Betaxanthin-Rich Extract from Cactus Pear Fruits as Yellow Water-Soluble Colorant with Potential Application in Foods

Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) fruit juice is a source of betaxanthin pigments which can be used as a natural yellow food colorant. The HPLC chromatographic pigment pattern corresponding to the betaxanthin-rich extract revealed the presence of four betaxanthins, of which indicaxanthin (proline-betaxanthin) accounts for around 85%. A betaxanthin-rich water-soluble food colorant from cactus pears fruits was produced by spray-drying microencapsulation using maltodextrin as a wall material. The resulting powder was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, and its apparent color was analyzed by spectrometry. The stability of the microcapsules was examined at +20, +4 and −20 °C in the dark during six months of storage. The degradation of betaxanthins was delayed by microencapsulation and their colorant stability increased at lower temperatures. The potential application of the colorant microcapsules was successfully assessed in two food model systems: a yogurt and a soft-drink. Both foods presented an attractive pale yellow color. Pigment retention and color parameters were investigated during storage under controlled conditions. Slight changes in the pigment retention, in both model systems, pointed to excellent preservation in the dark, even after 28 days at 4 °C. However, the presence of light contributed to betaxanthin deterioration. Spray-drying microencapsulation succeeds in reducing volumen of the pigment extract and can be easy in storage and delivery of the powders. It is proved to be a suitable process that can be recommended for stabilizing betaxanthins from cactus pears to be used as water-soluble natural colorants in foods.This research is part of the QUIMYTEC R&D group. Authors greatly acknowledge the financial 16 support provided by Fundación Séneca (project 08702PI08)

A Promising, Highly Effective Nitrate Sorbent Derived from Solid Olive Mill Residues

Olive mill residues have been valorized by chemical modification with amines to improve their adsorption capacity and to be used as a low-cost bioadsorbent for nitrate removal. The Taguchi method was used to optimize the process. By performing a three-factor analysis with three levels, it was possible to significantly reduce the number of experiments to be performed and to obtain the best working conditions. The results of the Taguchi method showed that the highest adsorption capacity was 110 mg·g −1 with a functionalized biomass dose of 1 g·L −1 using an initial nitrate concentration of 500 mg·L −1 . Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to characterize the surface morphology and study the chemical changes that occurred in the biomass. For the best conditions of the Taguchi approach, the kinetic and equilibrium aspects of the adsorption process were analyzed. The adsorption isotherms obtained were successfully fitted to the Freundlich (R2 = 0.98) and Langmuir (R2 = 0.97) models. The kinetics of the process were studied, and the data obtained fit very well to the pseudo-second-order model (R2 = 0.99). The adsorption values obtained suggest that it is a bioadsorbent with great potential for nitrate retention in aqueous solutions.This research was funded by the Project 2I20SAE00081 through the Call for Public Grants to finance the strategic projects included in the Research and Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation-RIS3MUR Strategy by the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia (CARM), Spain, within the framework of the FEDER Operational Program Region of Murcia 2014–2020 under the thematic objective 1: Strengthen research, technological development and innovation by 80% and with CARMs own funds by 20%

In-cabin 120 GHz radar system for functional human breathing monitoring in a 3D scenario

Driving is one of the activities that takes a significant part of a person’s time, that is why monitoring vital signs is useful for the wellness of the occupants of the vehicle. One of the vital signs that provides more information about the state of the person, is the functional breathing. Compared to other vital signs indicators, breathing is more sensitive to cardiovascular events, emotional stress, physical exertion, or fatigue induced by long time driving, seen as variations in chest and abdomen elongation modes. Functional monitoring is a tool that can transcend, from measurement and detection to emotional changes through feedback of sounds, images, or videos to the driver. In this regard, this work proposes an imaging radar system to generate a topographic map with elongation modes of the driver’s chest and abdomen, at 120 GHz. Numerical simulations have been deployed in order to reconstruct the image from the receiver signal in the radar using spatial convolution. Furthermore, a metronome has been used to calibrate the radar for elongations measuring with respect to time, and finally, the system has been tested experimentally in an adult person, to generate a preliminary topographic map that allows matching the chest elongation modes to breathing patterns.This work was supported by the Spanish “Comision Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnologia” (CICYT) under projects TEC2016-78028-C3-1-P and MDM2016-O6OO; Catalan Research Group 2017 SGR 219; and ”Secretaría Nacional de Educación Superior, Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación” (SENESCYT) from the Ecuadorian government.Peer ReviewedObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::3 - Salut i BenestarPostprint (published version

In-cabin MIMO radar system for human dysfunctional breathing detection

The integration of wireless sensors into the automotive industry is making vehicles increasingly safe and autonomous. At present, vehicles are equipped with external sensors that facilitate maneuverability and braking and internal sensors that detect presence, seat belt state, and occupant vital signs. Early detection of dysfunctional breathing patterns can reduce the risk of accidents caused by drowsiness or fatigue. In this regard, this work presents an MIMO FMCW Radar System able to distinguish dysfunctional breathing patterns from human torso motion. The torso has been divided into six regions, and the amplitude of the elongation and the frequency of motion of each region have been measured during breathing. An elongation map is then constructed in order to graphically show the dysfunctional breathing patterns. The signal processing includes a peak search algorithm to detect elongation amplitude and a bandpass frequency filter to minimize dc components, random driver motion, and vehicle vibration. A torso elongation emulator phantom has been assembled with materials of skin-like relative permittivity and dc motors for calibration and validation of basic breathing patterns. Finally, the signal of the system is compared with that of a commercial respiration belt, and then the system is tested by performing measurements on people. The MIMO radar system is able to measure, differentiate, and classify patterns associated with dysfunctional breathing such as hyperventilation syndrome and thoracic dominant breathing.This work was supported in part by the Spanish “Comision Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnologia” (CICYT) under Project PID2019-107885GB-C31 and Project MDM2016- 0600, in part by the Catalan Research Group under Grant 2017 SGR 219, and in part by the “Secretaría Nacional de Educación Superior, Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación” (SENESCYT) from the Ecuadorian GovernmentPeer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

MIMO radar antenna with sectorial human torso illumination for an in-cabin breathing detection system

The vital sign measurement systems inside vehicles have taken great or impulse in recent years, and the technologies that have been most welcomed are based on wireless measurements that do not interrupt driving and are imperceptible to the driver. There are disorders in breathing patterns, which include the movement of different regions of the human thorax mainly. In this sense, the objective of this paper is to determine the dimensions of a lens-based antenna system and the pointing angles of the radiation main lobe of the six antenna-elements to measure the elongation of six regions of the human torso and determine breathing patterns. The pointing angle is controlled by the position of the antenna behind the lens, and the beamwidth of the lobe depends on the directivity achieved by the antenna. An electronic system to simulate torso elongation is also presented to calibrate and test the sensitivity of the system.This work was supported by the Spanish “Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnologia” (CICYT) under projects PID2019-107885GB-C31 and MDM2016-O6OO; Catalan Research Group 2017 SGR 219; and ”Secretaría Nacional de Educación Superior, Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación” (SENESCYT) from the Ecuadorian government.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Aloe vera Flowers, a by product with great potential and wide application, depending on maturity stage

Flowers of Aloe vera are a byproduct providing a valuable source of bioactive compounds with different functions for health benefits. The characterization in amino acids, organic acids, sugars, trigonelline, volatiles compounds, fatty acids, total phenolic, carotenoids, vitamin C content, and antioxidant capacity of Aloe flowers (Aloe barbadensis Miller) has been studied at three maturity stages (I: immature; II: mature; III: mature, with flowers buds opened). Immature flowers presented the highest content in phenyl alanine, tyrosine, citric acid, trigonelline, carotenoids, retinol activity equivalent, vitamin C, and total phenolic and antioxidant capacity. As the flower develops, the content of these compounds decreases Aloe vera flowers presented an important content in fatty acids, and the principal concentration was identified in polyunsaturated unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as α-linolenic acid, and linoleic acid, with a ratio close to one. The main saturated fatty acid was palmitic acid, followed by stearic acid. Maturity stage III showed the lowest fatty acid content. The bioactive compounds found in Aloe vera flowers have potential applications in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and food industries. Depending on the compound of interest, it could be worthwhile harvesting flowers at maturity stage I, thereby reducing the energy consumption of flowers from the plant and thus favoring plant development. This is an example of a circular economy for Aloe vera producers, generating economic and business opportunities and thus providing environmental and social benefits.This research was funded by the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional/Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación-Agencia Estatal de Investigación (FEDER/MICINN-AEI), project RTI2018-099139-B-C21

Bio-inspired model of ground temperature behavior on the horizontal geothermal exchanger of an installation based on a heat pump

[Abstract] Nowadays the Heat Pump is one of the best systems to warm a building with a good performance. Usually, with the aim to increase the efficiency, a geothermal heat exchanger is added to the installation. This component shows a disturbing effect on the ground where it is placed. On this research a bio-inspired system was developed to test the ground temperature behavior where there is a heat exchanger. The novel approach has been implemented and tested under a real dataset. One year temperature measurements were recorded. The final approach is based on clustering and regression techniques. Then, the model was validated and tested with a dataset from a real installation with a good performance

Similarities between acylcarnitine profiles in large for gestational age newborns and obesity

Large for gestational age (LGA) newborns have an increased risk of obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. Acylcarnitine profiles in obese children and adults are characterized by increased levels of C3, C5, and certain medium-chain (C12) and long-chain (C14:1 and C16) acylcarnitines. C2 is also increased in insulin-resistant states. In this 1-year observational study of 2514 newborns (246 LGA newborns, 250 small for gestational age (GA) newborns, and 2018 appropriate for GA newborns), we analyzed and compared postnatal acylcarnitine profiles in LGA newborns with profiles described for obese individuals. Acylcarnitine analysis was performed by tandem mass spectrometry on dried-blood spots collected on day 3 of life. LGA newborns had higher levels of total short-chain acylcarnitines (p < 0.001), C2 (p < 0.01) and C3 (p < 0.001) acylcarnitines, and all C12, C14, and C16 acylcarnitines except C12:1. They also had a higher tendency towards carnitine insufficiency (p < 0.05) and carnitine deficiency (p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed between LGA newborns born to mothers with or without a history of gestational diabetes. This novel study describes a postnatal acylcarnitine profile in LGA with higher levels of C2, C3, total acylcarnitines, and total short-chain acylcarnitines that is characteristic of childhood and adult obesity and linked to an unhealthy metabolic phenotype.Dr Lopez has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement no. 281854 -the ObERStress project, Xunta de Galicia (2015-CP079 and 2016-PG068), MINECO co-funded by FEDER (SAF2015-71026-R and BFU2015-70454-REDT/Adipoplast)S

Solvent-free ring opening of e-caprolactone with amines assisted by microwave irradiation

The 11th International Electronic Conference on Synthetic Organic Chemistry session Symposium on Microwave Assisted SynthesisIrradiation of e-caprolactone with microwaves in the presence of secondary or primary amines lead to e-hydroxyamides in good yieldsXUNTA DE GALICIA for financial support: PGIDIT05PXIB26201PR, PR405 A 098/59-0. USC for a predoctoral fellowship to JC

El PFC de Arquitectura Técnica se somete a una sesión de Benchmarking

La puesta en marcha de los nuevos planes de estudio, en nuestro caso Ingeniero de Edificación, así como la progresiva armonización de los sistemas universitarios para la construcción del Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior, ha reunido a un nutrido grupo de profesores para analizar la situación en la que se encuentra la formación del actual Arquitecto Técnico en el ámbito de la realización de su Proyecto Final de Carrera y proponer nuevas metodologías ante la implantación del Trabajo Fin de Grado de Ingeniero de Edificación. Esta comunicación recoge la metodología y conclusiones de una sesión de Benchmarking llevada a cabo en el I Encuentro Internacional de Profesores de Proyecto Final de Carrera en la titulación de Arquitecto Técnico celebrado en la Universidad Politécnica de Valencia.Consejo General de la Arquitectura Técnica de Españ