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-

A mild neurofibromatosis type 1 phenotype produced by the combination of the benign nature of a leaky NF1-splice mutation and the presence of a complex mosaicism

Here we analyze the genetic and molecular basis responsible for a very benign phenotype observed in an NF1 patient. Quantification of cells carrying the NF1 mutation in different samples derived from the three embryonic layers revealed mosaicism. Furthermore, the construction of a minigene with patient's mutation (c.3198 − 314G>A) confirmed its benign nature due to the leakiness of the splicing mechanism that generated a proportion of correctly spliced transcripts. Hence, we concluded that the mild phenotype observed in this patient is the result of the presence of mosaicism together with the benign nature of a leaky NF1-splice mutation. Finally, with the aim of developing a personalized therapeutic approach for this patient, we demonstrated correction of the splicing defect by using specific antisense morpholino oligomers. Our results provide an example of the molecular complexity behind disease phenotypes and highlight the importance of using comprehensive genetic approaches to better assess phenotype-genotype correlation

SIGUE - Materiales para actividades no presenciales en asignaturas vinculadas a los Sistemas de Información Geográfica (SIG): recopilación, preparación y evaluación

Depto. de GeografíaFac. de Geografía e HistoriaFALSEsubmitte

Functional and Structural Analysis of C-Terminal BRCA1 Missense Variants

Germline inactivating mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are responsible for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome (HBOCS). Genetic testing of these genes is available, although approximately 15% of tests identify variants of uncertain significance (VUS). Classification of these variants into pathogenic or non-pathogenic type is an important challenge in genetic diagnosis and counseling. The aim of the present study is to functionally assess a set of 7 missense VUS (Q1409L, S1473P, E1586G, R1589H, Y1703S, W1718L and G1770V) located in the C-terminal region of BRCA1 by combining in silico prediction tools and structural analysis with a transcription activation (TA) assay. The in silico prediction programs gave discrepant results making its interpretation difficult. Structural analysis of the three variants located in the BRCT domains (Y1703S, W1718L and G1770V) reveals significant alterations of BRCT structure. The TA assay shows that variants Y1703S, W1718L and G1770V dramatically compromise the transcriptional activity of BRCA1, while variants Q1409L, S1473P, E1586G and R1589H behave like wild-type BRCA1. In conclusion, our results suggest that variants Y1703S, W1718L and G1770V can be classified as likely pathogenic BRCA1 mutations

Optimización de la digestión anaerobia seca de la Fracción Orgánica de los Residuos Sólidos Urbanos (FORSU) en reactores en fases de temperatura

Las elevadas cantidades de Residuos Sólidos Urbanos (RSU) que se producen actualmente requieren la adopción de medidas de gestión eficaces con el fin de minimizar su impacto sobre el medio ambiente. En este sentido, la legislación vigente propugna la disminución de las cantidades a depositar en vertederos, proponiendo otras alternativas más sostenibles para la gestión de los mismos, entre las que destacan los procesos de índole biológico, compostaje y/o biometanización, como consecuencia de que la Fracción Orgánica contenida en los Residuos Sólidos Urbanos (FORSU) es muy elevada, alcanzando porcentajes en torno al 44%. Los resultados obtenidos en este estudio, han puesto de manifiesto la viabilidad de implementar la tecnología de biometanización con residuos que tienen alto contenido en sólidos y alta heterogeneidad, como es la FORSU, y muestran que el proceso en fases de temperatura puede ser competitivo frente a los tratamientos individuales mesofílico y termofílico, ya que, en similares condiciones de tiempo global de retención, resulta más eficaz en cuanto a la depuración de materia orgánica y a la producción de metano

Usos del e‐learning en las Universidades Andaluzas: estado de la situación y análisis de buenas prácticas. (Resumen ejecutivo).

Secretaría General de Universidades, Investigación y Tecnología P07-SE-J.0267

Una tardía defensa de la reforma tributaria de 1785: las «Cartas económicas» de Ramón María Cañedo

Durante los primeros años del siglo XIX son muchos los teóricos de relieve que defienden el sistema de contribuciones directas como el que más armoniza con el sistema de libertad a implantar, defensa más patente si cabe en los debates de las Cortes gaditanas. No obstante, un importante núcleo de autores niega la posibilidad de implantar un impuesto directo en sustitución del sistema de rentas vigente. Esta corriente crítica con la abolición se inicia con Vicente Alcalá Galiano, sigue su recorrido en los debates de Cortes y en las impugnaciones de Duaso, Pinilla y Plana al Decreto de 13 de septiembre de 1813, sobre Nuevo Plan de contribuciones públicas, y culmina con los escritos de Cañedo, en la década de 1820. Ramón María Cañedo apostará por un sistema impositivo con predominio de impuestos indirectos. Apoyándose teóricamente en Smith, intentará adecuar sus principios tributarios al sistema de rentas reformado en 1785. En su opinión, el impuesto indirecto es el que mejor se adapta a las condiciones sociales y materiales de la España de la época.During the first years of XIX century, there were many outstandins authors who defended the direct tax system which fitted better with the new liberal Constitution. This position was even further reinforced in the "Cádiz Cortes". Nevertheless, some others important atthors denied the possibility of setting up the new system in order to replace the old one. The later position began with Vicente Alcalá Galiano, continued with the debates in the Cortes Cádiz and, later on, with the works of Duaso, Pinilla and Plana to critizise the Decreto (Baill) of September, 13, 1813 on the New Public Taxes and it finished with several works by Cañedo in the second decade of the century. Ramón M. Cañedo will defend a tax system based on indirect taxes. He will based his arguments on Adam Smith in order to fit his tax principles to the system wich was better adapted to the economic and social conditions in Spain.Publicad

Approach to anaerobic bio-degradation of natural and synthetic fabrics: Physico-chemical study of the alteration processes

In this paper, the mesophilic Biochemical Methane Potential of several fabrics was assessed at different Total Solid concentrations (1–4%TS). Physico-chemical techniques were applied to explore the arising structural changes on fibers during the anaerobic digestion process. Additionally, the modified Gompertz model was used to assess and compare the AD performance of the fabrics. In cellulose-based fibers the production of biogas was enhanced thanks to the easy solubilization of acetate, which is generated upon partial breakage of cellulose bonds. The crystallinity of vegetal fibers decreased significantly from day 19. The highest methane yields were attained for silk and wool fabrics at the lowest TS concentrations. Conformational changes in fibroin and keratin were detected. The highest degrees of degradation were observed in solid samples with lower solid concentrations. Accordingly, the maximum methane yields were reported in the reactors operating with lower TS.12 página

Comprehensive establishment and characterization of orthoxenograft mouse models of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors for personalized medicine

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are soft-tissue sarcomas that can arise either sporadically or in association with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). These aggressive malignancies confer poor survival, with no effective therapy available. We present the generation and characterization of five distinct MPNST orthoxenograft models for preclinical testing and personalized medicine. Four of the models are patient-derived tumor xenografts (PDTX), two independent MPNSTs from the same NF1 patient and two from different sporadic patients. The fifth model is an orthoxenograft derived from an NF1-related MPNST cell line. All MPNST orthoxenografts were generated by tumor implantation, or cell line injection, next to the sciatic nerve of nude mice, and were perpetuated by 7-10 mouse-to-mouse passages. The models reliably recapitulate the histopathological properties of their parental primary tumors. They also mimic distal dissemination properties in mice. Human stroma was rapidly lost after MPNST engraftment and replaced by murine stroma, which facilitated genomic tumor characterization. Compatible with an origin in a catastrophic event and subsequent genome stabilization, MPNST contained highly altered genomes that remained remarkably stable in orthoxenograft establishment and along passages. Mutational frequency and type of somatic point mutations were highly variable among the different MPNSTs modeled, but very consistent when comparing primary tumors with matched orthoxenografts generated. Unsupervised cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) using an MPNST expression signature of ~1,000 genes grouped together all primary tumor-orthoxenograft pairs. Our work points to differences in the engraftment process of primary tumors compared with the engraftment of established cell lines. Following standardization and extensive characterization and validation, the orthoxenograft models were used for initial preclinical drug testing. Sorafenib (a BRAF inhibitor), in combination with doxorubicin or rapamycin, was found to be the most effective treatment for reducing MPNST growth. The development of genomically well-characterized preclinical models for MPNST allowed the evaluation of novel therapeutic strategies for personalized medicine

Usos del e-learning en las Universidades Andaluzas: Estado de la situación y análisis de buenas prácticas. (Versión completa)

Secretaría General de Universidades, Investigación y Tecnología P07-SE-J.0267