Dust events characterization from visibility, trends and Dust Adversity Index in the Canary Islands for the period 1980-2022.

Dust events in the Canary Islands have been documented since the late 19th century. However, during the past few years, several severe dust episodes have occurred in the Canary Islands, resulting in significant impacts on various sectors, such as aviation, air quality, and health, among others. These recent severe events have drawn the attention of both scientists and the general population, raising questions about whether these episodes are now more frequent and more severe. This study analyzes 483 dust events recorded in the Canary Islands over the last 40 years. Data analysis reveals that the average number of dust event days per year is approximately 24 days, and these events have an average duration of 1.8 days, both of which show a statistically significant decreasing trend over the series. Seasonal examination indicates that events occurring in the first and fourth quarters of the year have twice the duration of those in the other quarters. Furthermore, on an annual basis, events in the first quarter exhibit negative trends in both average and minimum visibilities. This suggests that dust events in the Canary Islands are becoming shorter in duration but more intense in terms of visibility. In this article, the Dust Adversity Index (DAI) is introduced to objectively compare the severity of events. Finally, anomalies in geopotential have been utilized to determine the prevailing synoptic patterns during dust events. It is evident that the dominant synoptic pattern during the first and fourth quarters of the year consists of a low cut-off system located to the west of the Canary Islands and a high-pressure system to the north of the Iberian Peninsula.

Arrival of radionuclides released by the Fukushima accident to Tenerife (Canary Islands).

Two weeks after the accident at the Fukushima-Daichi nuclear power plant, 131I, 137Cs and 134Cs activities were measured in two different stations located in Tenerife (Canary Islands), situated at 300 (FIMERALL) and 2400 (IZAÑA) m.a.s.l, respectively. Peak measured activity concentrations were: 1.851 mBq/m3 (131I); 0.408 mBq/m3 (137Cs) and 0.382 mBq/m3 (134Cs). The activities measured at the FIMERALL station were always higher than at IZAÑA station, suggesting that the radioactive plume arrived to the island associated with low altitude air masses. Simulations of potential dispersion of the radioactive cloud (137Cs) after the nuclear accident in reactor Fukushima I show that radioactive pollution reached remote regions such as the Canary Islands in the Eastern subtropical North Atlantic. The corresponding effective dose to the local population was 1.17 nSv, a value less than one millionth of the annual limit for the general public. Therefore, there was no risk to public health.

[Magnetic materials in dentistry]. / Materiales magnéticos en odontoestomatología.

In the last 40 years, magnets have been used in dentistry. Initially as anecdotic reports, but recently, after the development of powerful rare earth magnets, new applications of them have arised and offer a clinically proved alternative to mechanical systems. Many experimental and clinical trials have demonstrated their adequate use in prosthetic rehabilitations, partial removable or overdentures, tooth or implant beared, or in other like orthodontics. The authors describe the historical evolution of magnetic systems used in dentistry, their physical and mechanical principles, their attributes as biomaterials and their designs and way of use.

[Achalasia of the cricopharyngeal muscle in the infant]. / Achalasia del músculo cricofaríngeo en el lactante.

Two patients with Cricopharyngeal achalasia have been treated at the Clínica Infantil "La Paz" (Madrid) in the last 20 years. They were one and a half, and four and a half months old at the time of operation. The postoperative period and follow-up has been satisfactory. Clinical symptoms in both of them were cough, cyanosis, regurgitation and aspirative pneumonia. One of them came with the diagnosis of congenital esophageal stenosis, and the other one with the diagnosis of tracheoesophageal fistula. The diagnosis was confirmed by endoscopy and barium-X-ray. Section of the Cricopharyngeus muscle was curative and recovery of the normal function has been complete.