Valorisation diagnosis of waste from the decontamination of phosphogypsum leachates through a combined calcium carbonate/hydroxide process.

Phosphogypsum is an industrial waste considered as naturally occurring radioactive material. Stack disposal and exposure to the environmental condition involve the production of acid leachates with high potential pollutant loads as heavy metals and radionuclides. In this study, a sequential neutralisation process was applied for cleaning the generated releases, and the two obtained residues were characterised from the physical-chemical and radiological point of view before their valorisation. The cleaning process was made up of two steps: the first one using calcium carbonate until pH = 3.5, and the second one using calcium hydroxide until pH = 12. The residue obtained in the first step was mostly calcium fluoride, while in the second step most phosphates were precipitated, mainly as hydroxyapatite. The final liquid was treated to reduce pH lower than 9, which is the limit included in the current directive for discharges of liquid effluents into coastal waters. The main conclusion was that the solids from the first step could be valorised as an additive in the manufacture of commercial Portland cements and ceramics, while the solids from the second step could be used as raw material for the phosphoric acid manufacture.

Sedimentary environmental quality of a biosphere reserve estuary in southwestern Iberian Peninsula.

The Huelva estuary is formed by the common mouths of the Odiel and Tinto Rivers, and inside this ecosystem is the biosphere reserve of the Odiel saltmarshes. This ecosystem has been historically affected by acid mine drainage (AMD) and by releases of pollutants from five phosphoric acid industrial plants and phosphogypsum (PG) waste stacks located in the area. This study carried out a comprehensive assessment of the environmental impact of the biosphere reserve of the Odiel saltmarshes. To this end, it was necessary to find a suitable sedimentary background (Piedras River in our case). To quantify this impact, several pollution indexes were used. According to the values reached by the indexes, this impact was classified as "serious" pollution for most trace elements, excepting the deepest layers, and "low-moderate" pollution for the 238U-series radionuclides, while no pollution for the 232Th-series and 40K radionuclides was found as expected.

Estudio del uso de medicamentos con indicación off-label en pacientes pediátricos intrahospitalarios en una clínica de tercer nivel de la ciudad de Barranquilla / Study of the use of medications with off-label indication in pediatric patients intrahospital in a third level clinic in the city of Barranquilla

Objetivo: Estudiar el uso de los medicamentos con indicaciones off-label en pediatría intrahospitalarios en una clínica de tercer nivel de la ciudad de Barranquilla-Atlántico. Metodología: El diseño empleado en este estudio fue observacional, donde se obtuvo la frecuencia de las prescripciones y administración de los medicamentos con indicación no aprobada. El estudio se realizó en cuatro fases, la primera fue la búsqueda sistemática de medicamentos basados en la literatura científica, en la segunda fase se seleccionaron los pacientes basados en los criterios de inclusión del estudio, la tercera fase se realizó el análisis y procesamiento de los datos y la cuarta fase fue la construcción del listado de medicamentos off-label Resultados: Se realizó un seguimiento a 204 pacientes de los pabellones Caribe y UCI Pediátrica, que cumplieran con los criterios de inclusión, durante el periodo de tres meses de estudio. Se identificaron 386 medicamentos con indicación off-Label en 765 prescripciones durante el periodo de estudio, identificándose al menos un medicamento prescrito con uso no incluido o indicación off-label. Según su acrónimo a nivel de la clasificación ATC, los pertenecientes a los tres niveles o grupos más destacados fueron los pertenecientes al grupo J con un 26,94%, grupo N 20,98% y el grupo C con un 16,68% de las prescripciones. Conclusiones: El mayor porcentaje de la población durante el periodo de estudio fue el primer año de vida. Los medicamentos con mayor número de prescripciones fueron el meropenem, la dipirona, salbutamol, espironolactona, enalapril, bromuro de ipatropio, la gentamicina, caspofungina, propanolol y tramadol. (AU)

Objective: To study the use of drugs with off-label indications in in-hospital pediatric patients in a third-level Clinic in the city of Barranquilla-Atlántico. Methodology: The design used in this study was observational, where the frequency of prescriptions and administration of drugs with an unapproved indication was obtained. The study was carried out in four phases, the first was the systematic search for drugs based on the scientific literature, in the second phase the patients were selected based on the inclusion criteria of the study, the third phase was the analysis and processing of the data and the fourth phase was the construction of the list of off-label drugs. Results: 204 patients from the Caribe and Pediatric ICU wards, who met the inclusion criteria, were followed during the three (3) month study period. 386 drugs with off-label indication were identified in 765 prescriptions during the study period, identifying at least one drug prescribed with use not included or off-label indication. According to its acronym at the level of the ATC classification, those belonging to the three most prominent levels or groups were those belonging to group J with 26.94%, group N 20.98% and group C with 16.68% of the prescriptions. Conclusions: The highest percentage of the population during the study period was the first year of life. The medications with the highest number of prescriptions were meropenem, dipyrone, salbutamol, spironolactone, enalapril, ipatropium bromide, gentamicin, caspofungin, propanolol and tramadol. (AU)

A new efficiency calibration methodology for different atmospheric filter geometries by using coaxial Ge detectors.

The study of the different pollutants present in atmospheric aerosols such as trace elements and radionuclides is essential to assess the air quality. To analyze the particulate matter (PM), atmospheric filters with different dimensions and geometries (rectangular, circular, slotted, and square filters) are usually employed. Regarding the pollutants existing in atmospheric aerosols, radionuclides are usually analyzed due to their multiple applications such as either in the environmental radiological control or as tracers of atmospheric processes. Therefore, this study aims to develop a new and general methodology to calibrate in efficiency coaxial Ge detectors to properly determine radionuclides present in the PM by gamma-ray spectrometry for several filter types. For this, granular certified reference materials (CRM) containing only natural radionuclides (238U-series, 232Th-series, and 40 K) were selected. Several granular solid CRMs were chosen allowing us to reproduce the same PM deposition geometry and to assure the homogeneity of the added CRMs. These are the main advantages in relation to the typical methods that use liquid CRMs. Furthermore, for filters whose surfaces are relatively large, they were cut in several pieces and placed one on top of the other, achieving the same geometry than the PM deposited onto the filter. Then, the experimental full-energy peak efficiencies (FEPEs) were obtained for each energy of interest (Eγ) and they were fitted versus Eγ, finding a general FEPE function for each filter type. Finally, this methodology was validated for both natural and artificial radionuclides (from 46 to 1332 keV) by using different filter types employed in proficiency test exercises, obtaining |zscore|< 2 for all cases. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11869-023-01336-x.

Spatiotemporal evolution of U and Th isotopes in a mine effluent highly polluted by Acid Mine Drainage (AMD).

The spatiotemporal evolution of both U and Th isotopes in a mine effluent highly polluted by acid mine drainage (AMD) was evaluated. The acidic tributary, which born from the outflows of an abandoned sulfide mine, flows into the Odiel River. AMD comprises an important source of natural radionuclides, presenting concentrations of 238U and 232Th, two and four orders of magnitude higher, respectively, than the background values of surface continental waters. These natural radionuclides behave conservatively along the mine effluent (pH < 2.5) throughout the hydrological year. Under AMD conditions uranium is in the hexavalent state U(VI) and the main dissolved species are uranyl sulfate complexes. The polluted tributary has a significant impact on the Odiel River acidifying its waters during the low flow season and increasing up to one order of magnitude the activity concentrations of U and Th isotopes. U presented a conservative behavior in the Odiel River during the low flow season (pH ≈ 3), however it is removed from the liquid phase in the wet season (pH ≈ 6), probably due its coprecipitation/adsorption onto Al-phases. Th shows a high sensitivity to small increases of pH, and it is strongly coprecipitated/adsorbed with or onto Fe-oxyhydroxydizes in the river.

Fabricación de modelos anatómicos articulares para formación en intervencionismo ecoguiado / Anatomic joint models for eco-guided interventionism training manufacture

Introducción: El intervencionismo ecoguiado ha supuesto un cambio en la forma en que los especialistas de medicina física y rehabilitación se enfrentan al dolor musculoesquelético y a otros problemas como la espasticidad. La implantación de las unidades de intervencionismo ecoguiado mejora los resultados de los tratamientos mínimamente invasivos, habituales en la práctica clínica de nuestra especialidad. El mayor inconveniente de esta práctica es la larga curva de aprendizaje y la dificultad para llevar a cabo prácticas durante los cursos de formación. Objetivo: Desarrollar un sistema de fantomas que permita la práctica de intervencionismo en modelos anatómicos acortando los tiempos de aprendizaje y mejorando la certeza al alcanzar el objetivo de la práctica intervencionista. Métodos: Se describe el método de fabricación de modelos tridimensionales de articulaciones a partir de imágenes obtenidas de tomografía axial computarizada, y su inclusión posterior en moldes realizados con gelatina alimenticia, que permiten obtener unos fantomas similares a modelos articulares reales que posibilitan su estudio mediante técnicas de ecografía y la práctica del intervencionismo ecoguiado. Conclusión: Los modelos articulares tridimensionales con gelatina alimenticia son útiles en la práctica y aprendizaje de las técnicas de intervencionismo ecoguiado articular.(AU)

Introduction: Eco-guided interventionism has changed the way Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialists deal with musculoskeletal pain and other problems such as spasticity. The implementation of the Eco-Guided Intervention Units improves the results of the usual minimally invasive treatments in our speciality's clinical practice. The biggest drawback of this practice is the long learning curve and the difficulty of practice during training courses. Objective: To develop a system of phantoms that allow the practice of interventionism in anatomical models by shortening learning times and improving certainty by achieving the objective of interventionist practice. Methods: Describes the method of manufacturing three-dimensional models of joints with images obtained from computerized axial tomography, and their subsequent inclusion in gelatin's made molds, which allow to obtain phantoms, similar to real joint models, that allow to study using ultrasound techniques, and the practice of eco-guided interventionism. Conclusion: Three-dimensional joint models made with gelatin are useful in the practice and learning of joint eco-guided interventionism techniques.(AU)

[Anatomic joint models for eco-guided interventionism training manufacture]. / Fabricación de modelos anatómicos articulares para formación en intervencionismo ecoguiado.

INTRODUCTION: Eco-guided interventionism has changed the way Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialists deal with musculoskeletal pain and other problems such as spasticity. The implementation of the Eco-Guided Intervention Units improves the results of the usual minimally invasive treatments in our speciality's clinical practice. The biggest drawback of this practice is the long learning curve and the difficulty of practice during training courses. OBJECTIVE: To develop a system of phantoms that allow the practice of interventionism in anatomical models by shortening learning times and improving certainty by achieving the objective of interventionist practice. METHODS: Describes the method of manufacturing three-dimensional models of joints with images obtained from computerized axial tomography, and their subsequent inclusion in gelatin's made molds, which allow to obtain phantoms, similar to real joint models, that allow to study using ultrasound techniques, and the practice of eco-guided interventionism. CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional joint models made with gelatin are useful in the practice and learning of joint eco-guided interventionism techniques.

A methodology to determine 212Pb, 212Bi, 214Pb and 214Bi in atmospheric aerosols; Application to precisely obtain aerosol residence times and Rn-daughters' equilibrium factors.

Progeny of 222Rn and 220Rn, (212Pb, 212Bi, 214Pb and 214Bi) are essential to assess radiological hazard, external and internal doses, residence times and equilibrium factors. Precise measurements of these nuclides are quite complex due to their very short half-lives. This study outlines a new and precise methodology to measure these nuclides. Radon-222 and 220Rn were measured using a radon monitoring system, while their respective progenies were collected in an atmospheric filter using an ASS-500 sampler and measured by gamma-ray spectrometry. The 212Pb concentrations were very similar to the thoron ones, where all 212Bi/212Pb ratios were consistently less than 1. The relative uncertainties, σr, of the 212Pb and 212Bi activity concentrations, and 212Bi/212Pb activity ratio are generally less than 10%. Moreover, 214Pb/222Rn ratios were about 0.7, agreeing well with previous works. The σr for 214Pb, 214Bi and 214Bi/214Pb were generally less than 6%. This methodology was applied to estimate aerosol residence times using the 214Pb/222Rn and 212Bi/212Pb activity ratios, and to obtain equilibrium factors, achieving consistent results. Furthermore, the methodology consistency and validity range were studied with time elapsed between sampling end and counting start, and the sampling durations, finding the optimum times to precisely determine 212Pb, 212Bi, 214Pb and 214Bi.

Disminución de errores de medicación Look-Alike Sound-Alike, mediante la implementación de estrategias preventivas en una clínica de III nivel Barranquilla-Colombia / Decrease in Look-Alike Sound-Alike, medication errors through the implementation of preventive strategies in a third level clinic from Barranquilla-Colombia

Los medicamentos Look-Alike and Sound-Alike (LASA) son frecuentemente causantes de errores de medicación en el proceso de dispensación, con importantes repercusiones desde el punto de vista humano, asistencial y económico.Objetivo: Determinar la disminución de tasa de estos errores de medicación LASA, posterior a la implementación de estrategias de prevención en una clínica de tercer nivel en Barranquilla, Colombia.Método: La investigación fue de tipo experimental, prospectivo; el periodo de estudio fue de 3 meses (enero-marzo 2021); el criterio de inclusión para el estudio fueron los medicamentos del listado básico de medicamentos LASA y los errores de medicación ocasionados por estos. Se implementaron estrategias de prevención de errores tipo LASA, se cuantificó y comparó los errores de medicación presentados antes y después de la implementación de las estrategias. Resultados: En la etapa de pre-implementación de las estrategias se dispensaron 24.300 medicamentos, entre los cuales se presentaron 80 (0,33%) errores de medicación por medicamentos LASA. En la etapa de post-implementación se dispensaron 23.760 medicamentos, y se presentaron 48 (0,20%) errores de medicación por medicamentos LASA, evidenciando una reducción significativa (P-valor: 0,0366314; IC: 95%). Los medicamentos con mismo principio activo y diferente concentración fueron los de mayor incidencia de errores de medicación en el Servicio Farmacéutico, con 37 errores en la etapa de pre-implementación y 19 errores en la etapa de post-implementación.Conclusión: La reducción de la tasa de errores de medicación fue del 40% al implementar las estrategias propuestas, lo que demuestra su efectividad y su potencial para ofrecer una atención más segura y de mayor calidad a los pacientes, a bajo costo. (AU)

Look-Alike and Sound-Alike (LASA) drugs are frequently the cause of medication errors in the dispensing process, with important repercussions from the human, healthcare and economic point of view.Objective: To determine the decrease in the rate of these LASA medication errors, after the implementation of prevention strategies in a third-level clinic in Barranquilla, Colombia. Method: The research was experimental, prospective; the study period was 3 months (January-March 2021); the inclusion criteria for the study were drugs from the clinic’s basic list of drugs that were LASA and the medication errors caused by these. LASA error prevention strategies were implemented; the medication errors presented before and after the implementation of the strategies were quantified and compared.Results: In the pre-implementation stage of the strategies, 24,300 medications were dispensed, among which there were 80 (0.33%) medication errors due to LASA medications. In the post-implementation stage, 23,760 medications were dispensed, and 48 (0.20%) medication errors occurred due to LASA medications, showing a significant reduction (P-valor: 0.0366314; IC: 95%). Medicines with the same active ingredient and different concentrations were those with the highest incidence of medication errors in the Pharmaceutical Service, with 37 errors in the pre-implementation stage and 19 errors in the post-implementation stage.Conclusion: The reduction in the rate of medication errors was 40% after implementing the proposed strategies, which demonstrates their effectiveness and their potential to offer a safer and higher quality care to patients, at low cost. (AU)

Surface ozone trends at El Arenosillo observatory from a new perspective.

Surface ozone trends observed at El Arenosillo observatory for the last 22 years (2000-2021) were investigated. The trends for daily averages and daily 5th and 95th percentiles were 1.2 ± 0.3 ppb decade-1, 2.2 ± 0.3 ppb decade-1 and -0.03 ± 0.43 ppb decade-1, respectively, thus showing a significant increase of background ozone. The surface temperature trends were also explored, obtaining trends of 0.5 ± 0.2 °C decade-1, 1.1 ± 0.2 °C decade-1 and -0.3 ± 0.2 °C decade-1 for daily averages, 5th and 95th percentiles, respectively. To identify potential changes in the ozone drivers, the weather pattern shifts were analyzed through the horizontal distribution trends of temperature at 2 m and geopotential height at 850 hPa. A strengthening of the Azores anticyclone and a regional warming were detected, which could contribute to the ozone trends obtained. The surface ozone trend in every month was explored, identifying a monthly pattern, with remarkable opposite trends in December-January (2.4 ± 0.9 ppb decade-1) vs July-August (-0.5 ± 1.1 ppb decade-1). The surface ozone trends for every hour of the day were also explored, identifying two clear patterns. The first pattern occurred from spring to autumn and was characterized by a behavior opposite to the typical daily ozone cycle. The second pattern was observed in winter, and it shows two relative peaks in the ozone trends (around 13:00 and 19:00 UTC). In a context of ozone precursor's depletion, changes in the weather conditions and warmer climate, to improve our knowledge of the ozone trends, we suggest exploring them based on daily and hourly averages.

Factores de riesgo cardiovasculares y su prevalencia en pacientes de 18 a 66 años hospitalizados en una clínica de tercer nivel de Barranquilla / Cardiovascular risk factors and their prevalence in patients 18 to 66 years old hospitalized in a third level of Barranquilla clinic

Los factores de riesgo cardiovasculares (FRCV) son conductas y condiciones de la población que suelen ser imperceptibles, por tanto en este estudio transversal-observacional en pacientes de 18 a 66 años hospitalizados se determinaron su prevalencia, caracterizando desde el punto de vista sociodemográfico a la población estudiada. Además se hallaron los diferentes tipos de riesgo cardiovascular a través del test de Framingham y PROCAM para posteriormente comparar los modelos de predicción. Se encontró ambos géneros en similar proporción, con edades entre 27 y 59 años, una mayor prevalencia de HTA y DM en el género masculino, baja prevalencia en el consumo de cigarrillos y alcohol, sin embargo el sedentarismo presentó una alta prevalencia, sobre todo en mujeres, lo que se relaciona con su IMC. Se encontraron diferencias estadísticas entre los predictores cardiovasculares. (AU)

Cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) are behaviors and conditions of the population that are usually imperceptible, therefore in this cross-observational study in hospitalized patients aged 18 to 66, their prevalence was determined, characterizing the population from the sociodemographic point of view studied. In addition, different types of cardiovascular risk were found through the Framingham test and PROCAM to later compare the prediction models. Both genders were found in a similar proportion, with ages between 27 and 59 years, a higher prevalence of AHT and DM in the male gender, low prevalence in the consumption of cigarettes and alcohol, however sedentary lifestyle presented a ata prevalence, especially in women, which is related to your BMI. Statistical differences were found between cardiovascular predictors. (AU)

Radon transport events associated with the impact of a NORM repository in the SW of Europe.

Two radon measurement stations located to the north and south of a NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials) repository of phosphogypsum (southwest of Europe) were used to monitor radon behavior during 2018. The stations are located at opposing sides of the repository, one in Huelva City to the north and other one in a rural area to the south. This setup aimed to identify the influence of the NORM repository on each station and use radon levels as a marker of atmospheric transport in the local area. To achieve this, a comparison was carried out with other coastal stations in the south of Spain, finding higher average concentrations in Huelva City, ~3.3 Bq m-3. Hierarchical clustering was applied to identify days with different radon patterns at each Huelva station, detecting possible local radon transport events from the repository. Three events were investigated with WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting) and FLEXPART-WRF (FLEXible PARTicle dispersion model). It was found that both sampling sites required atmospheric stagnant conditions to reach high radon concentration. However, under these conditions the urban station showed high radon regardless of wind direction while the rural station also required radon transport from the repository, either directly or indirectly.

Escherichia coli Dcu C4-dicarboxylate transporters dependent proton and potassium fluxes and FOF1-ATPase activity during glucose fermentation at pH 7.5.

During fermentation in Escherichia coli succinate is transported via Dcu transporters, encoded dcuA, dcuB, dcuC and dcuD although the role of DcuD protein has not been elucidated yet. It has been shown contribution of Dcu transporters in the N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) sensitive proton and potassium transport through the cytoplasmic membrane and membrane-associated ATPase activity. Total H± efflux was decreased ~ 40% while K± uptake was absent in dcuD mutant. DCCD-sensitive H± flux was absent in dcuD nevertheless it was increased ~ 3 fold in dcuACB. K± uptake in dcuACB was stimulated ~ 30% compared to wild type but in DCCD assays K± ions were effluxed with the rate of 0.15 mmol/min per 109 cells/ml. In dcuACB mutant membrane potential (ΔΨ) was ~ 30 mV higher than in wild type. dcuD gene expression was increased in the dcuACB mutant respect to wild type at pH 7.5 (~120%), suggesting that an increment of DcuD activity compensates the lack of DcuA, DcuC and DcuB carriers. It can be concluded that active DcuD is important for H± efflux via the FOF1-ATPase and K± uptake at pH 7.5. In addition, DcuA, DcuB and DcuC transporters are crucial for regulating DCCD-sensitive K± transport and ΔΨ in E. coli.

Arsenic removal procedure for the electrolyte from a hydro-pyrometallurgical complex.

Commercial copper (Cu) is obtained by a hydro-pyrometallurgical process, where the Cu anodes obtained in the furnaces (Cu > 99.5%) are enriched up to 99.99% in "cathodes" by electrorefining at an electrolysis plant. During this process, some impurities accumulate in the electrolyte, mainly arsenic (As), which decrease the quality of the Cu cathode. For this reason, the electrolyte is sent to an electrolyte cleaning plant (ECP) for its purification. Electrolyte sludge (ES) is produced in the last stage of purification and is recirculated back to the furnace due to the high Cu content. This recirculation involves a severe problem of As accumulation in the industrial process. The objective of this work was to develop a procedure to fully dissolve the ES, removing the As and recovering its Cu content. The ES dissolution process was optimised (dissolution efficiency > 99%) in H2SO4 (1.4 M)/HNO3 (1.8 M) medium using a 1:20 g mL-1 solid-to-liquid ratio. As was removed from the ES solution by its precipitation as iron (III) arsenate, with high efficiency (more than 70%). After As removal, the Cu can be precipitated as copper sulphate, which is used in several applications.

Radiological and chemical risks by waste scales generated in the titanium dioxide industry.

Along the industrial process devoted to the production of titanium dioxide pigments by using ilmenite as main raw material, small residues amounts are generated, remaining clearly enriched in natural radionuclides and chemical pollutants. Between them, we can remark the scales enriched in both radium isotopes and lead, which are formed in the internal walls of pipes and some equipment. These scales are radiological anomalies that demand its mineralogical, elemental and radiometric characterization as a basis for a detailed radiological and toxicological assessment from the occupational and public point of view. In this work, several scales collected in a TiO2 pigment production plant in South of Spain have been mineralogically characterized by XRD, while information about their elemental composition and morphology have been obtained by applying the XRF and SEM techniques. In addition, radiometric determinations have been performed by gamma-ray and alpha-particle spectrometry. The performed study indicates that the radiological doses received due to the scales by the workers performing its conventional activities are clearly lower than 1 mSv/y. Special dosimetric and chemical controls could be needed for the workers in charge of the maintenance labours (which include the removal of the scales) if these workers belong to an external company devoted to perform maintenance operations in several NORM industries.

Behaviour of heavy metals and natural radionuclides in the mixing of phosphogypsum leachates with seawater.

Phosphogypsum (PG) is disposed worldwide in large stacks usually placed in coastal zones, as in the case of Huelva (SW of Spain), where around 100 Mt of PG are stored on the salt marshes of the Tinto River estuary covering a surface of about 1000 ha. This management generates the weathering of PG, and due to its high acidity (pH ≈ 2) and pollutant load can provoke significant emissions into their surroundings. In this work were evaluated by laboratory experiments the effects of pH increase in the behaviour of heavy metals and natural radionuclides during the mixing of phosphogypsum leachates with seawater. The acidic phosphogypsum leachates showed concentrations of heavy metals from two to three orders of magnitude higher than natural continental waters, and natural radionuclides (U-isotopes and 210Po) from four to five orders of magnitude higher than unperturbed aquatic systems. Major elements and some heavy metals as Mn, Ni, Cd, As, Sb and Co showed a conservative behaviour during the neutralisation of the leachates with seawater, remaining in the liquid phase, while other ones as Al, Fe, Cr, Zn, Cu, Pb precipitated and/or were adsorbed onto the solid phase. The U-isotopes and 210Po showed a clear non-conservative behaviour probably due to coprecipitation/adsorption processes onto the formed precipitates, but while 210Po reached a total removal at pH ≈ 7, U- isotopes after a total removal at pH ≈ 5 returned into the liquid phase due to redissolution/desorption processes at near neutral pH. The formed precipitates, mainly composed by iron phosphates particles, showed heavy metal and natural radionuclide concentrations from one to three orders of magnitude higher than unperturbed soils. All these facts demonstrate the serious environmental impact produced by the PG stacks into their surroundings and the urgency of effective restoration measures.

Development of a reference material for analysing naturally occurring radioactive material from the steel industry.

Accurate measurement of naturally occurring radionuclides in blast furnace slag, a by-product of the steel industry, is required for compliance with building regulations where it is often used as an ingredient in cement. A matrix reference blast furnace slag material has been developed to support traceability in these measurements. Raw material provided by a commercial producer underwent stability and homogeneity testing, as well as characterisation of matrix constituents, to provide a final candidate reference material. The radionuclide content was then determined during a comparison exercise that included 23 laboratories from 14 countries. Participants determined the activity per unit mass for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K using a range of techniques. The consensus values obtained from the power-moderated mean of the reported participant results were used as indicative activity per unit mass values for the three radionuclides: A0(226Ra) = 106.3 (34) Bq·kg-1, A0(232Th) = 130.0 (48) Bq·kg-1 and A0(40K) = 161 (11) Bq·kg-1 (where the number in parentheses is the numerical value of the combined standard uncertainty referred to the corresponding last digits of the quoted result). This exercise helps to address the current shortage of NORM industry reference materials, putting in place infrastructure for production of further reference materials.

Problemas farmacoterapéuticos asociados a la nutrición parenteral total detectados en el seguimiento farmacoterapéutico y su impacto económico / Drug-therapy problems associated with total parenteral nutrition detected in pharmaceutical care practice and their economic impact

Introducción: La nutrición parenteral total es la administración de los nutrientes requeridos por vía intravenosa. No es un método libre de complicaciones. El químico farmacéutico en el área asistencial por medio del seguimiento farmacoterapéutico puede aportar a la mejora de la terapia nutricional de un paciente con nutrición parenteral total.Objetivo: Detectar los problemas farmacoterapéuticos asociados a la nutrición parenteral total a través del seguimiento farmacoterapéutico en pacientes y los ahorros de las intervenciones farmacéuticas generados en una clínica de tercer nivel en Barranquilla-Colombia.Método: Se realizó un estudio evaluativo, cuasi-experimental, ambiespectivo en 109 pacientes con prescripción de nutrición parenteral total en una clínica de tercer nivel de la ciudad de Barranquilla, durante 6 meses.Resultados: Se detectaron un total de 81 problemas relacionados con los medicamentos durante la fase de estudio, de los cuales el 75,31% fueron del tipo de dosis pauta y/o duración no adecuada. 20 problemas relacionados con los medicamentos se convirtieron en resultados negativos asociados a los medicamentos, de estos, el 55% fueron del tipo inefectividad cuantitativa. Fueron realizadas 81 intervenciones, con un porcentaje de aceptación de 93,83% (76), de las intervenciones aceptadas se lograron resolver 67 problemas, 5 intervenciones no fueron aceptadas y 14 problemas no pudieron ser resueltos debido a distintos factores. En cuanto a los ahorros generados, se alcanzó la cifra de $ 12.751.595 COP en seis meses de desarrollo del estudio.Conclusión: La identificación del perfil del paciente y los riesgos asociados al soporte nutricional ayudarán a generar un impacto económico para la institución y clínico en el paciente teniendo una visión integral de los problemas farmacoterapéuticos asociados. (AU)

Introduction: Total parenteral nutrition is the administration of the nutrients that an individual requires intravenously. It is not a method free of complications. The Pharmacist in care area through pharmacotherapeutic monitoring can contribute to the improvement of the nutritional therapy of a patient with Total parenteral nutrition. Objective: To detect pharmacotherapy problems associated with total parenteral nutrition through pharmacotherapy follow-up in patients and the savings from pharmaceutical interventions generated in a third level clinic in Barranquilla-Colombia.Methodology: It was performed an evaluative study with a quasi-experimental methodological design of ambyespective type, in relation to the time of collection of the data, in 109 patients prescribed with total parenteral nutrition in a third level clinic located in Barranquilla Colombia, in the period between November-December 2018 and January-May 2019.Results: A total of 81 drug related problem were detected during study phase, of which 75,31% were dose type and/or inadequate duration. 20 drug related problem became into negative outcome medications, of these, 55% were quantitative ineffectiveness type. 81 interventions were performed, with an acceptance percentage of 93,83% (76), of these accepted interventions, 67 problems were solved, 5 interventions were not accepted and 14 problems could not be solved due to different factors. Regarding the savings generated, the figure of $12.751.595 COP was reached in six months of study development.Conclusion: The identification of the patient’s profile and the risks associated with nutritional support will help generate an economic impact for the institution and clinician on the patient by having a comprehensive view of the associated pharmacotherapeutic problems. (AU)

Ground-based and OMI-TROPOMI NO2 measurements at El Arenosillo observatory: Unexpected upward trends.

Eleven years, January 2008 to June 2019, of hourly nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels recorded at El Arenosillo observatory (Southwestern Europe) were analyzed. Annual averages ranged between 4 µg m-3 and 6 µg m-3 with peaks exceeding 40 µg m-3. A slight monthly variation was observed with maximum and minimum values in the cold (∼6 µg m-3) and warm (∼4 µg m-3) seasons respectively. A diurnal pattern was found with a weak amplitude (∼3 µg m-3). The monthly trends were investigated using surface observations and OMI (Ozone Monitoring instrument) satellite measurements. An unexpected upward trend was obtained in the last five years. The periods with elevated NO2 concentrations in the last years were analyzed, showing an increase in its frequency and concentrations, linked with the upward trend observed. The weather conditions in these NO2 peaks were studied using local surface meteorology, mean sea level pressure and wind fields from the data reanalysis of ERA5. The transport of NO2 was explored using TROPOMI (Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument) measurements. The events occurred under conditions governed by high-pressure systems, which induced weak synoptic airflows or the development of mesoscale processes. Four scenarios of NO2 transport were identified, associated with weak synoptic flows from inland or Southern Portugal and with mesoscale processes. The gulf of Cadiz plays an important role as a reservoir where the NO2 coming from the south of Portugal, the Western Mediterranean Basin and urban-industrial areas can be accumulated and later transported inland. A strong correlation was found between the increase of NO2 observed in the last years and positive anomalies of the temperature and geopotential height at 850 and 500 hPa levels. These findings could indicate that the causes of the changes in the NO2 would be attributed to alterations in the weather patterns associated with a warmer climate.

Radiological and physico-chemical characterization of materials from phosphoric acid production plant to assess the workers radiological risks.

The industry devoted to the production of phosphoric acid by using as raw material sedimentary phosphate rock (PR) is considered as a NORM activity (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials), due to the high levels of U-series radionuclides contained in this ore, which are 1-2 orders of magnitude higher than those in unperturbed soils. This fact allowed us to develop a deep characterization of the raw materials, wastes, main intermediate materials, and final products obtained at a typical phosphoric acid factory. The elemental composition (major, minor and trace elements), radionuclide concentrations, grain size distribution, mineralogy and micro-structural composition were analyzed. The aim of this characterization was to obtain information for operators and maintenance personnel involved in clean-up and waste management operations. The highest concentrations of some heavy metals and radionuclide activity concentrations were found in the "scales" (or internal incrustations)from the pipes that carry either phosphoric acid (PA) or the phosphogypsum waste (PG). The highest concentrations where found for 226Ra and 40K,with values up to 9 and 5 Bq g-1, respectively. In addition, high concentrations of many toxic heavy metals and trace elements, such as Cd, Cr, Ni, Sr, Y, V, Zn, Th, and U, were found in some sludge samples. The shielding effect of the containers/vessels/pipes has an essential role in the measured external dose in the intermediate products. The radiological implications of natural radionuclides with higher activity showed that if the maximum particulate matter concentration established in the Spanish regulation is verified, and taking into account the most conservative scenario, the annual limit of 1 mSv y-1 is not exceeded.