Temperature effect on the electrooxidation of gamma hdroxybutyric acid (GHB) on platinum catalyst through cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, impedance spectroscopy and SERS spectroelectrochemistry

A study of the electro-oxidation of gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) on platinum electrode in acidic media has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in the temperature range between 5 and 30ºC. The variation of the j-E curves allows the determination of activation energy in a wide interval of potentials where three characteristic oxidation peaks appear. The j-t curves were registered at the more positive potentials corresponding with the A and B peaks. Stationary current intensity measurements allowed the determination of the activation energy in pure kinetic region conditions. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy made also possible the study of the electrochemical behavior in the same potential region. Temperature dependence of the charge-transfer resistance (Rct) and the rate constant associated with the surface coverage by an adsorbed intermediate (-1=Ro/L) during the GHB electro-oxidation process were evaluated and discussed. In all cases, the values of activation energy, below 30 kJ/mol, suggest that a complex mechanism takes place for the GHB electro-oxidation free of strong interactions with the platinum surface. In situ Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) spectroelectrochemistry spectra corresponding to coadsorbed species, including intermediates of reaction, have been analyzed at several potentials

Flexible facility requirements for strategic planning of airport passenger terminal infrastructure

Facility requirements determine how and when the capacity of airport passenger terminal facilities is adjusted over time to meet expected demand. Given high levels of uncertainty inherent in long-term airport planning, under and over provision of capacity is a recurrent risk, as conventional strategic planning methods fail to adapt dynamically to changing circumstances. This paper introduces a novel flexible capacity expansion model for airport terminals that considers simultaneously real options ‘on’ and ‘in’ systems. The model is validated for the provision of check-in facilities at Zurich Airport. Results confirm suggestions in the literature that incorporating flexibility creates planning and financial advantages over conventional alternatives. Indeed, for the case of Zurich, the financial value of the flexible alternative is approximately 5% higher than the best conventional phased plan. This also suggests that phasing developments can be carefully devised to produce satisfactory outcomes that enable ex-post application of flexibility ‘on’ systems

Implementacion de procesos para el area de tesoreria y aplicación de nuevos desarrollos en SAP para la empresa Gruas Etac Perú S.A.C.

El presente trabajo de suficiencia profesional está enfocado en el análisis de la problemática ocurrida en el área de Tesoreria de la empresa Gruas Etac Peru S.A.C, considerando que la empresa mencionada está posicionada en el mercado como una de las primeras empresas en arriendo y venta de maquinarias de izajes para construcción. Nuestro objetivo es demostrar la aplicación de las teorías y modelos estudiados durante nuestra carrera y enfocarlos en la búsqueda de una solución eficiente para beneficio de la organización, mostrando nuestra capacidad profesional y el trabajo en conjunto realizado con la organización para la implementación de procesos, controles y el desarrollo de herramientas eficientes para el registro de información financiera en el sistema SAP R3, ECC 6.0, cumpliendo los estándares de gestión de calidad ISO 9001 y alcanzando los objetivos de la organizaciónThe present work of professional sufficiency is focused on the analysis of the problematic occurred in the area of Treasury of the company Gruas Etac Peru S.A.C, considering that the mentioned company is positioned in the market as one of the first companies in leasing and sale of lifting machinery for construction. Our objective is to demonstrate the application of the theories and models studied during our career and focus them in the search for an efficient solution for the benefit of the organization, showing our professional capacity and the joint work done with the organization for the implementation of processes, controls and the development of efficient tools for the registration of financial information in the SAP R3 system, ECC 6.0, meeting the standards of quality management ISO 9001 and achieving the objectives of the organization.Trabajo de Suficiencia Profesiona

Chemical nature, molecular structure, and formation mechanism of biochar: Molecular dynamics studies and experimental approach

Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstrac

Effects of minor compounds from virgin olive oil on inflammatory response in human leukocytes

Mediterranean diet protects against cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, now considered an inflammatory disorder. Virgin olive oil is one of the most important foods in this diet, leading to the suggestion that health benefits of Mediterranean diet are achieved at least partially due to the consumption of virgin olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is the highest quality oil based on its chemical and sensorial properties. Our aim was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of minor compounds found in the unsaponifibale fraction of EVOO on activated human monocytes and neutrophils. For this purpose, we isolated monocytes and neutrophils from blood samples of healthy volunteers. We also isolated the unsaponifiable fraction (UF) from EVOO. Cells were incubated with UF at different concentrations and the pro-inflammatory stimulus LPS. Afterwards, RNA was obtained from cells and then converted into cDNA. The relative gene expression of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers was assessed by qRT-PCR. We found that UF from EVOO reduced relative gene expression of pro-inflammatory markers in a dose-dependent manner both in human monocytes and neutrophils. In contrast, UF from EVOO increased relative gene expression of anti-inflammatory markers in these cells. These findings unveil a role of UF from EVOO in the benefits from consumption of EVOO in disorders related to inflammation

Chronic Kidney Disease-Associated Pruritus and Quality of Life: Learning from Our Patients

Chronic kidney disease; Haemodialysis; Opioid system; PruritusEnfermedad renal crónica; Hemodiálisis; Sistema opioide; PruritoMalaltia renal crònica; Hemodiàlisi; Sistema opioide; PruritChronic kidney disease-associated pruritus is itching directly related to kidney disease that cannot be explained by any other condition. Despite technological advances in the different aspects of dialysis sessions and the best treatment for chronic kidney disease patients, it is still a common problem in our patients. The many complex physiological mechanisms involved, the different hypotheses made over the years on the aetiology of the condition, and the great clinical variability may partially explain the limited knowledge about this problem and the difficulties in treating it. The presence of all these factors leads to the persistence of unpleasant symptoms, which must affect the disease burden and quality of life of kidney patients. Through the presentation of an illustrative clinical case, the aim of this review article is to highlight the need for adequate diagnosis and an improved approach to all aspects of chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus, in view of the heavy burden of the disease and the huge impact on the patient's quality of life

Effect of obesity in Independence and balance in people with intelectual disability

Background People with obesity often have problems with postural control. Some studies show that people with intellectual disabilities (ID) have a higher likelihood of having falls than the general population, with a prevalence in adults of between 29% and 70% (Cox et al., 2010). Currently, there are no studies that show the effects of obesity on independence and balance in people with ID. The objective of our study is analyse, in people with ID, the degree of influence that obesity has on independence with regard to activities of daily living, static and semi-static balance. Therefore, we can compare two groups: obese people and non-obese people. Our hypothesis is that obesity will exercise a negative influence on static and semi-static balance as well as on independence and the development of the activities of daily living. Method In a cross-sectional study, we compared static and semi-static balance in two groups of people with ID: the obese and the non-obese. All those in the sample had a low ID (IQ: 70-50) to mild ID (IQ 50-35). To measure balance we used a single leg balance test (SLBT) with opened eyes and closed eyes, and a functional reach test (FRT). In order to measure levels of dependence we used a Barthel index. The outcome variables were: time in balance in SLBT open eyes/closed eyes), maximum range of FRT and Barthel index. Results and Discussion We found significant differences in all outcome variables between two groups. To our knowledge, this is the first study to analyze how obesity affects independence, static balance and semi-static balance in people with ID. However, other studies have analyzed the effects of obesity on the general population (Singh et al., 2009). In both studies (General population: Singh et al. 2009 and people with ID in this study) we observed that obesity can be a determinant of negatively static balance and semi-static balance. Conclussion The main conclusion of this study is that obesity has a negative effect on independence, static balance and semi-static balance in people with ID. These results would have been carried out when we carry out an intervention on people with ID to prevent falls. References - Cox CR, Clemson L, Stancliffe RJ, Durvasula S, Sherrington C. Incidence of and risk factors for falls among adults with an intellectual disability. J Intellect Disabil Res. 2010 Dec;54(12):1045-57. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2010.01333.x. - Enkelaar L, Smulders E, van Schrojenstein Lantman-de Valk H, Weerdesteyn V, Geurts AC. Clinical measures are feasible and sensitive to assess balance and gait capacities in older persons with mild to moderate Intellectual Disabilities. Res Dev Disabil. 2013 Jan;34(1):276-85. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2012.08.014. - Singh D, Park W, Levy MS, Jung ES. The effects of obesity and standing time on postural sway during prolonged quiet standing. Ergonomics. 2009 Aug;52(8):977-86.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Effects of Calcium Soaps from Palm, Canola and Safflower Oils on Dry Matter Intake, Nutrient Digestibility, Milk Production, and Milk Composition in Dairy Goats

Articulo estudio en cabras suplementadas con jabones de calcioThis study determined the e ect of protected dietary oils on dry matter intake (DMI), digestibility and milk production in dairy goats. Nine Saanen goats were used in a 3 3 Latin square design with three periods of 25 days. A basal diet based on barley hay and corn silage was supplemented with 2.7% DM of calcium soaps of either palm (PO), canola (CO) or sa ower (SO) oils. Data for dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility and milk production was analyzed using the general linear model (GLM) procedure of SAS. Gas production data was analyzed using the procedure of non-linear regression analysis (PROC NLIN) from SAS. Nutrient intakes were not a ected by treatments. However, compared with CO, the digestibility of dry matter (653 vs. 552 and 588 g/kg), organic matter (663 vs. 559 and 606 g/kg) and neutral detergent fiber (616 vs. 460 and 510 g/kg) were lowered (p < 0.001) by SO and PO. Compared with CO, in vitro gas production increased (p < 0.001) in PO and SO (174 vs. 201 and 206 mL gas/g incubated DM). Compared with PO and CO, milk production increased (p < 0.001) with SO (0.88 and 0.95 vs. 1.10 kg/d, respectively). With regard to PO and SO, CO decreased fat (34 and 35 vs. 32 g/d) and protein (35 and 38 vs. 30 g/d) in milk. In conclusion, compared to the traditional use of calcium soaps manufactured from PO, protected SO resulted in increased milk yield without negative e ects on digestibility and nutrient intake.This research was funded by Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México (Project ID UAEMex 3060-2011 and UAEMex4974/2020)

Cloud Computing en salud: Sistema para Administrar Imagenes Biomedicas

En el campo de la biomedicina se genera una inmensa cantidad de imágenes diariamente. Para administrarlas es necesaria la creación de sistemas informáticos robustos y ágiles, que necesitan gran cantidad de recursos computacionales. El presente artículo presenta un servicio de cloud computing capaz de manejar grandes colecciones de imágenes biomédicas. Gracias a este servicio organizaciones y usuarios podrían administrar sus imágenes biomédicas sin necesidad de poseer grandes recursos informáticos. El servicio usa un sistema distribuido multi agente donde las imágenes son procesadas y se extraen y almacenan en una estructura de datos las regiones que contiene junto con sus características. Una característica novedosa del sistema es que una misma imagen puede ser dividida, y las sub-imágenes resultantes pueden ser almacenadas por separado por distintos agentes. Esta característica ayuda a mejorar el rendimiento del sistema a la hora de buscar y recuperar las imágenes almacenadas

Indoor radon measurements in Ny-Ålesund, the northernmost civilian settlement in the world

Ny-Ålesund is situated at 78° 55´ N, 11° 56´ E on the west coast of Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago and is a centre for international Arctic scientific research and environmental monitoring. Since 1916 to 1963 was an old coal mining town. Exposure to indoor radon has been identified as the second leading cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoking. In an indoor environment, there are many factors affecting indoor radon concentrations. Those factors could be different in the Arctic regions. [1] It is well known that the Council Directive 2013/59 / Euratom of 5 December 2013, article 74, says that "Member States shall establish national reference levels for indoor radon concentrations. The reference levels for the annual average activity concentration in air shall not be higher than 300 Bq m -3" so it is important to know the radon concentration in different places. Indoor radon activity measurements were carried out in different locations at Ny-Ålesund: Koldewey base (German base), KingsBay dining room, Marine Laboratory, and Gym facilities with five AlphaE devices from Saphymo GmbH. The AlphaE is an ultra small continuous radon monitor for professional use, based on a silicon diffusion chamber.The calculation of dose is possible due to a user-settable equilibrium factor. Indoor radon measurements were carried out from 3 to 27 September 2014. The values show low average level of indoor radon in the different analyzed buildings, with a geometrical mean of 60 Bq/m3 with a maximun value of 145 Bq/m3 in the Koldewey building. So the radiation exposure levels for workers and scientific personnel represents only a low percentage of the exposure guides for the general population.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech