Ruthenium molecular complexes immobilized on graphene as active catalysts for the synthesis of carboxylic acids from alcohol dehydrogenation

Ruthenium complexes containing N-heterocyclic carbene ligands functionalized with different polyaromatic groups (pentafluorophenyl, anthracene, and pyrene) are immobilized onto the surface of reduced graphene oxide. The hybrid materials composed of organometallic complexes and graphene are obtained in a single-step process. The hybrid materials are efficient catalysts for the synthesis of carboxylic acids from the dehydrogenation of alcohols in aqueous media. The catalytic materials can be recycled up to ten times without significant loss of activity. The catalytic activity of the pyrene derivative, Pyr-Ru (3) is enhanced when the ruthenium complex is anchored onto the surface of graphene. The carbonaceous material limits the degradation of the ruthenium complex resulting in increased activity and requiring lower catalyst loadings. The catalytic process of the pyrene hybrid material is heterogeneous in nature due to the strong interaction between the pyrene and graphene. The catalytic process of the anthracene and pentafluorophenyl hybrid materials is governed by the so-called ‘boomerang effect’. The ruthenium molecular complex is released from and returned to the graphene surface during the catalytic reaction. Mechanistic insight has been obtained experimentally and theoretically. The energy profile suggests that the rate-determining step is the water nucleophilic attack to a coordinated aldehyde complex to form a gem-diolate complex.The authors thank the financial support from MINECO (CTQ2015-69153-C2-2-R and CTQ2015- 67461-P), Generalitat Valenciana (AICO/2015/039), Universitat Jaume I (P1.1B2015-09) and Universidad de Zaragoza (UZ2014-CIE-01)

In-house PIV laser system design and development for measuring the velocity of liquids

Measuring the velocity of fluids is important for different scientific applications in industry. There are different methods for measuring the velocity of fluids such as the Pitot tube, orifice plate, Venturi tube and via a rotameter. As these methods are clearly invasive they present considerable errors. Consequently, an optical method could be used for measuring fluids with substantial error reduction. Among those, Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), Particle Tracking Velocimetry (PTV), Laser Doppler Velocimetry (DLV) are good options. In this work, a low-cost, in-house PIV laser system for measuring the velocity of a liquid in experimental form is developed based on our design. The results were then compared with the results of a rotameter at 2-5 litres per minute (LPM) in similar flow conditions. Full design and development of our system will be included in the manuscript

TBW Assessment by Deuterium Dilution in Spanish Adolescents

Congreso para especialistas en Nutrición, Actividad Física y Composición CorporalINTRODUCTION: Total body water (TBW) assessment is a cornerstone in order to validate equations to estimate body composition components as fat mass and fat free mass. Deuterium dilution technique (D2DT) is considered the gold standard method to assess TBW, however in Spain there are not any reference data using D2DT. The knowledge of specific references for Spanish population must be a goal for the biological studies of Spanish people. OBJECTIVE: It was our aim to assess TBW using the D2DT in a sample of Spanish adolescents. METHODS: 224 specimens of urine from 150 adolescents (113 girls and 111 boys) were taken to analyze. A dose of 0.1 grams of 2D2O per Kg of body weight was administrated; afterwards it was followed by 4-hours stabilization period. The isotope (deuterium oxide (D2O)) dilution method was used to measure TBW with an isotope-ratio mass-spectrometer. Averages by sex and Tanner stages were calculated for %TBW and TBW. General lineal model were used to analyze differences and interactions between groups. RESULTS: %TBW was significantly different between boys and girls (58.98_5.59% vs 55.5_4.28%, P0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study has been the first in Spain, which have measured TBW in vivo using D2DT. These data can be useful to validate new methods and equations from bioimpedance analysis to estimate TBW.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. Coca-Col

Compuestos Laminados De Matriz Polimérica Reforzados Con Fibras Naturales: Comportamiento Mecánico

El grado de comprensión de la mecánica de materiales compuestos laminados subyace al nivel de sus aplicaciones y la consistencia de su desempeño. La especialización alcanzada por el tema se refleja en la amplitud de la documentación disponible, tanto en cantidad como en intereses específicos. Esta situación obliga a una sistematización periódica del conocimiento generado, cuyo propósito es sostener este proceso mediante la vinculación de nuevas personas e ideas a lo ya construido. En este artículo de sistematización el estado actual del conocimiento aplicado se presenta como una serie de ideas, a las que subyace el concepto de naturaleza multi-escalar del comportamiento mecánico de los materiales compuestos. En el transcurso se deja ver el rol de las técnicas de caracterización mecánica y microscópica en la construcción de conocimiento sobre el tema

Compuestos Laminados De Matriz Polimérica Reforzados Con Fibras Naturales: Comportamiento Mecánico

El grado de comprensión de la mecánica de materiales compuestos laminados subyace al nivel de sus aplicaciones y la consistencia de su desempeño. La especialización alcanzada por el tema se refleja en la amplitud de la documentación disponible, tanto en cantidad como en intereses específicos. Esta situación obliga a una sistematización periódica del conocimiento generado, cuyo propósito es sostener este proceso mediante la vinculación de nuevas personas e ideas a lo ya construido. En este artículo de sistematización el estado actual del conocimiento aplicado se presenta como una serie de ideas, a las que subyace el concepto de naturaleza multi-escalar del comportamiento mecánico de los materiales compuestos. En el transcurso se deja ver el rol de las técnicas de caracterización mecánica y microscópica en la construcción de conocimiento sobre el tema

Longitudinal differences of physical activity and adiposity in adolescents: a 2-year follow-up

It is commonly believed that boys are more physically active than girls, which could affect body composition changes during adolescence. One major point not always considered or controlled is the maturational differences between boys and girls of similar chronological age. So, it remains to be determined the importance of physical activity (PA) behaviors adjusted by sex and maturation on body composition modifications. This study complement the published results by evaluating the effects of gender, sexual maturation level on PA and body composition changes. PURPOSE: To explore PA and adiposity alterations in Spanish students during adolescence. METHODS: Sixty-eight healthy adolescents were followed-up during 2-year (32 girls and 36 boys). A PA score was estimated by Physical Activity Questionnaire (PAQ-A). Adiposity was assessed by anthropometric measurements, BMI and fat mass percent (FMP) were calculated using classical equation, and waist circumference (WC) as abdominal adiposity marker. Tanner’s maturation stages were evaluated. Three assessments were performed: September 2011, 2012 and 2013 (S1, S2, and S3, respectively). Repeated measures were carried out between three moments for all variables and adjusted by maturation level and sex. RESULTS: Significant differences for FMP were found between S1 and S2 (22.30±8.22 vs. 21.15±7.73, P<0.05); a significant interaction with sex was observed (P<0.05), but not for maturation. Regarding PA, S2 was significantly higher than S3 (2.68±0.68 vs. 2.23±0.72, P<0.001). An interaction between PA and maturation was statically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The main finding of this follow-up was a reduction in PA after S2 period without changes in adiposity. In opposite, a reduction of FMP was only significant between S1 and S2, while PA was not modified. Our results suggest that body composition and PA changes observed during adolescence are not parallel. Moreover, the interaction analysis highlighted that maturation affect PA behavior, but not sex.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (AP2010-0583), Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (DEP2011-30565) and Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Visible light harvesting alkyne hydrosilylation mediated by pincer platinum complexe

In this manuscript we assess the catalytic properties of pincer platinum complexes in alkyne hydrosilylation either under photo or thermal conditions. The visible light-induced hydrosilylation proved to be more efficient. It can be performed at room temperature and required lower catalyst loadings than that operating under thermal conditions. The platinum complexes play a dual role in photohydrosilylation as serve as a photosensitizer and a catalyst enabling species in bond breaking/forming transformations. In addition, alkyne hydrosilylation is achieved with moderate regio- and stereoselectivity but is enhanced under photocatalytic conditions and in the case of terminal alkynes we have observed the formation of β(Z) products not observable under thermal conditions. Such differences in selectivity constitute an example of stereodivergent catalysis dictated under photochemical or thermal conditions. The selectivity differences are ascribed to a distinctive reaction mechanism for the light- vs thermally-induced process that involve radical or organometallic intermediates, respectively.MICIU/AEI/FEDER (PID2021-126071OB-C22 and PID2019-104121GB-I00). Universitat Jaume I (UJI-B2022-23). Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEU/2020/028).Thanks to PID2021-126071OB-C22 and PID2019-104121GB-I00 funded by MICIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/ FEDER “Una manera de hacer Europa”. Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEU/2020/028) and Universitat Jaume I (UJI-B2022-23). L. I-I. thanks MICIN for grant (FPU20/04385). The authors thank ‘Servei Central d’Instrumentació Científica (SCIC) de la Universitat Jaume I’

Construct validity of the physical activity questionnaire for adolescents (paq-a): maximal oxygen uptake

Introduction: The Physical Activity Questionnaire for adolescents (PAQ-A) is a cost-effective tool to assess physical activity (PA) patterns during adolescence and it has been widely used in research and field settings. Convergent validity of PAQ-A has been confirmed in several countries (Bervoets et al., 2014; Janz, Lutuchy, Wenthe, & Levy, 2008; Martinez-Gomez et al., 2009). However, the construct validity has often been overlooked. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the construct validity of PAQ-A, using maximal oxygen uptake as criterion. Methods: One hundred and seventy-eight (n=99 boys, n=79 girls) adolescents (14.2±1.9 years, 21.1±4.1 BMI) participated in this study. A PA score was estimated by PAQ-A and additionally a sport history was recorded. BMI, waist circumference (WC) and fat mass percent (FMP) were assessed by anthropometric measurements as adiposity markers. Aerobic fitness (VO2Max) was assessed by a progressive continuous test (Chester Step Test). Associations between PA-score and criterions were analyzed by Spearman correlations; a one-way ANOVA was conducted to detect differences between each item level from the PAQ-A; independent sample t tests were used to compare values between boys and girls, and athletes and non-athletes. Results: The results showed moderate significant positive correlations between VO2Max and the PAQ-C for total score (rho = 0.28, P<0.01) and items 5, 6, 7 and 8 (rho = 0.24; rho = 0.25; rho = 0.22; rho = 0.25, all P<0.05; respectively). Adolescents who were enrolled in competitive and organized sport practice had higher scores on the questionnaire (2.8 vs 2.5 average score) as well as higher VO2Max values (37.4 vs 34.2 ml/kg/min). Discussion: Our data confirm the PAQ-A had acceptable construct validity when using VO2Max as criterion. Moreover, our results suggest that information from some items could be more related with some health markers than others. References: Bervoets, L., Van Noten, C., Van Roosbroeck, S., Hansen, D., Van Hoorenbeeck, K., Verheyen, E., . . . Vankerckhoven, V. (2014). Reliability and Validity of the Dutch Physical Activity Questionnaires for Children (PAQ-C) and Adolescents (PAQ-A). Arch Public Health, 72(1), 47. doi: 10.1186/2049-3258-72-47 Janz, K. F., Lutuchy, E. M., Wenthe, P., & Levy, S. M. (2008). Measuring activity in children and adolescents using self-report: PAQ-C and PAQ-A. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 40(4), 767-772. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181620ed1 Martinez-Gomez, D., Martinez-de-Haro, V., Pozo, T., Welk, G. J., Villagra, A., Calle, M. E., . . . Veiga, O. L. (2009). [Reliability and validity of the PAQ-A questionnaire to assess physical activity in Spanish adolescents]. Rev Esp Salud Publica, 83(3), 427-439. Contact: [email protected] This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (AP2010-0583), Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (DEP2011-30565) and the University of Málaga (Campus of International Excellence Andalucía Tech).Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

High Levels of Proinflammatory Cytokines, but Not Markers of Tissue Injury, in Unaffected Intestinal Areas from Patients with IBD

Intestinal alterations in IBD are triggered and maintained by an overexpression of proinflammatory cytokines. Additionally, increased immune activation has been found in the adjacent intestinal areas without displaying any apparent histological alterations, however, the regulatory environment is not well established. Biopsy specimens from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), from both affected and unaffected areas, and also from a group of colonic biopsies from healthy controls, were included in our study. Cytokines and markers of mucosal damage were analyzed by real-time PCR, and some of the results confirmed by western-blot and ELISA. Levels of IFNγ, TNFα, IL-6, IL-15, IL-18, and IL-23 were increased (above healthy controls) in both affected and unaffected areas from IBD. IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, and IL-27 were higher in affected areas compared to unaffected ones in UC but not CD. In general, a correlation was observed between mRNA levels of these cytokines and both iNOS and Granzyme B. SOCS-2 and SOCS-3 were also increased in the affected areas. In conclusion, the unaffected areas from IBD show increased levels of a restricted set of cytokines that may exert immune activating roles in these areas without being able to trigger tissue damage