Exploring the potential of conventional and flash pyrolysis methods for the valorisation of grape seed and chestnut shell biomass from agri-food industry waste

Producción CientíficaResidual biomass is a valuable and growing by-product, but often underutilized. This research aims to investigate the possible strategies for the energetic valorisation of agri-food industry wastes: grape seed and chestnut shell. Pyrolysis thermal process was the selected for this work. Applied to biomass, pyrolysis is a promising method for the simultaneous production of biochar, bio-oil, and gas. Two different pyrolysis processes were conducted: conventional pyrolysis at 750 °C and flash pyrolysis at 750 °C and 850 °C. Flash pyrolysis yielded superior product properties compared to conventional pyrolysis. The gas obtained through flash pyrolysis presented a four-fold higher high heating value due to increased CH4 and H2 content. Bio-oil contains over 90% of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and calorific value reached up to 32 MJ kg−1 for grape seed, which is 7% more than bioethanol HHV. Biochar can be used both as fuel or as activated carbon precursor due to its high carbon content (91%). Calorific value of chestnut shell biochar (32.7 MJ kg−1), comparable to mineral coals, increased by 72% with respect to the value of this untreated raw material. This work approved the potential of flash pyrolysis as a method to process biomass wastes in a renewable energy scenario.FICYT - Fundación Fomento Asturias Investigación - FEDER (AYUD/2021/51379)Agencia Española de Investigación (PDC2022-133394-I00 y PID2021-124347OB-I00

Tratamiento de las fracturas de tobillo con polaina funcional conformada

Se realiza un estudio retrospectivo sobre 35 fracturas de tobillo tratadas con yeso funcional conformado en período de seguimiento de 1 año, algunas no desplazadas y otras desplazadas, pero en las que fue posible conseguir ortopédicamente o con osteosíntesis «a mínima» una correcta reducción. Para la confección del enyesado funcional conformado (YFC), se siguió el método preconizado por F. Esteve valorando clínicamente movilidad, dolor, marcha y estabilidad y radiográficamente reducción, articulación en carga y consolidación. La edad media fue de 53 años, predominando etiología casual (86% de los casos) y el tipo de fractura las de supinación. La duración del período agudo fue de 3,5 a 4 semanas, la del período funcional de 4 semanas y la del período de readaptación de 2 a 3 semanas. Los resultados, en base a los criterios clínicos y radiológicos, fueron excelentes en el 21 % de los casos, buenos en el 62%, regulares en el 10% y malos en el 7%.A total of 35 ankle fractures treated with a functional below-the-knee brace were retrospectively studied. The follow-up period was one year. There were displaced and non displaced fractures, but in all of them was possible to achieved a satisfactory reduction either orthopaedically or with a minimal osteosynthesis. Functional bellow-the-knee bracings was performed according to Esteve. Different parameters such as motion, pain, walking ability and fracture stability were clinically assesed. Fracture reduction and joint consolidation were radiographically evaluated with weight-bearig in the affected leg. The age average was 53 years. Among fractures predominated casual fall etiology (86%) and supination type. The duration of the no loading immovilization period way 3-4 weeks. The functional casting period was 4 weeks and the readaptative period was 2-3 weeks. Based on the clinical and radiological assessments, the results were excellent in a 2 1 % of cases, good in 67%, fair in 10% and poor in 7%

Distribution and ecology of squirrels (Rodentia: Sciuridae) in Paraguay, with first country records of Sciurus ignitus

We document for the first time that Sciurus ignitus, a medium-sized agouti-patterned squirrel with white venter, occurs in Paraguay, being found in the northern Chaco–Pantanal region of the country, where the borders of Paraguay, Bolivia, and Brazil come together. Sciurus urucumus, the only species of squirrel previously known with certainty to range into Paraguay, occurs in the Chiquitano Forest of the northeastern Paraguayan Chaco. We provide details of the Paraguayan habitats for the known specimens of both species. At present, we know of no localities where the two species co-occur. We critically evaluate some of the morphological characters used previously to characterize S. ignitus. Interviews with local hunters, including Aché indigenous ones, coupled with an earlier, published account by A. de W. Bertoni (1939), indicate that the squirrel Sciurus aestuans also occurs in eastern Paraguay’s Departamento Alto Paraná, although no specimens are now available from the country. RESUMEN—Documentamos por primera vez que Sciurus ignitus, una ardilla de tamaño mediano con pelo de patrón agutí y con el vientre blanco, ocurre en Paraguay, en la región Chaco–Pantanal del norte del país, donde se unen las fronteras de Paraguay, Bolivia y Brasil. Sciurus urucumus, la única especie de ardilla cuyo rango se conocía previamente con certeza de incluir Paraguay, se encuentra en el Bosque Chiquitano del noreste del Chaco paraguayo. Proveemos detalles sobre los hábitats paraguayos de los especímenes de ambas especies. En el presente, no conocemos de ninguna localidad donde las dos especies concurren. Evaluamos críticamente algunas características morfológicas usadas previamente para caracterizar S. ignitus. Entrevistas con cazadores locales, incluyendo indígenas Aché, en conjunto con un reporte publicado anteriormente por A. de W. Bertoni (1939), indican que la ardilla S. aestuans también ocurre en el este de Paraguay, en el Departamento Alto Paraná, aunque ningún espécimen se conoce aún del país

Effect of Aspirin on Cell Growth of Human MG-63 Osteosarcoma Line

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used in bone tissue repair treatment for their pharmacological action. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of aspirin, on osteoblast growth, using MG63 cell line as osteoblast model. MTT spectrophotometry results showed that 20, 100, and 1000 μM aspirin doses have an inhibitory effect on growth. Cell cycle analysis revealed that aspirin doses of 100 and 1000 μM arrest the cell cycle in phase GO/G1. Parallel apoptosis/necrosis studies showed no changes in comparison to control cells after treatment with 1 or 10 μM aspirin but a significantly increased percentage of cells in apoptosis at doses of 20, 100, and 1000 μM. We highlight that treatment of osteoblast-like cells with 1000 μM aspirin increased not only the percentage of cells in apoptosis but also the percentage of necrotic cells, which was not observed in aspirin treatments at lower doses

Dysfunction of Inflammatory Pathways and Their Relationship With Psychological Factors in Adult Female Patients With Eating Disorders.

The attempts to clarify the origin of eating disorders (ED) have not been completely successful and their etiopathogenesis remains unknown. Current research shows an activation of the immune response in neuropsychiatric diseases, including ED. We aimed to investigate immune response parameters in patients with ED and to identify psychological factors influencing the inflammatory response. The relationship between inflammation markers and impulsivity and affective symptomatology was explored as well. Thirty-four adult female patients with current diagnosis of ED, none of them under psychopharmacological treatment (excluding benzodiazepines), were included in this study. Patients were compared with a healthy control group of fifteen adult females. The levels of inflammatory markers and indicators of oxidative/nitrosative stress were evaluated in plasma and/or in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Subjects were assessed by means of different ED evaluation tools. Additionally, the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale were also employed. Patients with ED shown increased plasma levels of the pro-inflammatory nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) and the cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), among other factors and an increment in the oxidative/nitrosative stress as well as increased glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression levels in their PBMCs. Moreover, the inflammatory prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) correlated with impulsiveness and the anti-inflammatory prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) correlated with depressive symptomatology. Our results point towards a relationship between the immune response and impulsiveness and between the immune response and depressive symptomatology in female adult patients with ED.post-print1075 K

A model and prototype implementation for tracking and tracing agricultural batch products along the food chain

There is an increasing demand of traceability in the food chain, statutory requirements are growing stricter and there is increasing pressure to develop standardized traceability systems. Each event in the chain, like production of transportation, packing, distribution or processing results in a different product which can have its own information associated within the tracing system. From the raw material to the sale of goods, more and more information needs to be gathered and made available. Supplementary information may also be collected at any step, in order to provide data for analysis and optimization of production practices. Using web-based systems for data processing, storage and transfer makes possible a flexible way of information access, networking and usability. In this paper an architectural proposal is presented and the proposed solution is tested by the implementation of a prototype. The software architecture presented makes use of a series of standards than offer new possibilities in traceability control and management. For testing the prototype, information from precision farming together with the information recorded during the transport and delivery was used. The system enables full traceability and it complies with all existing traceability standards

Industry-specific effect of CSR initiatives: hotels and airlines

Purpose – This study aims to examine the relationships between a firm's corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities and its performance and risk. The authors hypothesize that industry-level effects are highly determinant of the sign and magnitude of these relationships to establish a ranking of industries to identify the position of the most prominent tourism-related industries: hotels and airlines. Based on the cybernetic model of decision making and the heuristics thereof, shareholders base their investment decisions derived from CSR announcements on the idea that the industries behave differently; their fixed costs being a relevant factor. Design/methodology/approach – The authors estimate the industry-specific effects of CSR initiatives on firms' performance and risk using a sample of 583 announcements from the Spanish Stock Market. Findings – The results show that while CSR announcements have a positive effect on performance when the authors do not account for industry-specific factors, once the authors incorporate these factors into the analysis, the authors find that firm performance and risk vary quite substantially as a function of the industry to which the firm belongs. Interestingly, while the hotel industry presents an average behavior (standing at 9th position in returns, 15th in terms of risk, and 8th according to the ratio returns/volatility), the airline industry presents the worst situation of all industries: last in performance and last in risk. Practical implications – The results help managers assess their decisions and allocate CSR resources optimally. Originality/value – This article is the first attempt to empirically test and comprehensively detect the different relationships between CSR and firm performance across industries.The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support (ECO0805487) provided by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación

Preparation and Study of the Antibacterial Applications and Oxidative Stress Induction of Copper Maleamate-Functionalized Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are an interesting class of nanomaterials with potential applications in different therapeutic areas and that have been extensively used as drug carriers in different fields of medicine. The present work is focused on the synthesis of MSNs containing a maleamato ligand (MSN-maleamic) and the subsequent coordination of copper(II) ions (MSN-maleamic-Cu) for the exploration of their potential application as antibacterial agents. The Cu-containing nanomaterials have been characterized by different techniques and the preliminary antibacterial effect of the supported maleamato-copper(II) complexes has been tested against two types of bacteria (Gram positive and Gram negative) in different assays to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The biological results showed a moderate antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli which motivated a more detailed study of the antibacterial mechanism of action of the synthesized maleamate-containing nanosystems and whose findings showed oxidative stress generation in bacterial cells. All the prepared nanomaterials were also tested as catalysts in the “solvent free” selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol, to observe if there is a potential correlation between the catalytic oxidation capacity of the materials and the observed oxidative stress in bacteria. This may help in the future, for a more accurate rational design of antibacterial nanosystems, based on their observed catalytic oxidation activity.This research was funded by Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades Spain-FEDER, grants number CTQ2015-66164-R and CTQ2017-90802-REDT and by Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (ANPCyT) (PICT 2015 Nº1558)