Hydrolysis of cellulose in supercritical water: reagent concentration as a selectivity factor

Producción CientíficaIn this work, the influence of reagent concentration on hydrolysis reactions of cellulose in supercritical water was analyzed. The hydrolysis was carried out at 400 °C and 25 MPa with reaction times between 0.07 and 1.57 s and feeding cellulose concentrations between 5 and 20 % w/w (1.5–6 % w/w at reactor inlet). Also, a flash separator was used to separate vapor in the product stream in order to increase the final concentration. The best result for sugar production (79 % w/w) was obtained working with a cellulose concentration of 5 % w/w and 0.07-s reaction time. For glycolaldehyde production, the best result (42 % w/w) was obtained with a concentration of 20 % w/w and 1.57 s. The employment of a flash separator allowed reducing the water content by 50 %. It was also observed that by increasing the cellulose concentration in the reactor up to 4 % w/w, the hydrolysis took place with a similar kinetic as that in the heterogeneous media, thus reducing the conversion rate of cellulose in supercritical water.Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad - FEDER (Proyect CTQ2013-44143-R

Students factors affecting undergraduates perceptions of their teaching and learning process within ECTS experience

Introduction: In the present study, we investigated the potential factors that influenced the level of students satisfaction with the teaching¿learning process (TLP), from the perspective of students participating in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) experience. Method: A total of 1490 students from the Universities of Almería and Granada (Spain) participated in an evaluation of their class discipline area. They completed the new revised protocol for evaluating the ECTS experience. Analyses of variance were carried out, taking the following factors as independent variables: student¿s grade average, year in school, study discipline, credit load in terms of ECTS credits assigned to a subject, the e-learning approach. Perception of the TLP was used as the dependent variable. Results: The data analyses showed variability of the degree of statistically significance among the factors that influenced students¿ perceptions of the TLP. These factors included: Student¿s grade average (in favor of high performers), year in school (in favor of earlier years), ECTS load (in favor of subjects with a medium load of credits), and e-learning (in favor of its use). These research findings provided evidence to explore the delineation of a potential profile of factors that trigger a favorable perception of the TLP. Discussion and Conclusion: The present findings certainly have implications to deepen our understanding of the core beliefs, commitment, and the experience in shaping the implementation of the European Higher Education Area through the ECTS

Supplementary data for Design and operation of a packed pilot scale distillation column for tire pyrolysis oil: Towards the recovery of value-added raw materials [Dataset]

Under a Creative Commons license BY NC ND 4.0.Figure S1: Calibration mix chromatogram obtained for ASTM D2887 method. Figure S2: Calibration curve obtained for ASTM D2887 method. Figure S3: Chromatograms obtained for the a) TPO, the first distillation of TPO b) light fraction (LF), c) heavy fraction (HF) and the second distillation of the light fraction of TPO d) LF and e) HF. Table S1: Percentage of relative area obtained with the quantification ion (m/z) for the TPO by GC-MS according to the NIST2020 library (BTEX=benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes; CC= cyclic compounds, AAA= alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, SB= Substituted benzenes, no BTEX, HC= heterocyclic compounds, I= indenes, PAH= polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, O= others). Table S2: Percentage of relative area obtained with the quantification ion (m/z) for the first distillation of the TPO, LF-1, by GC-MS according to the NIST2020 library. Table S3: Percentage of relative area obtained with the quantification ion (m/z) for the first distillation of the TPO, HF-1, by GC-MS according to the NIST2020 library. Table S4: Percentage of relative area obtained with the quantification ion (m/z) for the second distillation of the TPO, LF-2, by GC-MS according to the NIST2020 library. Table S5: Percentage of relative area obtained with the quantification ion (m/z) for the second distillation of the TPO, HF-2, by GC-MS according to the NIST2020 library.This work is part of the BLACKCYCLE project (For the circular economy of tyre domain: recycling end of life tyres into secondary raw materials or tyres and other product applications) which has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement N° 869625. The authors would also like to thank the Regional Government of Aragon (DGA) for the support provided under the research groups support programme and CSIC for the interdisciplinary thematic platform SUSPLAST.Peer reviewe

Design and operation of a packed pilot scale distillation column for tire pyrolysis oil: Towards the recovery of value-added raw materials

11 figures, 2 tables.This work describes the key features involved in the design and operation of a pilot scale distillation column for the recovery of value-added products from tire pyrolysis oil (TPO), as part of the BLACKCYCLE project. The distillation unit was designed using engineering heuristic rules, simulated distillation (SimDist) data and Aspen Hysys ® modeling. The distillation plant consists of a packed column with a nominal throughput of 20 kg/h, and is classified at the fifth technology readiness level (TRL-5). The commissioning and results of long-term experimental campaigns for validation purposes are also presented. In this way, important information is gathered for the design of larger plants. The distillation unit was tested and validated using TPO produced from a pilot scale continuous single-auger pyrolysis plant. A first distillation was performed yielding a heavy fraction (HF-1) with properties suitable for carbon black production, while the light fraction (LF-1) includes the presence of value-added chemicals such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX) and limonene. The LF-1 was also used for a second distillation, producing a stream high in limonene at the bottom (HF-2), and another one high in BTEX compounds at the top (LF-2), which are valuable raw materials for polymer production and petrochemicals, respectively. The key results obtained here are expected to provide an outstanding impetus for the circular economy of complex streams such as end-of-life tires (ELTs) by combining pyrolysis and distillation technologies.This work is part of the BLACKCYCLE project (For the circular economy of tyre domain: recycling end of life tyres into secondary raw materials or tyres and other product applications) which has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement N° 869625. The authors would also like to thank the Regional Government of Aragon (DGA) for the support provided under the research groups support programme and CSIC for the interdisciplinary thematic platform SUSPLAST.Peer reviewe

Production of upgraded bio-oils by biomass catalytic pyrolysis in an auger reactor using low cost materials

2 figures, 3 tables.-- Supplementary information available.-- © 2014. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Production of upgraded bio-oils by catalytic pyrolysis of wood biomass was studied in an auger reactor using low cost materials as catalysts. These materials included several clay minerals (sepiolite, bentonite and attapulgite) and an industrial waste from alumina production, known as red mud. The influence of temperature (400–500 °C) and the effect of catalyst to biomass ratio (3:1–1:6, in weight) were also analysed. A temperature of 450 °C and the lowest catalyst proportion (1:6, in weight) were selected as the most appropriate to aim the pyrolysis for bio-oil production. Catalyst to biomass ratio resulted critical since an excess on catalyst addition seemed to reduce liquid production while char yield increased. Under the selected conditions, the catalysts tested improved the characteristics of the obtained bio-oil as fuel (viscosity, acidity, oxygen content and calorific value). For every catalyst, the viscosity of the organic liquid fraction decreased (up to 34% in case of bentonite) while lower heating value increased (up to 20% in red mud tests). Concerning acidity, sepiolite and red mud produced a decrease in the total acid number (around 29% and 23%, respectively). The stability of the organic fraction after aging test (equivalent to long time storage) was also improved by each catalyst.Authors thank to Spanish MINECO and European FEDER funds for providing support for this work (project CTQ2012-37984-C02-01). Authors also thank to Aragon Regional Government (DGA) and the Caixa Bank for partial financial support (Project GA-LC-015/2011). M. Aznar acknowledges the JAE-Doc Contract provided by European Social Found and CSIC. J.M. López would also like to thank Spanish MICINN and CSIC for funding his Ramon y Cajal contract (RYC-2009-04483)Peer reviewe

Catalytic pyrolysis of wood biomass in an auger reactor using calcium-based catalysts

3 figures, 5 tables.-- Supplementary information available.--© 2014. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0Wood catalytic pyrolysis using calcium-based materials was studied in an auger reactor at 450 °C. Two different catalysts, CaO and CaO·MgO were evaluated and upgraded bio-oils were obtained in both cases. Whilst acidity and oxygen content remarkable decrease, both pH and calorific value increase with respect to the non-catalytic test. Upgrading process was linked to the fact that calcium-based materials could not only fix the CO2-like compounds but also promoted the dehydration reactions. In addition, process simulation demonstrated that the addition of these catalysts, especially CaO, could favour the energetic integration since a lowest circulation of heat carrier between combustor and auger reactor should be needed. An energy self-sustained system was obtained where thermal energy required for biomass drying and for pyrolysis reaction was supplied by non-condensable gas and char combustion, respectively.Authors thank to Spanish MINECO and European Union FEDER funds for providing support for this work (project CTQ2012-37984-C02-01). Authors also thank to Aragon Regional Government (DGA) and the Caixa Bank for partial financial support (Project GA-LC-015/2011). M. Aznar acknowledges the JAE-Doc Contract provided by European Social Found and CSIC. Financial support for I. Martínez during her PhD studies is provided by the FPU programme of the Spanish Ministry of Education (AP2009-3575). J.M. López would also like to thank Spanish MICINN and CSIC for founding his Ramon y Cajal contract (RYC-2009-04483). J.D. Martínez acknowledges to Departamento Administrativo de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación, (Colciencias), for his fellowship.Peer reviewe

Tecnología óptica : lentes oftálmicas, diseño y adaptación

Este libro está dirigido básicamente a los estudiantes de tecnología óptica. Su contenido y nivel lo hacen adecuado para los profesionales de óptica y optometría, puesto que se trata de la primera obra escrita enteramente en castellano que abarca desde los aspectos tecnológicos del diseño y la fabricación de monturas y lentes oftálmicas hasta los aspectos impllicados en la adaptación de las prescripciones optométricas a los usuarios. El presente texto pretende ofrecer al lector una visión amplia de los medios ópticos que se utilizan para compensar las disfunciones viisuales. El objetivo de la labor del óptico-optometrista es solucionar los problemas visuales. Tras el examen optométrico debe realizarse la prescripción, y para ello es necesario conocer en profundidad las características y prestaciones de los distintos medios de compensación óptica. Este libro pretende ser una herramienta útil para abordar las cuestiones que surgen en la adaptación de una prescripción optométrica, desde la elección de la montura como elemento de soporte de las lentes hasta el proceso de selección, montaje, y adaptación de los distintos tipos de lentes oftálmicas

Altered CXCR4 dynamics at the cell membrane impairs directed cell migration in WHIM syndrome patients

SignificanceNew imaging-based approaches are incorporating new concepts to our knowledge of biological processes. The analysis of receptor dynamics involved in cell movement using single-particle tracking demonstrates that cells require chemokine-mediated receptor clustering to sense appropriately chemoattractant gradients. Here, we report that this process does not occur in T cells expressing CXCR4R334X, a mutant form of CXCR4 linked to WHIM syndrome (warts, hypogammaglobulinemia, infections, myelokathexis). The underlaying molecular mechanism involves inappropriate actin cytoskeleton remodeling due to the inadequate β-arrestin1 activation by CXCR4R334X, which alters its lateral mobility and spatial organization. These defects, associated to CXCR4R334X expression, contribute to the retention of hematopoietic precursors in bone marrow niches and explain the severe immunological symptoms associated with WHIM syndrome.ISSN:0027-8424ISSN:1091-649

The anti-cancer drug ABTL0812 induces ER stress-mediated cytotoxic autophagy by increasing dihydroceramide levels in cancer cells.

ABTL0812 is a first-in-class small molecule with anti-cancer activity, which is currently in clinical evaluation in a phase 2 trial in patients with advanced endometrial and squamous non-small cell lung carcinoma (NCT03366480). Previously, we showed that ABTL0812 induces TRIB3 pseudokinase expression, resulting in the inhibition of the AKT-MTORC1 axis and macroautophagy/autophagy-mediated cancer cell death. However, the precise molecular determinants involved in the cytotoxic autophagy caused by ABTL0812 remained unclear. Using a wide range of biochemical and lipidomic analyses, we demonstrated that ABTL0812 increases cellular long-chain dihydroceramides by impairing DEGS1 (delta 4-desaturase, sphingolipid 1) activity, which resulted in sustained ER stress and activated unfolded protein response (UPR) via ATF4-DDIT3-TRIB3 that ultimately promotes cytotoxic autophagy in cancer cells. Accordingly, pharmacological manipulation to increase cellular dihydroceramides or incubation with exogenous dihydroceramides resulted in ER stress, UPR and autophagy-mediated cancer cell death. Importantly, we have optimized a method to quantify mRNAs in blood samples from patients enrolled in the ongoing clinical trial, who showed significant increased DDIT3 and TRIB3 mRNAs. This is the first time that UPR markers are reported to change in human blood in response to any drug treatment, supporting their use as pharmacodynamic biomarkers for compounds that activate ER stress in humans. Finally, we found that MTORC1 inhibition and dihydroceramide accumulation synergized to induce autophagy and cytotoxicity, phenocopying the effect of ABTL0812. Given the fact that ABTL0812 is under clinical development, our findings support the hypothesis that manipulation of dihydroceramide levels might represents a new therapeutic strategy to target cancer.This work was supported by the Centre for Industrial Technological Development [CDTI,INNOGLOBAL/20171061]; European Regional Development Fund [PI18/00442 and PI15/00339]; European Regional Development Fund [INNPACTO/IPT-2012-0614-010000, RETOS RTC-2017-6261-1, SAF2015-64237-R]; Fundació la Marató de TV3 [20134031]; H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions [TRAIN GA721532]; Instituto de Salud Carlos III [PI15/00339]; Instituto de Salud Carlos III [PI18/00442]; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades [CTQ2017- 85378-R]; Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad [RTC-2015-3821-1]; Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad [RTC-2017-6261-1]; Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad [EMP-TU-2015-4576]; Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad [RETOS RTC-2017-6261-1]; Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad [BFU2016-78154-R]; Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad [INNPACTO/IPT-2012-0614-010000]; Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad [SAF2015-64237-R]; Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad [RTC-2014-1532-1].Peer reviewe