Experimental Analysis of Fuel Mixing Patterns in a Fluidized Bed

The mixing pattern of a tracer particle which simulates a fuel particle is studied in a cold 2-dimensional fluidized bed with respect to the influence of fluidization velocity, bed height, tracer particle size and air-distributor pressure drop under conditions typical for bubbling fluidized bed boilers as well as the bottom region of circulating fluidized bed boilers. The results show that for all conditions studied, the tracer particle follows a flow pattern structured into horizontally-aligned vortexes

Intention to Transfer and Transfer Following eLearning in Spain

Acord transformatiu CRUE-CSICUnderstanding vocational learning and transfer is vital to European citizens. We need to understand how transfer works, which factors influence it, and how these factors affect employee behaviour. Research in online training specific to Southern Europe is needed to move the field forward. The Unified Model of Motivation for Training Transfer (MTT) was proposed to understand behaviour change after training. It conceives three phases: (1) forming transfer intentions, (2) actualizing implementation intentions for transfer, and (3) strengthening transfer commitment. We analysed initial transfer intention and transfer following online training in three Spanish organisations. We used an ex post facto prospective design with one group (n = 204). We applied the online version of the Initial Transfer Intention questionnaire (ITI) three days before the training, and the Transfer Questionnaire (TrQ) three to four months after the training. Training consisted of 22 online courses offered by the three participating organisations. A cluster analysis and post hoc analysis were performed. We identified three groups (k = 3), indicating that there were significant differences in the means between employees with low and high intention to transfer. Results showed a greater difference in the factor profile between participants with LowPT and HighPT. We identified common characteristics among people with low levels of transfer; this information can help understand what type of employee will transfer less and provide cues on how to prevent this from happening in future training activities. Limitations and recommendations for research and practice are discussed

Measuring Perceived Research Competence of Junior Researchers

Graduates of doctoral (Ph.D.) programs are expected to be competent at designing and conducting research independently. Given the level of research competence needed to successfully conduct research, it is important that assessors of doctoral programs (e.g., faculty and staff) have a reliable and validated tool for measuring and tracking perceived research competence among their students and graduates. A high level of research competence is expected for all Ph.D. graduates worldwide, in addition to in all disciplines/fields. Moreover, graduates of Ph.D. programs may complete their studies in one country but then obtain a research position in another country, emphasizing the need to ensure that all doctoral programs are fostering similar levels of research competence. Thus, the purpose of this study was to gather additional evidence for validity and reliability of the Research Competence (R-Comp) scale. Specifically, we sought to extend the findings of by adapting the scale, translating it to other languages, and applying the tool with a sample of early stage researchers. Our findings provide initial evidence that the adapted PR-Comp is appropriate for use in three languages and across a variety of disciplines/programs of study

The land–sea coastal border: a quantitative definition by considering the wind and wave conditions in a wave-dominated, micro-tidal environment

A quantitative definition for the land–sea (coastal) transitional area is proposed here for wave-driven areas, based on the variability and isotropy of met-ocean processes. Wind velocity and significant wave height fields are examined for geostatistical anisotropy along four cross-shore transects on the Catalan coast (north-western Mediterranean), illustrating a case of significant changes along the shelf. The variation in the geostatistical anisotropy as a function of distance from the coast and water depth has been analysed through heat maps and scatter plots. The results show how the anisotropy of wind velocity and significant wave height decrease towards the offshore region, suggesting an objective definition for the coastal fringe width. The more viable estimator turns out to be the distance at which the significant wave height anisotropy is equal to the 90th percentile of variance in the anisotropies within a 100&thinsp;km distance from the coast. Such a definition, when applied to the Spanish Mediterranean coast, determines a fringe width of 2–4&thinsp;km. Regarding the probabilistic characterization, the inverse of wind velocity anisotropy can be fitted to a log-normal distribution function, while the significant wave height anisotropy can be fitted to a log-logistic distribution function. The joint probability structure of the two anisotropies can be best described by a Gaussian copula, where the dependence parameter denotes a mild to moderate dependence between both anisotropies, reflecting a certain decoupling between wind velocity and significant wave height near the coast. This wind–wave dependence remains stronger in the central bay-like part of the study area, where the wave field is being more actively generated by the overlaying wind. Such a pattern controls the spatial variation in the coastal fringe width.</p

Structural tuning of photoluminescence in nanoporous anodic alumina by hard anodization in oxalic and malonic acids

We report on an exhaustive and systematic study about the photoluminescent properties of nanoporous anodic alumina membranes fabricated by the one-step anodization process under hard conditions in oxalic and malonic acids. This optical property is analysed as a function of several parameters (i.e. hard anodization voltage, pore diameter, membrane thickness, annealing temperature and acid electrolyte). This analysis makes it possible to tune the photoluminescent behaviour at will simply by modifying the structural characteristics of these membranes. This structural tuning ability is of special interest in such fields as optoelectronics, in which an accurate design of the basic nanostructures (e.g. microcavities, resonators, filters, supports, etc.) yields the control over their optical properties and, thus, upon the performance of the nanodevices derived from them (biosensors, interferometers, selective filters, etc.).Abel Santos, Maria Alba, Mahbubur M Rahman, Pilar Formentín, Josep Ferré-Borrull, Josep Pallarès, Lluis F Marsa

Disseny i aplicació d'una plataforma digital per a la millora dels aprenentatges de l'alumnat

La finalitat del projecte ha estat la creació d'una plataforma multimèdia, que mitjançant l'estratègia didàctica del cas permetés optimitzar el seguiment dels aprenentatges de l'alumnat, millorar els materials de docència i promoure l'autoresponsabilitat i l'autoaprenentatge. Per a això, s'ha seguit una metodologia de treball en quatre etapes: 1. Definició del perfil de competències del psicòleg organitzacional. 2. Establiment dels nivells de competència per assignatura. 3. Utilització del cas com a estratègia didàctica. 4. Confecció d'una eina multimèdia d'aprenentatge que conté un simulador d'organitzacions i empreses (e.OS d'aprenentatge) i un gestor de continguts (CMS, de l'anglès Content Management System).La finalidad del proyecto ha sido la creación de una plataforma multimedia, que mediante la estrategia didáctica del caso permitiera optimizar el seguimiento de los aprendizajes del alumnado, mejorar los materiales de docencia y promover la auto-responsabilidad y el autoaprendizaje. Para eso, se ha seguido una metodología de trabajo en cuatro etapas: 1. Definición del perfil de competencias del psicólogo organizacional. 2. Establecimiento de los niveles de competencia por asignatura. 3. Utilización del caso como estrategia didáctica. 4. Confección de una herramienta multimedia de aprendizaje que contiene un simulador de organizaciones y empresas (e.OS de aprendizaje) y un gestor de contenidos (CMS, del inglés Content Management System).The purpose of the project was to create a multimedia platform, which by means of the strategy teaching of the case would enable monitoring of students' learning to be optimised, teaching materials to be improved and which would self-promote independent responsibility and independent learning. To that end, a four-stage working methodology was followed: 1. Definition of the skills profile of the organisational psychologist. 2. Establishment of the skills levels by course. 3. Use of the case as a teaching strategy. 4. Production of a multimedia learning tool that contains an organisation and business simulator (Learning e.OS) and a CMS (Content Management System)

CXCR7 expression in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma identifies a subgroup of CXCR4+ patients with good prognosis

© 2018 Moreno et al.The CXCR4/CXCL12 axis has been extensively associated with different types of cancer correlating with higher aggressiveness and metastasis. In diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 is involved in the dissemination of malignant B cells and is a marker of poor prognosis. CXCR7 is a chemokine receptor that binds to the same ligand as CXCR4 and regulates de CXCR4-CXCL12 axis. These findings together with the report of CXCR7 prognostic value in several tumor types, led us to evaluate the expression of CXCR7 in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma biopsies. Here, we describe that CXCR7 receptor is an independent prognostic factor that associates with good clinical outcome. Moreover, the expression of CXCR7 associates with increased survival in CXCR4+ but not in CXCR4- DLBCL patients. Thus, the combined immunohistochemical evaluation of both CXCR7 and CXCR4 expression in DLBCL biopsies may improve their prognostic value as single markers. Finally, we show that CXCR7 overexpression in vitro is able to diminish DLBCL cell survival and increase their sensitivity to antitumor drugs. Hence, further studies on the CXCR7 receptor may establish its role in DLBCL and the molecular mechanisms that modulate CXCR4 activity.This work was supported by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (co-founding from FEDER) [ FIS PI11/00872, RD12/0036/0071, FIS PI14/00450 to J.S., FIS PI15/00378 to R.M., PIE15/00028 to R.M. and J.S., RD12/0036/0069, PS09/01382 to M.G.D, PI15/01393 to M.A, CD13/00074 to V.P.]; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) [CB06/01/1031 and Nanomets3 to R.M. and CB16/12/00233 to M.G.D.]; Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca (AGAUR) [2014-SGR-1041, 2014PROD0005 to R.M and 2014-SGR-1281 to J.S]; Fundació La Marató TV3 [416/C/2013-2030 to R.M, 100830/31/32 to J.S and M.G.D.]; Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute [P/AG 2014 to R.M.]; the Health Council of Castilla y León (BIO/SA56/13 and BIO/SA78/15 to M.A.); Agència de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca (AGAUR) [2017FI_B00680 to A.F.]

Tunable Fabry-Perot interferometer based on nanoporous anodic alumina for optical biosensing purposes

Here, we present a systematic study about the effect of the pore length and its diameter on the specular reflection in nanoporous anodic alumina. As we demonstrate, the specular reflection can be controlled at will by structural tuning (i.e., by designing the pore geometry). This makes it possible to produce a wide range of Fabry-Pérot interferometers based on nanoporous anodic alumina, which are envisaged for developing smart and accurate optical sensors in such research fields as biotechnology and medicine. Additionally, to systematize the responsiveness to external changes in optical sensors based on nanoporous anodic alumina, we put forward a barcode system based on the oscillations in the specular reflection.Abel Santos, Victor S Balderrama, María Alba, Pilar Formentín, Josep Ferré-Borrull, Josep Pallarès, Lluís F Marsa

An Auristatin nanoconjugate targeting CXCR4+ leukemic cells blocks acute myeloid leukemia dissemination

Altres ajuts: EU COST Action CA 17140 to R.M. A grant from La Generalitat de Catalunya (PERIS) [SLT002/16/00433 to J.S.]; a grant from the Generalitat de Catalunya CERCA Programme. The work was also supported by PERIS program from the health department of the Generalitat de Catalunya (SLT006/17/00093) [grated to U.U.] and Fundación Española de Hematología y Hemoterapia (FEHH) [granted to V.P.]. Finally, AV received an ICREA ACADEMIA Award supported by the Catalan Government.Background: current acute myeloid leukemia (AML) therapy fails to eliminate quiescent leukemic blasts in the bone marrow, leading to about 50% of patient relapse by increasing AML burden in the bone marrow, blood, and extramedullar sites. We developed a protein-based nanoparticle conjugated to the potent antimitotic agent Auristatin E that selectively targets AML blasts because of their CXCR4 receptor overexpression (CXCR4+) as compared to normal cells. The therapeutic rationale is based on the involvement of CXCR4 overexpression in leukemic blast homing and quiescence in the bone marrow, and the association of these leukemic stem cells with minimal residual disease, dissemination, chemotherapy resistance, and lower patient survival. - Methods: monomethyl Auristatin E (MMAE) was conjugated with the CXCR4 targeted protein nanoparticle T22-GFP-H6 produced in E. coli. Nanoconjugate internalization and in vitro cell viability assays were performed in CXCR4+ AML cell lines to analyze the specific antineoplastic activity through the CXCR4 receptor. In addition, a disseminated AML animal model was used to evaluate the anticancer effect of T22-GFP-H6-Auristatin in immunosuppressed NSG mice (n = 10/group). U of Mann-Whitney test was used to consider if differences were significant between groups. - Results: T22-GFP-H6-Auristatin was capable to internalize and exert antineoplastic effects through the CXCR4 receptor in THP-1 and SKM-1 CXCR4+ AML cell lines. In addition, repeated administration of the T22-GFP-H6-Auristatin nanoconjugate (9 doses daily) achieves a potent antineoplastic activity by internalizing specifically in the leukemic cells (luminescent THP-1) to selectively eliminate them. This leads to reduced involvement of leukemic cells in the bone marrow, peripheral blood, liver, and spleen, while avoiding toxicity in normal tissues in a luminescent disseminated AML mouse model. - Conclusions: a novel nanoconjugate for targeted drug delivery of Auristatin reduces significantly the acute myeloid leukemic cell burden in the bone marrow and blood and blocks its dissemination to extramedullar organs in a CXCR4+ AML model. This selective drug delivery approach validates CXCR4+ AML cells as a target for clinical therapy, not only promising to improve the control of leukemic dissemination but also dramatically reducing the severe toxicity of classical AML therapy