Analysis Of The Cyclability Of Lithium-polymer Batteries

Comunicación y póster en congresoLithium ion batteries and similar energy storage devices have an increasing importance for the modern society as they are present in many portable electronic devices and have perspectives in the fields of electric vehicles and renewable energy accumulation. Herein, we present results from charge and discharge cycles on batteries under controlled conditions. The cyclability of commercial lithium-polymer pouch batteries under different charge/discharge rates and temperatures was studied. Based on the results, the relationship between the state of charge and the cell voltage was obtained, as well as degradation of the cells, i.e., the decrease of the energy capacity after a number of cycles. The experimental results were compared with simulations based on Newman's model for Lithium Ion Batteries, carried out using the COMSOL Multiphysics® software. The batteries and fuel cell and the heat transfer modules were use to couple between the temperature and the electrochemical interactions. The results show the correlation between temperature, C-rate and degradation in lithium ion batteries. It is specially remarkable the decrease of the apparent capacity of batteries at low temperatures, and the increase of the degradation at higher temperatures. These results are essential for the design of mechanisms that could prevent battery failure.The authors acknowledge the financial support from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 778045, and the "Plan Propio de Investigación y Transferencia de la Universidad de Málaga", code: PPIT.UMA.B5.2018/17

Modeling of Electrokinetic Remediation Combining Local Chemical Equilibrium and Chemical Reaction Kinetics

A mathematical model for reactive-transport processes in porous media is presented. The modeled system includes diffusion, electromigration and electroosmosis as the most relevant transport mechanism and water electrolysis at the electrodes, aqueous species complexation, precipitation and dissolution as the chemical reactions taken place during the treatment time. The model is based on the local chemical equilibrium for most of the reversible chemical reactions occurring in the process. As a novel enhancement of previous models, the local chemical equilibrium reactive-transport model is combined with the solution of the transient equations for the kinetics of those chemical reactions that have representative rates in the same order than the transport mechanisms. The model is validated by comparison of simulation and experimental results for an acid- enhanced electrokinetic treatment of a real Pb-contaminated calcareous soil. The kinetics of the main pH buffering process, the calcite dissolution, was defined by a simplified empirical kinetic law. Results show that the evaluation of kinetic rate entails a significant improvement of the model prediction capability.This work has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 778045. Part of this work was supported financially by the European Commission within the project LIFE12 ENV/IT/442 SEKRET “Sediment electrokinetic remediation technology for heavy metal pollution removal”. Paz-Garcia acknowledges the financial support from the “Proyecto Puente - Plan Propio de Investigación y Transferencia de la Universidad de Málaga”, code: PPIT.UMA.B5.2018/17. Villen-Guzman acknowledges the financial support from the University of Malaga through a postdoctoral contract

Inflation comovements in advanced economies: Facts and drivers*

In this paper, we analyse inflation comovements and their macroeconomic drivers across a wide set of advanced economies. We find a high degree of inflation interdependence, which is highest for euro area countries, which show strong trade links and share a common monetary policy. In contrast, core inflation interdependence is very limited. We also find that inflation interconnectedness is a medium- to long-run phenomenon. Inflation comovements across countries are well explained by an open economy new Keynesian Phillips curve

Probing multivalent interactions in a synthetic host-guest complex by dynamic force spectroscopy

Multivalency is present in many biological and synthetic systems. Successful application of multivalency depends on a correct understanding of the thermodynamics and kinetics of this phenomenon. In this Article, we address the stability and strength of multivalent bonds with force spectroscopy techniques employing a synthetic adamantane/β-cyclodextrin model system. Comparing the experimental findings to theoretical predictions for the rupture force and the kinetic off-rate, we find that when the valency of the complex is increased from mono- to di- to trivalent, there is a transition from quasi-equilibrium, with a constant rupture force of 99 pN, to a kinetically dependent state, with loading-rate-dependent rupture forces from 140 to 184 pN (divalent) and 175 to 210 pN (trivalent). Additional binding geometries, parallel monovalent ruptures, single-bound divalent ruptures, and single- and double-bound trivalent ruptures are identified. The experimental kinetic off-rates of the multivalent complexes show that the stability of the complexes is significantly enhanced with the number of bonds, in agreement with the predictions of a noncooperative multivalent model

Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial: Treatment of early intrauterine growth restriction with low molecular weight heparin (TRACIP)

Introduction The incidence of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is estimated at about 3% of pregnancies, and it is associated with 30% of all perinatal mortality and severe morbidity with adverse neurodevelopmental and cardiovascular health consequences in adult life. Early onset IUGR represents 20%-30% of all cases and is highly associated with severe placental insufficiency. The existing evidence suggests that low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) has effects beyond its antithrombotic action, improving placental microvessel structure and function of pregnant women with vascular obstetric complications by normalising proangiogenic and antiapoptotic protein levels, cytokines and inflammatory factors. The objective of our study is to demonstrate the effectiveness of LMWH in prolonging gestation in pregnancies with early-onset IUGR. Methods and analysis This is a multicentre, triple-blind, parallel-arm randomised clinical trial. Singleton pregnancies qualifying for early (20-32 weeks at diagnosis) placental IUGR (according to Delphi criteria) will be randomised to subcutaneous treatment with bemiparin 3500 IU/0.2 mL/day or placebo from inclusion at diagnosis to the time of delivery. Analyses will be based on originally assigned groups (intention-to-treat). The primary objective will be analysed by comparing gestational age and prolongation of pregnancy (days) in each group with Student''s t-tests for independent samples and by comparing Kaplan-Maier survival curves (from inclusion to delivery, log-rank test). A linear regression model for gestational age at birth will consider the following covariates: Gestational age at inclusion (continuous) and pre-eclampsia (binary). Ethics and dissemination The study will be conducted in accordance with the principles of Good Clinical Practice. This study was approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee (CEIC) of Sant Joan de Déu Hospital, on 13 July 2017. The trial is registered in the public registry www.clinicaltrial.gov. according to Science Law 14/2011, and the results will be published in an open access journal

Characterization and modeling of lithium-polymer commercial batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are key for the modern society as they are present in many energy storage devices and have promising future perspectives in the field of electric cars and energy accumulators from renewable sources. Herein, we present results from charge and discharge cycles on batteries with controlled conditions. The cyclability of commercial lithium-polymer “pouch” batteries, has been studied under different charge/discharge rate and temperatures. The relationship between the state of charge and the cell voltage has been obtained, and the degradation of the cell energy capacity after a number of cycles has been measured. Furthermore, the experimental results have been compared with simulations based on Newman’s model for Lithium Ion Batteries, carried out using COMSOL Multiphysics software. The results show the correlation between temperature, C-rate and degradation in lithium ion batteries. It is especially remarkable the decrease of the apparent capacity of batteries at low temperatures, and the increase of the degradation at higher temperatures. These results are essential for the design of control mechanisms that can prevent battery failure.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. Plan Propio de Investigación y Transferencia de la Universidad de Málaga, Proyecto Puente B.5, código: PPIT.UMA.B5.2018/1

Application of high Power ultrasounds during red wine vinification

[EN] Wine colour is one of the main organoleptic characteristics influencing its quality. It is of special interest in red vinifications due to the economic resources that wineries have to invest for the extraction of the phenolic compounds responsible for wine colour, compounds that are mainly located inside the skin cell vacuoles, where the volatile compounds are also found. The transfer of phenolic compounds from grapes to must during vinification is closely related to the type of grapes and the winemaking technique. During traditional winemaking, grapes are crushed and skin macerated for several days, with pumps overs to facilitate the colour extraction. To increase this extraction, some chemical (maceration enzymes) or physical technologies (thermovinification, cryomaceration, flash-expansion) can be applied. In this work, a new methodology has been tested. This methodology consists in the application of high-power ultrasounds to crushed grapes to increase the extraction of phenolic compounds. Crushed grapes were treated with this non-thermal technology and vinified, with 3, 6 and 8days of skin maceration time, and the results were compared with a control vinification, where crushed grapes were not subjected to any treatment and were skin macerated during 8days. The wine chromatic characteristics (determined spectrophotometrically) and the individual phenolic compounds (anthocyanins and tannins, determined by HPLC) were followed during the maceration period, at the end of alcoholic fermentation and after two months in bottle. Also, the wine volatile compounds were determined by GC-MS. The wines made with ultrasound-treated grapes showed differences with the control wine, especially regarding total phenol content and tannin content. The wines elaborated with sonicated grapes and with only three days of skin maceration time presented similar concentration of anthocyanins and twice the concentration of tannins than control wines elaborated with 8days of skin maceration.This work was funded by the SME Instrument of the Horizon 2020 program from the European Commission.Baustista-Ortin A.B.; Jimenez-Martinez M.D; Jurado, R.; Iniesta, JA.; Terrades-Rocafull, LS.; Andrés Grau, AM.; Gomez-Plaza, E. (2017). Application of high Power ultrasounds during red wine vinification. International Journal of Food Science & Technology. 52(6):1314-1323. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijfs.13411S13141323526De Andrade Neves, N., de Araújo Pantoja, L., & dos Santos, A. S. (2013). Thermovinification of grapes from the Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir varieties using immobilized yeasts. European Food Research and Technology, 238(1), 79-84. doi:10.1007/s00217-013-2062-2Bautista-Ortín, A. B., Cano-Lechuga, M., Ruiz-García, Y., & Gómez-Plaza, E. (2014). Interactions between grape skin cell wall material and commercial enological tannins. Practical implications. Food Chemistry, 152, 558-565. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.12.009Bautista-Ortín, A. B., Martínez-Hernández, A., Ruiz-García, Y., Gil-Muñoz, R., & Gómez-Plaza, E. (2016). Anthocyanins influence tannin–cell wall interactions. Food Chemistry, 206, 239-248. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.03.045Bautista-Ortín, A. B., Fernández-Fernández, J. I., López-Roca, J. M., & Gómez-Plaza, E. (2004). Wine-making of High Coloured Wines: Extended Pomace Contact and Run-off of Juice Prior to Fermentation. Food Science and Technology International, 10(5), 287-295. doi:10.1177/1082013204047565Bautista-Ortin, A. B., Martinez-Cutillas, A., Ros-Garcia, J. M., Lopez-Roca, J. M., & Gomez-Plaza, E. (2005). Improving colour extraction and stability in red wines: the use of maceration enzymes and enological tannins. International Journal of Food Science and Technology, 40(8), 867-878. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2621.2005.01014.xBindon, K. A., Smith, P. A., Holt, H., & Kennedy, J. A. (2010). Interaction between Grape-Derived Proanthocyanidins and Cell Wall Material. 2. Implications for Vinification. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 58(19), 10736-10746. doi:10.1021/jf1022274Busse-Valverde, N., Gómez-Plaza, E., López-Roca, J. M., Gil-Muñoz, R., Fernández-Fernández, J. I., & Bautista-Ortín, A. B. (2010). Effect of Different Enological Practices on Skin and Seed Proanthocyanidins in Three Varietal Wines. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 58(21), 11333-11339. doi:10.1021/jf102265cBusse-Valverde, N., Gómez-Plaza, E., López-Roca, J. M., Gil-Muñoz, R., & Bautista-Ortín, A. B. (2011). The Extraction of Anthocyanins and Proanthocyanidins from Grapes to Wine during Fermentative Maceration Is Affected by the Enological Technique. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 59(10), 5450-5455. doi:10.1021/jf2002188Cano-López, M., Pardo-Mínguez, F., Schmauch, G., Saucier, C., Teissedre, P.-L., López-Roca, J. M., & Gómez-Plaza, E. (2008). Effect of Micro-oxygenation on Color and Anthocyanin-Related Compounds of Wines with Different Phenolic Contents. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 56(14), 5932-5941. doi:10.1021/jf8006147Carrera, C., Ruiz-Rodríguez, A., Palma, M., & Barroso, C. G. (2012). Ultrasound assisted extraction of phenolic compounds from grapes. Analytica Chimica Acta, 732, 100-104. doi:10.1016/j.aca.2011.11.032Castro-López, L. del R., Gómez-Plaza, E., Ortega-Regules, A., Lozada, D., & Bautista-Ortín, A. B. (2016). Role of cell wall deconstructing enzymes in the proanthocyanidin–cell wall adsorption–desorption phenomena. Food Chemistry, 196, 526-532. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.09.080Da Porto, C., Porretto, E., & Decorti, D. (2013). Comparison of ultrasound-assisted extraction with conventional extraction methods of oil and polyphenols from grape (Vitis vinifera L.) seeds. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 20(4), 1076-1080. doi:10.1016/j.ultsonch.2012.12.002Demirdöven, A., & Baysal, T. (2008). The Use of Ultrasound and Combined Technologies in Food Preservation. Food Reviews International, 25(1), 1-11. doi:10.1080/87559120802306157El Darra, N., Grimi, N., Maroun, R. G., Louka, N., & Vorobiev, E. (2012). Pulsed electric field, ultrasound, and thermal pretreatments for better phenolic extraction during red fermentation. European Food Research and Technology, 236(1), 47-56. doi:10.1007/s00217-012-1858-9Gagné, S., Saucier, C., & Gény, L. (2006). Composition and Cellular Localization of Tannins in Cabernet Sauvignon Skins during Growth. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 54(25), 9465-9471. doi:10.1021/jf061946gGeffroy, O., Lopez, R., Serrano, E., Dufourcq, T., Gracia-Moreno, E., Cacho, J., & Ferreira, V. (2015). Changes in analytical and volatile compositions of red wines induced by pre-fermentation heat treatment of grapes. Food Chemistry, 187, 243-253. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.04.105Ghafoor, K. (2009). Optimization of Ultrasound Assisted Extraction of Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidants from Grape Peel through Response Surface Methodology. Journal of the Korean Society for Applied Biological Chemistry, 52(3), 295-300. doi:10.3839/jksabc.2009.052Gómez-Plaza, E., Mestre-Ortuño, L., Ruiz-García, Y., Fernández-Fernández, J. I., & López-Roca, J. M. (2012). Effect of Benzothiadiazole and Methyl Jasmonate on the Volatile Compound Composition of Vitis vinifera L. Monastrell Grapes and Wines. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture, 63(3), 394-401. doi:10.5344/ajev.2012.12011Knorr, D., Zenker, M., Heinz, V., & Lee, D.-U. (2004). Applications and potential of ultrasonics in food processing. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 15(5), 261-266. doi:10.1016/j.tifs.2003.12.001Labarbe, B., Cheynier, V., Brossaud, F., Souquet, J.-M., & Moutounet, M. (1999). Quantitative Fractionation of Grape Proanthocyanidins According to Their Degree of Polymerization. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 47(7), 2719-2723. doi:10.1021/jf990029qMorel-Salmi, C., Souquet, J.-M., Bes, M., & Cheynier, V. (2006). Effect of Flash Release Treatment on Phenolic Extraction and Wine Composition. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 54(12), 4270-4276. doi:10.1021/jf053153kPetropulos, V. I., Bogeva, E., Stafilov, T., Stefova, M., Siegmund, B., Pabi, N., & Lankmayr, E. (2014). Study of the influence of maceration time and oenological practices on the aroma profile of Vranec wines. Food Chemistry, 165, 506-514. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.05.144Rapp, A. (1988). Wine Aroma Substances from Gas Chromatographic Analysis. 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Aedes albopictus diversity and relationships in south-western Europe and Brazil by rDNA/mtDNA and phenotypic analyses: ITS-2, a useful marker for spread studies

Background: Aedes albopictus is a very invasive mosquito, which has recently colonized tropical and temperate regions worldwide. Of concern is its role in the spread of emerging or re-emerging mosquito-borne diseases. Ae. albopictus from south-western Europe and Brazil were studied to infer genetic and phenetic diversity at intra-individual, intra-population and inter-population levels, and to analyse its spread. Methods: Genotyping was made by rDNA 5.8S-ITS-2 and mtDNA cox1 sequencing to assess haplotype and nucleotide diversity, genetic distances and phylogenetic networks. Male and female phenotyping included combined landmark-and outlined-based geometric morphometrics of wing size and shape. Results: Specimens from seven populations from Spain, France and Brazil provided 12 cox1 and 162 5.8S-ITS-2 haplotypes, with great genetic variability difference between both markers (0.9% vs 31.2%). Five cox1 haplotypes were shared with other countries, mainly Italy, USA and China, but none was shared between Europe and Brazil. The 5.8S-ITS-2 showed 2–7 intra-individual (mean 4.7) and 16–34 intra-/inter-population haplotypes (24.7), including haplotypes shared between Spain, France and Brazil. A 4.3% of ITS-2 haplotypes were shared, mainly with Italy, USA and Thailand, evidencing worldwide spread and introductions from areas where recent outbreaks of Ae. albopictus-transmitted pathogens occurred. Wing size showed sex differences. Wing shape distinguished between Brazilian and European specimens. Both genetic and morphometric markers showed differences between insular Spain and continental Spain, France and Brazil. Conclusions: ITS-2 proves to be a useful marker to assess Ae. albopictus spread, providing pronouncedly more information than cox1, including intra-individual, intra-population and inter-population levels, furnishing a complete overview of the evolutionary exchanges followed by this mosquito. Wing morphometry proves to be a useful phenotyping marker, allowing to distinguish different populations at the level of both male and female specimens. Results indicate the need for periodic surveillance monitorings to verify that no Ae. albopictus with high virus transmission capacity is introduced into Europe. Graphic Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] © 2021, The Author(s)

In silico assessment of the potential of basalt amendments to reduce N2O emissions from bioenergy crops

The potential of large‐scale deployment of basalt to reduce N2O emissions from cultivated soils may contribute to climate stabilization beyond the CO2‐removal effect from enhanced weathering. We used 3 years of field observations from maize (Zea mays) and miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus) to improve the nitrogen (N) module of the DayCent model and evaluate the potential of basalt amendments to reduce N losses and increase yields from two bioenergy crops. We found 20%–60% improvement in our N2O flux estimates over previous model descriptions. Model results predict that the application of basalt would reduce N2O emissions by 16% in maize and 9% in miscanthus. Lower N2O emissions responded to increases in the N2:N2O ratio of denitrification with basalt‐induced increases in soil pH, with minor contributions from the impact of P additions (a minor component of some basalts) on N immobilization. The larger reduction of N2O emissions in maize than in miscanthus was likely explained by a synergistic effect between soil pH and N content, leading to a higher sensitivity of the N2:N2O ratio to changes in pH in heavily fertilized maize. Basalt amendments led to modest increases in modeled yields and the nitrogen use efficiency (i.e., fertilizer‐N recover in crop production) of maize but did not affect the productivity of miscanthus. However, enhanced soil P availability maintained the long‐term productivity of crops with high nutrient requirements. The alleviation of plant P limitation led to enhanced plant N uptake, thereby contributing to lower microbial N availability and N2O emissions from crops with high nutrient requirements. Our results from the improved model suggest that the large‐scale deployment of basalt, by reducing N2O fluxes of cropping systems, could contribute to the sustainable intensification of agriculture and enhance the climate mitigation potential of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage strategies

Insertion (22;9)(q11;q34q21) in a patient with chronic myeloid leukemia characterized by fluorescence in situ hybridization

An unusual cytogenetic rearrangement, described as ins(22;9)(q11;q34q21), was detected in a 49-year-old male patient diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) revealed a b3a2 fusion transcript. In order to confirm the cytogenetic findings and fully characterize the inverted insertion, we performed fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assays using locus-specific and whole chromosome painting probes. Our FISH analysis showed the presence of the BCR/ABL fusion gene, verified the insertion and determined that the breakpoint on chromosome 22 where the insertion took place was located proximal to the BCR gene and distal to the TUPLE1 gene on 22q11