CO-PrOx over nano-Au/TiO2: Monolithic catalyst performance and empirical kinetic model fitting

In this work, the performance of ceramic monoliths washcoated with Au/TiO2 is studied on CO preferential oxidation (CO-PrOx) reaction in H2-rich environments under a wide range of operating conditions of practical interest. The parameter estimation of a nonlinear kinetic empirical model representing this system is made via genetic algorithms by fitting the model predictions against our laboratory observations. Parameter uncertainty leading to inaccurate predictions is often present when kinetic models with nonlinear rate equations are considered. Here, after the fitting was concluded, a statistical study was conducted to determine the accuracy of the parameter estimation. Activation energies of ca. 30 kJ/mol and 55 kJ/mol were adjusted for CO and H2 oxidations, respectively. The catalyst showed appropriate activity and selectivity values on the CO oxidation on a H2-rich environment. After ca. 45 h on stream the catalyst showed no deactivation. Results show that the model is suitable for reproducing the behavior of the CO-PrOx reactions and it can be used in the design of reactors for hydrogen purification.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Sobre el aprovechamiento de recursos de origen animal en la región de Madrid durante el III milenio cal. AC: la fauna de los contextos calcolíticos del Sector 3 de Las Cabeceras (Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid)

This paper presents the analysis of a small faunal assemblage from Sector 3 at the archaeological site of “Las Cabeceras”, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid. The faunal remains were recovered from 32 pits dated to the Chalcolithic (first half of the 3rd millennium cal. BC.). The faunal spectrum is dominated by the main domesticates, followed by game species, among which red deer, equids and aurochs stand out. The dominance of adult and senile animals suggests the diversified productive orientation of the main domesticates (i.e., meat, wool, dairy products, traction, dung, etc.). In the case of pig, the absence of immature individuals and the ocurrence of quite old females may reflect an interest in the production of piglets to be exchanged among local or regional settlements. Also, it stands out the relative high frequency of wild large-sized herbivores in comparison with coeval sites located in the center of the Iberian Peninsula.Se presenta el análisis de un pequeño conjunto faunístico recuperado en las excavaciones del Sector 3 del yacimiento de Las Cabeceras, localizado en Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid. El material procede de los rellenos de 32 estructuras semisubterráneas de cronología calcolítica (primera mitad del III milenio cal. AC.) El espectro faunístico refleja el aprovechamiento de recursos ganaderos y en menor medida, de especies silvestres entre las que destaca el ciervo, los équidos y el uro. El sacrificio mayoritario de animales adultos y seniles sugiere el mantenimiento de cabañas ganaderas orientadas a la diversificación productiva (carne, lana, lácteos, piel, fuerza de trabajo, abono de los campos, etc.), si bien en el caso del porcino la ausencia de inmaduros y el dominio de cerdas de avanzada edad podría reflejar la producción de lechones destinados al intercambio entre asentamientos del ámbito local o regional. Igualmente, cabe destacar la contribución relativamente elevada de herbívoros silvestres de porte grande en relación a otros yacimientos coetáneos del centro peninsular

Algal lipids reveal unprecedented warming rates in alpine areas of SW Europe during the industrial period

Alpine ecosystems of the southern Iberian Peninsula are among the most vulnerable and the first to respond to modern climate change in southwestern Europe. While major environmental shifts have occurred over the last ~ 1500 years in these alpine ecosystems, only changes in the recent centuries have led to abrupt environmental responses, but factors imposing the strongest stress have been unclear until now. To understand these environmental responses, this study, for the first time, has calibrated an algal lipid-derived temperature proxy (based on long-chain alkyl diols) to instrumental historical data extending alpine temperature reconstructions to 1500 years before present. These novel results highlight the enhanced effect of greenhouse gases on alpine temperatures during the last ~ 200 years and the longterm modulating role of solar forcing. This study also shows that the warming rate during the 20th century (~ 0:18 ºC per decade) was double that of the last stages of the Little Ice Age (~ 0:09 ºC per decade), even exceeding temperature trends of the high-altitude Alps during the 20th century. As a consequence, temperature exceeded the preindustrial record in the 1950s, and it has been one of the major forcing processes of the recent enhanced change in these alpine ecosystems from southern Iberia since then. Nevertheless, other factors reducing the snow and ice albedo (e.g., atmospheric deposition) may have influenced local glacier loss, since almost steady climate conditions predominated from the middle 19th century to the first decades of the 20th century.This research has been supported by the Seventh Framework Programme (grant no. NAOSIPUK (623027)), the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Secretaría de Estado de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación (grant no. CGL2017-85415- R), the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Secretaría de Estado de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación (grant no. CGL2013- 47038-R), the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Secretaría de Estado de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación (grant no. CGL2011-23483), and the Consejería de Economía, Innovación, Ciencia y Empleo, Junta de Andalucía, Agencia de Innovación y Desarrollo de Andalucía (grant no. P11-RNM 7332). This research has also been supported by grant no. 87/2007 of the Organismo Autónomo Parques Nacionales (OAPN)-Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, the research group no. RNM-190 of the Plan Andaluz de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación (Junta de Andalucía), and the Ramón y Cajal Fellowship (fellowship no. RYC-2015-18966) of the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Secretaría de Estado de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación

Positive personal resources on patient relationship: the emotional regulation strategies

El personal sanitario se enfrenta continuamente en su ámbito laboral a grandes presiones, en muchos casos, relacionadas con altas demandas emocionales por la relación profesional-paciente. En este contexto, las estrategias de regulación emocional se muestran como un importante recurso del personal sanitario para el manejo de las emociones hacia objetivos deseables. En el presente artículo se expone una revisión sobre la influencia de las emociones en el contexto laboral, los distintos modelos y estrategias de regulación emocional y cómo influyen sobre el bienestar, la salud y la relación del personal sanitario con los pacientes. Como valor añadido, se compara la eficacia de las distintas estrategias de regulación y cómo afectan de manera diferencial a las relaciones entre los profesionales sanitarios y en la relación profesional-pacienteHealth workers are continually faced to great pressure, often related to high emotional demands of the caregivers-patient relationship in the workplace. In this context, emotion regulation strategies are shown as an important personal resource to manage emotions toward desirable goals. This article presents a review of the literature about the emotional influence in job context, the different models and strategies of emotional regulation and how they influence on well-being, health and professional-patient relationship. In addition, we compare the efficacy of different regulation strategies and their differential effect on colleague and patient relationship

The Feeding Behaviour Habits of Growing-Finishing Pigs and Its Effects on Growth Performance and Carcass Quality: A Review

Based on the available data of feeding behaviour habits (FBHs), this work aimed to discuss which type of pig, according to its FBHs, performs better and is more efficient. As pigs grow, average daily feed intake, meal size, and feeding rate increase, whereas small variations or even decreases in time spent eating and daily feeder visits have been reported. Moreover, the sex, breed, space allowance, feeder design, feed form, diet composition, and environmental conditions modify FBHs. On the other hand, the literature indicates the existence of four types of pigs: pigs that eat their daily feed intake in many short meals (nibblers) or in few large meals (meal eaters) combined with eating fast (faster eaters) or slow (slow eaters). The available scientific literature about ad libitum fed pigs suggests that pigs eating faster with bigger meals eat more, gain more weight, and are fatter than pigs eating less, slower, and with smaller meals. However, the feeding rate and the meal size do not influence feed efficiency. In conclusion, studies comparing growing-finishing pigs with similar feed intake, but different feeding rate and meal size are needed to better understand the influence of FBHs on feed efficiency

A New Approach to Detecting and Measuring Changes in the Feeding Behaviour Habits of Group-Housed Growing-Finishing Pigs

The present work aims to estimate the methods of repeatability and of a new non-parametric approach based on typifying individuals into classes and quantifying (%) the pigs in a group that show similar feeding behaviour habits (FBHs) in consecutive periods ("maintenance"). Both methods were estimated over six consecutive 14-day periods in two trials of group-housed growing-finishing pigs (n = 60 each). The first trial started in summer and ended in autumn, and pigs were fed a pelleted diet (HT-P). The second trial started in spring and ended in summer, and the same diet was fed mash (TH-M). The average daily feed intake obtained the lowest repeatability and maintenance values, and it progressively decreased as pigs grew, independent of environmental conditions or physical feed form, whereas the maintenance and repeatability of the number of feeder visits and the visit size decreased when environmental conditions changed from temperate to hot, and mash-fed pigs had higher maintenance and repeatability values for the time spent eating than pellet-fed pigs. In conclusion, the new approach (maintenance) is a tool that is complementary to the classic repeatability concept and is useful for analysing the evolution of FBHs across periods of time at the individual level

Intervención desde el Modelo de Ocupación Humana en un paciente geriátrico con trastorno esquizoafectivo

Se presenta el caso de un paciente geriátrico de 68 años de edad diagnosticado de trastorno esquizoafectivo durante la infancia, al que desde hace varios años se asocia un deterioro cognitivo leve, acompañado de rasgos tanto de ansiedad como de depresión. Dicho trastorno mental afecta tanto a las capacidades psíquicas, estado cognitivo, habilidades sociales, emociones y el desempeño ocupacional general del usuario (aseo personal, actividades de ocio, descanso y relaciones interpersonales). Por ello, junto al tratamiento farmacológico, se planteó una intervención centrada en conseguir un adecuado equilibrio ocupacional, y en la búsqueda y realización de actividades de ocio motivadoras y significativas tanto para el usuario como para su entorno, para comprobar su eficacia y la repercusión en otros aspectos como la depresión o la ansiedad, y finalmente la calidad de vida del usuario. Conclusiones: Tanto al finalizar la intervención y como durante todo el proceso de seguimiento, se observó una evolución favorable, una mejora de la autoestima, las relaciones familiares y sociales, y la participación satisfactoria en actividades de ocio y tiempo libre.<br /

The Mosque of Cordoba: a case of symbolic destruction of heritage

La Mezquita de Córdoba fue incluida en 1984 en la Lista de Patrimonio Mundial UNESCO. La organización internacional fijó cuatro criterios que justificaron su reconocimiento, todos ellos relacionados con su valor como ejemplo excepcional de la arquitectura islámica y andalusí en Occidente. Iniciado en el siglo VIII por Abd alRahman I, el universal monumento fue dedicado al culto católico en el siglo XIII y en el XVI incorporó una Catedral en su interior. En las dos últimas décadas de nuestra centuria, sus actuales administradores han puesto en marcha un modelo de gestión que persigue amputar sus señas de identidad originarias, lo que amenaza el Valor Universal Excepcional declarado por UNESCO, con especial atención a las características incluidas en materia de autenticidad. Este artículo examina lo que entiende como un caso de mutilación simbólica del patrimonio, en cierta manera análogo a la polémica conversión en mezquita de la basílica de Santa Sofía en Estambul impulsada por el presidente turco Recep Tayyip Erdogan.The Mosque of Córdoba was first inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1984. The international organization set four criteria that justified its recognition, all of them related to its value as an exceptional example of Islamic and Andalusian architecture in the West. Started to build in the 8th century by Abd al-Rahman I, the universal monument was dedicated to Catholic worship in the 13th century and in the 16th it incorporated a Cathedral inside. During the last two decades of our century, its current administrators have implemented a management model that seeks to amputate its original identity signs, which threatens the Outstanding Universal Value declared by UNESCO, with special attention to the characteristics related to its authenticity. This article examines what it understands as a case of symbolic mutilation of heritage, in a way analogous to the controversial mosque conversion of the Saint Sophia Cathedral in Istanbul promoted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

In situ monitoring and quantitative determination of R27 plasmid conjugation

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) by plasmid conjugation is a major driving force in the spread of antibiotic resistance among Enterobacteriaceae. Most of the conjugation studies are based on calculation of conjugation ratios (number of transconjugants/number of donors) after viable counting of transconjugant and donor cells. The development of robust, fast and reliable techniques for in situ monitoring and quantification of conjugation ratios might accelerate progress in understanding the impact of this cellular process in the HGT. The IncHI1 plasmids, involved in multiresistance phenotypes of relevant pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli, are distinguished by the thermosensitivity of their conjugative transfer. Conjugation mediated by IncHI1 plasmids is more efficient at temperatures lower than 30 °C, suggesting that the transfer process takes place during the environmental transit of the bacteria. In this report, we described a methodology to monitor in situ the conjugation process during agar surface matings of the IncHI1 plasmid R27 and its derepressed derivative drR27 at different temperatures. A three-color-labeling strategy was used to visualize the spatial distribution of transconjugants within the heterogeneous environment by epifluorescence and confocal microscopy. Moreover, the fluorescent labelling was also used to quantify conjugation frequencies in liquid media by flow cytometry

Methods to study adult hippocampal neurogenesis in humans and across the phylogeny

The hippocampus hosts the continuous addition of new neurons throughout life—a phenomenon named adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN). Here we revisit the occurrence of AHN in more than 110 mammalian species, including humans, and discuss the further validation of these data by single-cell RNAseq and other alternative techniques. In this regard, our recent studies have addressed the long-standing controversy in the field, namely whether cells positive for AHN markers are present in the adult human dentate gyrus (DG). Here we review how we developed a tightly controlled methodology, based on the use of high-quality brain samples (characterized by short postmortem delays and ≤24 h of fixation in freshly prepared 4% paraformaldehyde), to address human AHN. We review that the detection of AHN markers in samples fixed for 24 h required mild antigen retrieval and chemical elimination of autofluorescence. However, these steps were not necessary for samples subjected to shorter fixation periods. Moreover, the detection of labile epitopes (such as Nestin) in the human hippocampus required the use of mild detergents. The application of this strictly controlled methodology allowed reconstruction of the entire AHN process, thus revealing the presence of neural stem cells, proliferative progenitors, neuroblasts, and immature neurons at distinct stages of differentiation in the human DG. The data reviewed here demonstrate that methodology is of utmost importance when studying AHN by means of distinct techniques across the phylogenetic scale. In this regard, we summarize the major findings made by our group that emphasize that overlooking fundamental technical principles might have consequences for any given research fieldAssociation for Frontotemporal Degeneration; Banco de Santander; Center for Networked Biomedical Research on Neurodegenerative Diseases; Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT), Grant/Award Number: 385084; European Research Council, Grant/Award Number: ERC-CoG2020-101001916; Fundacion Ram on Areces; Secretaria de Educacion, Ciencia Tecnología e Innovacion (SECTEI) of the Regional Government of Ciudad de México (CDMX), Grant/Award Number: SECTEI/159/2021; Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Grant/Award Numbers: PID2020-113007RB-I00, RYC-2015-171899, SAF-2017-82185-R; The Alzheimer's Association, Grant/Award Numbers: 2015-NIRG-340709, AARG-17-528125, AARG-17-528125-RAPI