Pyranylidene/trifluoromethylbenzoic acid-based chromophores for dye-sensitized solar cells

The synthesis and photovoltaic study of five dyes based on 4H-pyranylidene moiety as donor moiety is reported. A thiophene unit conjugated with/without an ethynyl bond acts as the p-relay and benzoic acid as the anchor group with/without a trifluoromethyl group. Their electrochemical and optical properties are analyzed by using a joint experimental and theoretical approach. The presence of the trifluoromethyl group leads to an enhancement of the molar extinction coefficient, being slightly when a hexyl chain is introduced in the thiophene ring, but does not modify the oxidation potential. For the preparation of derived solar cells an antiaggregant is essential in all cases. The photovoltaic performance is sensitive to the structural modification of the dye: the CF3 group and the hexyl chain of the thiophene spacer were shown to improve the efficiency. The lack of a triple bond in the p-spacer involves a lower photovoltaic efficiency, and the trifluoromethyl group leads to a lower dye-load, but a decrease of the recombination processes. These results are in accordance with the electrochemistry impedance spectroscopy studies carried out. Moreover, the organic dyes have been also tested with a fluorescent lamp (indoor conditions), leading to an increase of the efficiency, reaching a 36% for the best dye. © 2022 The Author

Hybrid Closed-Loop System Achieves Optimal Perioperative Glycemia in a Boy With Type 1 Diabetes: A Case Report

The goal in type 1 diabetes (T1D) therapy is to maintain optimal glycemic control under any circumstance. Diabetes technology is in continuous development to achieve this goal. The most advanced Food and Drug Administration- and European Medicines Agency-approved devices are hybrid closed-loop (HCL) systems, which deliver insulin subcutaneously in response to glucose levels according to an automated algorithm. T1D is frequently encountered in the perioperative period. The latest international guidelines for the management of children with diabetes undergoing surgery include specific adjustments to the patient's insulin therapy, hourly blood glucose monitoring, and intravenous (IV) insulin infusion. However, these guidelines were published while the HCL systems were still marginal. We present a case of a 9-year-old boy with long-standing T1D, under HCL system therapy for the last 9 months, and needing surgery for an appendectomy. We agreed with the family, the surgical team, and the anesthesiologists to continue HCL insulin infusion, without further adjustments, hourly blood glucose checks or IV insulin, while monitoring closely. The HCL system was able to keep glycemia within range for the total duration of the overnight fast, the surgery, and the initial recovery, without any external intervention or correction bolus. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first reported pediatric case to undergo major surgery using a HCL system, and the results were absolutely satisfactory for the patient, his family, and the medical team. We believe that technology is ripe enough to advocate for a "take your pump to surgery" message, minimizing the impact and our interventions. The medical team may discuss this possibility with the family and patients

Different lesion distribution in calves orally or intratracheally challenged with Mycobacterium bovis: implications for diagnosis

[EN] Animal tuberculosis (TB) remains a major problem in some countries despite the existence of control programmes focused mainly on cattle. In this species, aerogenous transmission is accepted as the most frequent infection route, affecting mainly the respiratory system. Under the hypothesis that the oral route could be playing a more relevant role in transmission, diagnosis and disease persistence than previously thought, this study was performed to assess the course of TB infection in cattle and its effects on diagnosis depending on the route of entry of Mycobacterium bovis. Two groups of five calves each were either endotracheally (EC) or orally (OC) challenged. Necropsies were carried out 12 weeks after challenge except for three OC calves slaughtered 8 weeks later. All animals reacted to the tuberculin skin test and the entire EC group was positive to the interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) 2 weeks after challenge and thereafter. The first positive IGRA results for OC calves (3/5) were recorded 4 weeks after challenge. Group comparison revealed significant differences in lesion and positive culture location and scoring. TB-compatible gross lesions and positive cultures were more frequently found in the thorax (p < 0.001) and lung (p < 0.05) of EC animals, whereas OC animals presented lesions (p = 0.23) and positive cultures (p < 0.05) mainly located in the abdomen. These results indicate that the infection route seems to be a determining factor for both the distribution and the time needed for the development of visible lesions. Our study suggests that confirmation of TB infection in some skin reactor animals can be problematic if current post-mortem examination and diagnostics are not improvedSIThis study was supported with funds from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Research Project AGL2014-56305-C3-3-R) and the Department of Economic Development and Competitiveness of the Basque Government. MS holds a fellowship from the Department of Education of the Basque Government (PRE_2017_2_0043

Characterization of enriched meat-based pâté manufactured with oleogels as fat substitutes

Nowadays, one of the strongest factors affecting consumers choice at the moment of purchasing food products is their nutritional features. The population is increasingly aware of the diethealth relationship and they are opting for a healthy lifestyle. Concerns with the increasing number of heart-related diseases, which are associated to the consumption of fats, are placing the functional food market in a relevant growth position. Considering that, our goal was to develop, under semi-industrial processing conditions, a healthy meat-based spreadable product (pâté) with reduced fat content through replacement of pork fat by healthier structured oil. Beeswax was used to develop an edible oleogel based on linseed oil with a high content of linolenic acid. A decrease of the hardness and adhesivity was verified for pâtés with oleogel incorporation. Linseed oil inclusion was the main factor leading to an increase of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content in pâté samples. A decrease up to 90% in the n-6/n-3 (omega-6/omega-3) ratio can signify a better nutritional value of the obtained pâté samples, which can result in a possible upsurge in omega-3 bioavailability through digestion of these pâtés. This could be an interesting option for the consumption of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, targeting, for example, the reduction of cardiovascular diseases.Artur J. Martins is the recipient of a fellowship supported by a doctoral advanced training (call NORTE-69-2015-15) funded by the European Social Fund under the scope of Norte2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norte. Jose M. Lorenzo is a member of the HealthyMeat network, funded by CYTED (ref. 119RT0568). Thanks to GAIN (Axencia Galega de Innovación) for supporting this research (grant number IN607A2019/01).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Two-year clinical outcome from the Iberian registry patients after left atrial appendage closure

AIMS: The aim of this study was to observe the percentage of thromboembolic and haemorrhagic events over a 2-year follow-up in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) undergoing closure of the left atrial appendage (LAA) with an occlusion device. Observed events and CHADS2 (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age, diabetes, stroke history), CHA2DS2-VASc (also adding: vascular disease and sex) and HAS-BLED (hypertension, abnormal liver/renal function, stroke history, bleeding predisposition, labile international normalised ratios, elderly, drugs/alcohol use)-predicted events were compared. METHODS: LAA closure with an occlusion device was performed in 167 NVAF patients contraindicated for oral anticoagulants and recruited from 12 hospitals between 2009 and 2013. At least two transoesophageal echocardiograms were performed in the first 6 months postimplantation. Antithrombotics included clopidogrel and aspirin. Patients were monitored for death, stroke, major and relevant bleeding and hospitalisation for concomitant conditions. Mean age was 74.68±8.58, median follow-up was 24 months, 5.38% had intraoperative complications and implantation was successful in 94.6% of subjects. Mortality during follow-up was 10.8%, mostly (9.5%) non-cardiac related. Bleeding occurred in 10.1% of subjects, 5.7% major and 4.4% minor though relevant, and 4.4% suffered stroke. Major bleeding and stroke/transient ischaemic attack events within 2 years (annual event rates, 290 patients/year) were less frequent than expected from CHADS2 (2.4% vs 9.6%), CHA2DS2-VASc (2.4% vs 8.3%) and HAS-BLED (3.1% vs 6.6%) risk scores (p<0.001, p=0.003, p=0.047, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: LAA closure with an occlusion device in patients contraindicated for oral anticoagulants is a therapeutic option associated with fewer thromboembolic and haemorrhagic events than expected from risk scores, particularly in the second year postimplantation

Cortes selectos de la canal de corderos cruzados katahdín × pelibuey alimentados con Medicago sativa L.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) forage (AF) in diet and sex on yield of select cuts of crossed (F1) Katahdin × Pelibuey lambs (Kt × Pb). Design/methodology/approach: Thirty-four male and twenty-one female lambs were distributed in a completely randomized design with 2 x 2 factorial arrangement: two diets (with and without AF) and two sexes (male and female). Results: No significant effect of diet on select cuts of carcass was detected (P &gt; 0.05). Male lambs had a greatest live weight (LW) at slaughter, hot carcass weight and yield of selects cuts, though the female lambs had a higher weight of Rack (P ? 0.01; P ? 0.05). The effect of the diet was independent of the type of sex of the lambs in all the variables evaluated (P &gt; 0.05). Limitations on study/implications: In Mexico there are more farms and companies that are interested in the market of lamb cuts, because they have a great potential for developing. However, it is necessary to establish its characteristics and differentiate the quality standers that market demands. Findings/conclusions: Lambs fed with alfalfa forage have a yield of selected cuts of carcass similar to those that received concentrated feed, so it is possible to obtain meat cuts of excellent characteristics, using diets with good quality forage, like alfalfa.Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto del forraje de alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) (FA) en la dieta y el sexo sobre el rendimiento de cortes selectos de corderos cruzados (F1) Katahdín × Pelibuey (Kt × Pb). Diseño/metodología/aproximación: Treinta y cuatro corderos machos y veintiuna hembras fueron distribuidos mediante un diseño completamente al azar con un arreglo factorial 2 × 2: dos dietas (con y sin FA) y dos sexos (Machos y Hembras). Resultados: No se encontró un efecto significativo de la dieta sobre los cortes selectos de la canal de corderos (P &gt; 0.05). Los corderos machos tuvieron un mayor peso vivo (PV), peso de la canal caliente (CC) y un rendimiento superior en la mayoría de los cortes selectos, a excepción del corte Rack (Costillar), en el cual las hembras registraron un mayor peso (P ? 0.01; P ? 0.05). El efecto de la dieta se mostró independiente del tipo de sexo de los corderos en todas las variables evaluadas (P &gt; 0.05). Limitaciones del estudio/implicaciones: En México son cada vez más la explotaciones y empresas que se interesan en el mercado de cortes de cordero, debido a tienen un gran potencial para desarrollarse. Sin embargo, es necesario establecer sus características y diferenciar sus estándares de calidad que el mercado demanda. Hallazgos/conclusiones: Los corderos alimentados con dietas a base de forraje de Alfalfa tienen un rendimiento de cortes selectos de la canal similar a los que recibieron alimento concentrado, por lo que es posible obtener cortes finos de excelentes características, utilizando dietas con forrajes de buena calidad, como la alfalfa

Fe3O4-Au Core-Shell Nanoparticles as a Multimodal Platform for In Vivo Imaging and Focused Photothermal Therapy

In this study, we report the synthesis of gold-coated iron oxide nanoparticles capped with polyvinylpyrrolidone (Fe@Au NPs). The as-synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) exhibited good stability in aqueous media and excellent features as contrast agents (CA) for both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X-ray computed tomography (CT). Additionally, due to the presence of the local surface plasmon resonances of gold, the NPs showed exploitable “light-to-heat” conversion ability in the near-infrared (NIR) region, a key attribute for effective photothermal therapies (PTT). In vitro experiments revealed biocompatibility as well as excellent efficiency in killing glioblastoma cells via PTT. The in vivo nontoxicity of the NPs was demonstrated using zebrafish embryos as an intermediate step between cells and rodent models. To warrant that an effective therapeutic dose was achieved inside the tumor, both intratumoral and intravenous routes were screened in rodent models by MRI and CT. The pharmacokinetics and biodistribution confirmed the multimodal imaging CA capabilities of the Fe@AuNPs and revealed constraints of the intravenous route for tumor targeting, dictating intratumoral administration for therapeutic applications. Finally, Fe@Au NPs were successfully used for an in vivo proof of concept of imaging-guided focused PTT against glioblastoma multiforme in a mouse model.Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (CTQ2017-86655-R and BIO2017-84246-C2-1-R)Fondo Social de la DGA (grupos DGA) and by the Regional Ministry of Health of Andalusia (OH-0026-2018).Associate Laboratory for Green Chemistry—LAQVApplied Molecular Biosciences Unit –UCIBIOPortuguese national funds from FCT/MCTES (UIDB/04378/2020 and UIDB/50006/2020

Agroforestry in the European common agricultural policy

Agroforestry is a sustainable land management system that should be more strongly promoted in Europe to ensure adequate ecosystem service provision in the old continent (Decision 529/2013) through the common agricultural policy (CAP). The promotion of the woody component in Europe can be appreciated in different sections of the CAP linked to Pillar I (direct payments and Greening) and Pillar II (rural development programs). However, agroforestry is not recognised as such in the CAP, with the exception of the Measure 8.2 of Pillar II. The lack of recognition of agroforestry practices within the different sections of the CAP reduces the impact of CAP activities by overlooking the optimum combinations that would maximise the productivity of land where agroforestry could be promoted, considering both the spatial and temporal scales

Desarrollo de herramientas para la operabilidad de procesos

El proyecto “Desarrollo de Herramientas para la Operabilidad de Procesos” tiene como objetivo general desarrollar herramientas para la operación de procesos, enfocado principalmente hacia los procesos químicos e industriales. Para ello, se diseñarán, adaptarán y/o aplicarán herramientas propias de la Operabilidad de Procesos (flexibilidad, controlabilidad, confia-bilidad, robustez). Los procesos que tendrán prioridad son los que están implementados en la planta piloto de la Facultad de Ingeniería de la UNSa (extracción líquida-líquida, absorción gas-líquida, producción de vapor, pasteurización, reacción, entre otros), y los procesos vinculados al gas, al petróleo, al litio y a las energías no convencionales ―especialmente, a la energía solar―. Los objetivos particulares del proyecto propuesto son los siguientes: 1) Desarrollar métodos para determinar y aumentar la flexibilidad de procesos; 2) Desarrollar sistemas de supervisión; 3) Desarrollar sistemas de control avanzados; 4) Desarrollar material para la enseñanza de Ingeniería Química (simula-dores, optimizadores, sistemas de control, publicaciones y apuntes). Para alcanzar los objetivos propuestos, se emplearán técnicas del campo de la Ingeniería de Procesos (simulación, optimización, diseño) y de la Inteligencia Artificial (sistemas expertos fuzzy, redes neuronales, minería de datos).Eje: Agentes y Sistemas Inteligentes.Red de Universidades con Carreras en Informátic