Recycling of residual IGCC slags and their benefits as degreasers in ceramics.

This work studies the evolution of IGCC slag grains within a ceramic matrix fired at different temperatures to investigate the effect of using IGCC slag as a degreaser. Pressed ceramic specimens from two clay mixtures are used in this study. The M1 mixture is composed of standard clays, whereas the M2 mixture is composed of the same clay mixture as M1 mixture but contains 15% by weight IGCC slag. The amount of IGCC slag added coincides with the amount of slag typically used as a degreaser in the ceramic industry. Specimens are fired at 950 °C, 1000 °C, 1050 °C, 1100 °C and 1150 °C. The mineralogical composition and the IGCC slag grain shape within the ceramic matrix are determined by X-ray diffraction, polarized light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results reveal that the surface of the slag grains is welded to the ceramic matrix while the quartz grains are separated, which causes increased water absorption and reduces the mechanical strength. IGCC slag, however, reduces water absorption. This behaviour is due to the softening temperature of the slag. This property is quite important from an industrial viewpoint because IGCC slag can serve as an alternative to traditional degreasing agents in the ceramic building industry. Additionally, using IGCC slag allows for the transformation of waste into a secondary raw material, thereby avoiding disposal at landfills; moreover, these industrial wastes are made inert and improve the properties of ceramics.

Orbiviruses in the Mediterranean basin: updated epidemiological situation of Bluetongue and new methods for the detection of BTV serotype 4.

Bluetongue virus (BTV), a member of the Orbivirus genus, has contributed to great economical losses in countries across the Mediterranean basin. Although BTV has an African origin, it has been reported in the South of Europe since 1924 when it was first detected in Cyprus. After this first Bluetongue (BT) outbreak, many others followed in most Mediterranean countries, resulting in seven BTV serotypes detected in 17 countries in Central-, South-Europe and North Africa in the last 10 years. Currently, six BTV serotypes (1, 2, 4, 8, 9 and 16) are circulating throughout Central- and Western Europe. The unexpected occurrence of BTV serotype 8 in Central Europe in 2006 and its spread and persistence have evidenced changes in the BTV scenario: new serotypes, never detected in the Mediterranean area so far, are playing a central role in the maintenance of BTV in Europe, and new species of Culicoides are now confirmed to be able to transmit the virus. Therefore, it is necessary to improve and implement specific assays in order to identify the serotypes currently present in different Mediterranean countries in a fast and reliable way. In this study, we present a new gel-based and real-time RT-PCR assay for the detection of BTV serotype 4. The sequence amplified in this test is located within BTV segment 2, a variable region of BTV dsRNA genome encoding the major outer-capsid protein VP2. No cross-reaction has been shown with other genetically or geographically related viruses and the sensitivity of this test allows the detection of 1.5-15 TCID50/ml of BTV.

[The oxidative metabolic activity of the polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocytes in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus]. / Actividad metabólica oxidativa de los leucocitos polimorfonucleares neutrófilos en pacientes infectados por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana.

BACKGROUND: Contradictory results on oxidative burst activity in HIV infection have been reported in the literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Neutrophil oxidative metabolism was evaluated in 160 HIV-infected patients, by measuring the intracellular production of rhodamine. RESULTS: Neutrophil oxidative metabolism was decreased. This impairment was related to viral load, CD4+ lymphocyte counts, neutrophil counts and therapy. CONCLUSIONS: In HIV-infected patients, neutrophil oxidative metabolic activity decreases with disease progression. This may contribute to secondary opportunistic infections.