Jose Miguel

Sociedad Española de Médicos Generales y de Familia (SEMG), 28005 Madrid, Spain Solutex GC SL, Avenida de la Transición Espanola 24, 28108 Alcobendas, Spain

Abstract Over the past 50 years, the number and invasiveness of percutaneous cardiovascular procedures globally have increased substantially.

Polyurethanes (PUs) synthesized with blends of polycarbonate and polyester polyols (CD+PEs) showed intrinsic self-healing at 20 °C. The decrease in the polycarbonate soft segments content increased the self-healing time and reduced the kinetics of self-healing of the PUs. The percentage of C-O species decreased and the ones of C-N and C=O species increased by increasing the polyester soft segments in the PUs, due to higher micro-phase separation. All PUs synthetized with CD+PE blends exhibited free carbonate species and interactions between the polycarbonate and polyester soft segments to a somewhat similar extent in all PUs. By increasing the polyester soft segments content, the storage moduli of the PUs decreased and the tan delta values increased, which resulted in favored polycarbonate soft segments interactions, and this was related to slower kinetics of self-healing at 20 °C. Although the PU made with a mixture of 20 wt.% CD and 80 wt.% PE showed cold crystallization and important crystallinity of the soft segments, as well as high storage moduli, the intercalation of a small amount of polycarbonate soft segments disturbed the interactions between the polyester soft segments, so it exhibited self-healing at 20 °C. The self-healing of the PUs was attributed to the physical interactions between polycarbonate soft segments themselves and with polyester soft segments, and, to a minor extent, to the mobility of the polymeric chains. Finally, the PUs made with 40 wt.% or more polyester polyol showed acceptable mechanical properties.

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The present study characterizes gamma dose rate (GDR) concentrations in Bilbao, located in the northern Iberian Peninsula, utilizing a comprehensive 10-min interval database spanning from 2009 to 2018. This station belongs to the radiological environmental monitoring of the Basque Country network. The daily average GDR was found to be 0.07624 ± 0.00004 µSv/h, with the daily 95th percentile averaging 0.08026 ± 0.00007 µSv/h throughout the entire period. Our analysis specifically addresses the impact of precipitation on GDR, revealing a higher correlation coefficient for daily 95th percentile values compared to daily averages. Additionally, the influence of the Galerna (GL) event, a natural meteorological phenomenon in this region, on GDR was investigated, noting that it can develop both with and without precipitation. Understanding the interaction between GDR and this meteorological scenario is vital for the development of more reliable radiological monitoring strategies and for safeguarding public health. For this purpose, 40 GL events were analyzed. The present results indicate that GDR values frequently exceed alarm levels when a GL is formed. These GDR peaks should be considered natural radiological events, necessitating the classification of such GDR peaks as false alarms within the radiological monitoring network. To explain them in detail, 10-min time series of precipitation and radon outdoor concentrations were analyzed. The results demonstrate that the GL event with precipitation is a meteorological scenario that can be associated with false alarms. The present analysis provides a distinct contrast in radon behavior under the same meteorological event in case of being developed with precipitation or without precipitation. The findings from this analysis are crucial for avoiding and understanding false radiological alarms triggered in the monitoring network, thereby enhancing the accuracy of radiological data interpretation and improving public safety measures.

Here, we investigate the performance of phase-change materials (PCMs) in the passive thermal control of space habitats. PCMs are able to absorb and release large amounts energy in the form of latent heat during their (typically, solid-to-liquid) phase transition, which makes them an ideal choice for passive temperature control. In this study, a conceptual design of an igloo-shaped habitat is proposed. A scaled model for laboratory experiments is manufactured via 3D printing, using tap water as the PCM. The setup is used to conduct experiments and analyze PCM performance, based on temperature measurements inside and outside the habitat. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of PCMs in increasing thermal inertia and stabilizing the habitat interior temperature around the melting temperature, confirming that PCMs can be a suitable alternative for passive thermal control. The present study holds significant interest for the future of space exploration, with the emerging need to design habitats that are capable of accommodating astronauts.

Enhancing integrated crop–livestock systems (ICLSs) to improve land-use efficiency is a critical goal. Understanding the ICLS impacts on lowland soils is key to sustainable agricultural practices. Our objective was to test whether adopting ICLSs in lowlands improves soil structure, pore connectivity, and water and air permeability. This study was conducted in a long-term field trial, consisting of the following production systems with flood-irrigation rice: rice–fallow–rice, under conventional tillage and absence of grazing (RFR-ct); rice-grazed ryegrass–rice, under no-tillage and grazing (RGrR-nt); rice-grazed ryegrass–soybean-grazed ryegrass–rice, under no-tillage and grazing (RGrS/RGrR-nt); and a grazed pasture-consortium (winter) and succession field (summer), with no-till rice every 4 years (P4R-nt). Core samples were collected after grazing (October 2018), harvesting (March 2019), and grazing (October 2019). We analyzed soil air permeability, saturated hydraulic conductivity, pore connectivity by computed tomography. Soil tillage in a semi-direct system generated discontinuous porosity. Systems with intense trampling or less surface protection are affected by shearing on topsoil, reducing pore continuity. ICLSs are mainly composed of ryegrass–rice mitigated the harmful effects of trampling, and improved soil structure and functioning. Systems without soil tillage exhibited higher pore connectivity and pores with vertical orientation. Finally, soil tillage is not required to improve structural quality in ICLSs.

To advance offshore wind energy technologies in South America, this study addresses the early-stage design challenges of a floating support structure for a 5 MW wind turbine. The aim is to develop a robust and efficient floating structure capable of withstanding the diverse forces imposed by the Valdivian environment. Utilizing SolidWorks, a 3D model based on a comprehensive review of semi-submersible structures with three columns is proposed. The structural model is subjected to a rigorous evaluation using the finite element method, with which linear static and buckling analyses are performed in compliance with the Det Norske Veritas (DNV) classification society. The proposed tri-floater platform design shows a 30% weight reduction when compared with other proposed models. The finite element analysis includes an extreme condition of 13 m waves that suggests the adequate performance of the proposed platform in Chilean waters, and offers a conceptual preliminary step for floating support structure designs in Chile.

Sports cardiology is an evolving field in cardiology, with several topics remaining controversial. Beyond the several well-known benefits of regular exercise practice, the occurrence of adverse clinical events during sports in apparently healthy individuals, especially sudden cardiac death, and the described long-term adverse cardiac adaptations associated to high volume of exercise, remain challenging. The early identification of athletes with increased risk is critical, but the most appropriate preparticipation screening protocols are also debatable and a more personalized evaluation, considering individual and sports-related characteristics, will potentially optimize this evaluation. As the risk of major clinical events during sports is not zero, independently of previous evaluation, ensuring the capacity for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, especially with availability of automated external defibrillators, in sports arenas, is crucial for its prevention and to improve outcomes. As in other areas of medicine, application of new digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, is promising and could improve in near future several aspects of sports cardiology. This paper aims to review the methodology of athletes’ preparticipation screening, emphasizing current controversies and future challenges, in order to improve early diagnosis of conditions associated with sudden cardiac death.

Department of Biophysics, Biomedicine and Neuroscience, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Al-Farabi Av. 71, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan