Changes in seed weight in response to different sources: sink ratio in oilseed rape

Little knowledge exists about the degree of source, sink and source: sink limitations on mean seed weight in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.). The objective of this work was to analyze the nature and magnitude on seed weight response to assimilate availability during the effective seed-filling period in oilseed rape. Three Argentinean varieties, Eclipse, Impulse, and Master, were grown under field conditions, and at the beginning of the effective seed filling period, a broad range of source: sink manipulation combinations were produced. Source manipulations consisted of two incoming radiation (R) level reductions: 0% (Rn) and ~50% (Rs) combined with three different sources: sink treatments were applied: C, control; PR, ~50% pod removal, and D, 100% defoliation. Rs significantly reduced yield (15%) and MSW (12%) with respect to Rn, without significant effects on the rest of the sub yield components. Source:sink manipulation treatments significantly affected all yield components. PR diminished yield by 29%, reducing ca. 40% seeds pl-1 by reductions pods pl-1 (41%) with respect to Rn, whereas PR increased MSW by 19%, counterbalancing the reduction in seeds pl-1 and thereby in yield. When considering different seed positions along the main raceme, Rs reduced MSW by 12% independently of seed positions onto the raceme. On the contrary, PR increased MSW in average 17% with respect to C. Results reported here suggest that oilseed rape has source: sink co-limitation during the effective seed filling period, which is apparently higher than wheat and lower than maize. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v4i1.21091 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 4 (1): 44-52, June, 201

Innovative concepts of Integrated Solar Combined Cycles (ISCC) using a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC)

Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) is one of the most promising ways for electricity production of the upcoming years with high penetration of intermittent renewable energy sources such as wind and solar-photovoltaics. This is due to the fact that CSP when coupled to Thermal Energy Storage (TES) system enables large, inexpensive and flexible energy dispatch, which contributes to energy grid stabilization. At the same time, TES allows for steady operation of the power block by reducing undesirable fluctuations due to weather transient conditions and increasing the number of hours that the power block operates at design conditions 1. Despite the abovementioned advantages of CSP systems, a step further is needed for increase overall system efficiency and decrease CO2 emissions. Several studies have been performed considering high efficiency plant layouts such as combined cycle. For the latter, several works have been investigated about solar integration of combined cycle using parabolic trough and solar tower technologies. In both cases, solar energy was used for water/steam preheating and evaporation steps of the Rankine cycle in combination with the exhaust gases of fossil-fuel gas turbine engine. However, no research has been performed considering ISCC coupled with a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC). In this research, two innovative layouts of ISCC power plants will be analyzed. First considers a ISCC based on solar tower and second a ISCC with a parabolic trough collector field coupled to the Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG). The objective of this research is analyze the energy behavior of both layouts, selecting the best ISCC scheme to be coupled with a SOFC. The simulations will be performed using Thermoflex software. In both layouts, a SOFC is introduced before the combustion chamber at the topping cycle, and a Rankine cycle (bottoming cycle) with 2 pressures is considered.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Experiences in teaching Hydrogen Technologies in the framework of the International Campus of Excellence Andalucia TECH

The increasing importance of hydrogen technologies is demanding prepared professionals in the numerous topics related to this energy vector. Apart from some basic and advanced courses given by actual experts in these topics, universities must play an important role in the general formation of future professionals. In this way, the International Campus of Excellence (ICE) Andalucía TECH has created several degrees taught jointly by its participating universities of Seville (US) and Málaga (UMA). Among those degrees, Energy Engineering is the best suited to the field of this conference because this degree provide future engineers with specialized training in energy generation, transformation and management. In relation to hydrogen technologies this degree includes a cross sectional optional unit named Hydrogen Based Systems (4.5 ECTS/112.5 h), which is placed in the last term of the fourth year and sharing space with work placement and mobility courses. This paper will present some author’s experiences as teachers of that unit during its short history of only three years. In spite of being a joint degree, which is coordinated between both universities (US and UMA) trying to give similar contents, it is interesting to highlight the differential experiences coming from the teachers of both universities in relation to the teaching methodologies and academic results.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Do traditional livestock systems fit into contemporary landscapes? Integrating social perceptions and values on landscape change

European traditional cultural landscapes are increasingly modified by rural abandonment and urban growth processes. Acknowledged as of High Nature Value for providing multiple ecosystem services while contributing to human well-being, the future of these social-ecological systems is uncertain. Here we aim to (1) explore dominant land use and cover (LULC) changes linked to extensive livestock farming across an urban-rural gradient defined by a large city (Madrid) over the last three decades; (2) identify and classify the main driving forces shaping these landscape trajectories and; (3) acknowledge the main landscape values for promoting landscape stewardship under participatory governance frameworks. For doing so, we combine mapping analyses (CORINE Land cover) with stakeholder perceptions and positions. Our results show a dual process of progressive abandonment of agroecosystems linked to traditional livestock farming and an ever-increasing urban growth over the last three decades as the most important driving forces. The growing urban sprawl in areas close to Madrid begins to be perceived as problematic for interviewees. The decline of extensive livestock farming in detriment of tourism, particularly evident in rural areas far from Madrid, is perceived as a threat to the cultural heritage and traditions of rural people. This decline is also perceived as a worrying increase of wildfire risk. Stakeholders stressed the need of valuing extensive livestock farming to prevent rural-urban migration, dynamizing rural economies, conserving landscapes and traditions while producing food-quality products. Interviewees advocated for science-based, stakeholder-inclusive and participatory landscape planning and co-management, leading to more context-specific, regionalized policymakin

A review on additive manufacturing and materials for catalytic applications: Milestones, key concepts, advances and perspectives

Catalysis, a driving force of the chemical industry is increasingly being influenced by additive manufacturing. The link between them is based on the need to intensify catalytic processes in order to make them more efficient and sustainable. Additive manufacturing can satisfy such a need, generating devices with an advanced design, easy production, and great adaptation, in addition to their catalytic functionality. The exponential growth of examples reported on the application of 3D-printing in catalysis has led to the need to compile and analyse these cases and thus establish, through this review, the most in-depth analysis done to date. The manuscript includes a brief background of the history of additive manufacturing and the classification of the different printing techniques. Subsequently, it identifies the intensification of processes, among other aspects, as the key for understanding the union of additive manufacturing and catalysis. Then, it explores in detail how such a combination occurs, establishing the most comprehensive classification to date between the two large groups of printable devices with catalytic properties. Finally, a series of perspectives are proposed in which the most probable courses of new advances in this field of research are identified.O.H. Laguna agradece a la Universidad de Jaén por el apoyo el contrato postdoctoral a través de la ‘‘Acción 6 del Plan de Apoyo a la Investigación de la Universidad de Jaén (2017-2019).

Role of early experience in the development of preference for low-quality food in sheep

Domestic ruminant selectivity induces floristic changes in pasturelands, risking sustainability and limiting the subsequent availability of susceptible plant species. Development of preferences for species of lower nutritional quality may help to overcome those problems. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that early experience of sheep with a low-quality food (LQF) in a nutritional enriched context increases preference for LQF in adulthood. We predicted a higher proportional consumption of LQF in experienced lambs (EL) than in inexperienced lambs (IL) in choice situations involving LQF and alternative foods. Additionally, we determined intake of LQF by EL and IL at different levels of high-quality food (HQF) availability. From 60 to 210 days of age, EL were fed in separated feed bunks mature oat hay (LQF) simultaneously with sunflower meal (SM) and corn grain (CG), whereas IL were fed alfalfa hay (HQF) simultaneously with SM and CG. After exposure, EL and IL were offered LQF in free choice situations involving alternative foods, and also at five levels of HQF availability (100%, 75%, 50%, 25% and 0% of ad libitum intake). Proportional consumption of LQF was lower or similar in EL than IL. Intake of LQF was also lower or similar in EL than IL at all levels of HQF availability, except when the LQF was the only food available. Our results did not support the hypothesis that early experience with a LQF in a nutritional enriched context increases preference for LQF in adulthood. On the contrary, experience with LQF diminished subsequent preference for LQF in adulthood. It is proposed that, in the conditions of our study, continuous comparison between the LQF and the high-quality supplements (CG and SM) during the early exposure period lead to devaluation of LQF by EL through a simultaneous negative contrast effect.Fil: Catanese, Francisco Hernan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Distel, Roberto Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez Iglesias, R. M.. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Villalba, J. J.. State University of Utah; Estados Unido

Carbon materials for the electrooxidation of nucleobases, nucleosides and nucleotides toward cytosine methylation detection: a review

Improved analytical methods for the determination of the degree of methylation of DNA are of vital relevance, as they may enable the detection of certain diseases, such as carcinomas and infertility, in the early stages of development. Among the analytical methods for the detection and quantification of epigenetic modifications in DNA, electroanalytical platforms are emerging as potential feasible tools for clinical purposes. This review describes the fundamentals of the electrochemical responses of nucleobases, nucleosides, nucleotides and DNA in general from the pioneering studies at mercury electrodes to the most recent studies during the last two decades. Concerning these latter studies, we will exclusively focus on carbonaceous electrodes such as carbon, graphite, glassy carbon, boron-doped diamond, carbon nanofibers, carbon nanotubes and graphene. This review will also provide an overview of the feasibility of the development of electrochemical sensors for the simultaneous determination and quantification of naturally occurring DNA bases and nucleotides as well as the methylation of cytosine in DNA using carbon materials.The authors give thanks to the University of Alicante for funding and collaboration in this review. This work has also been financially supported by the MICINN-FEDER (Spain) through the projects CTQ2013-48280-C3-3 R and CTQ2013-44083-P

An Easy Method for Calculating Kinetic Parameters of Electrochemical Mechanisms: Temkin’s Formalism

One of the typical problems addressed in electrochemical textbooks is how to define the theoretical kinetic law of an electrochemical reaction and how to propose a plausible mechanism for this reaction from its kinetic parameters, usually the Tafel slope and reaction orders.This work has been financially supported by the MEC (Spain) through CTQ2013-48280-C3-3-R project

Electrocatalysis on shape-controlled metal nanoparticles: Progress in surface cleaning methodologies

The use of shape-controlled metal nanoparticles has produced not only a clear enhancement in the electrocatalytic activity of different reactions of interest but also a better understanding of the effect of the surface structure on nanoscaled materials. However, it is well-accepted that a correct understanding of the correlations between shape/surface structure and electrochemical reactivity indispensably requires the use of clean surfaces. In this regard, and considering that most of the synthetic methodologies available in the literature for the preparation of these shaped metal nanoparticles employ capping agents, the development of effective surface cleaning methodologies able to remove such capping agents from the surface of the corresponding nanoparticles, becomes an extremely important prerequisite to subsequently evaluate their electrocatalytic properties for any reaction of interest. Consequently, in this contribution, we summarize the most relevant advances about surface cleaning procedures applied to different shaped metal nanoparticles for electrocatalytic purposes. It is worth mentioning that this work will only include contributions in which the surface cleanness of the samples is specifically evaluated using well-established electrochemical tools.This work has been financially supported by the MINECO of Spain through project CTQ2013-48280-C3-3-R. JSG acknowledges financial support from VITC (Vicerrectorado de Investigación y Transferencia de Conocimiento) of the University of Alicante