Selectivity control in Pt-catalyzed cinnamaldehyde hydrogenation

Chemoselectivity is a cornerstone of catalysis, permitting the targeted modification of specific functional groups within complex starting materials. Here we elucidate key structural and electronic factors controlling the liquid phase hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde and related benzylic aldehydes over Pt nanoparticles. Mechanistic insight from kinetic mapping reveals cinnamaldehyde hydrogenation is structure-insensitive over metallic platinum, proceeding with a common Turnover Frequency independent of precursor, particle size or support architecture. In contrast, selectivity to the desired cinnamyl alcohol product is highly structure sensitive, with large nanoparticles and high hydrogen pressures favoring C=O over C=C hydrogenation, attributed to molecular surface crowding and suppression of sterically-demanding adsorption modes. In situ vibrational spectroscopies highlight the role of support polarity in enhancing C=O hydrogenation (through cinnamaldehyde reorientation), a general phenomenon extending to alkyl-substituted benzaldehydes. Tuning nanoparticle size and support polarity affords a flexible means to control the chemoselective hydrogenation of aromatic aldehydes

Physical activity and exercise priorities in community dwelling people with multiple sclerosis: A delphi study

Exercise and physical activity have been found to be beneficial in managing disabilities caused by multiple sclerosis (MS). Despite the known benefits, many people with MS (pwMS) are inactive. This study aimed to identify the prioritised exercise and physical activity practices of pwMS living the community and the reasons they engaged in these activities. Methods: A four Round Delphi questionnaire scoped and determined consensus of priorities for the top 10 exercise and physical activities and the reasons why pwMS (n=101) engaged in these activities. Data were analysed using content analysis, descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests. Results: The top 10 exercise and physical activity practices and the top 10 reasons why pwMS (n=70) engaged in these activities were identified and prioritised. Consensus was achieved for the exercise and physical activities (W=0.744, p<0.0001) and for the reasons they engaged in exercise and physical activity (W=0.723,p<0.0001). Conclusion: The exercise and physical activity practices and the reasons pwMS engaged in exercise and physical activity were diverse. These self-selected activities and reasons highlighted that pwMS might conceptualise exercise and physical activity in ways that may not be fully appreciated or understood by health professionals. Considerations of the views of pwMS may be essential if the goal of increasing physical activity in this population is to be achieved

Las competencias profesionales del nutricionista deportivo The professional competences of the sports dietitian

OBJETIVO: El artículo presenta los resultados obtenidos en la investigación que dio origen a la tesis doctoral defendida por la autora en la Universitat de Lleida (España), cuyo objetivo fue identificar las Competencias Profesionales de los nutricionistas que trabajan en el ámbito de la Nutrición Deportiva. MÉTODOS: Fueron investigados 14 expertos provenientes de Australia (n=1), Brasil (n=7), España (n=3) y Estados Unidos (n=3). La herramienta metodológica utilizada fue la técnica Delphi, compuesta de tres rondas de cuestionarios. En la primera ronda los expertos proporcionaron, a través de sus discursos, la identificación de un listado de Competencias Profesionales, información que en la segunda y tercera ronda pudieron ser evaluadas y posteriormente analizadas a través de cálculos estadísticos descriptivos (media, moda, mediana y desviación Standard). RESULTADOS: De esta manera, se llegó al consenso entre los expertos sobre 147 competencias profesionales identificadas. Las competencias fueron clasificadas en cuatro macro categorías de Competencias Profesionales: Competencias Técnicas (38), Metodológicas (62), Participativas (24) y Personales (23). CONCLUSIÓN: Los resultados demostraron que el estudio sistematizado de las Competencias Profesionales del Nutricionista Deportivo contribuye para el establecimiento de los contenidos que deben componer la disciplina de Nutrición Deportiva a ser incorporada en los itinerarios curriculares de las carreras de Nutrición Humana y Dietética.<br>OBJECTIVE: This article presents the results of the doctoral research developed by the author at the University of Lleida (Spain) in June 2006. The main goal was to investigate the professional competences of dietitians who work in the field of Sports Nutrition. METHODS: Fourteen experts in Sports Nutrition from 4 countries were investigated, Australia (n=1), Brazil (n=7), Spain (n=3) and the United States (n=3). The methodological tool applied was the Delphi Technique, consisting of three rounds of questionnaires. In the first round, the experts identified a number of Professional Competences, and on the following second and third rounds these competences were assessed and analyzed by descriptive statistics (mean, mode, median and standard deviation). RESULTS: A consensus was reached by the experts on 147 identified competences. The competences were classified into four macro categories of professional competences: Technical (38), Methodological (62), Participative (24) and Personal (23) competences. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the systemized study of the professional competences of the Sports Dietitian contributes to the establishment of the contents to be taught in Sports Nutrition classes that are now being incorporated in the curriculum of undergraduate nutrition courses