Self-assembly of anisotropic soft particles in two dimensions

The self assembly of core-corona discs interacting via anisotropic potentials is investigated using Monte Carlo computer simulations. A minimal interaction potential that incorporates anisotropy in a simple way is introduced. It consists in a core-corona architecture in which the center of the core is shifted with respect to the center of the corona. Anisotropy can thus be tuned by progressively shifting the position of the core. Despite its simplicity, the system self organize in a rich variety of structures including stripes, triangular and rectangular lattices, and unusual plastic crystals. Our results indicate that the amount of anisotropy does not alter the lattice spacing and only influences the type of clustering (stripes, micells, etc.) of the individual particles.Comment: submitte

Ultrafiltration of residual fermentation brines from the production of table olives at different operating conditions

[EN] The membrane process of ultrafiltration (UF) has been investigated as a pretreatment previous to the further recovery and concentration of phenolic compounds from residual table olives fermentation brines. Two UF membranes were tested: a permanently hydrophilic polyethersulfone (PES) membrane with a molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) of 30 kDa and a PES membrane with a MWCO of 5 kDa. Transmembrane pressure and crossflow velocity were varied from 1 to 3 bar and from 2.2 to 3.7 m s(-1), respectively. The best membrane in terms of permeate flux and selectivity was that with MWCO of 5 kDa and the best operating conditions were transmembrane pressure of 3 bar and crossflow velocity of 2.2 m s(-1). In these conditions permeate flux was 21.6 L h(-1).m(-2), while the rejection of COD and phenolic compounds were 50.0% and 21.9%, respectively and the removal of colour and turbidity was almost complete. In addition, an alkaline cleaning protocol was proposed, which was effective to restore the initial permeability of the selected membrane. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.The authors of this work wish to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of CDTI (Centre for Industrial Technological Development) depending on the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (INNPRONTA program, ITP-20111020).Carbonell Alcaina, C.; Alvarez Blanco, S.; Bes-Piá, M.; Mendoza Roca, JA.; Pastor Alcañiz, L. (2018). Ultrafiltration of residual fermentation brines from the production of table olives at different operating conditions. Journal of Cleaner Production. 189:662-672. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.04.127S66267218

Determination of fouling mechanisms in polymeric ultrafiltration membranes using residual brines from table olive storage wastewaters as feed

[EN] In this work, the fouling mechanisms that dominate the ultrafiltration of residual brines from table olive packing plant wastewaters were investigated. For that purpose, Hermia's models adapted to crossflow filtration, resistance-in-series model and a model combining intermediate blocking and cake formation mechanisms were fitted to the experimental data. Tests were performed with a 5 kDa polyethersulfone membrane at transmembrane pressures between 1 and 3 bar and crossflow velocities between 2.2 and 3.7 m s(-1). Results demonstrated that the resistance-in-series model was the most accurate to predict permeate flux evolution with time. The predominant fouling mechanism was cake formation followed by intermediate blocking/adsorption. The fouling resistances that were determined by means of the resistance in series model were tested using a well-established mathematical model proposed by Mondal and De that also combines both fouling phenomena (intermediate pore blocking and cake formation). Results demonstrated that the predicted resistances are consistent with those determined by Mondal and De's model. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.The authors of this work wish to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of CDTI (Centre for Industrial Technological Development) depending on the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (INNPRONTA program, ITP-20111020).Carbonell Alcaina, C.; Corbatón Báguena, MJ.; Alvarez Blanco, S.; Bes-Piá, M.; Mendoza Roca, JA.; Pastor Alcañiz, L. (2016). Determination of fouling mechanisms in polymeric ultrafiltration membranes using residual brines from table olive storage wastewaters as feed. Journal of Food Engineering. 187:14-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2016.04.016S142318

The AHAWOMEN project: study protocol of a multi‑design research for exploring HAPA predictors of exercise in postmenopausal women

This research is funded by FEDER/Junta de Andalucía — Consejería de Transformación Económica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades (I + D + I Programa Operativo FEDER de Andalucía 2014–2020). Research Project B-CTS-342-UGR20 (2021–23). This research project has obtained formal ethical review by the Ethics Committee on Human Research of the University of Granada (Spain), reg. B-CTS-342-UGR20 (17/11/2021) and has undergone independent peer-review from the funding body (29/07/2021). The funding body has no role in the design of the study, the collection, analysis and interpretation of data and the writing of the manuscript.Background The postmenopausal period can represent an opportunity for women to improve their health and well-being. The Active and Healthy Ageing in Women during early postmenopause (AHAWOMEN) study aims to identify the key determinants of an active lifestyle among middle-aged women, with a focus on the stages and the social-cognitive variables outlined in the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) model, a theoretical framework for understanding health behaviour change. We expected that HAPA factors and processes of intention creation (motivational phase) and action adoption (volitional phase) will be significant predictors of exercise initiation and maintenance, supporting both the HAPA tenets and the efficacy of HAPA-based interventions. Methods/design This study was approved by the authors’ Institutional Review Committee. Postmenopausal women aged between 45 and 65 years will voluntarily participate. The participants will be allocated to one of three groups: Intervention-Initiators (n = 100, random allocation), Control-Sedentary (n = 100, random allocation) or Control-Active (n = 100, non-random allocation). The intervention group will engage in a supervised exercise programme lasting at least 3 months, supplemented with a HAPA-based intervention for behaviour change. The sedentary control group will not receive any intervention to change their physical activity, while the active control group will consist of women who are already regularly adhering to an active lifestyle. Study variables will be measured at baseline and postintervention phases, as well as at 1, 3, 6 and 12-month follow-ups. The predictors of exercise behaviour in the different phases of the behavioural change process will be explored and compared within and between groups throughout the study. These analyses will help identify the factors that determine the adoption of a healthy active behaviour. Additionally, the effectiveness of the model and the intervention for changing active behaviour will be evaluated. Discussion This paper describes the rationale, development and methods used in the AHAWOMEN project. Supporting women who intend to become active can help them to translate their goals into sustainable action. Verifying that the HAPA predictions are applicable to postmenopausal women’s adoption of exercise would provide the basis for designing effective interventions for promoting healthy and active ageing that are also tailored to the experiences of middle-aged women.FEDER/Junta de Andalucía B-CTS-342-UGR20University of Granada B-CTS-342-UGR2

Escenarios de aprendizaje competitivo a trav?s de uso de elementos l?dicos para estrenamiento en ciberseguridad

La transformaci?n digital y el incremento de uso de informaci?n y medios para utilizarla son m?s diversos y globales, por ello, la informaci?n personal y corporativa est?n expuestas a varios niveles de acceso, incrementando el riesgo de robo de informaci?n. Este riesgo puede materializarse debido a errores humanos, los cuales son aprovechados por ciberdelincuentes. El uso correcto de la tecnolog?a es crucial para defendernos y proteger nuestra informaci?n y de la empresa donde trabajamos, para esto, existen buenas pr?cticas y capacitaciones, pero, en su mayor?a son clases te?ricas con conceptos ?tiles sobre la protecci?n de datos. El objetivo de la tesis es demostrar que, empleando actividades pr?cticas se logra reforzar conceptos b?sicos de seguridad de la informaci?n. Basados en los ciberataques m?s relevantes para los trabajadores, identificamos cinco ciberamenazas m?s comunes. Frente a ellas, presentamos un entrenamiento l?dico para ense?ar medios b?sicos para que el participante interact?e y logre identificar y evitar estas ciberamenazas, reduciendo la probabilidad de materializaci?n de ciber riesgos y reforzando su conducta con el prop?sito de asegurar la informaci?n. El entrenamiento se ejecut? en tres empresas y el aprendizaje de los conceptos se corrobor? mediante entrevistas, actividades, ex?menes y encuestas a los participantes, con dicha informaci?n y utilizando indicadores se obtuvo un incremento en el nivel de aprendizaje

Fatal sclerosing mesenteritis: a 7-year-old male autopsy case report

Sclerosing Mesenteritis (SM) is a rare diagnosis, particularly in pediatric patients, and is typically non-fatal when appropriately treated. Although molecular and immunohistochemical alterations have been described, no pathognomonic signature has been identified for this entity. This report presents a case of a seven-year-old boy who suffered sudden cardiorespiratory arrest. Upon autopsy, he was found to have multicentric SM on the upper mesentery, which led to bowel wall thinning and abdominal bleeding with bacterial translocation. We performed comprehensive morphological, immunohistochemical, and molecular analyses. SM is an atypical disorder with diverse clinical manifestations, including a rare but potentially fatal course. Early diagnosis is critical, given its potential severity. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of pediatric mortality linked to SM. Our findings emphasize the importance of increased awareness and early detection of SM in pediatric patients

Integrated Membrane Process for the Treatment and Reuse of Residual Table Olive Fermentation Brine and Anaerobically Digested Sludge Centrate

[EN] Management of wastewater is a major challenge nowadays, due to increasing water demand, growing population and more stringent regulations on water quality. Wastewaters from food conservation are especially difficult to treat, since they have high salinity and high organic matter concentration. The aim of this work is the treatment of the effluent from a table olive fermentation process (FTOP) with the aim of reusing it once the organic matter is separated. The process proposed in this work consists of the following membrane-based technologies: Ultrafiltration (UF) (UP005, Microdyn Nadir), Forward Osmosis (FO) (Osmen2521, Hydration Technology Innovation) and Nanofiltration (NF) (NF245, Dow). The FO process was implemented to reduce the salinity entering the NF process, using the FTOP as draw solution and, at the same time, to concentrate the centrate produced in the sludge treatment of a municipal wastewater treatment plant with the aim of obtaining a stream enriched in nutrients. The UF step achieved the elimination of 50% of the chemical oxygen demand of the FTOP. The UF permeate was pumped to the FO system reducing the volume of the anaerobically digested sludge centrate (ADSC) by a factor of 3 in 6.5 h. Finally, the ultrafiltrated FTOP diluted by FO was subjected to NF. The transmembrane pressure needed in the NF stage was 40% lower than that required if the ultrafiltration permeate was directly nanofiltered. By means of the integrated process, the concentration of organic matter and phenolic compounds in the FTOP decreased by 97%. Therefore, the proposed process was able to obtain a treated brine that could be reused in other processes and simultaneously to concentrate a stream, such as the ADSC.This research was funded by CDTI (Centre for Industrial and Technological Development) depending on the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through the INNPRONTA program, grant number IPT-20111020.Carbonell Alcaina, C.; Soler-Cabezas, JL.; Bes-Piá, M.; Vincent Vela, MC.; Mendoza Roca, JA.; Pastor-Alcañiz, L.; Alvarez Blanco, S. (2020). Integrated Membrane Process for the Treatment and Reuse of Residual Table Olive Fermentation Brine and Anaerobically Digested Sludge Centrate. Membranes. 10(10):1-14. https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10100253S1141010Abou-Elela, S. I., Kamel, M. M., & Fawzy, M. E. (2010). Biological treatment of saline wastewater using a salt-tolerant microorganism. Desalination, 250(1), 1-5. doi:10.1016/j.desal.2009.03.022Ferrer-Polonio, E., Iborra-Clar, A., Mendoza-Roca, J. A., & Pastor-Alcañiz, L. (2014). Fermentation brines from Spanish style green table olives processing: treatment alternatives before recycling or recovery operations. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology, 91(1), 131-137. doi:10.1002/jctb.4550Reid, E., Liu, X., & Judd, S. J. (2006). Effect of high salinity on activated sludge characteristics and membrane permeability in an immersed membrane bioreactor. Journal of Membrane Science, 283(1-2), 164-171. doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2006.06.021Ferrer-Polonio, E., Mendoza-Roca, J. A., Iborra-Clar, A., Alonso-Molina, J. ., & Pastor-Alcañiz, L. (2015). Comparison of two strategies for the start-up of a biological reactor for the treatment of hypersaline effluents from a table olive packaging industry. Chemical Engineering Journal, 273, 595-602. doi:10.1016/j.cej.2015.03.062Li, H., Meng, F., Duan, W., Lin, Y., & Zheng, Y. (2019). Biodegradation of phenol in saline or hypersaline environments by bacteria: A review. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 184, 109658. doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.109658Ayed, L., Asses, N., Chammem, N., Ben Othman, N., & Hamdi, M. (2017). Advanced oxidation process and biological treatments for table olive processing wastewaters: constraints and a novel approach to integrated recycling process: a review. Biodegradation, 28(2-3), 125-138. doi:10.1007/s10532-017-9782-0Ferrer-Polonio, E., Mendoza-Roca, J. A., Iborra-Clar, A., & Pastor-Alcañiz, L. (2015). Adsorption of raw and treated by membranes fermentation brines from table olives processing for phenolic compounds separation and recovery. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology, 91(7), 2094-2102. doi:10.1002/jctb.4807El-Abbassi, A., Kiai, H., Raiti, J., & Hafidi, A. (2014). Application of ultrafiltration for olive processing wastewaters treatment. Journal of Cleaner Production, 65, 432-438. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.08.016Carbonell-Alcaina, C., Álvarez-Blanco, S., Bes-Piá, M. A., Mendoza-Roca, J. A., & Pastor-Alcañiz, L. (2018). Ultrafiltration of residual fermentation brines from the production of table olives at different operating conditions. Journal of Cleaner Production, 189, 662-672. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.04.127Kiai, H., García-Payo, M. C., Hafidi, A., & Khayet, M. (2014). Application of membrane distillation technology in the treatment of table olive wastewaters for phenolic compounds concentration and high quality water production. Chemical Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification, 86, 153-161. doi:10.1016/j.cep.2014.09.007Vu, M. T., Ansari, A. J., Hai, F. I., & Nghiem, L. D. (2018). Performance of a seawater-driven forward osmosis process for pre-concentrating digested sludge centrate: organic enrichment and membrane fouling. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 4(7), 1047-1056. doi:10.1039/c8ew00132dSoler-Cabezas, J. L., Mendoza-Roca, J. A., Vincent-Vela, M. C., Luján-Facundo, M. J., & Pastor-Alcañiz, L. (2018). Simultaneous concentration of nutrients from anaerobically digested sludge centrate and pre-treatment of industrial effluents by forward osmosis. Separation and Purification Technology, 193, 289-296. doi:10.1016/j.seppur.2017.10.058Duan, J., Litwiller, E., Choi, S.-H., & Pinnau, I. (2014). Evaluation of sodium lignin sulfonate as draw solute in forward osmosis for desert restoration. Journal of Membrane Science, 453, 463-470. doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2013.11.029Hu, B., Jiang, M., Zhao, S., Ji, X., Shu, Q., Tian, B., … Zhang, L. (2019). Biogas slurry as draw solution of forward osmosis process to extract clean water from micro-polluted water for hydroponic cultivation. Journal of Membrane Science, 576, 88-95. doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2019.01.029Singleton, V. L., Orthofer, R., & Lamuela-Raventós, R. M. (1999). [14] Analysis of total phenols and other oxidation substrates and antioxidants by means of folin-ciocalteu reagent. Methods in Enzymology, 152-178. doi:10.1016/s0076-6879(99)99017-1De Castro, A., & Brenes, M. (2001). Fermentation of washing waters of Spanish-style green olive processing. Process Biochemistry, 36(8-9), 797-802. doi:10.1016/s0032-9592(00)00280-6Luján-Facundo, M. J., Mendoza-Roca, J. A., Soler-Cabezas, J. L., Bes-Piá, A., Vincent-Vela, M. C., & Pastor-Alcañiz, L. (2019). Use of the osmotic membrane bioreactor for the management of tannery wastewater using absorption liquid waste as draw solution. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 131, 292-299. doi:10.1016/j.psep.2019.09.024Ferrer-Polonio, E., Carbonell-Alcaina, C., Mendoza-Roca, J. A., Iborra-Clar, A., Álvarez-Blanco, S., Bes-Piá, A., & Pastor-Alcañiz, L. (2017). Brine recovery from hypersaline wastewaters from table olive processing by combination of biological treatment and membrane technologies. Journal of Cleaner Production, 142, 1377-1386. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.11.169Papadaki, E., & Mantzouridou, F. T. (2016). Current status and future challenges of table olive processing wastewater valorization. Biochemical Engineering Journal, 112, 103-113. doi:10.1016/j.bej.2016.04.008Carbonell-Alcaina, C., Corbatón-Báguena, M.-J., Álvarez-Blanco, S., Bes-Piá, M. A., Mendoza-Roca, J. A., & Pastor-Alcañiz, L. (2016). Determination of fouling mechanisms in polymeric ultrafiltration membranes using residual brines from table olive storage wastewaters as feed. Journal of Food Engineering, 187, 14-23. doi:10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2016.04.016Sayadi, S., Allouche, N., Jaoua, M., & Aloui, F. (2000). Detrimental effects of high molecular-mass polyphenols on olive mill wastewater biotreatment. Process Biochemistry, 35(7), 725-735. doi:10.1016/s0032-9592(99)00134-xLi, Y., Xu, Z., Xie, M., Zhang, B., Li, G., & Luo, W. (2020). Resource recovery from digested manure centrate: Comparison between conventional and aquaporin thin-film composite forward osmosis membranes. Journal of Membrane Science, 593, 117436. doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2019.117436Bargeman, G., Vollenbroek, J. M., Straatsma, J., Schroën, C. G. P. H., & Boom, R. M. (2005). Nanofiltration of multi-component feeds. Interactions between neutral and charged components and their effect on retention. Journal of Membrane Science, 247(1-2), 11-20. doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2004.05.022Koyuncu, I., Topacik, D., & Wiesner, M. R. (2004). Factors influencing flux decline during nanofiltration of solutions containing dyes and salts. Water Research, 38(2), 432-440. doi:10.1016/j.watres.2003.10.001Virga, E., Spruijt, E., de Vos, W. M., & Biesheuvel, P. M. (2018). Wettability of Amphoteric Surfaces: The Effect of pH and Ionic Strength on Surface Ionization and Wetting. Langmuir, 34(50), 15174-15180. doi:10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b02875Van der Bruggen, B., Cornelis, G., Vandecasteele, C., & Devreese, I. (2005). Fouling of nanofiltration and ultrafiltration membranes applied for wastewater regeneration in the textile industry. Desalination, 175(1), 111-119. doi:10.1016/j.desal.2004.09.025Spiegler, K. S., & Kedem, O. (1966). Thermodynamics of hyperfiltration (reverse osmosis): criteria for efficient membranes. Desalination, 1(4), 311-326. doi:10.1016/s0011-9164(00)80018-

Gobernanza forestal en el territorio Twi Waupasa, Costa Caribe Norte de Nicaragua

El estudio se realizó con el n de analizar la gobernanza forestal en el territorio Twi Waupasa, Municipio de Puerto Cabezas, Región Autónoma de la Costa Caribe Norte de Nicaragua. Se establecieron grupos focales y entrevistas individuales lo cual permitió identificar un conjunto de limitantes y problemas que interrumpen la gobernanza forestal; los conflictos internos entre comunidades vecinas, la mala distribución de los beneficios económicos, la invasión de tierra por colonos, el debilitamiento de las estructuras tradicionales por partidos políticos y la inexperiencia en el Manejo Forestal Comunitario, son situaciones que entorpecen la gobernanza. Para ello se ofrece un modelo de gobernanza forestal construido desde la perspectiva de los actores locales.AbstractThe study was conducted in order to analyze forest governance in Twi Waupasa territory, Puerto Cabezas Municipality, Autonomous Region of the North Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua. Focal groups and individual interviews were established which allowed identifying a set of constraints and problems that disrupt forest governance; Internal conflicts between neighboring communities, poor distribution of economic benefits, land invasions by settlers, weakening of traditional structures by political parties, and inexperience in Community Forest Management are situations that hinder governance. To this end, a forest governance model built from the perspective of local actors is offered.

Características del bienestar psicológico en jóvenes universitarios en el marco aislamiento preventivo por COVID-19

El bienestar psicológico se caracteriza por generar un fuerte sentido de vida y un proceso de autoevaluación. Para evaluarlo se utiliza el test de Bienestar Psicológico Carol Ryff, el cual fue digitalizado para ser enviado a estudiantes universitarios, controlando el número de respuestas por test como el control en su contenido, hecho desde un enfoque cuantitativo, con un diseño no experimental y alcance correlacional, encontrando en bienestar psicológico (BP) 71,9 % (527) de los participantes tiene BP Alto, 25,4 % (186 estudiantes) en moderado, 1,6 % (12 estudiantes) baja y alta correspondiente al 1,1 % (8 estudiantes). Los resultados indican que las relaciones entre bienestar psicológico, semestre académico y sexo son bajas o muy bajas y no tienen ni ejercen influencia alguna sobre los demás en el contexto de aislamiento y pandemia dada por el COVID-19.Psychological well-being is characterized by generating a strong sense of life and a self-evaluation process. To evaluate it the Carol Ryff psychological well-being test is used, which was digitized to be sent to university students, controlling the number of responses per test such as the control in its content, done from a quantitative approach, with a nonexperimental design and correlational scope. The findings show psychological well-being (BP) 71.9 % (527) of the participants have High BP, 25.4 % (186 students) in moderate, 1.6 % (12 students) low and high corresponding to 1.1 % (8 students). The results indicate that the relationships between psychological well-being, academic semester and sex are low or very low and do not have or exert any influence on the others in the context isolation and pandemic given by COVI D-19