Effect of CO2 modified atmosphere packaging on aflatoxin production in maize infested with Sitophilus zeamais

The weevil Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky), the maize weevil, is a pest of stored maize that can cause feeding damage and lead to the proliferation of toxigenic fungi. The application of modified atmospheres with a high concentration of CO2 is an alternative method for the control of S. zeamais and the inhibition of fungal growth. The objectives of the study were to determine the effect of S. zeamais infestation, grain damage and grain moisture content on aflatoxin production by Aspergillus flavus on maize, and the impact of high CO2 modified atmosphere packaging on pest infestation and aflatoxin production. Mycotoxin production was only recorded when maize was infested with S. zeamais and had A. flavus inoculum. However, production of mycotoxins was not recorded when the maize was mechanically damaged and stored at 18% moisture content, indicating that the biological activity of the insect was determinant in the production of mycotoxins. The high CO2 modified atmosphere packaging tested (90% CO2, 5% O2 and 5% N2) prevented mycotoxin production.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Aplicació de lagrangianes singulars per a la descripció de sistemes de partícules relativistes en interacció

En aquest treball estudiem la Dinàmica de sistemes relativistes de dues partícules puntuals en acció directa, és a dir, sense camps retardats que propaguin la interacció. En una primera part desenvolupem el marc general adient per a aquest tipus de plantejament (Teoria dels sistemes amb lligams), i fem a continuació una anàlisi detallada del model Lagrangià singular de-DGL. Després estudiem d'altres possibles formulacions de la mateixa Dinàmica i, finalment, discutim les propietats d'invariància de les línies d'unnivers generades per aquests models.In this work we study the dynamics of two-body relativistic systems with direct interaction, i.e., without medi ating retarted fields. To start with, we describe the general framework necessary for this problem (theory of constrained systems), and then we carefully analyse the DGL singular Lagrangian model. We also study other different formulations of the same Dynamics and, finally discuss the world-line invariance properties of these models

Passive-active vibration control for connected multi-building structures

In this paper, a mixed passive-active control strategy to mitigate the seismic response of a three-building system is presented. The proposed strategy combines passive dampers, placed as inter-building linking elements, with local active control systems implemented in those buildings that require a higher level of seismic protection. Different active-passive control configurations are considered, which may be suitable for different levels of seismic protection and combine the high performance characteristics of active control systems with the simplicity, reliability, and low cost of passive control elements. The numerical simulations carried out to assess the performance of the proposed methodology indicate that the buildings vibrational response and the risk of inter-building pounding events may both be effectively mitigated by means of a proper active-passive control configuration.Postprint (published version

Vertical mobility: a multi-faceted tool for enhancing architectural heritage

Vertical mobility plays a key role in the accessibility of architectural heritage: an extraneous requisite, but indispensable for enhancing the built heritage in an inclusive way. In this framework, in the light of their multiple technological features, mechanical devices will be discussed, taking into account the interaction with the users (individuals and community). Urban and architectural design in the historical context is very often confronted with vertical mobility, in the relationships between fragmented spaces and the perceptive processes of the user. The mechanical devices can be read at the same time as technological products and as iconic moments of the narrative sequence of different urban areas. A focus will be placed on the social relevance of vertical mobility, with reference to the theme of the healthy city. The paper will report several results from an interdisciplinary research opportunity, stemming from MOVE AGED, specifically devoted to the specific needs of elderly people in the historical parts of urban settlements. The paper proposes architectural heritage as a thought-provoking, trans-disciplinary application field. In fact, the user¿s experience and technological innovation have become indispensable terms of reference in the activities of knowing, conserving and enhancing; over the last decades topics such as social inclusion, participation processes and community involvement have entered the domain of architectural heritage

Copper complexes from 3,5-disubstituted N-hydroxyethylpyrazole ligands: Cleavage of C-N bond as well as formation of second coordination sphere complexes

The coordination behaviour of two N,O-hybrid hydroxyethylpyrazole ligands, 2-(3,5-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethanol, HL1; and (2-(3,5-di(2-pyridyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethanol, HL2; with CuCl2·2H2O and Cu(NO3)2·3H2O were studied. Four copper complexes: [CuCl(µ-L1)]2·HL1 (1), [CuCl2(HL2)]·H2O (2A), [Cu(NO3)(3,5-hdppz)(µ-L1)]2·2CH3CN (3), (3,5-hdppz = 3,5-diphenylpyrazole) and [Cu(H2O)(3,5-dpypz)]2(NO3)2·H2O (4), (3,5-dpypz = 3,5-(2-pyridyl)pyrazolate) were isolated and characterized by analytical methods and spectroscopical studies. From their crystal structure, a Npz-C bond cleavage was observed for HL1 and HL2 upon reaction with Cu(NO3)2·3H2O, yielding the unexpected complexes 3 and 4, respectively. Overall, these complexes provided great structural diversity, as dimers (asymmetric and symmetric), monomers and ionic complexes were obtained. Finally, magnetic susceptibility measurements for 3 were carried out, showing the dependence of the magnetic moment on Cu-O-Cu angles

A Review of fMRI as a Tool for Enhancing Eeg-Based Brain-Machine Interfaces

Human-robot interaction has been going stronger and stronger, up to find a notorious level on brain-machines interfaces. This assistive technology offers a great hope for patients suffering severe neuromuscular disorders. Starting from the current limitations hindering its extensive application outside the research laboratories, this paper reviews findings and prospects on functional magnetic resonance imaging showing how fMRI can help to overcome those limitations, while playing a key role on improving the development of brain-machine interfaces based on electroencephalography. The different types of derived benefits for this interfaces, as well as the different kinds of impact on their components, are presented under a field classification that reveals the distinctive roles that fMRI can play on the present context. The review concludes that fMRI provides complementary knowledge of immediate application, and that a greater profit could be obtained from the own EEG signal by integrating both neuroimaging modalities

Multifractal characterization of seismicity: the case of Carterbury region (New Zealand), 2000 -2018

The Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation (MF-DF) algorithm is applied to measure the complexity of two time series, the inter-event hypocentral distance Δδ(t), and the inter-event time series Δτ(t) In particular, we apply this methodology to the seismic sequences produced in the Carterbury region during 18 years (2000-2018). Results indicate a clear multifractal behavior of Δδ(t) and Δτ(t). Moreover, an increses in the complexity is observed when a large event occurs . These results suggest that the MF-DF algorithm could be useful as a seismic precursor index

Safety and effectiveness of bubble continuous positive airway pressure as respiratory support for bronchiolitis in a pediatric ward

The results of several clinical trials suggest that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for acute bronchiolitis can be more efective than high-fow nasal cannula (HFNC). The use of HFNC involved a minimum reduction (5%) in admissions to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in our hospital. Our main aim was to evaluate its safety and efectiveness as respiratory support for patients with bronchiolitis in a pediatric general ward. A secondary goal was to compare the admissions to PICU and the invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) rate of patients treated with HFNC and those treated with HFNC/b-CPAP during the 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 epidemic seasons, respectively. Two prospective single-centre observational studies were performed. For the main aim, a cohort study (CS1) was carried out from 1st of November 2019 to 15th of January 2020. Inclusion criteria were children aged up to 3 months with bronchiolitis treated with b-CPAP support when HFNC failed. Epidemiological and clinical parameters were collected before and 60 min after the onset of CPAP and compared between the responder (R) and non-responders (NR) groups. NR was the group that required PICU admission. One hundred ffty-eight patients were admitted to the ward with bronchiolitis and HFNC. Fifty-seven out of one hundred ffty-eight required b-CPAP. No adverse events were observed. Thirty-two out of ffty-seven remained in the general ward (R-group), and 25/57 were admitted to PICU (NR-group). There were statistically signifcant diferences in respiratory rate (RR) and heart rate (HR) between both groups before and after the initiation of b-CPAP, but the multivariable models showed that the main diferences were observed after 60 min of therapy (lower HR, RR, BROSJOD score and FiO2 in the R-group). For the secondary aim, another cohort study (CS2) was performed comparing data from a pre-b-CPAP bronchiolitis season (1st of November 2018 to 15th January 2019) and the b-CPAP season (2019–2020). Inclusion criteria in pre-b-CPAP season were children aged up to 3 months admitted to the same general ward with moderate-severe bronchiolitis and with HFNC support. Admissions to PICU during the CPAP season were signifcantly reduced, without entailing an increase in the rate of IMV. Conclusion: The implementation of b-CPAP for patients with bronchiolitis in a pediatric ward, in whom HFNC fails, is safe and efective and results in a reduction in PICU admissions

Assessment of the effects of decision aids about breast cancer screening: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies is to assess the effect of decision aids (DAs) in women aged 50 and below facing the decision to be screened for breast cancer. Setting: Screening for breast cancer. Intervention: DAs aimed to help women make a deliberative choice regarding participation in mammography screening by providing information on the options and outcomes. Eligible studies: We included published original, non-pilot, studies that assess the effect of DAs for breast cancer screening. We excluded the studies that evaluated only participation intention or actual uptake. The studies' risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for RCTs and the National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment Tool for non-RCTs. Primary and secondary outcomes: The main outcome measures were informed choice, decisional conflict and/or confidence, and knowledge. Secondary outcomes were values, attitudes, uncertainty and intention to be screened. Results: A total of 607 studies were identified, but only 3 RCTs and 1 before-after study were selected. The use of DAs increased the proportion of women making an informed decision by 14%, 95% CI (2% to 27%) and the proportion of women with adequate knowledge by 12%, 95% CI (7% to 16%). We observed heterogeneity among the studies in confidence in the decision. The meta-analysis of the RCTs showed a significant decrease in confidence in the decision and in intention to be screened. Conclusions: Tools to aid decision making in screening for breast cancer improve knowledge and promote informed decision; however, we found divergent results on decisional conflict and confidence in the decision. Under the current paradigm change, which favours informed choice rather than maximising uptake, more research is necessary for the improvement of DAs