Catalytic Upgrading of Biomass-Gasification Mixtures Using Ni-Fe/MgAl2O4 as a Bifunctional Catalyst

Biomass gasification streams typically contain a mixture of CO, H2, CH4, and CO2 as the majority components and frequently require conditioning for downstream processes. Herein, we investigate the catalytic upgrading of surrogate biomass gasifiers through the generation of syngas. Seeking a bifunctional system capable of converting CO2 and CH4 to CO, a reverse water gas shift (RWGS) catalyst based on Fe/MgAl2O4 was decorated with an increasing content of Ni metal and evaluated for producing syngas using different feedstock compositions. This approach proved efficient for gas upgrading, and the incorporation of adequate Ni content increased the CO content by promoting the RWGS and dry reforming of methane (DRM) reactions. The larger CO productivity attained at high temperatures was intimately associated with the generation of FeNi3 alloys. Among the catalysts’ series, Ni-rich catalysts favored the CO productivity in the presence of CH4, but important carbon deposition processes were noticed. On the contrary, 2Ni-Fe/MgAl2O4 resulted in a competitive and cost-effective system delivering large amounts of CO with almost no coke deposits. Overall, the incorporation of a suitable realistic application for valorization of variable composition of biomass-gasification derived mixtures obtaining a syngas-rich stream thus opens new routes for biosyngas production and upgrading.Spanish Ministry of Universities and the European Union via the MZAMBRANO2021-19889 excellence grant and the European Commission through the H2020-MSCA-RISE-2020 BIOALL project (Grant Agreement: 101008058)Junta de Andalucia PAIDI 2020 through the project P20-0066

Assessing the benefits of nature-based solutions in the Barcelona metropolitan area based on citizen perceptions

Nature-based solutions (NBS) address societal challenges, such as risk vulnerability and climate resilience, and provide a potential for local adaptation. Other green conceptualizations besides NBS, such as green infrastructures (GI) and ecosystem services (ES), seem to be useful for indicating the potential of nature in urban climate resilience through the provision of a multifunctional landscape, simultaneous services and benefits and stakeholder participation. The extent to which user insight into usual experiences and practices can contribute to NBS management to improve locally adapted solutions could be further explored as part of the NBS concept. Here, we aim to provide empirical evidence about the usual experiences and practices of citizens with respect to NBS. Further, we will address how this insight contributes to NBS management. This study investigated user perceptions based on a public perception survey, to gain information that can be used for (among other things) locally adapted NBS management. To collect evidence, 114 surveys were conducted with users of the Besòs riverside park, an NBS in the Barcelona metropolitan area. The results show that the NBS users are the citizens living near the area who visit the area frequently, mainly for social, cultural, recreational benefits and for health-related purposes. These findings suggest that conducting surveys at the local level is beneficial for gathering evidence on user experiences, perceptions, and practices with respect to NBS, and that this insight could contribute both to NBS monitoring as well as to increasing user awareness and knowledge about an NBS. Stakeholder participation complements the aim of officially recognizing the Besòs area as a key GI for the water cycle in the upcoming Barcelona metropolitan master plan. User insight and NBS management could thus interact to promote a more localized, decentralized, and bottom-up management strategy.This work was partially funded by the NATWIP project - Nature-Based Solutions for Water Management in the Peri-Urban: Linking Ecological, Social and Economic Dimensions by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MCIU/AEI/FEDER) [PCI2019–103674, 2019] financed under the 2018 Joint call of the WaterWorks2017 ERA-NET Cofund of the European Union. We are grateful to the Consortium Besòs, especially to Begoña Bellette, for their support to be able to develop this research. We would like to thank the sustainability master students who assisted us during the survey campaigns.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Transposon insertion in the purL gene induces biofilm depletion in Escherichia coli ATCC 25922

Current Escherichia coli antibiofilm treatments comprise a combination of antibiotics commonly used against planktonic cells, leading to treatment failure. A better understanding of the genes involved in biofilm formation could facilitate the development of efficient and specific new antibiofilm treatments. A total of 2578 E. coli mutants were generated by transposon insertion, of which 536 were analysed in this study. After sequencing, Tn263 mutant, classified as low biofilm-former (LF) compared to the wild-type (wt) strain (ATCC 25922), showed an interruption in the purL gene, involved in the de novo purine biosynthesis pathway. To elucidate the role of purL in biofilm formation, a knockout was generated showing reduced production of curli fibres, leading to an impaired biofilm formation. These conditions were restored by complementation of the strain or addition of exogenous inosine. Proteomic and transcriptional analyses were performed to characterise the differences caused by purL alterations. Thirteen proteins were altered compared to wt. The corresponding genes were analysed by qRT-PCR not only in the Tn263 and wt, but also in clinical strains with different biofilm activity. Overall, this study suggests that purL is essential for biofilm formation in E. coli and can be considered as a potential antibiofilm target

O2-assisted Water Gas Shift reaction over structured Au and Pt catalysts

Platinum and gold structured catalysts were compared as active phases in classical and O2-assisted Water Gas Shift (WGS) reaction. Both metals were supported on iron-doped ceria mixed oxide and then, structured on metallic micromonolithic devices. As expected the WGS activity of both micromonoliths is conditioned by the nature of the noble metals being Pt the most active metal in traditional conditions. However, the addition of oxygen to the classical water gas feed turns the balance in favor of the gold based catalysts, being the presence of gold responsible for an excessive improvement of the catalytic activity.España Mineco ENE2012-374301-C03-01 ENE2013-47880-C3-2RJunta de Andalucia FEDER TEP-819

L’Eix Besòs: insights from nature-based solutions

La complejidad de los desafíos sociales promueve enfoques con múltiples beneficios, como las soluciones basadas en la naturaleza (SBN). Las SBN integran aspectos ambientales, sociales y económicos a través de su enfoque exhaustivo, lo cual dificulta su operativización. Las SBN promueven una relación más dinámica de la ciudad con la naturaleza, que hace del verde urbano un área de innovación, implicando un mayor esfuerzo en la gestión urbana. Este artículo expone el caso de L’Eix Besòs en el Área Metropolitana de Barcelona desde la mirada de las SBN, analizando la transformación del Parque Fluvial del Besòs cómo una respuesta basada en aspectos medioambientales, sociales y de gestión urbanística. En las últimas décadas la transformación de L’Eix Besòs a través del frente de agua, la recreación, el pasear y la contemplación han facilitado que este paisaje de polígonos urbano y peri-urbano se convierta en un ejemplo de renaturalización. Actualmente, el encuentro del Río Besòs con el frente litoral Mediterráneo, es un paisaje en transformación que evidencia los desafíos de la metrópoli contemporánea, donde el enfoque exhaustivo de las SBN podría ser una ventaja para una transición urbana sostenible, a partir de un dialogo transdisciplinar, soportado en unas capacidades (sociales y técnicas) construidas.The complexity of societal challenges promotes multi-benefit approaches such as nature-based solutions (NBS). NBS integrate environmental, social and economic aspects through their exhaustive approach, which makes their operationalization difficult. NBS promote a more dynamic relationship between the city and nature, which makes urban green an area of innovation, implying a greater effort in urban management. This article presents the case of l’Eix Besòs in the Barcelona Metropolitan Area from the NBS perspective, analyzing the Besòs River Park intervention as a response based on environmental, social and urban management aspects. In recent decades, the l’Eix Besòs transformation through the waterfront, recreation, walking and contemplation have made this landscape of urban and peri-urban polygons an example of re-naturalization. Currently, the meeting of the Besòs River with the Mediterranean coastline is a landscape in transformation that shows the challenges of the contemporary metropolis, where the NBS exhaustive approach could be an advantage for a sustainable urban transition, based on a transdisciplinary dialogue, supported by built capacities (social and technical).Este artículo se presenta a nombre del Proyecto Natwip - Nature-based solutions for water management in the peri-urban, financiado parcialmente por la subvención PCI2019-103674 (MCIU / AEI / FEDER) del Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades de España. Este articulo se ha desarrollado a partir de la comunicación presentada en el Congreso ISUF-2020 “El caso de l’Eix Besòs. Lecciones desde la incorporación de soluciones basadas en la naturaleza en entornos metropolitanos”.Peer Reviewe

La cultura como estrategia de regeneración urbana en Monterrey, México

La cultura se ha utilizado como estrategia de regeneración urbana por su permeabilidad hacia otras áreas del desarrollo. Desde hace más de 30 años, el centro de Monterrey ha experimentado deterioro, pérdida de población y abandono, con lo que la estrategia del sector público ha sido realizar proyectos de regeneración urbana con fuerte implicación cultural. A pesar de la magnitud y la inversión de los proyectos, no se han logrado los objetivos esperados. En cambio, a partir del año 2013 surgen proyectos desde iniciativas bottom-up que están transformando positivamente el lugar. Se analizan los proyectos de regeneración urbana implementados en el centro mediante entrevistas a actores clave. Entre los principales resultados, destacan las iniciativas bottom-up como procesos de regeneración cultural capaces de transformar el territorio y el tejido social. La falta de diálogo entre actores es uno de los principales obstáculos para producir transformaciones más contundentes en el contexto sociourbano.La cultura s'ha utilitzat com a estratègia de regeneració urbana per la seva permeabilitat cap a altres àrees del desenvolupament. Des de fa més de 30 anys, el centre de Monterrey ha experimentat deteriorament, pèrdua de població i abandonament, de manera que l'estratègia del sector públic ha estat realitzar projectes de regeneració urbana amb forta implicació cultural. Tot i la magnitud i la inversió dels projectes, no s'han aconseguit els objectius esperats. En canvi, a partir de l'any 2013 sorgeixen projectes des d'iniciatives bottom-up que estan transformant positivament el lloc. S'analitzen els projectes de regeneració urbana mitjançant entrevistes a actors clau. Entre els principals resultats, destaquen les iniciatives bottom-up com a processos de regeneració cultural capaços de transformar el territori i el teixit social. La falta de diàleg entre actors és un dels principals obstacles per produir transformacions més contundents en el context sociourbà.La culture a été utilisée comme stratégie de régénération urbaine en raison de sa perméabilité à d'autres domaines de développement. Pendant plus de 30 ans, le centre de Monterrey a connu une détérioration, une perte de population et un abandon, alors que le secteur public avait pour stratégie de mener à bien des projets de revitalisation urbaine à forte implication culturelle. Malgré l'ampleur et l'investissement des projets, ceux-ci n'ont pas atteint les objectifs escomptés. D'autre part, depuis 2013, les projets sont issus d'initiatives ascendantes qui transforment positivement le lieu. Les projets de régénération sont analysés à travers des entretiens avec des acteurs clés. Parmi les principaux résultats, citons les initiatives ascendantes en tant que processus de régénération culturelle capables de transformer le territoire et le tissu social. L'absence de dialogue entre les acteurs est l'un des principaux obstacles à une transformation plus forte du contexte socio-urbain.Culture has been used as an urban regeneration strategy due to its permeability to other areas of development. For more than 30 years, the center of Monterrey, Mexico, has experienced deterioration, population loss and abandonment, where the strategy of the public sector has been to carry out urban regeneration projects with strong cultural involvement. Despite the magnitude and investment of these projects, they have not achieved the expected objectives. Since 2013, however, projects have emerged from bottom-up initiatives that are positively transforming the place. Through interviews with key actors, this paper analyzes urban regeneration projects implemented in the center of Monterrey. Among the main results, cultural regeneration processes based on bottom-up initiatives are revealed to be capable of transforming the territory and the social fabric. However, the lack of dialogue between actors is one of the main obstacles to produce more forceful transformations in the socio-urban context

Antitumor Necrosis Factor Agents to Treat EndoscopicPostoperative Recurrence of Crohn’s Disease: A Nationwide Study With Propensity-Matched Score Analysis

INTRODUCTION:Patients with Crohn's disease experiencing endoscopic postoperative recurrence (POR) may benefit from antitumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents but scarce data on this are available. Our aim was to assess the efficacy of anti-TNF in improving mucosal lesions in patients with endoscopic POR.METHODS:Multicenter, retrospective, study of patients with Crohn's disease who underwent therapy with anti-TNF agents for endoscopic POR (Rutgeerts score > i1). Treatment outcomes were assessed by the findings in the last ileocolonoscopy performed after anti-TNF therapy was initiated. Endoscopic improvement and remission were defined as any reduction in the baseline Rutgeerts score and by a Rutgeerts score < i2, respectively.RESULTS:A total of 179 patients were included, 83 were treated with infliximab and 96 with adalimumab. Median time on anti-TNF therapy at the last endoscopic assessment was 31 months (interquartile range, 13-54). Endoscopic improvement was observed in 61%, including 42% who achieved endoscopic remission. Concomitant use of thiopurines and treatment with infliximab were associated with endoscopic improvement (odds ratio [OR] 2.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-4.46; P = 0.03, and OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.18-4.62; P < 0.01, respectively) and endoscopic remission (OR 3.16, 95% CI 1.65-6.05; P < 0.01, and OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.05-3.88; P = 0.04, respectively) in the multivariable logistic regression analysis. These results were confirmed in a propensity-matched score analysis.DISCUSSION:In patients with endoscopic POR, anti-TNF agents improve mucosal lesions in almost two-thirds of the patients. In this setting, concomitant use of thiopurines and use of infliximab seem to be more effective in improving mucosal lesions.Fiorella Canete received a research grant from the Societat Catalana de Digestologia

Risk Factors for COVID-19 in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A National, ENEIDA-Based Case–Control Study (COVID-19-EII)

(1) Scant information is available concerning the characteristics that may favour the acquisition of COVID-19 in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess these differences between infected and noninfected patients with IBD. (2) This nationwide case-control study evaluated patients with inflammatory bowel disease with COVID-19 (cases) and without COVID-19 (controls) during the period March-July 2020 included in the ENEIDA of GETECCU. (3) A total of 496 cases and 964 controls from 73 Spanish centres were included. No differences were found in the basal characteristics between cases and controls. Cases had higher comorbidity Charlson scores (24% vs. 19%; p = 0.02) and occupational risk (28% vs. 10.5%; p < 0.0001) more frequently than did controls. Lockdown was the only protective measure against COVID-19 (50% vs. 70%; p < 0.0001). No differences were found in the use of systemic steroids, immunosuppressants or biologics between cases and controls. Cases were more often treated with 5-aminosalicylates (42% vs. 34%; p = 0.003). Having a moderate Charlson score (OR: 2.7; 95%CI: 1.3-5.9), occupational risk (OR: 2.9; 95%CI: 1.8-4.4) and the use of 5-aminosalicylates (OR: 1.7; 95%CI: 1.2-2.5) were factors for COVID-19. The strict lockdown was the only protective factor (OR: 0.1; 95%CI: 0.09-0.2). (4) Comorbidities and occupational exposure are the most relevant factors for COVID-19 in patients with IBD. The risk of COVID-19 seems not to be increased by immunosuppressants or biologics, with a potential effect of 5-aminosalicylates, which should be investigated further and interpreted with caution

Catecholamine-induced heart injury in mice: differential effects of isoproterenol and phenylephrine

-The involvement of catecholamines in stress-induced heart injury is well documented. However, the contribution of adrenergic receptor types is less understood. Both the profile of plasma marker enzyme activities (lactate dehydrogenase-1 and aspartate transaminase) and the distribution and morphology of the lesions observed in tissue sections of adrenaline-injected mice resembled those of stressed (restraint and cold exposed) mice. Next, we compared the effect of isoproterenol (ß-adrenergic agonist) and phenylephrine (α1-adrenergic agonist) on both heart function and tissue injury. In Langendorff-perfused rat hearts, α1-adrenergic receptors made a minor contribution to the tonic effect of adrenaline, as indicated by the lack of effect on the heart rate and the delayed negative inotropic effect of phenylephrine. However, in whole mice, phenylephrine but not isoproterenol, induced an increase of both lactate dehydrogenase-1 and aspartate transaminase activities. Hearts of phenylephrine-injected mice showed necrotic lesions in subendocardial areas of the left ventricle. In addition a scattered focal leukocyte infiltration around single apoptotic-like myocytes was observed in the ventricle wall. Hearts of isoproterenol-injected mice showed a similar number of apoptotic-like myocytes, but a much lower number of necrotic areas, than phenylephrine-injected animals. Our results suggest that the cardiotonic effect of catecholamines involves mainly the ß-adrenergic receptors. However, the acute catecholamine-induced heart injury involves mainly α1-adrenergic receptor

The Axis Besòs case: lessons learned from the location of Nature-Based Solutions in metropolitan settings

La comunicación presentará los resultados preliminares del proyecto (Soluciones basadas en la naturaleza para la gestión del agua en el Periurbano) que desde una perspectiva sistémica y transdisciplinar trata de evaluar como la renaturalización de un territorio y la recuperación de sus servicios ecosistémicos comporta unos co-beneficios socioeconómicos, culturales, recreativos y un fortalecimiento de la adaptación al cambio climático frente a riesgos hídricos y marinos. Nuestro caso de estudio se enmarca en el Eix Besòs recorrido por el río, que se ha sido reconocido como un elemento estructurador de un territorio articulado a través de grandes infraestructuras en el Área Metropolitana de Barcelona. Sin embargo, en las ultimas décadas y a partir de su transformación como Parque Fluvial, el frente de agua, la recreación, el pasear y la contemplación han facilitado que este paisaje de polígonos industriales y vivienda se convierta en un ejemplo de transformación a través de la re-naturalización. En este sentido, el encuentro de este Río Besòs, cómo una infraestructura verde y azul, con el frente litoral Mediterráneo, es un paisaje en transformación que evidencia los desafíos de la metrópoli contemporánea para su desarrollo urbano sostenible y en el que se pueden reconocer algunas lecciones aprendidas de la incorporación de soluciones basadas en la naturaleza.The communication will present the preliminary results of the NATWIP project (Nature Based Solutions for Water Management in the Peri-urban) which, from a systemic and transdisciplinary perspective, tries to assess how the renaturation of a territory and the recovery of its ecosystem services entails socioeconomic co-benefits, cultural, recreational and a strengthening of adaptation to climate change against water and marine risks. Our case study is framed in the Axis Besòs tour of the river, which has been recognized as a structuring element of a territory articulated through large infrastructures in the Barcelona Metropolitan Area. However, in the last decades and since its transformation as a River Park, the water front, recreation, walking and contemplation have made this landscape of industrial estates and housing an example of transformation through the re-naturalization. In this sense, the meeting of this Besòs River, as a green and blue infrastructure, with the Mediterranean coastline, is a landscape in transformation that shows the challenges of the contemporary metropolis for its sustainable urban development and in which some lessons learned from incorporating nature-based solutions