Biobased Vanillin Production by Oxidative Depolymerization of Kraft Lignin on a Nitrogen- and Phosphorus-Functionalized Activated Carbon Catalyst

The sustainable production of vanillin from the oxidative depolymerization of lignin was evaluated. Vanillin was produced from Kraft lignin using heterogeneous catalysts based on activated carbons prepared by chemical activation of sodium lignosulfonate with H3PO4. The novel redox catalytic system, obtained by HNO3 treatment, allows the heterogenization of nitrobenzene structures on the activated carbon, reaching vanillin yield 30% higher than that obtained without a heterogeneous catalyst (about 3.1 wt %). A copper catalyst (5 wt %) was also prepared for comparison purposes. The highest vanillin yield was obtained at 200 °C and 10 bar for the nitrobenzene-like catalyst, reaching full extraction from the selected technical lignin. The catalyst was successfully reused without any regeneration treatment, evidencing no signs of deactivation. The possibility of transferring oxygen from oxidized P groups to reduced N groups in a redox cycle seems to be responsible for this sustained catalytic activity. To promote zero waste production, the obtained residual lignin was also used to prepare an activated carbon with outstanding properties, ABET ∼ 1000 m2/g.The authors wish to thank MICINN (RTI2018-097555-B- 100) and Junta de Andalucía (UMA18-FEDERJA-110 and P18-RT-4592) for financial support. Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga/CBUA. M.G.-R. acknowledges the assistance of MICINN through an FPU Grant (FPU 18/ 01402

A hybrid method to face class overlap and class imbalance on neural networks and multi-class scenarios

Class imbalance and class overlap are two of the major problems in data mining and machine learning. Several studies have shown that these data complexities may affect the performance or behavior of artificial neural networks. Strategies proposed to face with both challenges have been separately applied. In this paper, we introduce a hybrid method for handling both class imbalance and class overlap simultaneously in multi-class learning problems. Experimental results on five remote sensing data show that the combined approach is a promising method

A New Under-Sampling Method to Face Class Overlap and Imbalance

Class overlap and class imbalance are two data complexities that challenge the design of effective classifiers in Pattern Recognition and Data Mining as they may cause a significant loss in performance. Several solutions have been proposed to face both data difficulties, but most of these approaches tackle each problem separately. In this paper, we propose a two-stage under-sampling technique that combines the DBSCAN clustering algorithm to remove noisy samples and clean the decision boundary with a minimum spanning tree algorithm to face the class imbalance, thus handling class overlap and imbalance simultaneously with the aim of improving the performance of classifiers. An extensive experimental study shows a significantly better behavior of the new algorithm as compared to 12 state-of-the-art under-sampling methods using three standard classification models (nearest neighbor rule, J48 decision tree, and support vector machine with a linear kernel) on both real-life and synthetic databases

Removal of paracetamol on biomass-derived activated carbon: Modeling the fixed bed breakthrough curves using batch adsorption experiments

The remediation of paracetamol (PA), an emerging contaminant frequently found in wastewater treatment plants, has been studied in the low concentration range (0.3–10 mg L−1) using as adsorbent a biomass-derived activated carbon. PA uptake of up to 100 mg g−1 over the activated carbon has been obtained, with the adsorption isotherms being fairly explained by the Langmuir model. The application of Reichemberg and the Vermeulen equations to the batch kinetics experiments allowed estimating homogeneous and heterogeneous diffusion coefficients, reflecting the dependence of diffusion with the surface coverage of PA. A series of rapid small-scale column tests were carried out to determine the breakthrough curves under different operational conditions (temperature, PA concentration, flow rate, bed length). The suitability of the proposed adsorbent for the remediation of PA in fixed-bed adsorption was proven by the high PA adsorption capacity along with the fast adsorption and the reduced height of the mass transfer zone of the columns. We have demonstrated that, thanks to the use of the heterogeneous diffusion coefficient, the proposed mathematical approach for the numerical solution to the mass balance of the column provides a reliable description of the breakthrough profiles and the design parameters, being much more accurate than models based in the classical linear driving force.We gratefully thank Junta de Andalucía (P09-FQM-5156) and Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO – Spain) (Project CTQ2012-36408) and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER – Spain) for financial support

Landscape variables influence over active restoration strategies of Nothofagus forests degraded by invasive Castor canadensis in Tierra del Fuego

North American beavers (Castor canadensis) are responsible for the major changes in the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago, altering riparian forests for the long-term. Passive restoration of the areas affected was ineffective in the medium-term (up to 20 years), being necessary active strategies. Plantations in abandoned ponds were made with Nothofagus pumilio and N. antarctica tree species across Tierra del Fuego island (Argentina). In the first experiment, we analysed the influence of biotic and abiotic factors in three micro-habitats in the impacted areas: front and tail of ponds, and cut not-flooded forest areas. Five-years-old N. pumilio seedlings had 39% survival in front, 21% in tails, and 46% in cut areas at year-3 of the restoration experiments, being negatively influenced by plant cover and soil moisture. Lower growth was recorded during year-1 (0.7–0.9 cm yr−1), but increased on time (1.9 cm yr−1 front, 1.6 cm yr−1 tail, 4.3 cm yr−1 cut areas). A second experiment explores the alternative to substitute the tree species to face the harder conditions of the impact and climate change. For this, we conducted a new plantation at four locations across the main bioclimatic zones, where 10–40 cm N. antarctica plants attained 17% survival in meadows (front and tail) and 30% in cut areas, being higher with larger than smaller plants (25% vs. 18%), and where they are mainly influenced by rainfall (4% in sites 400 mm yr−1). The main damage was detected in the above-ground biomass due to dryness, but root survival allowed the emergence of new shoots in the following growing season. It is necessary to monitor different Nothofagus species across natural environments in the landscape to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of different strategies in restoration plans, considering the selection of climate-resilient tree species.EEA Santa CruzFil: Martínez Pastur, Guillermo José. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC); Argentina.Fil: Cellini, Juan Manuel. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Maderas; Argentina.Fil: Lencinas, María Vanessa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC); Argentina.Fil: Rosas, Yamina Micaela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC); Argentina.Fil: Henn, Jonathan J. University of Gothenburg. Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences; SueciaFil: Peri, Pablo Luis. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz; Argentina.Fil: Peri, Pablo Luis. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral; Argentina.Fil: Peri, Pablo Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

One-year, efficacy and safety open label study, with a single injection of a new hyaluronan for knee OA: the SOYA trial

[Abstract] Purpose. To assess the efficacy and safety of a single injection of a new formulation of hyaluronic acid (MPS-HA2%) in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis after 12 months’ follow-up. Patients and Methods. Prospective, single-arm, multicentre, open-label, 12-month follow-up study. Patients with Kellgren–Lawrence (KL) 2–3 and visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores of ≥40–< 80 mm received a single injection of MPS-HA2%. The primary outcome was the reduction in VAS pain scores from baseline, and the secondary outcomes were the Western Ontario and McMaster (WOMAC) Universities Osteoarthritis Index, the minimum clinically important improvement (MCII), and patient and investigator global assessments (PGA, IGA) measured on 5-point Likert scale. Adverse events were recorded throughout the study for safety purposes. Results. A total of 101 patients (mean age: 68 years; 74% female; and 78% overweight) were included. The mean reduction in pain at 12 months was 37.7%; the total WOMAC score improved by 36.5% and the pain, stiffness and physical function subscores returned improvements of 32.1%, 34.1% and 32.7%, respectively (p=0.0001 with respect to baseline). At 12 months, a statistically significant 62.2% of patients obtained an improvement equal to or greater than the MCII. The mean PGA score at baseline was 2.44 and 1.46 at 12 months (p<0.05), and the mean IGA scores at equivalent timepoints were 2.29 and 1.48 (p<0.05). Fourteen patients received a second injection at the 6-month follow-up visit. Eight patients reported a total of 12 treatment-related adverse events that were local, non-serious and of mild-to-moderate intensity. Conclusion. With just a single intra-articular injection, this not controlled trial suggests that MPS-HA2% is effective 12 months after the procedure in most cases. Patient tolerability and safety were both optimal (NCT03852914)

Haplotype profile comparisons cetween Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) populations from Mexico with those from Puerto Rico, South America, and the United States and their implications to migratory behavior

Fall armyworm [Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith)] is a major economic pest throughout the Western Hemisphere of maize, cotton, sorghum, and a variety of agricultural grasses and vegetable crops. Previous studies demonstrated extensive annual migrations occurring as far north as Canada from overwintering locations in southern Florida and Texas. In contrast, migratory behavior in the rest of the hemisphere is largely uncharacterized. Understanding the migration patterns of fall armyworm will facilitate efforts to predict the spread of pesticide resistance traits that repeatedly arise in this species and assess the consequences of changing climatic trends on the infestation range. Four independent fall armyworm colonies derived from widely separated populations in Mexico and two field collections were examined for their mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene haplotypes and compared with other locations. The Mexico populations were most similar in their haplotype profile to those from Texas and South America, but also displayed some distinctive features. The data extend the haplotype distribution map in the Western Hemisphere and confirm that the previously observed regional differences in haplotype frequencies are stable over time. The Mexico collections were associated with haplotypes rarely found elsewhere, suggesting limited migratory interactions with foreign populations, including those in neighboring Texas.Fil: Nagoshi, Rodney N.. United States Department Of Agriculture. Agricultural Research Service; ArgentinaFil: Rosas Garcia, Ninfa M.. Instituto Politécnico Nacional; MéxicoFil: Meagher, Robert L.. United States Department Of Agriculture. Agricultural Research Service; ArgentinaFil: Fleischer, Shelby J.. State University Of Pennsylvania; Estados UnidosFil: Westbrook, John K.. United States Department Of Agriculture. Agricultural Research Service; ArgentinaFil: Sappington, Thomas W.. United States Department Of Agriculture. Agricultural Research Service; ArgentinaFil: Hay Roe, Mirian. United States Department Of Agriculture. Agricultural Research Service; ArgentinaFil: Thomas, Jean M. G.. United States Department Of Agriculture. Agricultural Research Service; ArgentinaFil: Murúa, María Gabriela. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

First presence of Macaca sylvanus at the late Early Pleistocene of Barranc de la Boella (La Mina locality, Francolí Basin, NE Iberia)

This research has been funded by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, PID2021-122356NB-I00. D.F. is supported by the Ayuda del Programa de Formación de Profesorado Universitario (FPU20/03389) and is a Ph.D. student at the Programa de Doctorado en Biología at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. A.E. is supported by H2020-MSCA-IF project No. 891529 (3DFOSSILDIET). A.P. is supported by the LATEUROPE project (Grant agreement ID 101052653) that has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s HORIZON1.1 research program. The Barranc de la Boella fieldwork is supported by the Ajuntament de la Canonja and Departament de Cultura of Generalitat de Catalunya (ARQ001SOL-186-2022). The Institut Català de Paleoecologia Humana i Evolució Social (IPHESCERCA) has received financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through the ‘María de Maeztu’ program for Units of Excellence (CEX2019-000945-M).This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 89152

Identification of Latent Topics in Patients Surviving COVID-19 in Mexico

With the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 o COVID-19 pandemic, multiple studies of risk factors and their influence on patient deaths have been developed. However, little attention is often paid to analyzing patients in risk groups despite the fact that they have been infected and inpatients can survive. In this article, with the dataset available from the Ministery of the health of Mexico, this paper proposes the use of the latent topic extraction algorithm Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) for the study of COVID-19 survival factors in Mexico. The results let us conclude that in the year before strategies for prevention and control of COVID-19, the latent topics support that patients without comorbidities have a low risk of death, compared with the period of 2021, wherein in spite of having some risk factors patients can survive

Producción de aromáticos por despolimerización reductiva de lignina sobre catalizadores carbonosos producidos a partir de lignosulfonato sódico.

El incremento de la producción de lignina en la industria de la producción de pasta de celulosa y en las biorefinerías lignocelulósicas, junto con la creciente demanda de procesos con cero producción de residuos en el marco de la bioeconomía circular, hace necesario desarrollar nuevas metodologías para la valorización de la lignina. Este trabajo propone su doble valorización mediante su conversión en catalizadores basados en carbono y la aplicación de éstos en su despolimerización reductiva para la producción de monómeros aromáticos de alto valor añadido. Los carbones activados empleados como soporte catalítico fueron preparados por activación química de un lignosulfonato de sodio con H3PO4 en relación 3/1 (masa agente activante/precursor carbonoso) y activados a 500 °C. El carbón activado fue impregnado con distintas cantidades de sales precursoras de níquel, molibdeno y cobalto y sometido a tratamiento térmico a 800 °C, produciendo un catalizador de níquel y dos catalizadores bimetálicos de Ni-Mo, y Co-Mo. La despolimerización reductiva de lignina organosolv se llevó a cabo empleando estos catalizadores en un reactor discontinuo agitado a 350 °C y 100 bar de presión inicial de H2 durante 4 horas. En todas las reacciones se obtuvo una fase gaseosa, una líquida orgánica, una líquida acuosa y una sólida, las cuales fueron caracterizadas a través de diferentes técnicas. El catalizador carbonoso con Ni y Mo fue el más activo, despolimerizando en gran medida la lignina, y mostrando una moderada actividad en la hidrodesoxigenación de los correspondientes monoméros aromáticos en condiciones suaves. La fase líquida orgánica obtenida presentó un alto rendimiento hacia los monoméros y elevada selectividad hacia aromáticos oxigenados de alto valor económico, como los alquilfenoles. Además, en las pruebas de reacción utilizando como materia prima otra lignina de alto contenido de azufre, el catalizador mantuvo su actividad.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech