Effects of Deposition Temperature and Working Pressure on the Thermal and Nanomechanical Performances of Stoichiometric Cu3N: An Adaptable Material for Photovoltaic Applications.

The pursuit of efficient, profitable, and ecofriendly materials has defined solar cell research from its inception to today. Some materials, such as copper nitride (Cu3N), show great promise for promoting sustainable solar technologies. This study employed reactive radio-frequency magnetron sputtering using a pure nitrogen environment to fabricate quality Cu3N thin films to evaluate how both temperature and gas working pressure affect their solar absorption capabilities. Several characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nanoindentation, and photothermal deflection spectroscopy (PDS), were used to determine the main properties of the thin films. The results indicated that, at room temperature, it is possible to obtain a material that is close to stoichiometric Cu3N material (Cu/N ratio ≈ 3) with (100) preferred orientation, which was lost as the substrate temperature increases, demonstrating a clear influence of this parameter on the film structure attributed to nitrogen re-emission at higher temperatures. Raman microscopy confirmed the formation of Cu-N bonds within the 628-637 cm-1 range. In addition, the temperature and the working pressure significantly also influence the film hardness and the grain size, affecting the elastic modulus. Finally, the optical properties revealed suitable properties at lower temperatures, including bandgap values, refractive index, and Urbach energy. These findings underscore the potential of Cu3N thin films in solar energy due to their advantageous properties and resilience against defects. This research paves the way for future advancements in efficient and sustainable solar technologies.

Spectrally broad plasmonic absorption in Ga and In nanoparticle hybrids.

In this work, we use Joule-effect thermal evaporation to produce hybrid structures made of Ga and In nanoparticles (NPs) on Si (100) substrates. Taking advantage of the protective oxide shell, In NPs can be used as a template for a second deposition step without structural changes, enabling the hybridization of NPs of materials. These complex structures of mixed NPs present a spectrally broad plasmonic absorption that can be optically tuned with a wide range of photon energies from UV to IR regions with a full width at half maximum range of ∼400 to 800 nm. The results suggest that the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of the hybrid NPs is mainly due to the plasmonic coupling of the in-plane modes. Furthermore, different scenarios studied by discrete dipole approximation simulations show that the interconnection between NPs is extremely sensitive to the size and the local arrangement of the nanostructures. This kind of broadening and tunable LSPR may have interest for energy transfer applications, biosensing platforms and solar cells.

Size-selective breaking of the core-shell structure of gallium nanoparticles.

Core-shell gallium nanoparticles (Ga NPs) have recently been proposed as an ultraviolet plasmonic material for different applications but only at room temperature. Here, the thermal stability as a function of the size of the NPs is reported over a wide range of temperatures. We analyze the chemical and structural properties of the oxide shell by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. We demonstrate the inverse dependence of the shell breaking temperature with the size of the NPs. Spectroscopic ellipsometry is used for tracking the rupture and its mechanism is systematically investigated by scanning electron microscopy, grazing incidence x-ray diffraction and cathodoluminescence. Taking advantage of the thermal stability of the NPs, we perform complete oxidations that lead to homogenous gallium oxide NPs. Thus, this study set the physical limits of Ga NPs to last at high temperatures, and opens up the possibility to achieve totally oxidized NPs while keeping their sphericity.

Respuesta fisiológica en competición simulada de lucha canaria / Physiological responses in a simulated canarian wrestling contest

La Lucha Canaria (LC) ha sido recientemente reconocida como deporte por el Consejo Superior de Deportes, aunque su origen se pierde en el tiempo. Sin embargo, no hay ningún trabajo en la bibliografía científica que describa qué ocurre fisiológicamente durante la competición en esta modalidad de lucha, y éste es el objetivo del presente trabajo. Con una muestra de 12 luchadores de alto nivel (puntales) simulamos el sistema de competición actual en Lucha Canaria. Se estudió la frecuencia cardiaca, la tensión arterial y la concentración de lactato en sangre en diferentes momentos de la simulación. Los patrones observados de respuesta de FC, TA y lactato, caracterizan a la competición en LC como un ejercicio intermitente, con picos de intensidad que superan el umbral láctico y determinan incrementos importantes de FC y TA sistólica. Este estudio es el primero en que se valora la respuesta fisiológica del luchador canario en competición (AU)

The aim of this article is to describe what happens from a physiological point of view in a Canarian Wrestling (CW) contest. The Spanish National Sports Council recognized CanarianWrestling as a sport on June 1st, 2009, although its origin is not very well documented. No scientific article exists in the scientific literature to describe what happens physiologically during a CW contest. Twelve high level wrestlers were recruited to simulate a CW match. The study involved data about heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP) and blood lactate levels (L) at different moments of the combat. The conclusions of the data observed concerning HR, BP and L classify Canarian Wrestling as an intermittent exercise, with intensity peaks that exceed the lactic threshold and high levels of HR and systolic BP. This is the first paper in which the physiological responses in a Canarian Wrestling competition are reported (AU)

Patología infecciosa importada en hospitales terciarios / Imported infectious diseases in tertiary hospital

INTRODUCCIÓN: En el ańo 2009 se crea en nuestro centro una Consulta de Patología Importada. El objetivo de este trabajo es conocer su aportación en cuanto a capacidad, calidad asistencial y docencia ofrecida. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo entre 2009 y 2011 donde se analizan: a) desarrollo del conocimiento mediante la valoración de protocolos y publicaciones realizadas, así como la docencia impartida; y b) capacidad y calidad asistencial ofrecida mediante el análisis de los pacientes atendidos, la adecuación a los protocolos y la accesibilidad a la consulta. Se clasifican los pacientes atendidos en 3 grupos: grupo 1 cribado del paciente inmigrante; grupo 2 consulta tras viaje a zona tropical o subtropical; grupo 3 cribado de enfermedad importada de transmisión vertical. RESULTADOS: Se han desarrollado y difundido en la web de la unidad 6 protocolos y 5 publicaciones científicas. Se han atendido 316 pacientes: 191 incluidos en el grupo 1 (29 adoptados y 162 inmigrantes); 57 en el grupo 2 (94,7% Visiting Friends and Relatives y 81,5% sin consulta previaje), que acudieron principalmente por clínica gastrointestinal (52,6%) y fiebre (43,8%); y 68 en el grupo 3 con riesgo de infección importada de transmisión vertical (62 Trypanosoma cruzi, 1 virus linfotrópico T humano y 5 Plasmodium spp.). La adecuación global a los protocolos disponibles fue del 77,1%. DISCUSIÓN: Las unidades de patología infecciosa deben adaptarse a la realidad de la población que atienden, siendo flexibles en su estructura. Es imprescindible la valoración periódica de la calidad asistencial ofrecida, así como la valoración en la rentabilidad de los estudios complementarios a realizar (AU) - es INTRODUCTION: An Imported Diseases Clinic was created in the hospital in 2009. The aim of this study was to asses its contribution in terms of capacity, quality of care and teaching offered. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted from 2009 to 2011, analyzing: A) development of knowledge by means of protocols and publications created, and subject taught; B) capacity and quality of care offered by the analysis of patients seen, the adequacy of the protocols and accessibility.The patients were classified into 3 groups. Group 1: immigrant patient screening, group 2: patient consultation after tropical or sub-tropical travel, group 3: screening of vertical transmission of imported disease. RESULTS: Six protocols have been developed and disseminated on the unit website, as well as 5 scientific publications. A total of 316 patients were evaluated: 191 included in group 1 (29 Adopted and 162 Immigrants), 57 in group 2 (94.7% Visiting Friends and Relatives and 81.5% without a pre-travel consultation). They consulted due to, gastrointestinal symptoms (52.6%) and fever (43.8%), with 68 included in group 3 at risk of imported disease by vertical transmission (62 Trypanosoma cruzi, 1 Human T Lymphotropic Virus and 5 Plasmodium spp.). The overall adherence to the protocols was about 77.1%. DISCUSSION: Infectious Diseases Units must adapt to the reality of the population and be flexible in its structure. Periodic assessment of the quality of care offered is essential, as well as an evaluation on the need for additional studies

INTRODUCTION: An Imported Diseases Clinic was created in the hospital in 2009. The aim of this study was to asses its contribution in terms of capacity, quality of care and teaching offered. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted from 2009 to 2011, analyzing: A) development of knowledge by means of protocols and publications created, and subject taught; B) capacity and quality of care offered by the analysis of patients seen, the adequacy of the protocols and accessibility.The patients were classified into 3 groups. Group 1: immigrant patient screening, group 2: patient consultation after tropical or sub-tropical travel, group 3: screening of vertical transmission of imported disease. RESULTS: Six protocols have been developed and disseminated on the unit website, as well as 5 scientific publications. A total of 316 patients were evaluated: 191 included in group 1 (29 Adopted and 162 Immigrants), 57 in group 2 (94.7% Visiting Friends and Relatives and 81.5% without a pre-travel consultation). They consulted due to, gastrointestinal symptoms (52.6%) and fever (43.8%), with 68 included in group 3 at risk of imported disease by vertical transmission (62 Trypanosoma cruzi, 1 Human T Lymphotropic Virus and 5 Plasmodium spp.). The overall adherence to the protocols was about 77.1%. DISCUSSION: Infectious Diseases Units must adapt to the reality of the population and be flexible in its structure. Periodic assessment of the quality of care offered is essential, as well as an evaluation on the need for additional studieS

Enfermedad invasora por Neisseria meningitidis serogrupo 29E y deficiencia de C5 / Invasive disease due to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup 29E and C5 deficiency

No disponible

[Imported infectious diseases in tertiary hospital]. / Patología infecciosa importada en hospitales terciarios.

INTRODUCTION: An Imported Diseases Clinic was created in the hospital in 2009. The aim of this study was to asses its contribution in terms of capacity, quality of care and teaching offered. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted from 2009 to 2011, analyzing: A) development of knowledge by means of protocols and publications created, and subject taught; B) capacity and quality of care offered by the analysis of patients seen, the adequacy of the protocols and accessibility. The patients were classified into 3 groups. Group 1: immigrant patient screening, group 2: patient consultation after tropical or sub-tropical travel, group 3: screening of vertical transmission of imported disease. RESULTS: Six protocols have been developed and disseminated on the unit website, as well as 5 scientific publications. A total of 316 patients were evaluated: 191 included in group 1 (29 Adopted and 162 Immigrants), 57 in group 2 (94.7% Visiting Friends and Relatives and 81.5% without a pre-travel consultation). They consulted due to, gastrointestinal symptoms (52.6%) and fever (43.8%), with 68 included in group 3 at risk of imported disease by vertical transmission (62 Trypanosoma cruzi, 1 Human T Lymphotropic Virus and 5 Plasmodium spp.). The overall adherence to the protocols was about 77.1%. DISCUSSION: Infectious Diseases Units must adapt to the reality of the population and be flexible in its structure. Periodic assessment of the quality of care offered is essential, as well as an evaluation on the need for additional studies.

Miositis orbitaria como complicación tras una amigdalitis por «Streptococcus pyogenes» / Orbital myositis as a complication of Streptococcus pyogenes amigdalitis

La miositis orbitaria es un trastorno inflamatorio poco común en la infancia, clasificado dentro del llamado síndrome inflamatorio de la órbita, o seudotumor orbitario, en el que se ven afectados los músculos extraoculares. Presentamos el caso de un paciente de 12 años de edad, con dolor y edema palpebral de inicio brusco, junto con limitación de la movilidad ocular. Tras la realización de pruebas de imagen y estudios de laboratorio, se diagnostica de miositis orbitaria tras una infección estreptocócica. Aun siendo una asociación poco frecuente, debemos tener en cuenta esta etiología infecciosa ante un paciente con clínica de dolor ocular brusco y limitación de la movilidad, sobre todo en casos con antecedentes de infección de las vías respiratorias altas(AU)

Orbital myositis is an uncommon inflammatory disorder in childhood, classified into orbital inflammation syndrome, or orbital pseudotumor, where extraocular muscles are affected. We report a 12 years old patient with pain, eyeld oedema and ocular motility limitation. After the scan and laboratories exam he was diagnosed of orbital myositis after streptococcal infection. Even as a rare association we should take account of this infectious etiology in a patient with symptoms of sudden eye pain and limited mobility, especially in cases with a recent history of upper respiratory tract infection(AU)

Enfermedad invasora por meningococo del serogrupo 29E / Invasive meningitis due to serogroup 29E meningococci

No disponible

Monte-Carlo dosimetry on a realistic cell monolayer geometry exposed to alpha particles.

The energy and specific energy absorbed in the main cell compartments (nucleus and cytoplasm) in typical radiobiology experiments are usually estimated by calculations as they are not accessible for a direct measurement. In most of the work, the cell geometry is modelled using the combination of simple mathematical volumes. We propose a method based on high resolution confocal imaging and ion beam analysis (IBA) in order to import realistic cell nuclei geometries in Monte-Carlo simulations and thus take into account the variety of different geometries encountered in a typical cell population. Seventy-six cell nuclei have been imaged using confocal microscopy and their chemical composition has been measured using IBA. A cellular phantom was created from these data using the ImageJ image analysis software and imported in the Geant4 Monte-Carlo simulation toolkit. Total energy and specific energy distributions in the 76 cell nuclei have been calculated for two types of irradiation protocols: a 3 MeV alpha particle microbeam used for targeted irradiation and a ²³9Pu alpha source used for large angle random irradiation. Qualitative images of the energy deposited along the particle tracks have been produced and show good agreement with images of DNA double strand break signalling proteins obtained experimentally. The methodology presented in this paper provides microdosimetric quantities calculated from realistic cellular volumes. It is based on open-source oriented software that is publicly available.

Postnatal development of the secretory activity of the goat subcommissural organ. A Reissner's fibre and angiotensin II immunohistochemical study.

Subcommissural organ (SCO) secretory activity of the goat (variations of Capra hircus, that live in arid conditions) was examined during the postnatal development, using specific antibodies against the Reissner's fibre (AFRU) and angiotensin II (AAGII). The SCO was strongly stained with the anti-glycoproteins that form the Reissner's fibre and lightly marked with the anti-angiotensin II. The AFRU-immunoreactivity (ir) was found in the ependymal and hypendymal cells and in the ventricular and peripheral secretory routes of the goat SCO. The amount AFRU increases at 6 months and decreases at adult age. In contrast, the anti-angiotensin II-ir was mainly found in the adult age, not being practically observed at one postnatal month. The AAGII-ir was mainly found in ependymal cells in which AFRU-ir was downregulated. In addition, we detected the presence of double immunostained for AFRU and AAGII in ependymocytes of the pre-commissural and subcommissural parts. In conclusion the present results may suggest a functional interrelation between AAGII and the secretory activity of the SCO of this kind of goat.

Effect of the arterial hypertension and captopril treatment on the angiotensin II content in the subfornical organ. A study in SHR rats.

We studied the effects of spontaneous high blood pressure and the captopril treatment on the subfornical organ (SFO) of rats. The brains of control Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY), WKY rats treated with captopril (WKY-T), spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and SHR rats treated with captopril (SHR-T) were processed immunohistochemically using anti-angiotensin II as primary antibody. Immunorective material (IRM) for angiotensin II was observed in a group of neurons and some cells of the ependymal layer of the SFO in WKY rats. The angiotensin II immunoreactive (AGII-ir) in the SHR rats was decreased, showing positive reaction only in a few neurons, while captopril treatment induced an increase in immunoreactive material in hypertensive rats, but contrarily, the expression of AGII-ir in the WKY-T group was scarce. The variations of the angiotensin II observed in the SFO could be owing to an interaction between the hypertension and its captopril treatment.

Somatotipo de referencia de luchador canario / Canarian wrestler reference somatotype

La mayoría de las modalidades de lucha clasifican a los practicantes agrupándolos por peso. En Lucha Canaria los mejores luchadores son denominados "puntales" (A, B y C), sin considerar sus pesos. Existen pocos trabajos morfológicos sobre luchadores de la modalidad canaria, lo que supone una falta de información científica que podría limitar su rendimiento. No existe un Somatotipo de Referencia (SR) para éstos luchadores, de ahí que el principal objetivo de este trabajo sea establecer el citado somatotipo. Se han medido doscientos diecinueve (219) luchadores siguiendo las directrices de la International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) y el Grupo Español de Cincantropometría (GREC). Con ellos se hicieron cuatro grupos (A, B, C y NC) atendiendo a la clasificación establecida por su rendimiento en competición. El grupo A lo constituyeron 5 luchadores puntales A, que es la categoría más alta en este deporte. El grupo B lo fonnaron 9 luchadores puntales B, el grupo C 28 luchadores puntales C y, finalmente, los luchadores No Clasificados (grupo NC) que fueron 177 individuos tomados al azar. Estos últimos fueron además divididos en 5 subgrupos atendiendo a su peso: 60K, 70K, 8OK, 90K y mas de 1OOK.El SR se calculó utilizando el Método Antropométrico de Heath- Carter. Nuestro estudio puso de manifiesto que los luchadores más viejos eran los puntales B, y los no clasificados los más jóvenes. Los puntales A eran los más altos y los más pesados. Todos ellos fueron endo-mesomorfos, con la excepción de¡ subgrupo 60K de no clasificados (ecto-mesomorfo). Globalmente, el componente mesomorfo fue dominante, y la endomorfj'a mayor que la ectomorfia. Podemos concluir que, sin considerar el éxito en competición, la fonna actual de clasificación otorga el rango de punta¡ a aquellos luchadores con un somatotipo de (5.9-8.9-0. l). En ambos casos, puntales y no clasificados, la distribución de los somatotipos según el componente dominante reveló no ser muy similares, como se desprende del SDD y de¡ SAD. Sin embargo, se requieren nuevos estudios para detemiinar el SR de los no clasificados (AU)

Effect of hypertension on the angiotensin II fibres arriving at the posterior lobe of the hypophysis of the rat. An immunohistochemical study.

We studied immunohistochemically the posterior lobe of the hypophysis (PL) of 15-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and of matched normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY), by using our own polyclonal antibody raised in mice against Angiotensin II (mouse-antiangiotensin II, MAAII). The blood pressure, water intake and volume of the PL were also recorded. The SHR rats were hypertensive, drank more water and showed a clear hypertrophy of their hypophysial PL. Also the PL of the SHR animals showed an increase in the immunoreactivity to the anti-angiotensin II antibody in the fibres arriving at the PL, with respect to the PL of WKY rats. This increase is compatible with the hyperactivity of the brain RAS, depletion of vasopressin content in the PL and increase in plasmatic levels of vasopressin described in SHR rats with respect to normotensive animals, as angiotensin II could locally stimulate vasopressin release to plasma from the neurohypophysis.

Effect of hypertension and captopril treatment on the vasopressin in the rat median eminence and posterior lobe of the hypophysis. An immunohistochemical study.

The present study analyses the effects of hypertension and/or its oral treatment with captopril (angiotensine-converting enzyme inhibitor) on the rat median eminence (ME) and the posterior lobe of the hypophysis (PL). After an immunohistochemical reaction using an antibody against arginine-vasopressin, we compared by densitometry the amount of vasopressin immunoreactive material (vasopressin-ir) of these centers in 4 groups of animals: control Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY), spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), WKY rats treated with captopril (WKY-T) and SHR rats also treated with the same drug (SHR-T). Captopril was administrated at a dosage of 0.1 mg/ml in the drinking water from the 8th to the 15th weeks. We have found that the rats showing the lowest level of vasopressin-ir, in both ME and PL, were those from the SHR group, the concentration increasing after oral captopril treatment (SHR-T), although without reaching the values of WKY rats. Then, ACE inhibition by captopril influences vasopressin content in brain areas where the hormone is concentrated before being released, which supports the hypothesis that suggests a central modulatory effect of ACE inhibitors, contributing to their therapeutic action on hypertension.

Changes in the secretory activity of the subcommissural organ of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The subcommissural organ (SCO) is a glandular circumventricular organ secreting glycoproteins into the cerebrospinal fluid. The SCO of 15-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and of matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) was studied immunocytochemically by using an antibody against the glycoproteins secreted by the SCO. The blood pressure, water intake and volume of brain ventricles of SHR and WKY rats were also recorded. The SHR were hypertensive, drank more water and did not display dilatation of the brain ventricles. The SCO of the SHR rats showed a drastic decrease of the immunoreactive material stored in the rough endoplasmic reticulum whereas the amount of immunoreactive apical secretory granules did not vary with respect to the SCO of WKY rats. These changes are compatible with an increased secretory activity of the SCO of the SHR rats. It is suggested that the changes in the SCO of SHR rats, and their hypertensive state, are interrelated phenomena.