Juan Carlos Gil González

Superhydrophobic supported Ag-NPs@ZnO-nanorods with photoactivity in the visible range

In this article we present a new type of 1D nanostructures consisting of supported hollow ZnO nanorods (NRs) decorated with Ag nanoparticles (NPs). The 3D reconstruction by high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) electron tomography reveals that the Ag NPs are distributed along the hollow interior of the ZnO NRs. Supported and vertically aligned Ag-NPs@ZnO-NRs grow at low temperature (135 °C) by plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition on heterostructured substrates fabricated by sputtered deposition of silver on flat surfaces of Si wafers, quartz slides or ITO. The growth mechanisms of these structures and their wetting behavior before and after visible light irradiation are critically discussed. The as prepared surfaces are superhydrophobic with water contact angles higher than 150°. These surfaces turn into superhydrophilic with water contact angles lower than 10° after prolonged irradiation under both visible and UV light. The evolution rate of the wetting angle and its dependence on the light characteristics are related to the nanostructure and the presence of silver embedded within the ZnO NRs.

Comparative study of CSF neurofilaments in HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis and other neurological disorders.

HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is a progressive CNS disease leading to corticospinal tract degeneration. Various degenerative diseases have increased neurofilament subunit concentration in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), frequently showing hyperphosphorylation in neurofilaments. The aim of this study was to determine if there were elevated concentrations of neurofilament light subunit (NFL) and phosphorylated forms of neurofilament heavy subunit (PNFH) in HAM/TSP CSF. NF concentrations were compared with those of controls and patients with neurodegenerative diseases associated with other retroviruses (HIV-associated dementia, HAD) and a form of prion disease (familiar Creutzfeldt-Jakob, FCJD). Western blotting of CSF with antibodies against NFL showed two immunoreactive bands of 66 and 59 kDa, the latter probably corresponding to a partially degraded NFL form. The concentration of the 59-kDa form was not different in HAM/TSP compared with controls, but it was significantly increased in HAD and FCJD groups. ELISA assay for PNFH did not show differences among HAM/TSP, HAD, and control groups, while PNFH concentration was significantly elevated in FCJD. Our results show that CSF NFL and PNFH are not molecular markers of axonal damage for HAM/TSP probably due to the slow progression of this disease. NFL phosphorylation studies required previous immunoprecipitation from CSF for mass spectrometric analysis. This preliminary analysis indicated phosphorylation at S472 and at some other residues.

Periodismo y arte: dos caminos creativos entrecruzados

The main purpose of this article is the interpretation of the journalists creative process from the characteristics of art: originality, essentiality and purity. Moreover, this study shows the transfiguration of press messages in the context of postmodernism. For that reason we have examined the meaning of experience, rupture, tradition and realistic spirit in art and contemporary culture and also how the journalistic discourse has taken advantage of that.