Use of a Reforming Catalyst for Hydrogen Production in the Carbonization Process of Torrefied Biomass

The utilization of charcoal from woody biomass is an effcient way to reduce CO2 emissions from the metallurgical industry. The main aim of this work is to study the charcoal production process from torrefied biomass. For this purpose, torrefaction (3 _C min-1, 250 _C, 30 min) and carbonization (3 _C min-1, 750 _C, 30 min) experiments of eucalyptus wood were carried out in a 3.5 L tank reactor. In the carbonization experiments, a thermo-catalytic treatment of the vaporized phase was also performed, with the objective of producing less condensates and H2-rich gases. The results show that the torrefaction pre-treatment does not affect the chemical properties of charcoal but significantly improves the performance of the carbonization process, where more than 50 wt% of charcoal is obtained. In addition, the thermal and thermo-catalytic treatment of the vaporized phase during the carbonization of torrefied biomass yields better results than in the case of fresh biomass. When torrefied biomass is used as raw material and the reforming catalyst is employed to treat the vapors and gases, a proportion of 71 vol% of H2 in the gases is achieved, together with very low quantities of condensates (8.0 wt%). This allows designing a carbonization process in which, in addition to charcoal, pure H2 can also be produced.This research was funded by the Basque Government through the “SAIOTEK” program, grant number SAI13/190 (S-PE13UN126), by University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Spanish Ministry of Economy and Innovation and European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) (Projects: ENE2017-82250-R). The work was also funded by the financing provided to the “Sustainable Process Engineering” research group for the 2016-2021 period (reference: GIC 15/13, IT993-16)

Additively manufactured lattice structures with controlled transverse isotropy for orthopedic porous implants

Additively manufactured lattice structures enable the design of tissue scaffolds with tailored mechanical properties, which can be implemented in porous biomaterials. The adaptation of bone to physiological loads results in anisotropic bone tissue properties which are optimized for site-specific loads; therefore, some bone sites are stiffer and stronger along the principal load direction compared to other orientations. In this work, a semi-analytical model was developed for the design of transversely isotropic lattice structures that can mimic the anisotropy characteristics of different types of bone tissue. Several design possibilities were explored, and a particular unit cell, which was best suited for additive manufacturing was further analyzed. The design of the unit cell was parameterized and in-silico analysis was performed via Finite Element Analysis. The structures were manufactured additively in metal and tested under compressive loads in different orientations. Finite element analysis showed good correlation with the semi-analytical model, especially for elastic constants with low relative densities. The anisotropy measured experimentally showed a variable accuracy, highlighting the deviations from designs to additively manufactured parts. Overall, the proposed model enables to exploit the anisotropy of lattice structures to design lighter scaffolds with higher porosity and increased permeability by aligning the scaffold with the principal direction of the load

Derivation and validation of a clinical prediction rule for sleep apnoea syndrome for use in primary care

Background: Several clinical prediction rules (CPRs) are available for sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome (OSAH), but they are difficult to apply in primary care (PC). Aim: Derivation and validation of a CPR using simple measurements available in PC. Design & setting: A prospective study conducted in health centres from the area of influence of three Spanish hospitals. Method: Patients (aged 18-70 years) who attended for any reason; who presented with at least one of the three key symptoms for OSAH (snoring, breathing pauses while sleeping, and daytime sleepiness); and who were not undergoing non-invasive ventilation or prior treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) were included. Anthropometric data, smoking habit, comorbidities, and Epworth test were collected. Patients were subsequently referred to the sleep unit (SU), where the decision was taken whether or not to instigate treatment. A multivariate logistic model was constructed using a sub-sample and scores assigned based on the regression coefficients; the CPR was validated with the remaining sample. Both receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted and the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values calculated. Results: The derivation sample comprised 352 patients, with 260 in the validation sample. The final factors (arterial hypertension [AHT], age, body mass index [BMI], and sex) were used to develop a rule with scores ranging from 0.00-5.50. The cut-off point that optimises the area under the curve (AUC) is ?2.50 points (AUC = 0.78; sensitivity = 86%; specificity = 54%; positive predictive value [PPV] = 45%; negative predictive value [NPV] = 90%; likelihood ratio [LR] = 0.26). The properties for the validation sample with this cut-off point are as follows: AUC = 0.68; sensitivity = 81%; specificity = 43%; PPV = 61%; NPV = 68%; LR = 0.44. Conclusion: As in similar cases, the specificity is low, meaning that healthy people are referred to a specialist. A negative result rules out the disease in most cases

Enhancing the Photocatalytic Conversion of Pt(IV) Substrates by Flavoprotein Engineering

Our recent work demonstrates that certain flavoproteins can catalyze the redox activation of Pt(IV) prodrug complexes under light irradiation. Herein, we used site-directed mutagenesis on the mini singlet oxygen generator (mSOG) to modulate the photocatalytic activity of this flavoprotein toward two model Pt(IV) substrates. Among the prepared mutants, Q103V mSOG displayed enhanced catalytic efficiency as a result of its longer triplet excited-state lifetime. This study shows, for the first time, that protein engineering can improve the catalytic capacity of a protein toward metal-containing substrates.We acknowledge the Spanish State Research Agency for Grants PID2019-109111RB-I00, PGC2018-097529-B-100, PID2019-111649RB-I00, ERACoBioTech HOMBIOCAT-PCI2018-092984, and MAT2017-83856-C3-3-P and the Spanish Multi-MetDrugs network (RED2018-102471-T) for fruitful discussion. We also thank Eusko Jaurlaritza (Grants IT1254-19 and IT912-16) and the technical and human support provided by the IZO-SGI SGIker of UPV/EHU. A.L.C. received funding from the European Research Council (ERC-CoG-648071-ProNANO). O.A. thanks UPV/EHU (PIF19/244) for financial support. This work was performed under the Severo Ochoa Centres of Excellence and Maria de Maeztu Units of Excellence Programs of the Spanish State Research Agency—Grants CEX2018-000867-S (DIPC) and MDM-2017-0720 (CIC biomaGUNE)

Catalysis of a 1,3-dipolar reaction by distorted DNA incorporating a heterobimetallic platinum(II) and copper(II) complex

A novel catalytic system based on covalently modified DNA is described. This catalyst promotes 1,3-dipolar reactions between azomethine ylides and maleimides. The catalytic system is based on the distortion of the double helix of DNA by means of the formation of Pt(II) adducts with guanine units. This distortion, similar to that generated in the interaction of DNA with platinum chemotherapeutic drugs, generates active sites that can accommodate N-metallated azomethine ylides. The proposed reaction mechanism, based on QM(DFT)/MM calculations, is compatible with thermally allowed concerted (but asynchronous) [pi4s + pi2s] mechanisms leading to the exclusive formation of racemic endo-cycloadducts.MINECO: Grants CTQ2013-45415-P, CTQ2016-80375-P MAT2013-46006-R, CTQ2016-81797-REDC and PCIN-2015-240 Gobierno Vasco / Eusko Jaurlaritza: Grants IT673-13 and PI-2013 57 European Commission: Grants ERC Starting-Grant St 209842 (MATRIX) and ERC PoC 713641 (ESSENS

State of the art and latest advances in exploring business models for nature-based solutions

Nature-based solutions (NBS) offer multiple solutions to urban challenges simultaneously, but realising funding for NBS remains a challenge. When the concept of NBS for societal challenges was first defined by the EC in 2017, financing was recognised as one of the major challenges to its mainstreaming. The complexity of NBS finance has its origin in the multiple benefits/stakeholders involved, which obscures the argument for both public and private sector investment. Since 2017, subsequent waves of EU research-and innovation-funded projects have substantially contributed to the knowledge base of funding and business models for NBS, particularly in the urban context. Collaborating and sharing knowledge through an EU Task Force, this first set of EU projects laid important knowledge foundations, reviewing existing literature, and compiling empirical evidence of different financing approaches and the business models that underpinned them. The second set of EU innovation actions advanced this knowledge base, developing and testing new implementation models, business model tools, and approaches. This paper presents the findings of these projects from a business model perspective to improve our understanding of the value propositions of NBS to support their mainstreaming