Biodiesel: Tomorrow\u27s Fuel, Today\u27s Solution

Study of physical and chemical properties of biodiesel fuels derived from poultry and plant fats

Description of analyzing power and (p,n) reaction by a global dispersive coupled-channel optical model potential

A global dispersive coupled-channel optical model potential is used to analyze the proton elastic/inelastic analyzing power data and (p,n) data in order to investigate the prediction power of this potential. The numerical calculations show good agreement with available experimental data for proton elastic data and overall agreement for proton inelastic data. The results also showed that present global potential is approximately Lane-consistent, and can predict well the (p,n) cross sections

Triatoma gerstaeckeri (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) infectada con Trypanosoma cruzi en Nuevo León, México, y capacidad patógena de la cepa regional

Introduction: Four species of triatomines have been reported in Nuevo León, northeast (NE) México, but Triatoma gerstaeckeri has only been recorded from a peridomestic dwelling.Objectives: To assess the natural infection index (NII) of Trypanosoma cruzi in triatomines and the infestation index (II) of T. gerstaeckeri collected in a suburban locality, and to collect histopathological data to understand tissue tropism of the regional T. cruzi strain (strain NE) obtained from the vectors collected after an experimental inoculation in Mus musculus.Materials and methods: Triatomines were collected from 85 houses and peridomiciles in Allende, Nuevo León. Stool samples were obtained to determine the T. cruzi NII and were used in an experimental mice infection.Results: A total of 118 T. gerstaeckeri were captured, and 46 (adults and nymphs) were collected inside the same house (II=1.17%). Thirty-seven reduvids were infected with T. cruzi (NII=31.3%). Tissue tropism of the T. cruzi NE strain was progressive in skeletal muscle, myocardial, and adipose tissues and was characterized by the presence of intracellular amastigotes and destruction of cardiac myocells.Conclusions: The presence of naturally infected domiciliary vectors is an important risk factor for public health in the region considering that these vectors are the principal transmission mechanism of the parasite. The T. cruzi NE strain has similar virulence to that of other Mexican and Texan strains and caused chagasic infections in 11 of 12 mice.Introducción. En Nuevo León, localizado en el noreste de México, existen cuatro especies de triatominos, de las cuales Triatoma gerstaeckeri ha sido la única reportada en peridomicilios.Objetivos. Evaluar el índice de infección natural de Trypanosoma cruzi en los triatominos y el índice de infestación de T. gerstaeckeri en una localidad suburbana, y obtener datos histopatológicos para comprender el tropismo tisular de la cepa regional (cepa NE) de T. cruzi obtenida de los vectores recolectados después de la infección experimental en Mus musculus.Materiales y métodos. La recolección de triatominos se llevó a cabo en 85 casas y peridomicilios de Allende, Nuevo León, México. Se obtuvieron muestras de las deyecciones para conocer el índice de infección natural por T. cruzi y, con estas, se hicieron inoculaciones experimentales en ratones.Resultados. Se capturaron 118 especímenes de T. gerstaeckeri, 46 (adultos y ninfas) en el mismo domicilio (índice de infestación=1,17 %). Treinta y siete redúvidos estaban infectados con T. cruzi (índice de infección natural, 31,3). El tropismo tisular de la cepa NE de T. cruzi fue progresivo en músculo esquelético, miocardio y tejido adiposo, y se caracterizó por la presencia de amastigotes intracelulares con destrucción de células cardiacas.Conclusiones. La presencia de vectores domiciliarios naturalmente infectados con T. cruzi, es un factor de riesgo importante para la salud pública de la región, considerando que este es el principal mecanismo de la transmisión del parásito y que la cepa NE de T. cruzi tiene una virulencia similar a la de otras cepas mexicanas y texanas, y causó infección chagásica en 11 de los 12 ratones inoculados

Angular distributions of protons scattered by 40 Ar nuclei with excitation of the 2 + (1.46 MeV) and 3 − (3.68 MeV) collective levels for incident energies of 25.1, 32.5, and 40.7 MeV

Elastic and inelastic scattering of unpolarized and polarized protons by 40Ar nuclei for incident energies between 20 and 50 MeV has been studied by reanalyzing experimental scattering spectra for the 2+(1.46 MeV) and 3-(3.68 MeV) levels in the angular range 30º–160º for incident protons of energies of 25.1, 32.5, and 40.7 MeV. An isospin dependent soft-rotator coupled-channels optical model with the potential containing a dispersive term with a nonlocal contribution is used to analyze the data

Linear Polyethyleneimine-Based and Metal Organic Frameworks (DUT-67) Composite Hydrogels as Efficient Sorbents for the Removal of Methyl Orange, Copper Ions, and Penicillin V

This research explores the integration of DUT-67 metal organic frameworks into polyethyleneimine-based hydrogels to assemble a composite system with enough mechanical strength, pore structure and chemical affinity to work as a sorbent for water remediation. By varying the solvent-to-modulator ratio in a water-based synthesis path, the particle size of DUT-67 was successfully modulated from 1 μm to 200 nm. Once DUT-67 particles were integrated into the polymeric hydrogel, the composite hydrogel exhibited enhanced mechanical properties after the incorporation of the MOF filler. XPS, NMR, TGA, FTIR, and FT Raman studies confirmed the presence and interaction of the DUT-67 particles with the polymeric chains within the hydrogel network. Adsorption studies of methyl orange, copper(II) ions, and penicillin V on the composite hydrogel revealed a rapid adsorption kinetics and monolayer adsorption according to the Langmuir’s model. The composite hydrogel demonstrated higher adsorption capacities, as compared to the pristine hydrogel, showcasing a synergistic effect, with maximum adsorption capacities of 473 ± 21 mg L−1, 86 ± 6 mg L−1, and 127 ± 4 mg L−1, for methyl orange, copper(II) ions, and penicillin V, respectively. This study highlights the potential of MOF-based composite hydrogels as efficient adsorbents for environmental pollutants and pharmaceuticals.This research was funded by the Agencia Nacional de Promoción de la Investigación, el Desarrollo Tecnológico y la Innovación (ANPCYT, Argentina), project PICT 2019-00845; Universidad de Buenos Aires, project UBACyT 2020-2024/11BA and Ministry of Science and Innovation (Spain), project PID2021-126235OB-C32 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and FEDER and project TED2021-130756B-C31 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “ERDF A way of making Europe” by the European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR. The MSCA-RISE-2017 (No 778412) INDESMOF, which received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, is also acknowledged

Experimental observation of phase transitions of a deformed Dicke model using a reconfigurable, bi-parametric electronic platform

We experimentally study the infinite-size limit of the Dicke model of quantum optics with a parity-breaking deformation strength that couples the system to an external bosonic reservoir. We focus on the dynamical consequences of such symmetry-breaking, which makes the classical phase space asymmetric with non-equivalent energy wells. We present an experimental implementation of the classical version of the deformed Dicke model using a state-of-the-art bi-parametric electronic platform. Our platform constitutes a playground for studying representative phenomena of the deformed Dicke model in electrical circuits with the possibility of externally controlling parameters and initial conditions. In particular, we investigate the dynamics of the ground state, various phase transitions, and the asymmetry of the energy wells as a function of the coupling strength $\gamma$ and the deformation strength $\alpha$ in the resonant case. Additionally, to characterize the various behavior regimes, we present a two-dimensional phase diagram as a function of the two intrinsic system parameters. The onset of chaos is also analyzed experimentally. Our findings provide a clear connection between theoretical predictions and experimental observations, demonstrating the usefulness of our bi-parametric electronic setup

Assessment and counseling to get the best efficiency and effectiveness of the assistive technology (MATCH): study protocol

Clinical Trials ID: NCT04723784[Abstract] Aims: To determine the psychosocial impact of assistive technology(AT) based on robotics and artificial intelligence in the life of people with disabilities. Background: The best match between any person with disabilities and its AT only can be gotten through a complete assessment and monitoring of his/her needs, abilities, priorities, difficulties and limitations. Without this analysis, it's possible that the device won't meet the individual's expectations. Therefore, it is important that any project focused on the development of innovating AT for people with disabilities includes the perspective of outcome measures as an important phase of the research. In this sense, the integration of the assessment, implementation process and outcome measures is crucial to guarantee the transferability for the project findings and to get the perspective from the final user. Methods: Pilot study, with prospective, longitudinal and analytical cohort. The study lasts from July 2020 until April 2023. The sample is formed by people with disabilities, ages from 2-21, that will participate from the first stage of the process (initial assessment of their abilities and needs) to the final application of outcome measures instruments (with a complete implication during the test of technology). Discussion: Only with the active participation of the person is possible to carry out a user-centered approach. This fact will allow us to define and generate technological solutions that really adjust to the expectations, needs and priorities of the people with disabilities, avoiding the AT from being abandoned, with the consequent health and social spending.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España); PID2019-104323RB-C31Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España); PID2019-104323RB-C32Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España); PID2019-104323RB-C33Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España); PID2019-104323RB-C3

Astrophysics at n-TOF facility

Heavy elements with Z ≥ 30 are made by neutron capture reactions during stellar He burning and presumably in supernovae. This contribution deals mainly with the slow neutron capture (s) process which is responsible for about one half of the abundances in the mass region between Fe and Bi. The slow time scale implies that the reaction path of this process involves mostly stable isotopes which can be studied in detail in laboratory experiments. The neutron time of flight (n_TOF) facility at CERN is a neutron spallation source, its white neutron energy spectrum ranges from thermal to several MeV, covering the full energy range of interest for nuclear astrophysics, in particular for measurements of the neutron capture cross section required in s-process nucleosynthesis. This contribution gives an overview on the astrophysical program made at n_TOF facility, the results and the implications will be considered.European Commission (EC) FIKW-CT-2000-0010

Origine of the Partagat chasms (Sierra de Aitana, Alicante)

The Partagat chasms, located at the highest part of the Sierra de Aitana (Province of Alicante), are large joints which have opened up in Eocene limestone. They measure up to 15-20 metres in width and dozens of metres in depth. These joints have originated from lateral-spreading, which have evolved with time into slides. They have formed here along the lines of pre-existing NW-SE and NE-SW fractures, due to the movement of large blocks of limestone over an underlying layer of marls, both Eocene in age. Throughout the Quartenary, these landslides caused the mountain front retreat of the Aitana fault, a normal E-W fault with a throw of several hundred metre