On the relationship between the specific heat enhancement of salt-based nanofluids and the ionic exchange capacity of nanoparticles

Nanoparticles have been used in thermal applications to increase the specific heat of the molten salts used in Concentrated Solar Power plants for thermal energy storage. Although several mechanisms for abnormal enhancement have been proposed, they are still being investigated and more research is necessary. However, this nanoparticle-salt interaction can also be found in chemical applications in which nanoparticles have proved suitable to be used as an adsorbent for nitrate removal given their high specific surface, reactivity and ionic exchange capacity. In this work, the ionic exchange capacity mechanism for the nanoparticles functionalization phenomenon was evaluated. The ionic exchange capacity of silica and alumina nanoparticles dispersed in lithium, sodium and potassium nitrates was measured. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy tests confirmed the adsorption of nitrate ions on the nanoparticle surface. A relationship between the ionic exchange capacity of nanoparticles and the specific heat enhancement of doped molten salts was proposed for the first time

Aprendizaje y autoevaluación online de estudiantes universitarios: la matemática financiera en entornos virtuales

[EN] The course on Financial Mathematics is a compulsory course, part of the Basic Formation in three undergraduate degrees at Jaume I university: Finance and Accounting, Economics and Business Management. It is a mathematics course, with a high number of enrolled students and with a group of teachers with special characterstics. Due to this things, the implementation of an individualized monitoring system becomes complex. In this paper we present a methodological innovation proposal conducted during the school year 2014/15. The innovation consists of the virtual and formative self-assessment of three assignments. This innovation focuses on the involvement of students in a reflexive and continuous learning process. Furthermore, it pursuits a suitable and timely feedback that helps students to improve their academic performance. Our empirical results show that the virtual and formative self-assessment process has had a positive effect so in the number of students that attend the final exam as in the number of students that pass successfully the course.[ES] Matemática de las Operaciones Financieras es una asignatura de Formación Básica de primer año que todos los alumnos tienen que cursar obligatoriamente en los grados universitarios de Economía, Contabilidad y Finanzas y Administración de Empresas de la Universidad Jaume I de Castellón. Por su naturaleza matemática, por el elevado número de alumnos matriculados y por las características de los profesores que imparten docencia, resulta difícil un seguimiento individualizado del aprendizaje del estudiantado. La presente comunicación expone una propuesta de innovación metodológica introducida en dicha asignatura durante el curso 2014/2015. La innovación consiste en la autoevaluación virtual formativa de los alumnos de tres casos prácticos. El objetivo es que los alumnos reflexionen sobre su aprendizaje de un modo continuo y autónomo. Además, se pretende que reciban un feedback eficaz y oportuno que les ayude a mejorar su rendimiento académico. El análisis empírico presentado demuestra que la autoevaluación formativa virtual propuesta ha influido muy positivamente tanto en el aumento del porcentaje de alumnos que se presentan al examen final como en su nota media.Cabedo Semper, J.; Maset Llaudes, M.; Segarra Adel, N. (2017). Aprendizaje y autoevaluación online de estudiantes universitarios: la matemática financiera en entornos virtuales. En In-Red 2016. II Congreso nacional de innovación educativa y docencia en red. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/INRED2016.2016.4354OC

Isolation and Structural Elucidation of Eight New Related Analogues of the Mycotoxin (-)-Botryodiplodin from Penicillium coalescens

[EN] Bioassay-guided fractionation of the organic extract derived from the terrestrial fungus Penicillium coalescens led to the isolation of the known mycotoxin (-)-botryodiplodin (1) and eight new structurally related analogues (2-9). The structures of the novel compounds were determined by MS and NMR studies, including 1D and 2D NMR. A likely biogenetic pathway from the aldehydic open form of 1 (C-7 unit, U1) is proposed for these metabolites. Among all the isolated metabolites, only (-)-1 showed antifungal, antibacterial, and insecticidal activity. This latter activity appears to be a new property attributed to (-)-1.Cabedo Escrig, N.; López-Gresa, MP.; Primo, J.; Ciavatta, ML.; Gonzalez Más, MC. (2007). Isolation and Structural Elucidation of Eight New Related Analogues of the Mycotoxin (-)-Botryodiplodin from Penicillium coalescens. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 55(17):6977-6983. doi:10.1021/jf071568vS69776983551

IdM@tI: Red de Innovación Docente en Materiales Interuniversitaria

IdM@ti es una red interuniversitaria formada por profesores de ciencia e ingeniería de materiales de varias universidades del estado español, comprometidos con la innovación docente. Se describe su origen, motivación y objetivos así como las actividades que ha realizado hasta el momento y los retos que se marca para el futuro

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SACHA INCHI LEAVES AND SEEDS (Plukenetia volubilis L.); OLEAMIDE

El estudio se realiza con el objeto de identificar el tipo de alcaloide, protoalcaloide opseudoalcaloide, que puedan ser cuantificables en las hojas y en la torta desemillas tostadas y desengrasadas de la especie Plukenetia volubilis L. y demostrar que su presencia no representa un riesgo para la salud. La metodología utilizada está basada en protometría de acuerdo a la Farmacopea Francesa y Europea, así como la utilización de técnicas de UHPLC-MS/MS y GC-MS que han permitido identificar y cuantificar un compuesto endógeno que revela las características de la cis-9-octadecenamida (oleamida), estructura similar a la anandamida; ligando endógeno de receptores cannabinoides en concentraciones de 0,0015% en hojas y 0,0004% en semillas. No habiendose detectado alcaloides que puedan afectar la seguridad alimentaria.This study was carried out to identify the type of alkaloid, protoalkaloid or pseudo alkaloid, that can be quantified in leaves as well as in the toasted and defatted seed cake of Plukenetia volubilis L. and to verify that their presence does not present a health risk. The methodology used is based on protometry according to the French and European Pharmacopoeia, as well as the use of UHPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS techniques that have made it possible to identify and quantify an endogenous compound that reveals the characteristics of cis-9 -octadecenamide (oleamide), a structure similar to anandamide; endogenous ligand of cannabinoid receptors in concentrations of 0.0015% in leaves and 0.0004% in seeds. No alkaloids that could affect food safety have been detected

Identification of Bioactive Compounds in Polar and Nonpolar Extracts of Araujia sericifera

Araujia sericifera is a native perennial, climbing laticiferous shrub from South America that is currently naturalized in many other countries. Previous data describe promising properties for A. sericifera, but no systematic study of its bioactive compounds and possible medicinal applications has been conducted to date. In the present study, aerial parts of A. sericifera (leaves, stems, and fruits) were explored by combining GC-MS and NMR spectroscopy analysis for both nonpolar (hexane) and polar (methanol) extracts. The hexanic extracts contained high amounts of pentacyclic triterpenes including two new metabolites, 3-tigloyl germanicol (18) and 3-tigloyl lupeol (19). The methanolic extracts revealed the presence of luteolin-7-glucoside (24), trigonelline (22), and conduritol F (23) as the main constituents. A multivariate study of a meaningful number of extracts allowed us to determine the distribution of compounds inside the plant. A cytotoxic evaluation in vitro showed that both leaf and fruit hexanic extracts presented a moderate activity against human breast carcinoma cell lines (MDA-MB-453 and MCF-7) and human colon carcinoma cell line (HCT-116) by the MTS [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium] assay

2,3,9- and 2,3,11-Trisubstituted tetrahydroprotoberberines as D2 dopaminergic ligands

Dopamine-mediated neurotransmission plays an important role in relevant psychiatric and neurological disorders. Nowadays, there is an enormous interest in the development of new dopamine receptors (DR) acting drugs as potential new targets for the treatment of schizophrenia or Parkinson's disease. Previous studies have revealed that isoquinoline compounds such as tetrahydroisoquinolines (THIQs) and tetrahydroprotoberberines (THPBs) can behave as selective D2 dopaminergic alkaloids since they share structural similarities with dopamine. In the present study we have synthesized eleven 2,3,9- and 2,3,11-trisubstituted THPB compounds (six of them are described for the first time) and evaluated their potential dopaminergic activity. Binding studies on rat striatal membranes were used to evaluate their affinity and selectivity towards D1 and D2 DR and establish the structure-activity relationship (SAR) as dopaminergic agents. In general, all the tested THPBs with protected phenolic hydroxyls showed a lower affinity for D1 and D2 DR than their corresponding homologues with free hydroxyl groups. In previous studies in which dopaminergic affinity of 1-benzyl-THIQs (BTHIQs) was evaluated, the presence of a Cl into the A-ring resulted in increased affinity and selectivity towards D2 DR. This is in contrast with the current study since the existence of a chlorine atom into the A-ring of the THPBs caused increased affinity for D1 DR but dramatically reduced the selectivity for D2 DR. An OH group in position 9 of the THPB (9f) resulted in a higher affinity for DR than its homologue with an OH group in position 11 (9e) (250 fold for D2 DR). None of the compounds showed any cytotoxicity in freshly isolated human neutrophils. A molecular modelling study of three representative THPBs was carried out. The combination of MD simulations with DFT calculations provided a clear picture of the ligand binding interactions from a structural and energetic point of view. Therefore, it is likely that compound 9d (2,3,9-trihydroxy-THPB) behave as D2 DR agonist since serine residues cluster are crucial for agonist binding and receptor activation

Learning ethical, environmental and professional responsibility at Universitat Politècnica de València. Where are we?

[EN] This paper presents a study on the development of the cross-curricular learning outcome (CCLO) "Ethical, environmental and professional responsibility" for students of different Bachelor's Degrees taught at Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (Spain). The work involved in the development of this learning outcome entails great complexity, given the double dimension of responsibility that it involves. At the end of their training at the university, students are expected to show ethical, environmental, and professional responsibility towards themselves and others. Interviews have been conducted with lecturers who work and assess this outcome in their subjects, most/all of them related to science and engineering. The objective was to identify the learning approach used in the different subjects to guarantee the acquisition of this CCLO by the students. A focus group has also been carried out with students to determine the importance they give to this learning outcome, and to know their degree of satisfaction with the training received. The methodology used to obtain the data from lecturers and students and to process the information to get a precise diagnosis is fully described in the paper. Results are satisfactory to some extent: most of the lecturers carry out appropriate activities and most students achieve the expected proficiency level. Finally, recommendations are given to improve the development of this cross-curricular learning outcome.This innovative educational project and the APC of this paper were funded by Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, through the project PIME/20-21/219 "Evaluacion del nivel de adquisicion de la CT07 Responsabilidad etica, medioambiental y profesional en los estudios de grado de la UPV. Propuestas de mejora".Gimenez-Carbo, E.; Gómez-Martín, ME.; Fenollosa Forner, EJ.; Cabedo Fabres, M.; Coll-Aliaga, E.; Andrés-Doménech, I.; Sebastiá-Frasquet, M.... (2021). Learning ethical, environmental and professional responsibility at Universitat Politècnica de València. Where are we?. Sustainability. 13(17):1-18. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179991S118131

Synthesis and antibacterial activities of cadiolides A, B and C and analogues

The one-pot multicomponent synthesis of natural butenolides named cadiolides A, B, C and analogues has been realized. The antibacterial structure activity relationship shows that the presence of phenolic hydroxyl groups and the number and position of bromine atoms on the different aromatic rings are important features for antibacterial activity, besides it was demonstrated the tolerance of both benzene and furan ring at position 3 of the butenolide nucleus. Furthermore, none of the most relevant antibacterial compounds showed any cytotoxicity in freshly isolated human neutrophils

REMYP_07 Evaluación de la adquisición de la Competencia Transversal “Responsabilidad Ética, Medioambiental y Profesional” en los estudios de grado de la Universitat Politècnica de València.

[EN] The text presents the work developed by the EICE (educational innovation and quality team) REMYP_07, related to the acquisition of the generic outcome "Ethical, environmental and professional responsibility" by UPV graduated students. To this end, the paper develops the diagnosis of the current situation in four engineering bachelor programs taught at this university . Based on the diagnosis, the work focuses in actions to improve the inclusion of this competence throughout the curriculum to guarantee its acquisition by students who complete their studies.[ES] En el texto se presenta el trabajo desarrollado por el EICE (equipo de innovación y calidad educativa) REMYP_07, relacionado con la adquisición de la competencia transversal “Responsabilidad ética, medioambiental y profesional” por parte de los alumnos egresados de la UPV. Para ello se indica como se ha realizado el diagnóstico de la situación actual en cuatro grados impartidos en dicha universidad y a partir del diagnóstico se muestran las acciones a llevar a cabo para mejorar la inclusión de dicha competencia a lo largo del plan de estudios de manera que se pueda garantizar su adquisición por parte de los alumnos egresados.Andrés Doménech, I.; Cabedo Fabrés, M.; Martí Campoy, A.; Coll Aliaga, PE.; Fenollosa Forner, EJ.; Giménez Carbó, E.; Gómez Martín, ME.... (2021). REMYP_07 Evaluación de la adquisición de la Competencia Transversal “Responsabilidad Ética, Medioambiental y Profesional” en los estudios de grado de la Universitat Politècnica de València. En IN-RED 2021: VII Congreso de Innovación Edicativa y Docencia en Red. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 1402-1409. https://doi.org/10.4995/INRED2021.2021.13723OCS1402140