Simulation of a biorefinery process as learning tool in chemical engineering degree

Currently, the search for alternative biomass to be used as renewable sources for energy production is one of the most important challenges to achieve a sustainable growth based on a bioeconomy strategy (Mendes et al., 2009). In this context, lignocellulosic waste are a renewable, clean, inexpensive and with high availability for the manufacture of biofuels. In this sense, the main objective of this study was the simulation and design of engineering processes that allows the valorization of lignocellulosic waste and the obtaining of biofuels as alternative to fossil fuels. This goal implies the practical application of the theoretical knowledge acquired by the student during the chemical engineering degree. Specifically, the students designed and simulated a biorefinery process that consisted of a Kraft pulping process as starting point of two main lines of production: (1) Process I: production of bioethanol and (2) Process II: direct and indirect production of dimethylether (DME), both from lignocellulosic biomass (Fig.1). Two commercial simulation packages, ASPEN HYSYS® and UNISIM were used to simulate the production of dimethylether and bioethanol, respectively. The first step was determining a strategic situation for the installation of the biorefinery. The central area of Andalusia (between the municipalities of Lucena and Antequera) was considered the most adequate area to develop the installation of the biorefinery plant after evaluating the biomass available inside of 100 kms of distance around this place. Specifically, different biomass mixtures were considered in order to ensure the viability of a constant inlet flow of biomass in the biorefinery. In function of this inlet flow of biomass, the installations were designed and dimensioned in each stage of the process. The student carried out a wide revision of state of the art to decide the most adequate processes among different alternatives to obtain dimethylether and bioethanol. The different stages selected as the most adequate in each line of the process can be observed in Fig.1. Moreover, the students evaluated the different alternatives for the valorisation and optimization of the by-products generated in each stage of the process in order to minimize the consuming of chemical compounds and energy requirements. Therefore, the students learnt to develop a real engineering process more sustainable and friendly with the environment. To sum up, the used of programs to simulate the transformation of lignocellulosic biomass in biofuels, such as, bioethanol or dimethylether, which is a process with several social, environmental and economic advantages, was an interesting learning tool for students of chemical engineering degree. Keywords Bioethanol, design, dimethylether, Kraft pulping process, simulations. References Mendes, C.V.T., Carvalho, M.G.V.S., Baptista, C.M.S.G., Rocha, J.M.S., Soares, B.I.G., Sousa, G.D.A., 2009. Valorisation of hardwood hemicelluloses in the kraft pulping process by using an integrated biorefinery concept. Food Bioproduct Process 87:197–207.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech MINECO: Proyecto CTQ2015-68654-

Ética, responsabilidad y uso de tecnologías en la intervención social: Nuevos desafíos para nuevas oportunidades en Trabajo Social

In this article, we offer a theoretical argument and discussion based on the ethical principles, values, morals and regulatory norms that support the action framework of the Social Work profession. The profession has had to reinvent itself in the last three years, making use of its resilience and capacity to adapt to complex situations, in which for the profession and its professionals, the social welfare of the population is the pillar on which the discipline advances. In this context, the right to the protection of digital personal data and the regulatory norms in which they converge, taking into account the daily evolution of the profession, of the professionals and of the citizen users. We proceed to assess whether in the current context, with the development and professional use of technological resources, the protection of personal and social data is maintained in privacy and confidentiality. We also evaluate if, in this context, they are extensible to all individuals equally, or if, in this technological revolution and maelstrom in which we are immersed, situations of exclusion and social vulnerability are favored.En este artículo ofrecemos un argumentario y discusión teórica con base en los principios éticos, valores, moral y normas reguladoras que sustentan el marco de actuación de la profesión del Trabajo Social. Esta ha tenido que reinventarse en los últimos tres años, haciendo uso de su capacidad resiliente y de adaptación ante complejas situaciones, en las que para la profesión y sus profesionales prima el bienestar social de la población como pilar sobre el que avanza la propia disciplina. En este marco, el derecho a la protección de datos personales digitales y la normativa reguladora en la que convergen, teniendo en cuenta el devenir diario de la profesión, de las personas profesionales y de la ciudadanía usuaria. Procediendo a valorar, si en el contexto actual, con el desarrollo y la utilización profesional de recursos tecnológicos, la protección de datos personales y sociales se mantienen en la intimidad, en la privacidad y la confidencialidad. Valorando así mismo, en este contexto, si son extensibles a todas las personas en igualdad, o si, en este tejido de revolución y vorágine tecnológica, en la que nos vemos sumidos, se favorecen situaciones de exclusión y vulnerabilidad social

Sex and gender disparities in patients with advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma: data from the AGAMENON-SEOM registry

Gastroesophageal cancer; Gender; SexCáncer gastroesofágico; Género; SexoCàncer gastroesofàgic; Gènere; SexeBackground Recommendations for research articles include the use of the term sex when reporting biological factors and gender for identities or psychosocial or cultural factors. There is an increasing awareness of incorporating the effect of sex and gender on cancer outcomes. Thus, these types of analyses for advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma are relevant. Patients and methods Patients with advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma from the Spanish AGAMENON-SEOM registry treated with first-line combination chemotherapy were selected. Epidemiology, characteristics of the disease, treatment selection, and results were examined according to sex. Results This analysis included 3274 advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma patients treated with combination chemotherapy between 2008 and 2021: 2313 (70.7%) men and 961 (29.3%) women. Tumors in females were more frequently HER2-negative (67.8% versus 60.8%; P < 0.0001), grade 3 (45.4% versus 36.8%; P < 0.001), diffuse (43.3% versus 26.5%; P < 0.0001), and signet ring cell histology (40.5 versus 23.9%; P < 0.0001). Peritoneal spread was more common in women (58.6% versus 38.9%; P < 0.0001), while liver burden was lower (58.9% versus 71.1%; P < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in treatment recommendation. Treatment doses, density, and duration were comparable between sexes. Women experienced more diarrhea (46% versus 37%; P < 0.0001), neutropenia (51% versus 43%; P < 0.0001), and anemia (62% versus 57%; P < 0.0001). After a median 59.6-month follow-up [95% confidence interval (CI) 54.5-70.8], there were no statistically significant differences between the sexes in progression-free survival [6.21 months (95% CI 5.8-6.5 months) versus 6.08 months (95% CI 5.8-6.3 months); log-rank test, χ2 = 0.1, 1 df, P = 0.8] or in overall survival [10.6 months (95% CI 9.8-11.1 months) versus 10.9 months (95% CI 10.4-11.4 months); log-rank test: χ2 = 0.6, 1 df, P = 0.5]. Conclusion This sex analysis of patients with advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma from the AGAMENON-SEOM registry receiving first-line polychemotherapy found no differences in survival. Although women had worse prognostic histopathology, metastatic disease pattern, and greater toxicity, treatment allocation and compliance were equivalent

A Large Case-Control Study Performed in Spanish Population Suggests That RECQL5 Is the Only RECQ Helicase Involved in Breast Cancer Susceptibility.

Around 50% of the familial breast cancer (BC) cases are estimated to be caused by germline variants in known low-, moderate-, and high-risk susceptibility genes, while the other half is of unknown genetic origin. In the present study, we wanted to evaluate the role of the RECQ helicases, some of which have been studied in the past as candidates, with unclear results about their role in the disease. Using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, we analyzed the whole coding sequence of BLM, RECQL1, RECQL4, RECQL5, and WRN in almost 2000 index cases from BC Spanish families that had previously tested negative for the known BC susceptibility genes (BRCAX) and compared the results with the controls extracted from gnomAD. Our results suggest that BLM, RECQL1, RECQL4, and WRN do not play a major role in BC susceptibility. However, in the combined analysis, joining the present results with those previously reported in a series of 1334 BC Spanish patients and controls, we found a statistically significant association between Loss of Function (LoF) variants in RECQL5 and BC risk, with an OR of 2.56 (p = 0.009; 95% CI, 1.18-4.98). Our findings support our previous work and places the RECQL5 gene as a new moderate-risk BC gene.A.O. is partially funded by FIS PI19/00640 supported by FEDER funds and the Spanish Network on Rare Diseases (CIBERER). M.d.l.H. is partially funded by FIS PI20/00110 supported by FEDER funds.S

External validity of clinical trials with diverse trastuzumab-based chemotherapy regimens in advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma: data from the AGAMENON-SEOM registry

Background: Trastuzumab combined with cisplatin and fluoropyrimidines, either capecitabine or 5-fluorouracile (XP/FP), is the standard first-line treatment for advanced, HER2-positive, gastric cancer patients based on the ToGA trial. Despite the lack of phase III trials, many clinicians administer trastuzumab with alternative regimens. One meta-analysis suggests that substituting cisplatin for oxaliplatin might lead to greater efficacy and less toxicity. Methods: 594 patients with HER2-positive gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma were recruited from the AGAMENON-SEOM registry. The objective was to evaluate the external validity of clinical trials with chemotherapy and trastuzumab. Results: The regimens used in at least 5% of the patients were XP (27%), oxaliplatin and capecitabine (CAPOX) (26%), oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil (FOLFOX) (14%), FP (14%), triplet with anthracycline/docetaxel (7%), and carboplatin-FU (5%). Median exposure to trastuzumab was longer with FOLFOX (11.4 months, 95% CI, 9.1-21.0) versus ToGA regimens (7.5, 6.4-8.5), p < 0.001. Patients with HER2-IHC 3+ cancers had higher response rates than those with IHC 2+/FISH+, odds-ratio 1.97 (95% CI, 1.25-3.09). The results achieved with CAPOX-trastuzumab were comparable to those attained with ToGA regimens. FOLFOX-trastuzumab was superior to ToGA schemes in terms of overall survival (OS), with a greater magnitude of effect in IHC 2+/FISH+ tumors (HR 0.47, 0.24-0.92) compared with IHC 3+ (HR 0.69, 0.49-0.96), and in diffuse (HR 0.37, 0.20-0.69) versus intestinal-type tumors (HR 0.76, 0.54-1.06). Conclusion: We have updated the external validity of clinical trials with trastuzumab in first-line treatment of gastric cancer. Our data confirm the comparable outcomes of ToGA regimens and CAPOX-trastuzumab in clinical practice and point toward a possible benefit of FOLFOX-trastuzumab, contingent on the subtypes typically less sensitive to trastuzumab, to be confirmed in clinical trials

Spread of a SARS-CoV-2 variant through Europe in the summer of 2020

[EN] Following its emergence in late 2019, the spread of SARS-CoV-21,2 has been tracked by phylogenetic analysis of viral genome sequences in unprecedented detail3,4,5. Although the virus spread globally in early 2020 before borders closed, intercontinental travel has since been greatly reduced. However, travel within Europe resumed in the summer of 2020. Here we report on a SARS-CoV-2 variant, 20E (EU1), that was identified in Spain in early summer 2020 and subsequently spread across Europe. We find no evidence that this variant has increased transmissibility, but instead demonstrate how rising incidence in Spain, resumption of travel, and lack of effective screening and containment may explain the variant’s success. Despite travel restrictions, we estimate that 20E (EU1) was introduced hundreds of times to European countries by summertime travellers, which is likely to have undermined local efforts to minimize infection with SARS-CoV-2. Our results illustrate how a variant can rapidly become dominant even in the absence of a substantial transmission advantage in favourable epidemiological settings. Genomic surveillance is critical for understanding how travel can affect transmission of SARS-CoV-2, and thus for informing future containment strategies as travel resumes.S

Assessment of tropospheric ozone effects on citrus crops using passive samplers in a western Mediterranean area

This work assesses the effects caused by tropospheric ozone on citric crops in "La Plana de Castellon", a western Mediterranean area rich in orange orchards. Passive ozone samplers were used as an alternative tool to monitor the ozone levels, to assess the effects of ozone levels on citrus crops, and to estimate the percentage of losses in harvest crops. Measurements were taken during the 3-month periods of higher ozone levels in the summers of 2001, 2002 and 2003. Measurement campaigns were divided into sampling periods of 1 week. Twenty samples were collected during each sampling period to cover an area of 8000 km2. Summer weekly ozone levels ranged between 40-44 μg/m3 in 2001, 54-70 μg/m3 in 2002 and 34-44 μg/m3 in 2003. To assess the effects on orange and lemon trees, a linear equation which described the relationship between ozone concentrations and citrus trees yields was employed. There was an estimated 8% reduction in orange and 11.5% reduction in lemon yields in the year 2003 due to the average ozone levels in the year 2001, a 10% reduction in orange and 14.2% reduction in lemon yield in the year 2004, due to the average ozone levels in the year 2002 and an estimated 7% reduction in orange and 9.8% reduction in lemon yield in the year 2005 due to the average ozone levels in the year 2003. These yield losses may negatively affect the local economy of the area. Passive samplers also proved to be a useful tool for assessing the response of citrus trees to environmental photochemical stress due to tropospheric ozone. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Seasonal variation in conditions indexes and chemical composition of the body in the european flat oyster (Ostrea edulis L.) in the Mar Menor (Murica, Southeastern Spain)

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