Characterisation and activity of mixed metal oxide catalysts for the gas-phase selective oxidation of toluene

Mixed metal bi-component oxide catalysts, including Fe/Mo, U/Mo, U/W, Fe/U, U/V and U/Sb have been prepared, characterised and evaluated for gas phase selective toluene oxidation. Selective toluene oxidation activity to form benzaldehyde was exhibited by Fe/Mo, U/Mo and U/W mixed oxide catalysts. The Fe/Mo catalyst produced the highest benzaldehyde yield. Catalysts that formed benzaldehyde also produced a range of by-products, these were other partial oxidation and coupling products, and preliminary studies of benzaldehyde oxidation suggests they were formed from secondary reactions of benzaldehyde. The Fe/U, Sb/U and U/V catalysts produced only total oxidation to carbon oxides. Catalysts were characterised by X-ray diffraction, laser Raman spectroscopy and temperature programmed reduction. Single molybdate phases were identified for the Fe/Mo and U/Mo catalysts, and a mixture of uranium molybdate and WO3 was identified for the U/W catalyst. Results suggest that the formation of a molybdate phase is important for the selective oxidation of toluene. In contrast, the U/Fe catalyst was a mixture of U3O8 and V2O5, whilst the Fe/U catalyst was comprised of highly dispersed iron oxide on UO3. The presence of U3O8 was responsible for toluene total oxidation. The U/Sb catalyst did not exhibit selective toluene oxidation, but previous studies have demonstrated that the catalyst exhibits high activity for selective propene oxidation. Similar behaviour has been observed for the other catalysts in this study, and it is apparent that catalysts that were selective for toluene oxidation were not selective for propene/propane oxidation and vice versa

Magnetic Resonance Imaging, texture analysis and regression techniques to non-destructively predict the quality characteristics of meat pieces

The quality of meat products is traditionally assessed by chemical or sensorial analysis, which are time consuming, need specialized technicians and destroy the products. The development of new technologies to monitor meat pieces using non-destructive methods in order to establish their quality is earning importance in the last years. An increasing number of studies have been carried out on meat pieces combining Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), texture descriptors and regression techniques to predict several physico-chemical or sensorial attributes of the meat, mainly different types of pig ham and loins. In spite of the importance of the problem, the conclusions of these works are still preliminary because they only use the most classical texture descriptors and regressors instead of stronger methods, and because the methodology used to measure the performance is optimistic. In this work, we test a wide range of texture analysis techniques and regression methods using a realistic methodology to predict several physico-chemical and sensorial attributes of different meat pieces of Iberian pigs. The texture descriptors include statistical techniques, like Haralick descriptors, local binary patterns, fractal features and frequential descriptors, like Gabor or wavelet features. The regression techniques include linear regressors, neural networks, deep learning, support vector machines, regression trees, ensembles, boosting machines and random forests, among others. We developed experiments using 15 texture feature vectors, 28 regressors over 4 datasets of Iberian pig meat pieces to predict 39 physico-chemical and sensorial attributes, summarizing16,380 experiments. There is not any combination of texture vector and regressor which provides the best result for all attributes tested. Nevertheless, all these experiments provided the following conclusions: (1) the regressor performance, measured using the squared correlation (R2), is from good to excellent (above 0.5625) for 29 out of 39 attributes tested; (2) the WAPE (Weighted Absolute Percent Error) is lower than 2% for 32 out of 37 attributes; (3) the dispersion in computer predictions around the true attributes is lower or similar than the dispersion in the labeling expert’s for the majority of attributes (85%); and (4) differences between predicted and true values are not statistically significant for 29 out of 37 attributes using the Wilcoxon ranksum statistical test. We can conclude that these results provide a high reliability for an automatic system to predict the quality of meat pieces, which may operate on-line in the meat industries in the futureThe authors wish to acknowledge the funding received from the FEDER-MICCIN Infrastructure Research Project (UNEX-10-1E-402), Junta de Extremadura economic support for research group (GRU15173 and GRU15113), from the Xunta de Galicia (Centro singular de investigación de Galicia accreditation 2016–2019) and from the European Union (European Regional Development Fund — ERDF)S

Análisis del fracaso de las MiPyME franquiciantes en México. Un crecimiento cuestionable del sector

The aim of this research is to determine the failure rate of Mexican franchising MSMEs during the period 2005-2014. A descriptive exploratory research work was conducted under a longitudinal research design, ex post facto evolutionary, covering 10 years. Data were collected from secondary sources and the evolution of 7037 Mexican franchising MSMEs of the commercial and service sectors was studied. Among the main findings was a drastic fall of Mexican franchising MSMEs, 11 % of which failed in their attempt to adopt this model; while a higher percentage (13 %) abandoned the franchising model. In conclusion, these results question the established codes that a franchise reduces the risks of failure and facilitates the expansion and growth of a MSME.El objetivo de esta investigación consiste en determinar la tasa del fracaso de las MiPyME franquiciantes mexicanas durante el período 2005-2014. Se realizó una investigación exploratoria descriptiva bajo un diseño de investigación longitudinal, que abarco 10 años, ex post facto evolutivo; se recolectaron datos de fuentes secundarias y se estudió la evolución de 7037 Mipymes franquiciantes mexicanas de los sectores comercio y servicios. Entre los principales hallazgos se encontró una caída vertiginosa de las Mipymes franquiciantes mexicanas, las cuales fracasaron en su intento por adoptar este modelo en un 11 %; mientras que un porcentaje superior (13 %) abandonó el modelo de franquicias. En conclusión, estos resultados ponen en duda los códigos establecidos de que una franquicia reduce los riesgos de fracaso y facilita la expansión y el crecimiento de una MiPyME

La Imagen Y La Narrativa Como Herramientas Para El Abordaje Psicosocial En Escenarios De Violencia. Departamentos De Cundinamarca, Boyacá Y Antioquia.

El abordaje psicosocial en los escenarios de violencia, toma cada día más importancia, ya que son muchas las familias que se ven afectadas por este conflicto; deteriorando el tejido social y la calidad de vida de las personas. Gracias a las diferentes técnicas y herramientas de abordaje, se ha logrado analizar estos casos e incrementar la ayuda y el apoyo a las víctimas, logrando analizar sus vivencias y minimizar el impacto de las mismas en un futuro. En este trabajo se logra analizar diferentes casos de violencia en Colombia, a través de las técnicas como la foto voz y la Narrativa, las cuales han demostrado ser de mucha utilidad. En este documento se analiza el caso del señor Modesto Pacayá, tomado del libro Voces: historias de violencia y esperanza en Colombia. El señor Modesto es originario de Puerto Nariño, amazonas; indígena Ticuna, con cinco hijos y casado. Desmovilizado de las FARC, en su relato cuenta la historia de cómo llegó con su familia a San José del Guaviare, mediante engaños, para un trabajo, el cual resultó siendo raspar coca; el mismo que por problemas de salud no pudo llevar a cabo, por lo que se dedicó a construir casas, después de un tiempo fue contratado por un comandante de la guerrilla para ingresar comida al Meta, allí duró un tiempo hasta que llegó la orden de un comandante que le informaba que tenía que hacer un curso militar y le dijeron que si no hacía el curso, se moría. Luego de realizar el curso lo ascendieron a comandante de escuadra, pero a pesar de que le mandaba dinero a su familia, no lo dejaban estar con ellos, se empezó a sentir muy mal y decidió desmovilizarse en 2007, el ejército le ayudo y lo trasladó con su familia para Bogotá, donde surgió la Oportunidad de reconstruir nuevamente su vida. Modesto validó el bachillerato. Obtuvo un proyecto productivo, con el Apoyo de la alta consejería, montó un negocio y rehízo su vida al lado de su familia. En este relato se destaca la valentía de Modesto quien decidió cambiar su historia y la de su familia, superando las Adversidades y traumas que le dejó su paso por la guerrilla; logrando salir adelante, estudiar y conformar un negocio, emancipando un mejor futuro y proyecto de vida. Finalmente, se analiza el caso de las comunidades de Cacarica, quienes fueron Víctimas de Enfrentamientos Militares por disputas por sus territorios, durante ellas, la comunidad sufrió desapariciones, asesinatos y amenazas, las cuales generaron graves problemáticas a nivel social, económico, político y cultural. Palabras Claves: Desmovilizado, Victimas, Guerrilla, Adversidades, Oportunidad, Apoyo, Enfrentamientos Militares, Narrativa.The psychosocial aproche in the scenarios of violence is becoming increasingly important, since there are many families that are affected by this conflict; deteriorating the social fabric and the quality of life of people. Thanks to the different techniques and approach tools, it has been possible to analyze these cases and increase the help and support to the victims, managing to analyze their experiences and minimize their impact in the future. In this work it is possible to analyze different cases of violence in Colombia, through techniques such as photo voice and Narrative, which have proven to be very useful. This document analyzes the case of Mr. Modesto Pacayá, taken from the book Voces: stories of violence and hope in Colombia. Mr. Modesto is originally from Puerto Nariño, Amazons; Ticuna indigenous, with five children and married. Demobilized from the FARC, in his account he tells the story of how he arrived with his family in San José del Guaviare, through deception, for a job, which turned out to be scraping coca; the same that for health problems could not be carried out, so he dedicated himself to building houses, after a while he was hired by a guerrilla commander to enter food to the Meta, there it lasted a while until the order to arrive a commander who informed him that he had to do a military course and was told that if he did not take the course, he would die. After completing the course he was promoted to squad commander, but although he sent money to his family, they did not let him be with them, he began to feel very bad and decided to demobilize in 2007, the army helped him and transferred him with his family to Bogotá, where the Opportunity arose to rebuild his life again. Modesto validated the baccalaureate. He obtained a productive project, with the support of high counseling, set up a business and banned his life next to his family. This story highlights the courage of Modesto who decided to change his story and that of his family, overcoming the Adversities and traumas left by his passage through the guerrillas; managing to get ahead, study and build a business, emancipating a better future and life project. Finally, the case of the communities of Cacarica, who were victims of military confrontations due to disputes over their territories, is analyzed, during which the community suffered disappearances, murders and threats, which generated serious problems at a social, economic, political and cultural level. Keywords: Demobilized, Victim, Guerrilla, Adversities Opportunity, Support, Military Confrontation

Born to be wild: captive-born and wild Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) reveal space-use similarities when reintroduced for species conservation concerns

An ambitious conservation programme to save the Iberian lynx from extinction conducted several reintroductions aiming to restore its historical range. The urgency due to the delicate conservation status prompted translocating captive-born and wild individuals, while preventing an early assessment of how both groups combined their space-use and differed in post-release movements. To address this issue, we conducted a comprehensive movement ecology analysis using GPS data of 161 Iberian lynxes from 9 populations. First, we classified five movement phases within individuals' trajectories: residence areas (stable and transient), excursions, post-release dispersals, and transitions between residences. Second, we used continuous-time movement models to estimate range size and daily speeds and measured the distance travelled during extra-territorial movements. Finally, we conducted comparative analyses to evaluate differences between captive-born, wild translocated, and wild non-translocated individuals across phases, sex, age-class and populations. Most individuals in all groups established home ranges, supporting the reintroduction main goal. Yet, contrary to the species' natural pattern, captive-born subadults did not show intersexual home range size differences, which emerged after experiencing free-ranging, when becoming adults. More differences emerged for non-residential behaviours. Captive-born lynxes were more prone to post-release dispersal, to slower post-release movements and to having smaller transient residences, indicating cautious behaviour. Our study supports using captive-born individuals for reintroductions, while prioritizing wild individuals for reinforcements in highly competitive populations. Further, we suggest relevant metrics for planning translocations and connectivity management, and we demonstrate how an integrated ex-situ and reintroduction initiative can substantially contribute to restoring an endangered species' distribution rang

Cost of provision of opioid substitution therapy provision in Tijuana, Mexico

Abstract Background Mexico recently enacted drug policy reform to decriminalize possession of small amounts of illicit drugs and mandated that police refer identified substance users to drug treatment. However, the economic implications of drug treatment expansion are uncertain. We estimated the costs of opioid substitution therapy (OST) provision in Tijuana, Mexico, where opioid use and HIV are major public health concerns. Methods We adopted an economic health care provider perspective and applied an ingredients-based micro-costing approach to quantify the average monthly cost of OST (methadone maintenance) provision at two providers (one private and one public) in Tijuana, Mexico. Costs were divided by type of input (capital, recurrent personnel and non-personnel). We defined “delivery cost” as all costs except for the methadone and compared total cost by type of methadone (powdered form or capsule). Cost data were obtained from interviews with senior staff and review of expenditure reports. Service provision data were obtained from activity logs and senior staff interviews. Outcomes were cost per OST contact and cost per person month of OST. We additionally collected information on patient charges for OST provision from published rates. Results The total cost per OST contact at the private and public sites was $3.12 and$5.90, respectively, corresponding to $95 and$179 per person month of OST. The costs of methadone delivery per OST contact were similar at both sites ($2.78 private and$3.46 public). However, cost of the methadone itself varied substantially ($0.34 per 80 mg dose [powder] at the private site and$2.44 per dose [capsule] at the public site). Patients were charged $1.93–$2.66 per methadone dose. Conclusions The cost of OST provision in Mexico is consistent with other upper-middle income settings. However, evidenced-based (OST) drug treatment facilities in Mexico are still unaffordable to most people who inject drugs

Remdesivir in Very Old Patients (≥80 Years) Hospitalized with COVID-19: Real World Data from the SEMI-COVID-19 Registry

Background: Large cohort studies of patients with COVID-19 treated with remdesivir have reported improved clinical outcomes, but data on older patients are scarce. Objective: This work aims to assess the potential benefit of remdesivir in unvaccinated very old patients hospitalized with COVID-19; (2) Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of patients >= 80 years hospitalized in Spain between 15 July and 31 December 2020 (SEMI-COVID-19 Registry). Differences in 30-day all-cause mortality were adjusted using a multivariable regression analysis. (3) Results: Of the 4331 patients admitted, 1312 (30.3%) were >= 80 years. Very old patients treated with remdesivir (n: 140, 10.7%) had a lower mortality rate than those not treated with remdesivir (OR (95% CI): 0.45 (0.29-0.69)). After multivariable adjustment by age, sex, and variables associated with lower mortality (place of COVID-19 acquisition; degree of dependence; comorbidities; dementia; duration of symptoms; admission qSOFA; chest X-ray; D-dimer; and treatment with corticosteroids, tocilizumab, beta-lactams, macrolides, and high-flow nasal canula oxygen), the use of remdesivir remained associated with a lower 30-day all-cause mortality rate (adjusted OR (95% CI): 0.40 (0.22-0.61) (p < 0.001)). (4) Conclusions: Remdesivir may reduce mortality in very old patients hospitalized with COVID-19

Estudos Artísticos

Cidadania e arte, uma questão de revolução. A perfeição do gosto académico reproduz a perfeição do Estado absoluto, a disciplina é descoberta e lança mão de toda a coreografia: os gestos significam, e por isso os gestos são determinados no novo ballet da política esclarecida. Então como é que a revolução chega às artes? Precisamente por as artes funcionarem a um ponto tão modelar e exigente, nas academias, que vão ser chamadas a fornecer novos espelhos da nova perfeição programática. Quando a revolução começa a anunciar-se, os artistas vão reivindicar a representação apolínea da revolução, perfeita como as artes decorativas, como as alamedas de Versailles. Neste número da revista Croma apresenta-se uma seleção de artigos que, além de tratarem a obra de artistas pelo olhar de outros artistas, fazem-no apontando perspetivas implicadas, comprometidas, relacionais.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Discourse Analysis and Terminology in Languages for Specific Purposes

Aquest importantíssim recull conté estudis i reflexions sobre temes rellevants en la recerca sobre LSP: anglès mèdic, el llenguatge de la publicitat i periodístic, telecomunicacions i terminologia informàtica, llenguatge comercial i jurídic... Malgrat que gran part dels treballs aplegats es refereixen a l'anglès, també hi ha que tracten l'alemany, francès i altres llengües. Conté textos en anglès, francés, portuguès i castellà

Clustering COVID-19 ARDS patients through the first days of ICU admission. An analysis of the CIBERESUCICOVID Cohort

Background Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) can be classified into sub-phenotypes according to different inflammatory/clinical status. Prognostic enrichment was achieved by grouping patients into hypoinflammatory or hyperinflammatory sub-phenotypes, even though the time of analysis may change the classification according to treatment response or disease evolution. We aimed to evaluate when patients can be clustered in more than 1 group, and how they may change the clustering of patients using data of baseline or day 3, and the prognosis of patients according to their evolution by changing or not the cluster.Methods Multicenter, observational prospective, and retrospective study of patients admitted due to ARDS related to COVID-19 infection in Spain. Patients were grouped according to a clustering mixed-type data algorithm (k-prototypes) using continuous and categorical readily available variables at baseline and day 3.Results Of 6205 patients, 3743 (60%) were included in the study. According to silhouette analysis, patients were grouped in two clusters. At baseline, 1402 (37%) patients were included in cluster 1 and 2341(63%) in cluster 2. On day 3, 1557(42%) patients were included in cluster 1 and 2086 (57%) in cluster 2. The patients included in cluster 2 were older and more frequently hypertensive and had a higher prevalence of shock, organ dysfunction, inflammatory biomarkers, and worst respiratory indexes at both time points. The 90-day mortality was higher in cluster 2 at both clustering processes (43.8% [n = 1025] versus 27.3% [n = 383] at baseline, and 49% [n = 1023] versus 20.6% [n = 321] on day 3). Four hundred and fifty-eight (33%) patients clustered in the first group were clustered in the second group on day 3. In contrast, 638 (27%) patients clustered in the second group were clustered in the first group on day 3.Conclusions During the first days, patients can be clustered into two groups and the process of clustering patients may change as they continue to evolve. This means that despite a vast majority of patients remaining in the same cluster, a minority reaching 33% of patients analyzed may be re-categorized into different clusters based on their progress. Such changes can significantly impact their prognosis