Films of starch and poly(butylene adipate co-terephthalate) added of soybean oil (SO) and Tween 80

AbstractStarch extruded in the presence of a plasticizer results in a material called thermoplastic starch (TPS). TPS mixed with poly(butylene adipate co-terephthalate) (PBAT), soybean oil (SO), and surfactant may result in films with improved mechanical properties due to greater hydrophobicity and compatibility among the polymers. This study characterized films produced from blends containing 65% TPS and 35% PBAT with SO added as compatibilizer. The Tween 80 was added to prevention of phase separation. The elongation and resistance were greater in the films with SO. The infrared spectra confirmed an increase in ester groups bonded to the PBAT and the presence of groups bonded to the starch ring, indicating TPS–SO and PBAT–SO interactions. The micrographs suggest that the films with SO were more homogenous. Thus, SO is considered to be a good compatibilizer for blends of TPS and PBAT

Distribution of individual wave overtopping volumes on mound breakwaters

[EN] Conventional mound breakwaters are usually designed to withstand low mean wave overtopping discharges and a low proportion of overtopping waves (P-ow). Existing formulas to estimate P-ow, and maximum individual wave overtopping volume are usually based on tests with high P-ow; this study is focused on mound breakwaters subjected to P-ow, < 0.2. The performance of the 2-parameter Weibull and Exponential distributions is examined in order to describe individual wave overtopping volumes of mound breakwaters in non-breaking wave conditions. A new methodology is applied to 164 small-scale 2D physical tests to identify the number of overtopping waves, and the corresponding individual wave overtopping volumes. Utility functions are used to consider the relative relevance of the observed data: in this study, a quadratic utility function depending on all the individual wave overtopping volumes and step utility functions with 10%, 30% and 50% of the highest volumes are used to fit the Weibull and Exponential distributions. In this study, a new estimator of P-ow is proposed to improve the predictions required to estimate the maximum individual wave overtopping volume. Existing estimators of P-ow, underpredict the largest values of P-ow, measured in the physical tests. The parameters fitted to the Weibull and Exponential distributions using the quadratic utility function provide estimations of the dimensionless maximum individual wave overtopping volume with relative mean squared errors rMSE = 10.4% and 10.6%, respectively. When CLASH Neural Network-estimated mean overtopping rates are used to predict the maximum individual wave overtopping with the quadratic utility function, the 2-parameter Weibull and Exponential distributions provide rMSE = 31.6% and rMSE = 33.3%, respectively. The new estimators proposed in this study improve the predictions of P-ow and maximum individual wave overtopping volumes on conventional mound breakwaters designed for low wave overtopping rates.The authors are grateful for financial support from European FEDER and Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (Grants BIA2012-33967 and BIA2015-70435-R), SATO (OHL Group), Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (Grant SP20180111, Primeros Proyectos de Investigacion (PAID-06-18), Vicerrectorado de Investigacion, Innovacion y Transferencia de la Universitat Politecnica de Valencia) and CDTI (Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnologico e Industrial). The authors also thank Debra Westall for revising the manuscript.Molines, J.; Herrera, MP.; Gómez-Martín, ME.; Medina, JR. (2019). Distribution of individual wave overtopping volumes on mound breakwaters. Coastal Engineering. 149:15-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coastaleng.2019.03.006S152714

Cubipod® Armor Design in Depth-Limited Regular Wave-Breaking Conditions

[EN] Armor stability formulas for mound breakwaters are commonly based on 2D small-scale physical tests conducted in non-overtopping and non-breaking conditions. However, most of the breakwaters built around the world are located in breaking or partially-breaking wave conditions, where they must withstand design storms having some percentage of large waves breaking before they reach the structure. In these cases, the design formulas for non-breaking wave conditions are not fully valid. This paper describes the specific 2D physical model tests carried out to analyze the trunk hydraulic stability of single- and double-layer Cubipod (R) armors in depth-limited regular wave breaking and non-overtopping conditions with horizontal foreshore (m = 0) and armor slope (alpha) with cot alpha = 1.5. An experimental methodology was established to ensure that 100 waves attacked the armor layer with the most damaging combination of wave height (H) and wave period (T) for the given water depth (h(s)). Finally, for a given water depth, empirical formulas were obtained to estimate the Cubipod (R) size which made the armor stable regardless of the deep-water wave storm.This research was funded by Conselleria d'Educacio, Investigacio, Cultura i Esport (Generalitat Valenciana) under grant GV/2017/031.Gómez-Martín, ME.; Herrera, MP.; Gonzalez-Escriva, J.; Medina, JR. (2018). Cubipod® Armor Design in Depth-Limited Regular Wave-Breaking Conditions. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. 6(4):150-161. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse6040150S15016164Herrera, M. P., Gómez-Martín, M. E., & Medina, J. R. (2017). Hydraulic stability of rock armors in breaking wave conditions. Coastal Engineering, 127, 55-67. doi:10.1016/j.coastaleng.2017.06.010Battjes, J. A., & Groenendijk, H. W. (2000). Wave height distributions on shallow foreshores. Coastal Engineering, 40(3), 161-182. doi:10.1016/s0378-3839(00)00007-7Medina, J. R., & Gómez-Martín, M. E. (2012). KD AND SAFETY FACTORS OF CONCRETE ARMOR UNITS. Coastal Engineering Proceedings, 1(33), 29. doi:10.9753/icce.v33.structures.29Melby, J. A., & Kobayashi, N. (1998). Progression and Variability of Damage on Rubble Mound Breakwaters. Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering, 124(6), 286-294. doi:10.1061/(asce)0733-950x(1998)124:6(286)Van Gent, M. R. A. (2013). Rock stability of rubble mound breakwaters with a berm. Coastal Engineering, 78, 35-45. doi:10.1016/j.coastaleng.2013.03.003Celli, D., Pasquali, D., De Girolamo, P., & Di Risio, M. (2018). Effects of submerged berms on the stability of conventional rubble mound breakwaters. Coastal Engineering, 136, 16-25. doi:10.1016/j.coastaleng.2018.01.011Concrete Layer Innovation (CLI) http://www.concretelayer.com/documentationGuidelines for Xbloc Concept Designs https://www.xbloc.com/sites/default/files/domain-671/documents/xbloc-design-guidelines-2014-671-15039173271578936988.pdfGómez-Martín, M. E., & Medina, J. R. (2014). Heterogeneous Packing and Hydraulic Stability of Cube and Cubipod Armor Units. Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering, 140(1), 100-108. doi:10.1061/(asce)ww.1943-5460.0000223Medina, J. R., Hudspeth, R. T., & Fassardi, C. (1994). Breakwater Armor Damage due to Wave Groups. Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering, 120(2), 179-198. doi:10.1061/(asce)0733-950x(1994)120:2(179)Herrera, M. P., & Medina, J. R. (2015). Toe berm design for very shallow waters on steep sea bottoms. Coastal Engineering, 103, 67-77. doi:10.1016/j.coastaleng.2015.06.005Herrera, M. P., Molines, J., & Medina, J. R. (2016). Hydraulic stability of nominal and sacrificial toe berms for mound breakwaters on steep sea bottoms. Coastal Engineering, 114, 361-368. doi:10.1016/j.coastaleng.2016.05.00

Effects of grazing pressure on activity and richness of bats in a Portuguese silvo-pastoral system

Background High Nature Value Farmlands (HNVF) harbor species dependent upon habitats maintained by low-intensity farming. Among HNVF, the montado (dehesa in Spain) is a multifunctional system declining due to droughts, pathogens, and increasing grazing pressure. Specifically, grazing pressure leads to compact soils and hinders natural tree regeneration. Regrettably, there is a dearth of information supporting management decisions on the side-effects of high grazing pressure on HNVF-dwelling biodiversity. In particular, little is known about the impact of grazing pressure on bats, a group of species of special conservation concern that may provide key ecosystem services such as biological pest control. Purpose We investigated patterns of activity levels and community composition of insectivorous bats to test the hypothesis that there is a significant relationship between the level of livestock grazing pressure within montado HNVF parcels and patterns of insectivorous bats’ presence and activity. Our specific aims were to (i) assess separately the effects of grazing pressure on bat activity and species composition, (ii) test the predictive significance of key covariates (e.g., insect availability). Methods We conducted this study in 2014 in the Natura 2000 network site “Monfurado”, southern Portugal. This site is specifically acknowledged for its well-preserved montados providing feeding areas for bat species. We quantified acoustically bat flight activity and species richness in farm parcels dominated by cork oak trees. Per parcel, we selected two separate locations (high vs. low grazing pressure) based on landowners’ interviews and grazing pressure indicators, totaling 42 sampling locations. We then used linear mixed-effects modeling to evaluate the effects of grazing pressure and covariates on activity and species richness. Results Bat activity and bat species richness peaked at low grazing pressure locations. Bat activity also increased with tree cover and in locations where livestock grazing signs were old or absent. Conversely, bat activity at low grazing pressure locations decreased with distance to the nearest standing water body. Discussion Our study clearly demonstrated that locations maintained under high grazing pressure within HNVF can have negative consequences for bats, which are acknowledged as good bioindicators of habitat quality. In order to promote better habitat for bats, practitioners should avoid favoring grazing-prone areas (e.g., rotating the location of livestock feeders, drinkers, and gates) across montado HNVF. Broadly, ecosystem services provided by bats for HNVF must be enhanced through sustainability oriented agro-environment schemes under the Economic Community Rural Development Program, including the reduction of stocking density

Assessment of nutritional and biological activity of wild bulbs of Allium ampeloprasum L.

Allium ampeloprasum L. posee un gran potencial nutricional con presencia de compuestos antioxidantes de interés para la salud. Diversos estudios epidemiológicos han demostrado los efectos beneficiosos del consumo de diversas especies pertenecientes al género Allium, destacando sus efectos anticancerígenos. En el presente trabajo se estudia el contenido de nutrientes (hidratos de carbono, proteínas, grasa y minerales), compuestos bioactivos (ácidos orgánicos, vitamina C, tocoferoles, perfil de ácidos grasos) y actividad antioxidante (DPPH, poder reductor, inhibición de la decoloración del β-caroteno y TBARS) la parte comestible del ajo porro (A. ampeloprasum). Para ello, se recolectaron muestras de los puerros (bulbos y parte basal de las hojas) de dicha especie silvestre en dos localidades diferentes del centro peninsular durante dos años consecutivos (2007-2008), sobre los cuales se llevaron a cabo los análisis mencionados. Los resultados del análisis de los compuestos anteriormente mencionado indican que, a pesar de la amplia variabilidad natural detectada, esta planta destacó por ser una buena fuente de fibra (3,5 – 4,7 g/100 g), hierro (0,20 – 0,92 mg/100 g) y cinc (0,03 – 1,67 mg/100 g) en comparación con otras especies del mismo género, así como por su bajo valor calórico (59-97 Kcal/100 g). Asimismo, presentó un alto porcentaje de ácidos grasos poliinsaturados, siendo el ácido linoleico el principal ácido graso (53% del total de ácidos grasos). Se obtuvieron valores equilibrados en cuanto a la presencia de compuestos bioactivos hidrófilos y lipófilos en esta planta. La bioactividad de este bulbo se caracterizó por su actividad antioxidante medida como poder reductor (correlacionado con los tocoferoles) y TBARS (correlacionado con los compuestos fenólicos totales).Allium ampeloprasum L. has a great nutritional value as it presents antioxidant compounds with potentially beneficial effects on human. Different epidemiological studies have shown the healthy effects of the consumption of various species of the genus Allium, highlighting its anticancer effects. In the present work, the nutritional composition (carbohydrates, proteins, fat and minerals), bioactive compounds (organic acids, vitamin C, tocopherols and fatty acids) and antioxidant activity (DPPH, reducing power, inhibition of β-carotene bleaching and TBARS methods) of the edible part of the wild leek (A. Ampeloprasum) were studied. Samples of wild leek were collected from two different wild populations located in the center of the Iberian Peninsula for three consecutive years (2007-2008), on which the aforementioned analysis were conducted. Despite the large natural variability detected, this plant stood out as a good source of fiber (3.5 to 4.7 g/100 g), iron (0.20 to 0.92 mg/100 g) and zinc (0.03 to 1.67 mg/100 g), compared to other species of the same genus. Wild leeks also showed a high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids, being linoleic acid the major one (53% of total fatty acids). Values were balanced in terms of the presence of hydrophilic and lipophilic bioactive compounds in this plant. The bioactivity of this species was better characterized by antioxidant activity measured as reducing power assay (correlated with tocopherols) and TBARS (correlated with total phenolic compounds).ERDF and the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (CGL2006-09546/BOS). The authors are also grateful to Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal) and COMPETE/QREN/EU for financial support to CIMO (strategic project PEst- OE/AGR/UI0690/2011). P. García-Herrera thanks to the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (CGL2006-09546/BOS) for her UCM predoctoral fellowship

Nutrients, phytochemicals and antioxidant activity in wild populations of Allium ampeloprasum, a valuable underutilized vegetable

Wild Allium species with a long tradition of use, such as Allium ampeloprasum L. could provide interesting bioactive compounds to current diet. The nutrient and bioactive compound content of this wild vegetable has been scarcely known. Therefore, the aim of this work is to provide a detailed chemical quantification of nutrients, hydrophilic and lipophilic bioactive compounds and the antioxidant capacity of the edible parts of wild leek, as well as data about plant production and availability of the species in their natural habitats. Wild leek can be considered as a low energy food, being a good source of fiber and zinc, compared to its cultivated relatives, and has revealed a predominance of polyunsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid being the main fatty acid. Additionally, the natural yield of this species, although lower than other cultivated Allium species, was found to be stable and well-adapted to human-disturbed environments. For these reasons, this non-conventional wild bulb should be revalorized as a good alternative to increase the diversity of vegetables consumed and enhance the quality of current occidental diets.ERDF and the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (CGL2006-09546/BOS). The authors are also grateful to Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologa (FCT, Portugal) and COMPETE/QREN/EU for financial support to CIMO (strategic project PEst-OE/AGR/UI0690/2011). P. García-Herrera thanks to the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science for her UCM predoctoral fellowship. We also thank to Ramón Morales, Laura Aceituno, and Susana González for their collaboration in the gathering and preparation of the samples, and also to Carmen Díez for her support in mineral analysis

Genomics of Plasmodium vivax in Colombia reveals evidence of local bottle-necking and inter-country connectivity in the Americas

Colombia aims to eliminate malaria by 2030 but remains one of the highest burden countries in the Americas. Plasmodium vivax contributes half of all malaria cases, with its control challenged by relapsing parasitaemia, drug resistance and cross-border spread. Using 64 Colombian P. vivax genomes collected between 2013 and 2017, we explored diversity and selection in two major foci of transmission: Chocó and Córdoba. Open-access data from other countries were used for comparative assessment of drug resistance candidates and to assess cross-border spread. Across Colombia, polyclonal infections were infrequent (12%), and infection connectivity was relatively high (median IBD = 5%), consistent with low endemicity. Chocó exhibited a higher frequency of polyclonal infections (23%) than Córdoba (7%), although the difference was not significant (P = 0.300). Most Colombian infections carried double pvdhfr (95%) and single pvdhps (71%) mutants, but other drug resistance mutations were less prevalent (< 10%). There was no evidence of selection at the pvaat1 gene, whose P. falciparum orthologue has recently been implicated in chloroquine resistance. Global population comparisons identified other putative adaptations. Within the Americas, low-level connectivity was observed between Colombia and Peru, highlighting potential for cross-border spread. Our findings demonstrate the potential of molecular data to inform on infection spread and adaptation

Placement, porosity and randomness of cube and Cubipod armor layers

Although little attention is usually given to the armor porosity and armor randomness of randomly placed concrete armor units in mound breakwaters, significant model effects may occur if armor porosity and randomness are different for prototype and small-scale models. Armor randomness and porosity are easier to control in small-scale models because they are generally constructed by hand in dry and perfect viewing conditions; equipment and environmental constraints make control at prototype scale more difficult. Results from three-dimensional small-scale placement tests are analyzed when cube and Cubipod units are placed with a small-scale crawler crane and pressure clamps. Armor porosity was not workable below 37% for cubes and 35% for Cubipods; placement grids were obtained for feasible armor porosities, considering row settlements during construction as well. Amethodology to measure armor randomness using high-precision laser scanning, similar to terrestrial LIDAR, was tested with small-scale cube and Cubipod armor. Three armor randomness indexes (ARIs) measured the randomness of cube and Cubipod armor; the values for ARIs were higher for Cubipod armor than for cube armor. (C) 2014 American Society of Civil EngineersThe authors would like to acknowledge the financial support received from the CDTI (CUBIPOD and CLIOMAR Projects), SATO-OHL Group (CLIOMAR Project), and the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Grant BIA2012-33967). The third author was financially supported through the FPU program (Formacion del Profesorado Universitario) funded by the Spanish Ministry of Education (Ministerio de Educacion, Cultura y Deporte). The authors thank Tomas J. Perez for assisting with the 3D placement tests and processing the laser-scanner data, and Debra Westall for revising the manuscript.Pardo De Gregorio, V.; Herrera Gamboa, MP.; Molines Llodra, J.; Medina Folgado, JR. (2014). Placement, porosity and randomness of cube and Cubipod armor layers. Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering. 140(5). doi:10.1061/(ASCE)WW.1943-5460.0000245S140

Exploiting molecular self-assembly: from urea-based organocatalysts to multifunctional supramolecular gels

We describe the self-assembly properties of chiral N,N'-disubstituted urea-based organocatalyst 1 that leads to the formation of hierarchical supramolecular gels in organic solvents at low concentrations. The major driving forces for the gelation are hydrogen bonding and pi-pi interactions according to FTIR and H-1 NMR spectroscopy, as well as quantum-mechanical studies. The gelation scope could be interpreted based on Kamlet-Taft solvatochromic parameters. TEM, SEM, and AFM imaging revealed that a variety of morphologies including helical, laths, porous, and lamellar nanostructures could be obtained by varying the solvent. Experimental gelation tests and computational structural analysis of various structurally related compounds proved the existence of a unique set of molecular interactions and an optimal hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance in 1 that drive the formation of stable gels. Responses to thermal, mechanical, optical, and chemical stimuli, as well as multifunctionality were demonstrated in some model gel materials. Specifically, 1 could be used for the phase-selective gelation of organic solvent/water mixtures. The gel prepared in glycerol was found to be thixotropic and provided a sensitive colorimetric method for the detection of Ag-I ions at millimolar concentrations in aqueous solution. Moreover, the gel matrix obtained in toluene served as a nanoreactor for the Friedel-Crafts alkylation of H-1-indole with trans-beta-nitrostyrene.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Toe berm design for very shallow waters on steep sea bottoms

The toe berm is a relevant design element when rubble mound breakwaters are built on steep sea bottoms in breaking conditions. Different design formulas can be found in the literature to predict the damage caused to submerged toe berms placed on gentle bottom slopes. However, these formulas are not valid for very shallow waters in combination with steep sea bottoms where toe berms receive the full force of breaking waves. To guarantee breakwater stability in these conditions, new design formulas are needed for toe berms. To this end, physical model tests were carried out and data were analyzed to characterize rock toe berm stability in very shallow water and with a bottom slope m = 1/10. Based on test results, a new formula was developed with three parameters to estimate the nominal diameter (Dn50) of the toe berm rocks: water depth at the toe (hs), deep water significant wave height (Hs0), and deep water wave length (L0p).The first author was financially supported through the FPU program (Formacion del Profesorado Universitario) funded by the Spanish Ministry of Education (Ministerio de Educacion, Cultura y Deporte) FPU13/01872. The authors also acknowledge financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (grant BIA2012-33967). The authors thank Debra Westall for revising the manuscript.Herrera Gamboa, MP.; Medina Folgado, JR. (2015). Toe berm design for very shallow waters on steep sea bottoms. Coastal Engineering. 103:67-77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coastaleng.2015.06.005S677710