which barely depends on pressure and which can be attributed to defect-related emission. The pressure coefficients of the higher-energy contribution are $(\ensuremath{-}27\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}6)$ and $(\ensuremath{-}35\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}8)\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{meV}/\mathrm{GPa}$ for the Si NCs with a size of 4.1 and 3.3 nm, respectively. These values are sizably higher than those of bulk $\mathrm{Si}\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}(\ensuremath{-}14\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{meV}/\mathrm{GPa})$. When the pressure amplification effect observed by Raman scattering is incorporated into the analysis of the PL spectra, it can be concluded that the pressure behavior of the high-energy PL band is consistent with that of the indirect transition of Si and, therefore, with the quantum-confined model for the emission of the Si NCs.

Goals To evaluate the prevalence of lower gastrointestinal tract paralysis and to compare the success to achieve defecation between treatment and prophylaxis strategies. Background Laxatives use is commonly the first-level measure to achieve defecation in critically ill patients with lower gastrointestinal tract paralysis. Studies comparing prophylaxis versus treatment of lower gastrointestinal tract paralysis have not been performed yet. Study We designed 3 sequential phases of 4 months each: observational phase, treatment phase, and prophylaxis phase. First-level measure was intermittent polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000 by nasogastric tube. Second-level measures were enema, neostigmine, and continuous PEG. Primary endpoints were the prevalence of constipation for the observational phase and the number of patients that failed to achieve defecation with first-level measures for the treatment and prophylaxis phases. Results Paralysis of lower gastrointestinal tract in the observational phase was found in 57 of 63 patients (90.5%). Failure to achieve defecation with the first-level measure occurred in 16 of 64 patients (25%) in the treatment phase and in 6 of 70 patients (8.6%) in the prophylaxis phase (P=0.01). Eighteen measures of second level were applied in the treatment phase and 6 in the prophylaxis phase. Conclusions Paralysis of the lower gastrointestinal tract in mechanically ventilated ICU patients is common. PEG given as prophylaxis on the first day after mechanical ventilation is associated with faster resolution of paralysis of gastrointestinal tract than PEG given as a treatment on day 4.

We present resonant UV Raman-scattering measurements on GaN epilayers implanted to different doses of Be+ ions. The Raman spectra are dominated by outgoing multiphonon resonant Raman lines, the intensity of which is very sensitive to the implantation dose. We discuss the criteria, based on the intensities and widths of the observed lines, which allow one to assess the crystal quality of the implanted samples.

We study the transport properties of molecular beam epitaxial Ga 1 - x - y Mn x Cr y As films with x = 3 % and y = 0 , 0.5 and 7%. We find that the hole concentration decreases with increasing Cr content, which can be attributed to increasing hole localisation in the Cr 3 + / Cr 4 + impurity band. Our data indicate that carrier hopping or tunnelling are the main conduction mechanisms in the samples. We find no evidence of ferromagnetic ordering in the films co-doped with Mn and Cr.

We use cathodoluminescence and Raman spectroscopy to investigate GaN layers grown by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy with different Bi fluxes. We find that the growth of GaN with an additional Bi flux favours the formation of submicron cubic domains, which results in layers with reduced crystalline quality and lower luminescence emission. We detect a Bi-related Raman feature at low frequencies that we tentatively assign to local Bi modes in GaN, which indicates that a fraction of Bi atoms incorporates into the GaN lattice. © 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

In recent years, intracranial aneurysms that cause subarachnoid hemorrhage have been treated by an endovascular approach. The use of endovascular Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs) has improved the radiologic and neurologic outcome of these patients, reaching results similar to those of craniotomy. 1 This technique implies certain risks that are decreasing because of the development of new delivery systems and softer GDCs and the increasing experience of neuroradiologists. 2 Displacement of coils is not an uncommon complication after endovascular embolization of cerebral aneurysms.3 Transcranial color-coded sonography (TCCS) is a noninvasive reliable bedside technique that allows an anatomic and hemodynamic follow up after embolization of aneurysms. 4 , 5 We report the case of a patient in which a displacement of the coil occurred after GDC treatment of a cerebral aneurysm. A segment of the coil invaded the cerebral vessel, causing a partial blockage of blood flow. This complication was correctly diagnosed by TCCS, permitting a posterior endovascular solution.

We use a combination of magneto-tunnelling and photocurrent spectroscopy techniques to explore the admixing of the extended GaAs conduction band states with the localized N impurity states in dilute GaAs1−yNy quantum wells (QWs) with y 0.08%) the resonances are smeared out and the measured currents are much smaller. This is attributed to the disorder in the QW and carrier trapping on localized N levels, which break the momentum conservation condition required for observing sharp resonances in I(V). The current resonances can be partially recovered by optical excitation due to the effect on the current of photocreated holes that recombine with majority electrons tunnelling in resonant states of the QW. This photoinduced current enhancement depends on the optical absorption of the GaAs1−yNy QW and provides a means of measuring the energy position of the valence to E− subband transition at various y-values. Our study indicates that although the E− subband states are significantly energy broadened due to disorder effects, their energy position is well described by a band anticrossing model.

We use a combination of magneto-tunnelling and photoluminescence spectroscopy techniques to explore the admixing of the extended GaAs conduction band states with the localised N-impurity states in dilute GaAs 1 - y N y quantum wells (QWs) incorporated in resonant tunnelling diodes. When y is increased from 0% to 0.08%, the current resonance due to electrons tunnelling through the lowest quasi-bound state of the QW splits into two main features due to electron tunnelling into the N-induced E - and E + hybridised subbands of the GaAs 1 - y N y layer. These subbands have a very well-defined character even for a small N-content (∼0.08%) and have non-parabolic energy-momentum dispersions. A further increase of y smears out the resonances and quenches the current due to electron trapping on strongly localised N-levels.

We have studied the wavevector dispersion of the L+ coupled mode in n-type In0.53Ga0.47As by means of Raman scattering using several excitation wavelengths in the range between 457.9 and 720 nm. The optical properties of In0.53Ga0.47As in the range of excitation energies used are strongly affected by the presence of the E1 and E1+Δ1 critical points, and set an upper limit to the wavevector that can be probed by decreasing the excitation wavelength in Raman scattering experiments. The Raman scattering results are analysed using a Lindhard–Mermin model, and it is found that optical absorption strongly affects the coupled-mode Raman peaks excited with the more energetic lines.

Mg+ is the most suitable ion to produce p-type InP layers by means of ion-beam implantation. We present a Raman-scattering study of lattice recovery by rapid thermal annealing on InP implanted with Mg+ at 80 keV, with a dose of 1014 cm−2. Rapid thermal annealings for 10 s at different temperatures between 300°C and 875°C were carried out to study the effect of annealing temperature in the recovery of the InP lattice and on implant activation.

Optical techniques can provide nondestructive, contactless determinations of free-charge density in doped semiconductors. We discuss the use of photoluminescence spectra to evaluate the free-charge density of doped semiconductor layers obtained by ion-beam implantation. A photoluminescence line-shape model that includes the conduction band nonparabolicity, band-tailing and band-gap narrowing effects is presented. The model is applied to Si+-implanted InP samples with electron densities in the 5×1016–5×1018cm−3 range.

We have carried out a systematic evaluation of the accuracy of the charge density values obtained by fitting a modified hydrodynamical model to Raman spectra. The hydrodynamical model has been extended to provide a more accurate evaluation of wave vector dependence, conduction band nonparabolicity and free carrier thermal distribution effects through an energy dependent effective mass, so that it can be applied to a wide range of carrier densities. We have used this extended model to fit the coupled-mode Raman spectra obtained from a series of n-InP samples with electron densities in the 10 17 -10 19 cm -3 range, and the carrier density values obtained follow closely the results of the more elaborate Lindhard-Mermin model over the whole density range.