Elucidating the Structure of the Cu-Alkaline Electrochemical Interface with the Laser-Induced Temperature Jump Method

A detailed description of the Cu–electrolyte interface is vital to understand the electrocatalytic properties of Cu surfaces. Herein, we combine cyclic voltammetry and the laser-induced temperature jump technique to describe the structure of the Cu(111) and Cu(100) | electrolyte interfaces in 0.1 M NaOH in a glass-free electrochemical cell. The laser-induced potential transients recorded at different potentials provided information of the surface charge distribution, which allowed us to calculate the potential of maximum entropy (pme), which can be considered as a good estimation of the potential of zero charge (pzc) of Cu(111) and Cu(100). We found that pzcCu(111) > pzcCu(100), following the same order as their respective work function values. Interestingly, the estimated pzc appears to be located at the onset potential of the OH* voltammetric feature for Cu(111) and Cu(100), which suggests that this feature shifts with the pzc of each crystallographic orientation. This is the first study that provides the experimental evidence of charge distribution at the Cu–solution interface under alkaline conditions.M.E.-E. gratefully acknowledges the Villum Foundation for the award of a Villum Young Investigator Grant (project number 19142). J.M.F. thanks the MCINN (FEDER) (Spain) project PID2019-105653GB-100

Nanostructured Ir-based electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution prepared by galvanic displacement of Co and Ni

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysers are promising devices to produce hydrogen as a green fuel. Currently, this technology is limited by the sluggish kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In this work, we describe an environmentally safe method for the preparation of Ir oxide thin films (IrO2) for OER. Electrodeposition of Co and Ni was performed in the non-toxic choline chloride:urea deep eutectic solvent (ChCl:urea DES), followed by galvanic displacement reaction (GDR) of Co and Ni by Ir(IV). We evaluated how the GDR conditions, such as the metal replaced (Co or Ni), time and temperature affect both the activity and stability of the deposited IrO2 films on gold substrates. We observed that GDR of Ni at 90 ◦C induces morphological changes on the IrO2 nanostructures which resulted in higher activity and stability towards OER. We highlight that not only reducing mass loadings of Ir but also tuning the surface morphology and structure controlling the synthesis preparation, as well as investigating the role of the substrate, are key to design more active and stable OER electrocatalysts

Cyanide-modified Pt(111) : structure, stability and hydrogen adsorption

A.C. acknowledges the support of the DGI (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation) through Project CTQ2009-07017. W.S. acknowledges financial support by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft under Schm 344/40-1, Schm 344/34-1.2 and FOR 1376. W.S. and P.Q. thank DFG-CONICET International Cooperation and CONICET for continued support. E.P.M.L. and M.Z.-M. wish to acknowledge CONICET PIP: 112-200801-000983, Secyt UNC, Program BID (PICT 2006N 946), and PME: 2006-01581 for financial support. P.Q. acknowledges PICT 0737-2008. A generous grant of computing time from the Baden-Wuerttemberg grid is gratefully acknowledged. M.E.-E. acknowledges an FPI fellowship from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and an accommodation grant at the Residencia de Estudiantes from the Madrid City Council.Peer reviewedPostprin

Color-copigmentation study by tristimulus colorimetry (CIELAB) in red wines obtained from Tempranillo and Graciano varieties

[EN] A study of the changes of copigmentation phenomenon in wines elaborated from different varieties has been undertaken. Colorimetric measurement of Tempranillo (T) and Graciano (G) monovarietal wines, and two 80:20 blend wines: M, (grape blending T and G, co-maceration) and W (wine blending T and G, co-vinification) was performed by spectrophotometry. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found among the color of the wines. The Graciano cv. afforded somewhat darker and more colorful wines than the other wines. The color difference values, ΔE*ab suggested that co-vinification (W) led to wines being more similar to T than the co-maceration (M). The ΔE*ab[w − c] between untreated wines – whole wines, w – and the wines diluted to eliminate copigmentation – corrected wines, c – was 14.2 CIELAB units in the initial stages of winemaking and 6.7 in the final stages. M had a greater proportion of color due to copigmentation than the monovarietal wines. Evaluation of this parameter confirms the importance of copigmentation process into wine color during the early stages of the vinification. Also, through the full spectrum, quantitative data obtained allow a visual interpretation of the changes involved. In addition, with the aging in bottle, M wines had more stable color and more different color than W wines

Embalagem plástica para flocão de milho biofortificado.

Devido a carência de micronutrientes que são essenciais para a saúde, vem sendo desenvolvido no Brasil produtos biofortificados. O objetivo desse estudo foi levantar informações sobre os efeitos de quatro tipos de embalagem e do tipo de acondicionamento (com e sem vácuo), na perda de qualidade de flocão de milho biofortificado. Os resultados mostraram que em todas as embalagens avaliadas houve preservação dos carotenoides, tendo um destaque para o PETmet/PEBD com vácuo que teve uma maior retenção do teor de carotenoides pró-vitamina A e maior preservação da cor.22 a 26 de outubro de 2017

Electrooxidation of formic acid on gold : An ATR-SEIRAS study of the role of adsorbed formate

Funding from the DGI (Spanish Ministry of Education and Science) through Projects CTQ2009-07017 and PLE2009-0008 is gratefully acknowledged. M.E.-E. acknowledges an FPI fellowship from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and an accommodation grant at the Residencia de Estudiantes from the Madrid City Council. C. V.-D. acknowledges a JAE-Doc fellowship from CSIC.Peer reviewedPostprin

Mapping Genetic Diversity of Cherimoya (Annona cherimola Mill.): Application of Spatial Analysis for Conservation and Use of Plant Genetic Resources

There is a growing call for inventories that evaluate geographic patterns in diversity of plant genetic resources maintained on farm and in species' natural populations in order to enhance their use and conservation. Such evaluations are relevant for useful tropical and subtropical tree species, as many of these species are still undomesticated, or in incipient stages of domestication and local populations can offer yet-unknown traits of high value to further domestication. For many outcrossing species, such as most trees, inbreeding depression can be an issue, and genetic diversity is important to sustain local production. Diversity is also crucial for species to adapt to environmental changes. This paper explores the possibilities of incorporating molecular marker data into Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to allow visualization and better understanding of spatial patterns of genetic diversity as a key input to optimize conservation and use of plant genetic resources, based on a case study of cherimoya (Annona cherimola Mill.), a Neotropical fruit tree species. We present spatial analyses to (1) improve the understanding of spatial distribution of genetic diversity of cherimoya natural stands and cultivated trees in Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru based on microsatellite molecular markers (SSRs); and (2) formulate optimal conservation strategies by revealing priority areas for in situ conservation, and identifying existing diversity gaps in ex situ collections. We found high levels of allelic richness, locally common alleles and expected heterozygosity in cherimoya's putative centre of origin, southern Ecuador and northern Peru, whereas levels of diversity in southern Peru and especially in Bolivia were significantly lower. The application of GIS on a large microsatellite dataset allows a more detailed prioritization of areas for in situ conservation and targeted collection across the Andean distribution range of cherimoya than previous studies could do, i.e. at province and department level in Ecuador and Peru, respectively

Prevalence of cognitive impairment in individuals aged over 65 in an urban area: DERIVA study

[ENG]Background: Few data are available on the prevalence of cognitive impairment (CI) in Spain, and the existing information shows important variations depending on the geographical setting and the methodology employed. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of CI in individuals aged over 65 in an urban area, and to analyze its associated risk factors. Methods: Design: A descriptive, cross-sectional, home questionnaire-based study; Setting: Populational, urban setting. Participants: The reference population comprised over-65s living in the city of Salamanca (Spain) in 2009. Randomized sampling stratified according to health district was carried out, and a total of 480 people were selected. In all, 327 patients were interviewed (68.10%), with a mean age of 76.35 years (SD: 7.33). Women accounted for 64.5% of the total. Measurements: A home health questionnaire was used to obtain the following data: age, sex, educational level, family structure, morbidity and functionality. All participants completed a neuropsychological test battery. The prevalence data were compared with those of the European population, with direct adjustment for age and sex. Diagnoses were divided into three general categories: normal cognitive function, cognitive impairment- no dementia (CIND), and dementia. Results: The prevalence of CI among these over-65s was 19% (14.7% CIND and 4.3% dementia). The age-and sexadjusted global prevalence of CI was 14.9%. CI increased with age (p < 0.001) and decreased with increasing educational level (p < 0.001). Significant risk factors were found with the multivariate analyses: age (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.03-1.12), anxiety-depression (OR = 3.47, 95%CI: 1.61-7.51) and diabetes (OR = 2.07, 95%CI: 1.02-4.18). In turn, years of education was found to be a protective factor (OR = 0.79, 95%CI: 0.70-0.90). Although CI was more frequent among women and in people living without a partner, these characteristics were not significantly associated with CI risk. Conclusions: The observed raw prevalence of CI was 19% (14.9% after adjusting for age and sex). Older age and the presence of diabetes and anxiety-depression increased the risk of CI, while higher educational level reduced the risk

Electrocatalysis and surface nanostructuring : atomic ensemble effects and non-covalent interactions

This PhD research is focused on the study of the role of geometric atomic ensembles in electrocatalysis, and on the fabrication of surface nanostructures guided by a self-ordered molecular pattern, namely cyanide-modified Pt(111).Esta Tesis Doctoral se ha basado en el uso de electrodos de Pt(111) modificados con cianuro con el fin de estudiar el papel de los agrupamientos atómicos en electrocatálisis y fabricar nanoestructuras basadas en un patrón molecular.Peer reviewe