Simulation of a biorefinery process as learning tool in chemical engineering degree

Currently, the search for alternative biomass to be used as renewable sources for energy production is one of the most important challenges to achieve a sustainable growth based on a bioeconomy strategy (Mendes et al., 2009). In this context, lignocellulosic waste are a renewable, clean, inexpensive and with high availability for the manufacture of biofuels. In this sense, the main objective of this study was the simulation and design of engineering processes that allows the valorization of lignocellulosic waste and the obtaining of biofuels as alternative to fossil fuels. This goal implies the practical application of the theoretical knowledge acquired by the student during the chemical engineering degree. Specifically, the students designed and simulated a biorefinery process that consisted of a Kraft pulping process as starting point of two main lines of production: (1) Process I: production of bioethanol and (2) Process II: direct and indirect production of dimethylether (DME), both from lignocellulosic biomass (Fig.1). Two commercial simulation packages, ASPEN HYSYS® and UNISIM were used to simulate the production of dimethylether and bioethanol, respectively. The first step was determining a strategic situation for the installation of the biorefinery. The central area of Andalusia (between the municipalities of Lucena and Antequera) was considered the most adequate area to develop the installation of the biorefinery plant after evaluating the biomass available inside of 100 kms of distance around this place. Specifically, different biomass mixtures were considered in order to ensure the viability of a constant inlet flow of biomass in the biorefinery. In function of this inlet flow of biomass, the installations were designed and dimensioned in each stage of the process. The student carried out a wide revision of state of the art to decide the most adequate processes among different alternatives to obtain dimethylether and bioethanol. The different stages selected as the most adequate in each line of the process can be observed in Fig.1. Moreover, the students evaluated the different alternatives for the valorisation and optimization of the by-products generated in each stage of the process in order to minimize the consuming of chemical compounds and energy requirements. Therefore, the students learnt to develop a real engineering process more sustainable and friendly with the environment. To sum up, the used of programs to simulate the transformation of lignocellulosic biomass in biofuels, such as, bioethanol or dimethylether, which is a process with several social, environmental and economic advantages, was an interesting learning tool for students of chemical engineering degree. Keywords Bioethanol, design, dimethylether, Kraft pulping process, simulations. References Mendes, C.V.T., Carvalho, M.G.V.S., Baptista, C.M.S.G., Rocha, J.M.S., Soares, B.I.G., Sousa, G.D.A., 2009. Valorisation of hardwood hemicelluloses in the kraft pulping process by using an integrated biorefinery concept. Food Bioproduct Process 87:197–207.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech MINECO: Proyecto CTQ2015-68654-

Landscape influence in the shelterwood cuts of Nothofagus pumilio forests in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina: Changes in forest structure and regeneration performance

During the last thirty years, shelterwood cuts has been the most applied regeneration method in Nothofagus pumilio (lenga) forests. This treatment was implemented without any consideration of the landscape, and without considering yield gradients (e.g. stand site qualities), environmental restrictions (e.g. soil water availability) or potential natural disturbance factors (e.g. wind exposure). The objective was to evaluate the dynamics of the remnant forest structure and the natural regeneration 10 years after harvesting across the landscape considering different environmental gradients. Sampling plots were established in nine stands distributed across Tierra del Fuego, Argentina (north, east and south areas) where forestry activity has been concentrated during the last years. The selected areas presented differences in the rainfall regime (402 to 446 mm yr-1) and site qualities of the stands (2.6 to 3.3). Forest structure was similar among the studied areas, nevertheless harvesting intensity was variable (30 % to 57 %) generating different remnant basal areas (BA) (22 to 47 m² ha-1) and woody debris accumulation in the forest floor (167 to 230 m³ ha-1) after harvesting, or in combination with local wind-throws. The current forest structure presented differences in BA (6 to 34 m² ha-1) and established regeneration (49 to 110 thousand ha-1) that varied in height (0.6 to 1.0 m) and growth (4.1 to 12.8 cm yr-1) according to the area and the received damage due to abiotic and biotic factors. We can conclude that forests located along the considered landscapes and environmental gradients differentially responded to the proposed silvicultural treatments, where climate influenced over the post-harvest canopy stability and the established regeneration. For this, it is mandatory to define different silvicultural strategies throughout the landscape.El método de regeneración más aplicado en bosques de Nothofagus pumilio (lenga) es la corta de protección. Este tratamiento se implementó sin consideración del paisaje o gradientes de productividad (ej. calidad de sitio), restricciones ambientales (ej. humedad del suelo) o factores de disturbio (ej. viento). El objetivo fue evaluar la dinámica de la estructura forestal remanente y la respuesta de la regeneración luego de 10 años de cosecha en el paisaje considerando gradientes ambientales. Se establecieron parcelas en nueve rodales en distintos sectores de Tierra del Fuego, Argentina (norte, este y sur) donde se concentra la actividad forestal. Las zonas seleccionadas presentan diferencias en el régimen hídrico (402 a 446 mm año-1) y calidades de sitio (2,6 a 3,3). La estructura forestal fue similar entre zonas, pero las intensidades de corta fue variable (30% a 57%) generando diferentes áreas basales (AB) remanentes (22 a 47 m2 ha-1) y residuos forestales (167 a 230 m3 ha-1) luego de la cosecha o por volteos de viento. La estructura forestal actual presenta diferencias en AB (6 a 34 m2 ha-1) y regeneración instalada (49 a 110 miles ha-1) variando en altura (0,6 a 1,0 m) y crecimiento (4,1 a 12,8 cm año-1) por zona y daños recibidos (abióticos y bióticos). Concluimos que los bosques responden diferencialmente a los tratamientos silvícola en los paisajes y gradientes ambientales analizados, donde el clima influye en la estabilidad del dosel y la regeneración. En consecuencia, se hace necesario establecer estrategias silvícolas diferenciales a lo largo del paisaje.Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Mader

The Atapuerca sites and the Ibeas hominids

The Atapuerca railway Trench and Ibeas sites near Burgos, Spain, are cave fillings that include a series of deposits ranging from below the Matuyama/Bruhnes reversal up to the end of Middle Pleistocene. The lowest fossil-bearing bed in the Trench contains an assemblage of large and small Mammals including Mimomys savini, Pitymys gregaloides, Pliomys episcopalis, Crocuta crocuta, Dama sp. and Megacerini; the uppermost assemblage includes Canis lupus, Lynx spelaea, Panthera (Leo) fossilis, Felis sylvestris, Equus caballus steinheimensis, E.c. germanicus, Pitymys subtenaneus, Microtus arvalis agrestis, Pliomys lenki, and also Panthera toscana, Dicerorhinus bemitoechus, Bison schoetensacki, which are equally present in the lowest level. The biostratigraphic correlation and dates of the sites are briefly discussed, as are the paleoclimatic interpretation of the Trench sequences. Stone artifacts are found in several layers; the earliest occurrences correspond to the upper beds containing Mimomys savini. A set of preserved human occupation floors has been excavated in the top fossil-bearing beds. The stone-tool assemblages of the upper levels are of upper-medial Acheulean to Charentian tradition. The rich bone breccia SH, in the Cueva Mayor-Cueva del Silo, Ibeas de Juarros, is a derived deposit, due to a mud flow that dispersed and carried the skeletons of many carnivores and humans. The taxa represented are: Vrsus deningeri (largely dominant), Panthera (Leo) fossilis, Vulpes vulpes, Homo sapiens var. Several traits of both mandibular and cranial remains are summarized. Preliminary attempts at dating suggest that the Ibeas fossil man is older than the Last Interglacial, or oxygen-isotope stage 5

Effects of HIV infection in plasma free fatty acid profiles among people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

This article belongs to the Section Infectious Diseases.Despite its high prevalence, the mechanisms underlying non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in people living with HIV (PLWH) are still unclear. In this prospective cohort study, we aim to evaluate differences in plasma fatty acid profiles between HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected participants with NAFLD. We included participants diagnosed with NAFLD, both HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected. Fatty acid methyl esters were measured from plasma samples. Ratios ([product]/[substrate]) were used to estimate desaturases and elongases activity. We used linear regression for adjusted analyses. We included 31 PLWH and 22 HIV-uninfected controls. We did not find differences in the sum of different types of FA or in FA with a greater presence of plasma. However, there were significant differences in the distribution of some FA, with higher concentrations of ALA, trans-palmitoleic, and behenic acids, and a lower concentration of lignoceric acid in PLWH. PLWH had lower C24:0/C22:0 and C16:0/C14:0 ratios, which estimates the activity of elongases ELOVL1 and ELOVL6. Both groups had similar fatty acid distribution, despite differences in traditional risk factors. PLWH had a lower proportion of specific ratios that estimate ELOVL1 and ELOVL6 activity, which had been previously described for other inflammatory conditions, such as psoriasis.This work was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III project PI17/01717 Plan Estatal de Investigación Científica y Técnica y de Innovación 2013–2016. Co-funded by European Regional Development Fund “a way to make Europe”, and by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (Project PDI2020-114821RB-I00 MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033).Peer reviewe

AC-Innovación. Espacio web de innovación y prácticas docentes en comunicación y arte

AC-Innovación se plantea como una plataforma digital para actividades de innovación y prácticas docentes destinada a alumnos de las áreas de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades dentro de las titulaciones de Grado y Máster en publicidad y Relaciones Públicas, Comunicación Audiovisual, Historia del Arte y Bellas Artes, como espacio web de difusión, por parte de aquellos alumnos que deseen integrarse, de los trabajos realizados e inicialmente planteados a través de esta intranet, facilitando su conocimiento y divulgación, con los consiguientes beneficios que esto implica tanto en el ámbito académico e investigador como en el laboral. Partiendo de proyectos anteriores, se creó en primer lugar la estructura de la plataforma online y el diseño de sus elementos, haciendo la posterior implementación con datos actualizados, poniendo así en práctica la posibilidad de presentar y divulgar el resultado de los mejores trabajos y prácticas docentes elaborados durante el curso académico, tanto en el aula como fuera de ella. El plantamiento inicial de la plataforma integraba las áreas de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades en el ámbito de las relaciones Arte, Comunicación Audiovisual y Publicidad, creando un espacio virtual abierto a la difusión de los primeros trabajos de investigación de los alumnos (trabajos de Fin de Máster y de Fin de Grado), a la innovación docente (aplicación de nuevas tecnologías para la práctica docente) y al mundo laboral (entrevistas a profesionales de los diferentes sectores implicados, reseñas de eventos profesionales, exposiciones, etc.). Con el nuevo espacio web se aúnan y dan continuidad a proyectos anteriores vinculados a la difusión de trabajos de inicio a la investigación (ACReserach. Plataforma digital para jóvenes investigadores en artes plásticas, arquitectura y comunicación en la ciudad contemporánea. Convocatorias 2014 y 2015) y a la aplicación de nuevas tecnologías para la innovación y prácticas docentes (Plataforma online para alumnos de Comunicación Audiovisual, Publicidad y Relaciones Públicas e Historia del Arte). Convocatorias 2017 y 2018), enmarcándose así plenamente dentro de los nuevos criterios establecidos por el Plan de Bolonia en la configuración del Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior, entre cuyos objetivos está la necesidad de potenciar las aptitudes y destrezas del alumno en el proceso educativo mediante un incremento considerable de su participación en el mismo, tanto en el desarrollo de los cursos como en el momento final, especialmente importante, en el que se requieren nuevos impulsos que estimulen pautas y orientaciones en el proceso a seguir. Atendiendo a las directrices del nuevo Plan, la incorporación de las Nuevas Tecnologías de Información y Comunicación (TIC) a la metodología docente universitaria se hace imprescindible para acometer el reto de la construcción de una Europa del conocimiento basada en la calidad del sistema educativo, facilitando con ello la inexcusable reformulación del papel y práctica pedagógica del docente y el desarrollo e interacción de las destrezas y potencialidades cognitivas del alumno. En este sentido, las nuevas tecnologías facilitan el desarrollo de una acción formativa flexible, centrada en el estudiante y adaptada a sus características y necesidades, y así se ha entendido la idoneidad y oportunidad de crear, desarrollar y actualizar la plataforma online de prácticas docentes e investigación objeto de este proyecto

La sustancia de la representación: esencia y significado

Catálogo de la exposición colectiva celebrada en la sala de exposiciones de la Facultad de Bellas Artes de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid entre el 5 y el 20 de marzo de 2018. La exposición denominada “LA SUSTANCIA DE LA REPRESENTACIÓN. ESENCIA Y SIGNIFICADO” tiene como objetivo mostrar las obras más relevantes y personales de treinta y tres artistas pertenecientes a la facultad de Bellas Artes de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Comisariada por Mauro Hernández, Sandra Malvar y Rodrigo Moreno

Genomic Characterization of Host Factors Related to SARS-CoV-2 Infection in People with Dementia and Control Populations: The GR@ACE/DEGESCO Study

Emerging studies have suggested several chromosomal regions as potential host genetic factors involved in the susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease outcome. We nested a COVID-19 genome-wide association study using the GR@ACE/DEGESCO study, searching for susceptibility factors associated with COVID-19 disease. To this end, we compared 221 COVID-19 confirmed cases with 17,035 individuals in whom the COVID-19 disease status was unknown. Then, we performed a meta-analysis with the publicly available data from the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative. Because the APOE locus has been suggested as a potential modifier of COVID-19 disease, we added sensitivity analyses stratifying by dementia status or by disease severity. We confirmed the existence of the 3p21.31 region (LZTFL1, SLC6A20) implicated in the susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and TYK2 gene might be involved in COVID-19 severity. Nevertheless, no statistically significant association was observed in the COVID-19 fatal outcome or in the stratified analyses (dementia-only and non-dementia strata) for the APOE locus not supporting its involvement in SARS-CoV-2 pathobiology or COVID-19 prognosis

Miradas y voces de la Investigación Educativa II : Curriculum y Diversidad. Innovación educativa con miras a la justicia social. Aportes desde la investigación educativa

Fil: Ferreyra, Horacio Ademar. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Educación; ArgentinaFil: Sañudo Guerra, Lya. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Educación; ArgentinaFil: Civarolo, María Mercedes.Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Educación; ArgentinaFil: Pérez Moreno, Elena Silvia. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Educación; Argentin

Role of age and comorbidities in mortality of patients with infective endocarditis

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics of patients with IE in three groups of age and to assess the ability of age and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) to predict mortality. Methods: Prospective cohort study of all patients with IE included in the GAMES Spanish database between 2008 and 2015. Patients were stratified into three age groups:<65 years, 65 to 80 years, and = 80 years.The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was calculated to quantify the diagnostic accuracy of the CCI to predict mortality risk. Results: A total of 3120 patients with IE (1327 < 65 years;1291 65-80 years;502 = 80 years) were enrolled.Fever and heart failure were the most common presentations of IE, with no differences among age groups.Patients =80 years who underwent surgery were significantly lower compared with other age groups (14.3%, 65 years; 20.5%, 65-79 years; 31.3%, =80 years). In-hospital mortality was lower in the <65-year group (20.3%, <65 years;30.1%, 65-79 years;34.7%, =80 years;p < 0.001) as well as 1-year mortality (3.2%, <65 years; 5.5%, 65-80 years;7.6%, =80 years; p = 0.003).Independent predictors of mortality were age = 80 years (hazard ratio [HR]:2.78;95% confidence interval [CI]:2.32–3.34), CCI = 3 (HR:1.62; 95% CI:1.39–1.88), and non-performed surgery (HR:1.64;95% CI:11.16–1.58).When the three age groups were compared, the AUROC curve for CCI was significantly larger for patients aged <65 years(p < 0.001) for both in-hospital and 1-year mortality. Conclusion: There were no differences in the clinical presentation of IE between the groups. Age = 80 years, high comorbidity (measured by CCI), and non-performance of surgery were independent predictors of mortality in patients with IE.CCI could help to identify those patients with IE and surgical indication who present a lower risk of in-hospital and 1-year mortality after surgery, especially in the <65-year group