Interaction Effects on the Magneto-optical Response of Magnetoplasmonic Dimers

The effect that dipole-dipole interactions have on the magneto-optical (MO) properties of magnetoplasmonic dimers is theoretically studied. The specific plasmonic versus magnetoplasmonic nature of the dimer's metallic components and their specific location within the dimer plays a crucial role on the determination of these properties. We find that it is possible to generate an induced MO activity in a purely plasmonic component, even larger than that of the MO one, therefore dominating the overall MO spectral dependence of the system. Adequate stacking of these components may allow obtaining, for specific spectral regions, larger MO activities in systems with reduced amount of MO metal and therefore with lower optical losses. Theoretical results are contrasted and confirmed with experiments for selected structures

Spanish biofuels heating value estimation based on structural analysis

The importance of waste biomass as an energy source is likely to increase during the coming years as a result of European energy policy objectives, and because of the wide range of possibilities that it offers: it is a cheap fuel, widespread, and available in large quantities. In addition to crops and forestry operations, the Spanish fruit, olive and wine industries generate large amounts of currently undervalued solid wastes such as stones, branches, pulps or pomaces. The use of these by-products offers environmental benefits like removing waste and preventing fires at the same time as providing an energy yield. A proper energy valorization will require a complete physicochemical characterization. In this article, a structural and thermal characterization is developed from twenty samples from the olive and wine industries, as well as from forest and agro wastes. In addition, predictive equations are proposed to determine higher heating value (HHV) from chemical composition. For this purpose, the chemical extraction method (also called the ‘classic’ method) was used, and results were obtained in accordance with the data shown in the bibliography. Two predictive equations were developed: one based on lignin and hemicellulose content, and the other based on lignin quantity. Both present an absolute average error (AAE) of 0.87% and 1.13%, respectively.Beca predoctoral Severo Ochoa (BP13058) PSE-ARFRISOL (PS-120000-2005-1) MINECO (CTQ2013-45155-R

Limited genetic antagonism between premium cuts yield and intramuscular fat content in Iberian pigs

Ponencia publicada en ITEA, vol.104La producción de cerdo ibérico está orientada a la obtención de materia prima para la elaboración de productos curados de alta calidad, determinada entre otros factores por el contenido en grasa intramuscular. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo estimar las correlaciones genéticas entre el contenido de grasa intramuscular, medido mediante tecnología NIRS en M. longissimus, y los principales caracteres productivos: porcentaje de jamones, paletas y lomos del peso de la canal, y la ganancia media diaria durante el periodo de ‘Montanera’. Los registros analizados proceden de 6.103 cerdos castrados de 56 ganaderías y controlados desde 1993 al 2007 por AECERIBER. Los animales con un manejo extensivo común fueron sacrificados, en 79 lotes, a un peso medio de aproximadamente 160 kg. Las heredabilidades estimadas presentaron valores altos para todos los caracteres (0,37 a 0,48) indicando que la selección para todos los caracteres puede ser efectiva. Las correlaciones genéticas entre el porcentaje de las principales piezas nobles fueron altas y positivas (de 0,36 a 0,69) lo cual indica que dichos caracteres están en parte controlados por un mismo grupo de genes. Las correlaciones genéticas entre el contenido en grasa intramuscular y ganancia media diaria y el porcentaje de paletas no fueron significativamente diferentes de cero. Sin embargo, se estimaron efectos negativos significativos entre el contenido en grasa intramuscular y el porcentaje de jamones (-0.19 ± 0.04) y lomos (-0.23 ± 0.03). Estos valores indican que una intensa selección orientada a mejorar el porcentaje de piezas nobles de la canal, puede a medio plazo deteriorar la calidad de los productos curados en cerdos Ibéricos.The production of Iberian pigs is mainly focused to obtain raw meat to elaborate dry-cured products of high sensorial quality, mainly influenced by the intramuscular fat content. The objective of this work was to estimate the genetic correlations between intramuscular fat content in M. longissimus, measured using NIRS technology, and the main productive traits: percentages on carcass weight of hams, forelegs and loins, and the daily growth along the final fattening period. Records for this analysis came from 6,103 castrate males, born in 56 herds and controlled by AECERIBER from 1993 to 2007. All the animals were fattened with a common extensive management system and slaughtered, distributed in 79 batches, at approximately 160 kg. Heritability estimates presented high values for all the traits (ranging between 0.37 and 0.48) indicating that the selection for these traits could be effective. Genetic correlations between percentages of premium cuts were high and positive (from 0.36 to 0.69). This fact indicates that these traits are partially controlled by the same group of genes. Genetic correlations between intramuscular fat content and the daily growth and percentage of forelegs showed estimated values statistically non different from cero. However, significant negative values of genetic correlations were estimated between intramuscular fat content and the percentages of hams (-0.19 ± 0.04) and loins (-0.23 ± 0.03). These last values indicate that a strong selection in Iberian pigs focused to the improvement of the carcass percentage of premium cuts, could cause a deterioration of the meat suitability for dry-curing in a medium-time horizon

Estudio experimental de procesos de calentamiento y enfriamiento. Resultados e implicaciones didácticas

A detailed experimental study on different processes of heating and cooling allows to deduce that temperature variation, in these processes, in the course of time is not always the same, but it depends, to a great extent, on how the process is carried out. So to confuse the T-Q relations (always lineal) wirth T-t relations (dependent on the process) is a mistake that is necessary to avoid in our classes

Autologous and Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation for Treatment of Crohn’s Fistulae

Up to 20% of patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) may have perianal fistula disease. Classically, surgery has played an important role; in recent years, medical treatment has taken a leading role. Immunosuppressants and biological trea tments have proven beneficial in many patients, but still, the percentage of patients who do not respond remains significant. In this scenario, cell therapy is envisaged as an effective alternative to surgery. The promising preclinical and clinical data that we review below suggest that cell therapy could represent a major advance in the clinical management of this difficult problem

Effect of Aspirin on Cell Growth of Human MG-63 Osteosarcoma Line

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used in bone tissue repair treatment for their pharmacological action. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of aspirin, on osteoblast growth, using MG63 cell line as osteoblast model. MTT spectrophotometry results showed that 20, 100, and 1000 μM aspirin doses have an inhibitory effect on growth. Cell cycle analysis revealed that aspirin doses of 100 and 1000 μM arrest the cell cycle in phase GO/G1. Parallel apoptosis/necrosis studies showed no changes in comparison to control cells after treatment with 1 or 10 μM aspirin but a significantly increased percentage of cells in apoptosis at doses of 20, 100, and 1000 μM. We highlight that treatment of osteoblast-like cells with 1000 μM aspirin increased not only the percentage of cells in apoptosis but also the percentage of necrotic cells, which was not observed in aspirin treatments at lower doses