Search

Abstract Background Hypothyroidism is the most common endocrine disorder diagnosed in dogs, leading to deleterious effects on a dog’s life quality. This study aims to evaluate changes in the redox status in canine hypothyroidism. For this purpose, a comprehensive panel of antioxidants and oxidants biomarkers were measured in serum and saliva of 23 dogs with hypothyroidism, 21 dogs with non-thyroidal illness, and 16 healthy dogs. Among the antioxidants, cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), thiol, paraoxonase type 1 (PON-1) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were determined in serum and CUPRAC, ferric reducing ability of saliva (FRAS) and TEAC in saliva. The oxidant biomarkers included were total oxidant status (TOS), peroxide-activity (POX-Act), reactive oxygen-derived compounds (d-ROMs), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in serum and AOPP and TBARS in saliva. Results Results showed a significantly higher TEAC, PON-1, GPx, TOS, POX-Act, and d-ROMs, and a significantly lower AOPP in serum of dogs with hypothyroidism. Meanwhile, significantly lower FRAS and AOPP were observed in saliva of dogs with hypothyroidism. Once salivary concentrations were corrected based on their total protein concentrations, the only analyte showing significant changes was TBARS which was significantly higher in dogs with hypothyroidism. Conclusions Our results show that dogs with hypothyroidism present alterations in the redox status in both serum and saliva. This study should be considered a preliminary study and further research addressing these changes should be made using larger populations.

The work presented aims to analyse the feasibility of reusing concrete, once demolished from a building in Tres Cantos in Madrid, to manufacture finishing materials for buildings, as well as to design a procedure. The first phase consists of a bibliographic search on the reuse of materials, analysing the techniques adopted so far and the lines of work. The second phase related to the acquisition of data related to the production and recycling of Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) at a European level. The third phase consists of the study of recycled aggregates resulting from demolitions or landslides, their treatment process. The fourth and final phase consists of the development of a laboratory test plan to evaluate varied materials for finishing exterior cement pavements with concrete from the demolition of the case study building. There were many conclusions and results of the project. The granulometry of the fine fraction of demolished concrete is suitable to produce non-structural products, such as building finishes and in particular non-driveway outdoor flooring. In terms of flexural and compressive strength, the mechanical behaviour of recycled mixes is lower than that of reference mixes. The recycled mixes show slightly higher capillary absorption capacities than the reference mixes, and the value is higher the greater the percentage of recycled aggregates used (a critical issue which can be resolved by pre-saturating the recycled material).

Abstract The discussion of the protocol for drafting a Real Estate Due Diligence (REDD) and its definition has not received the attention in the scientific literature that it deserves, given its importance for thousands of transactions, which have a strong relative presence in the economy and, each time moreover, a strong influence on transnational capital movements. A widely experienced model is provided in the daily practice of professionals in the real estate sector that serves to standardize its performance and to improve the decision-making for which it is written. Resumen La discusión del protocolo de redacción de una Due Diligence Inmobiliaria (DDI) y su definición no ha tenido la atención en la bibliografía científica que merece, dada su importancia para miles de transacciones, que tienen una fuerte presencia relativa en la economía y, cada vez más, una fuerte influencia en los movimientos de capitales transnacionales. Se aporta un modelo ampliamente experimentado en la práctica cotidiana de profesionales del sector inmobiliario que sirve a la normalización de su realización y a la mejora de la toma de decisiones para las que se redacta.

The Almadén mining district is known to be one of the richest mercury areas in the world. Despite the high concentrations of this metal, this territory has well-established vegetation that provides a wide range of mercury-tolerant plants that can be used as ecosystem services. This is the case of some species of Cistus that grow wild and spontaneously as part of the natural flora of Almadén. The objective of this study was to evaluate if there were differences between the absorption and distribution of Hg of five species of the genus Cistus in spontaneous growth and to evaluate their potential application in phytotechnologies. The work has been carried out with plant samples collected under field conditions in the “Fuente del Jardinillo” located in the old mining area of Almadén (Ciudad Real). The experimental plot was divided into three previously characterised subplots to ensure that all the sampled plants had grown in similar soil conditions (pH, organic matter content, EC, CEC, total Hg and available Hg). Additionally, the experiment was carried out in triplicate. The results showed that despite the homogeneity of the soil, the absorption of Hg in the aerial part of the plants showed significant differences related to Cistus species. The values in the bioaccumulation of mercury in the aerial part were also different. Based on the uptake of mercury by the plants sampled in this study, its potential use in phytotechnologies was established, classifying them as phytoextractors (Cistus albidus, C. ladanifer and C. monspeliensis) and phytostabilisers (C. crispus and C. salviifolius).

Migraine is a common, headache disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of headache often associated with nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and phonophobia. Prior to puberty, boys and girls are equally affected. Female preponderance emerges after puberty. Migraine pathophysiology is not fully understood, and although the hormonal effect of estrogen is significant, it is not clear how hormonal phases affect brain excitability and EEG patterns in women with migraine. The objective of this research was to study the effect of migraine on the resting-state EEG activity of women during the luteal phase. This work compares electroencephalographic (EEG) absolute power in different frequency bands and scalp areas between young women who suffer from migraine and had a migraine attack within 24 h prior to EEG recording (experimental) and ten age-matched young healthy women (controls), all with normal menstrual cycles. For women with migraine, we found a significant decrease/increase in alpha power in the occipitoparietal/frontocentral area, significant decrease in beta power for all areas, significant decrease in delta power in the temporal area, and significant decrease in theta power in the frontocentral and occipitoparietal area. We concluded that women with migraine have a distinct electroencephalographic pattern during the luteal phase in comparison with control women. A possible explanation might be an intermittent rhythmic activity linked to pain.

La medición de emisiones de óxido nitroso (N2O) en sistemas ganaderos de la República Dominicana es una prioridad para su gobierno. El N2O ha sido responsable por el 5% del GEI (gas efecto invernadero) total en los últimos 100 años. En la ganadería dominicana se utilizan diversos fertilizantes nitrogenados y enmiendas para aumentar la productividad de estos sistemas. Sin embargo, si estos fertilizantes no son bien manejados pueden generar emisiones de N2O. Por lo tanto, se realizó la investigación con el objetivo de cuantificar las emisiones de N2O provenientes de un forraje de pastoreo con bovinos de leche. Se utilizó una pastura de bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) de Casa de Alto, República Dominicana. Se realizó el estudio durante el periodo junio - agosto de 2018. Se usó un diseño de parcelas sub divididas completamente al azar, con tres factores, cuatro repeticiones y tres tratamientos (orina, urea, y control). Se utilizaron cámaras de PVC de flujo cerrado para la obtención de las muestras de gases y se determinaron las emisiones de N2O. Además, se registraron los factores climáticos, nitrógeno (N) en orina, suelo y pasto y se analizaron los datos con el programa estadístico InfoStat. Las emisiones de N2O fueron en promedio de 0.56 mg L-1 para el control, 1.02 mg L-1 para la orina y 1.18 mg L-1 para la urea. Solo el tratamiento con urea resultó estadísticamente diferente al testigo (P < 0.05). Las emisiones fueron de 5.6, 10.2 y 11.8 kg ha-1 para el testigo, la orina y urea, respectivamente. Siendo las emisiones altas en comparación con los resultados obtenidos en otras investigaciones en el país.

Mine waste constitutes one of the biggest environmental and management problems, both due to its quantity and its danger when they are rich in toxic elements. There is a wide variety of waste from the oxidation of ores in metal mining areas, both metal sulphide and other minerals. These residues may be enriched in potentially toxic elements that can spread and contaminate ecosystems, farmland and villages. This study has focused on the characterization and evaluation of residues derived from metal-bearing mining waste in abandoned mining areas. Mineralogy and geochemical characteristics were determined by XRD, WDXRF and TG-MS techniques. In addition, DIN 38414-S4 leaching tests were carried out to assess the risk and mobility of potentially toxic elements. Silicates and oxides were found as the main mineral groups, followed by sulphates. These tailings were particularly enriched in Zn, Pb, As, Sb and Cd, while their leachates had high or extreme metal content. Consequently, these mining wastes are considered toxic and hazardous, even for landfills. Sulphides, as the primary source, and sulphates from their oxidation, were the main sources of these pollutants. Sulphates, As, Zn, Cd and Cu determined the specific environmental impact of the different tailing types, which were grouped into different clusters according to their mineralogy and geochemistry. These results provided a better understanding of the environmental hazards associated with the different types of metal mining waste in the area studied.

In many physical situations, there appears the problem of reaching a single target that is spatially distributed. Here we analyse how stochastic resetting, also spatially distributed, can be used to improve the search process when the target location is quenched, i.e. it does not evolve in time. More specifically, we consider a model with minimal but sufficient ingredients that allows us to derive analytical results for the relevant physical quantities, such as the first passage time distribution. We focus on the minimisation of the mean first passage time (MFPT) and its fluctuations (standard deviation), which proves to be non-trivial. Our analysis shows that the no-disorder case is singular: for small disorder, the resetting rate distribution that minimises the MFPT leads to diverging fluctuations—which impinge on the practicality of this minimisation. Interestingly, this issue is healed by minimising the fluctuations: the associated resetting rate distribution gives first passage times that are very close to the optimal ones.

Salt efflorescences from metal sulphides and their waste are important drivers of pollution both in and around mining areas. However, little is known about these supergene minerals, particularly in the mining areas of the Mediterranean. This study aims to characterise saline efflorescences and their leachates from a Mediterranean mining area located in Southeast Spain. The physicochemical characteristics were determined using stereomicroscopy and compositional analysis, with the following techniques: XRD, WDXRF and TG-MS. Additionally, to assess the risk and potential mobility of their analytes, the samples were subjected to the leaching test DIN 38414-S4. The results showed that the salt efflorescences presented a wide range of crystalline habits and colours. Sulphates were by far the largest mineral group, followed by silicates, oxides and sulphides. Their geochemistry was dominated by elements such as S or Fe, although other potentially toxic elements such as Cd, As, Zn, Pb, Ni and Cu were also present. Due to their high metal(loid) concentrations, the salt crusts studied may act as sources of environmental contaminants, demonstrating that their leachates pose a considerable risk to soil and drinking water quality. An analysis of the correlations and provenances of the components of the salt efflorescences revealed the possible presence of some rare supergene minerals of great interest, such as cuprocopiapite and Pb-As-jarosite.

Objetivo El presente estudio tuvo como propósito analizar las propiedades psicométricas de la versión española del Índice de Reactividad Interpersonal (IRI) (Pérez-Albéniz et al., 2003) en universitarios, para su adaptación al contexto mexicano. Material y Método. El IRI se aplicó a 729 estudiantes de pregrado de diversas facultades de la Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla. Resultados. Los resultados que indican la adaptación del IRImuestra una adecuada consistencia interna (α = .82), y el análisis confirmatorio corroboró la estructura teórica de cuatro factores, similar a la versión original. Asimismo, se diferencian de género en las dimensiones afectivas, pero no en las cognitivas. Conclusión. El estudio proporciona una adaptación adecuada del IRI para ser utilizado en población mexicana con características similares a los de esta investigación. Sin embargo, se puede ampliar la muestra en otras zonas del país para generalizar su validez en todo el territorio mexicano.

En este trabajo se han estudiado las características en estado fresco de un hormigón autocompactante (HAC) reforzado con fibras de acero (HACRFA). Los resultados obtenidos permiten comprobar que, a pesar del contenido en fibras del hormigón, lo cual contribuye a disminuir de forma importante las características de autocompactabilidad, el hormigón puede definirse como autocompactante con las exigencias de la Instrucción EHE 08. Sin embargo, el HRFA ensayado posee una dosificación de fibras relativamente baja, 0.4% en peso de hormigón, por lo que los resultados obtenidos no pueden extrapolarse a HRFA con contenidos en fibras superiores Abstract In this work the characteristics in the fresh state of a self-compacting concrete (SCC) reinforced with steel fibers (SCCSF) have been studied. The results obtained allow us to verify that, despite the fiber content of the concrete, which contributes to significantly reduce the characteristics of self-compactability, the concrete can be defined as self-compacting with the requirements of Instruction EHE 08. However, the SFC tested It has a relatively low fiber dosage, 0.4% by weight of concrete, so the results obtained cannot be extrapolated to SFC with higher fiber content.

Abstract As a continuation of the previous work “Management of entomofauna in building as indicator of symptoms of pathological states. I- Psocoptera”, it deals with the genus Blaps Fabricius, 1775. It is a genus that is relatively little studied compared to others. The distinction of species is sometimes difficult, being necessary the use of morphology, the study of genitalia and molecular phylogenetic analysis. New species of Blaps are regularly described, even in areas of the world where studies are deeper, as is the case in Spain. The genus Blaps can be used as an indicator of the existence of organic matter in a greater or lesser state of decomposition. Resumen Como continuación del trabajo anterior “Gestión de la Entomofauna en edificación como indicador de síntomas de estados patológicos. I-Psocoptera”, éste se ocupa del género Blaps Fabricius, 1775. Es un género que está relativamente poco estudiado en comparación con otros. La distinción de especies es en ocasiones difícil, siendo necesario el uso de la morfología, el estudio de la genitalia y análisis filogenéticos moleculares. La descripción de nuevas especies se produce regularmente, incluso en zonas del mundo donde los estudios son más profundos, como es el caso de España. El género Blaps puede utilizarse como indicador de la existencia de materia orgánica en un mayor o menor estado de descomposición.

Abstract Organic-inorganic hybrid halide perovskites compounds are emerging as new materials with great potential for efficient solar cells. This paper explores the possibility of increasing their photovoltaic efficiency through sub-bandgap absorption by way of the in gap band (IGB) concept. Thus, we assess the formation of an in gap band as well as its effect on the absorption features of Organic-inorganic hybrid halide perovskites CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPI). For this task, we use density functional theory (DFT) as well as many-body perturbation methods along to spin-orbit coupling (SOC) to study structural, energetic and electronic properties of partially Cr-substituted MAPI perovskites (CH3NH3Pb1−xCrxI3). Our results reveal that Cr replacement does not lead to an important cell distortion, while the energetic of the substitution process evidences the possibility of obtaining Cr-substituted perovskite. The analysis of the electronic structure shows that Cr 3d-orbitals induce new electronic states in the host semiconductor bandgap, which fulfill the requirements to be considered as an IGB. Precise many-body perturbation methods in G 0 W 0 approach provided an accurate description on the electronic structures as well as the position of the IGB. In short, Pb replacement by Cr could be useful for improved absorption features through new sub-bandgap transitions across the in gap band.

Editorial

The present study investigates the effect of an educational program hybridized between the Model of Personal and Social Responsibility (TPSR) and the Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) in physical education classes on the health and psychosocial variables of students, as well as knowing the advantages and disadvantages of its implementation by teachers. The applied program lasted 11 weeks in two Secondary Education centers with a total of four teachers (two in the experimental group and two in the control group) and 99 students (55 from the control group and 44 from the experimental group). We use research methodology Mixed Methods with a quasi-experimental design, where students completed a questionnaire before and after the educational program and teachers were interviewed at the end of the intervention. The results of the questionnaires indicate significant improvements in the experimental group over time in terms of the intention to be physically active, as well as in autonomous motivation, the self-determination index, the index of psychological mediators, personal and social responsibility, and enjoyment. Moreover, the interviews show positive opinions regarding the organizational capacity of the session using this methodology and the interest of teachers in continuing to apply it in the future, as well as the need for initial and ongoing training for proper implementation. In conclusion, the hybridization between the TPSR and TGfU model is presented as an effective alternative to be applied in the educational context with the aim of improving young peoples’ intention to be physically active and psychological variables, such as motivation, responsibility, and enjoyment, in physical education classes.

The presence of arthropods in buildings is a fact that accompanies us since the man began to build. The studies on entomofauna, for the most part, are directed to its characterization and quantification to counteract its presence. This work intends a different utility. It is about taking advantage of the detection of some of these beings to evaluate the possible existence of a pathological state of the property. This will not only require detection, but also the activity or activities that it develops and the different phases present. Knowing the conditions required by the different components of the entomofauna of buildings, in their different activities, it will be possible to deduce the existence of a symptom that reveals the existence of a certain pathological state of the building. Being therefore a way more of knowledge in the pathological study of the built park. Of the groups studied by entomology, in a broad sense of this science, the one that provides the most information is that of insects. This first part of the work will be dedicated to the insects of the order Psocoptera and within this order to those denominated like "lice of the books", that belong to the suborder Psocomorpha, are the genera Lepinotus, Liposcelis and Trogium. Resumen La presencia de artrópodos en los edificios es un hecho que nos acompaña desde que el hombre comenzó a construir. Los estudios sobre entomofauna, en su mayor parte, van dirigidos a su caracterización y cuantificación para contrarrestar su presencia. Este trabajo pretende una utilidad diferente. Se trata de aprovechar la detección de algunos de estos seres para evaluar la posible existencia de un estado patológico del inmueble. Para ello no solo será necesaria la detección, sino también la actividad o actividades que desarrolla y las diferentes fases presentes. Conocidas las condiciones que requieren los diferentes componentes de la entomofauna de los edificios, en sus diferentes actividades, será posible deducir la existencia de un síntoma que revele la existencia de un determinado estado patológico del inmueble. Siendo por lo tanto una vía más de conocimiento en el estudio patológico del parque edificado. De los grupos estudiados por la entomología, en un sentido amplio de esta ciencia, el que más información aporta es el de los insectos. Esta primera parte del trabajo se dedicará a los insectos del orden Psocoptera y dentro de este orden a los denominados como “piojos de los libros”, que pertenecen al suborden Psocomorpha, son los géneros Lepinotus, Liposcelis y Trogium.

This work explores the possibility of increasing the photovoltaic efficiency of InP semiconductors through a hyperdoping process with transition metals (TM = Ti, V, Cr, Mn). To this end, we investigated the crystal structure, electronic band and optical absorption features of TM-hyperdoped InP (TM@InP), with the formula TMxIn1-xP (x = 0.03), by using accurate ab initio electronic structure calculations. The analysis of the electronic structure shows that TM 3d-orbitals induce new states in the host semiconductor bandgap, leading to improved absorption features that cover the whole range of the sunlight spectrum. The best results are obtained for Cr@InP, which is an excellent candidate as an in-gap band (IGB) absorber material. As a result, the sunlight absorption of the material is considerably improved through new sub-bandgap transitions across the IGB. Our results provide a systematic and overall perspective about the effects of transition metal hyperdoping into the exploitation of new semiconductors as potential key materials for photovoltaic applications.

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.

El área minera de Cartagena – La Unión ha sido objeto de una intensa explotación desde hace más de 2.500 años. En época reciente, en la segunda mitad de siglo XIX y primera del siglo XX la actividad minera se realizó mediante galerías subterráneas, pero durante la segunda mitad del siglo XX la explotación se llevó a cabo a cielo abierto, con un importante movimiento de tierras, cifrado en mas de 360 millones de toneladas, de las que 315 corresponden a residuos. En la actualidad, la actividad minera está inactiva, pero existen enormes cantidades de desechos de mineral (pirita, galena y blenda), que por sus características inestables y tamaño de partículas son fácilmente movilizables, tanto por la acción del viento como por las aguas de escorrentía. Los contenidos en metales pesados de estos residuos, especialmente de cinc y plomo, los convierten en posibles contaminantes de la atmósfera y los suelos de las áreas colindantes. Con el presente trabajo se ha pretendido evaluar la cantidad de material movilizado por el viento y el agua, mediante colectores adecuados para ambos agentes erosivos (erosión eólica e hídrica) y determinar la cantidad de metales pesados que son transportados por el viento o arrastrados por las aguas de escorrentía.

Julián de Toledo, compuso el Prognosticum futuri saeculi (el primer tratado sistemático de nouissimis de Occidente) con la intención de fijar la doctrina escatológica guardando estricta fidelidad a las fuentes patrísticas y a las Escrituras. Pero escribió este tratado haciendo una selección de citas, una reconstrucción argumental e incluso una sutil e inconsciente manipulación de sus fuentes, todo ello de acuerdo con su propia mentalidad y la de su época. Como consecuencia, el significado global de las enseñanzas contenidas en el Prognosticum presenta interesantes novedades respecto a los tratadistas de siglos anteriores y proporciona al imaginario cristiano, a la geografía del Más Allá, un nuevo sentido, lo que tendrá una notable influencia en la evolución de la idea del Purgatorio durante la Edad Media.

The analysis of the conceptual categories manifested in the works of Julian of Toledo in regards to the political realities, such as the kingdom and its habitans, shows that these are determined by the eschatological feelings of the autho and his view of History. While the regnum appears as a patrimonial reality bestowed on the monarch by means of the Real Unction ceremony, other terms, such as barbarus or gothus, are now mere anachronisms. The gens is used to differentiate the hispanogothic peoples from their neighbors. However, from our point of view, it is more relevant to pay attention to the response found in the works of Julian. This response defines the habitants of the Kingdom as populus christianus, which, in the general concept of History, substituted the populus iudaicus, with al1 the known important political consequences that brought about.

A detailed examination of the terms used to describe the kingship and its caracteristics reveal the evolution of the concepts related to this subject that has taken place in the ideology of Julian, and also the distinctive feature introduced by the Historia Wambae, example of a particular genre. The Wambana royalty is now considered to be the substitute and heir of the Hebrew Veterotestamentaria Monarchy rather then than legataria of the Imperial authority. Dispersed and practically vanished from sight, except for a few lines of pure erudition, the Historia Wambae should be considered as a creation worthy of imitation, written with a political purpose not as evident as has been traditionally alledged.

Ya desde la primera campaña de excavaciones, se puso de manifiesto la existencia de un poblamiento ibérico en el Cabezo de Roenas (Cehegín-Murcia), caracterizado sobre todo por la presencia de materiales, principalmente cerámicos, típicamente ibéricos. Se constataron asimismo contactos comerciales de esta primitiva cultura indígena con otras, más avanzadas, del ámbito mediterráneo. La problemática que plantea la existencia de esta primera comunidad no es el objeto del presente trabajo. Baste, pues, de momento, la constatación de su existencia1 como sustrato humano fundamental, base del desarrollo histórico posterior. A partir del siglo II a. C., con el establecimiento del poder romano en la Península, se produce un primer gran cambio en las condiciones generales del área. En efecto, el hecho de que la cultura de los conquistadores fuera fundamentalmente urbana provocó que, «a medida que la penetración de las armas romanas iba ampliando el territorio conquistado, se hizo indispensable la organización urbana, ya que era en esas agrupaciones urbanas donde se encontraban los elementos fundamentales de la vida económica, política y cultural2», amén de que la ciudad, entendida al modo romano, constituía el soporte físico adecuado para garantizar la elevación del nivel de vida sociocultural de los habitantes. En efecto. además de constituir un entramado ideal