Electrochemical sensors modified with combinations of sulfur containing phthalocyanines and capped gold nanoparticles: A study of the influence of the nature of the interaction between sensing materials

Producción CientíficaVoltametric sensors formed by the combination of a sulfur-substituted zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPcRS) and gold nanoparticles capped with tetraoctylammonium bromide (AuNPtOcBr) have been developed. The influence of the nature of the interaction between both components in the response towards catechol has been evaluated. Electrodes modified with a mixture of nanoparticles and phthalocyanine (AuNPtOcBr/ZnPcRS) show an increase in the intensity of the peak associated with the reduction of catechol. Electrodes modified with a covalent adduct-both component are linked through a thioether bond-(AuNPtOcBr-S-ZnPcR), show an increase in the intensity of the oxidation peak. Voltammograms registered at increasing scan rates show that charge transfer coefficients are different in both types of electrodes confirming that the kinetics of the electrochemical reaction is influenced by the nature of the interaction between both electrocatalytic materials. The limits of detection attained are 0.9 × 10−6 mol∙L−1 for the electrode modified with the mixture AuNPtOcBr/ZnPcRS and 1.3 × 10−7 mol∙L−1 for the electrode modified with the covalent adduct AuNPtOcBr-S-ZnPcR. These results indicate that the establishment of covalent bonds between nanoparticles and phthalocyanines can be a good strategy to obtain sensors with enhanced performance, improving the charge transfer rate and the detection limits of voltammetric sensors.Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad - Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (projects RTI2018-097990-B-I00 / CTQ2017-87102-R)Junta de Castilla y Leon - Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (project VA275P18

Promoting light hydrocarbons yield by catalytic hydrodechlorination of residual chloromethanes using palladium supported on zeolite catalysts

Gas catalytic hydrodechlorination (HDC) of trichloromethane (TCM) and dichloromethane (DCM) was analyzed using Pd (1 wt.%) on different zeolites as catalysts. The aim of this study was to know the surface properties of the catalysts and reaction conditions that promote the yield to light hydrocarbons in this reaction. Five different zeolite supports were used from three commercial zeolites (KL, L-type; NaY, Faujasite; H-MOR, Mordenite). KL and NaY were submitted to ionic exchange treatments in order to increase their acidity and analyze the effect of the acidity in the activity and selectivity of the HDC reaction. Exchanged zeolites (HL and HY) showed the highest Pd dispersion due to their higher surface acidity. The best TCM/DCM conversion and selectivity to light hydrocarbons was obtained using the two non-exchanged zeolite-catalysts, KL and NaY. Low surface acidity seems to be the key aspect to promote the formation of light hydrocarbons. The formation of these products is favored at high reaction temperatures and low H2: chloromethane ratios. KL showed the highest selectivity to olefins (60%), although with a lower dechlorination degree. Non-exchanged NaY catalyst showed high selectivity to paraffins (70% and 95% for the HDC of DCM and TCM, respectively)Authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from FEDER/Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades—Agencia Estatal de Investigación/ CTM2017-85498-R. C. Fernández Ruiz acknowledges MINECO for his research gran

Influence of Temperature during Pre-Fermentative Maceration and Alcoholic Fermentation on the Phenolic Composition of ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ Wines

This study presents the effects of different working temperatures on the transfer of compounds during the pre-fermentative and fermentative stages of the wine making process with 'Cabernet Sauvignon' grapes. Two different procedures have been evaluated. Firstly, the pre-fermentative maceration of the crushed grapes at two different temperatures (20 degrees C and 10 degrees C). Then, the alcoholic fermentation under two different sets of conditions, the fermentation at a constant temperature of 20 degrees C and the fermentation under a positive temperature gradient from 10 to 20 degrees C. According to the experimental results, the phenolic contents (total phenolics, total anthocyanins, and total tannins) were mainly conditioned by the fermentation temperature, however the pre-fermentative conditions also affected the content levels of these compounds. Furthermore, the use of a fermentation temperature gradient improved the organoleptic characteristics of the wines. However, the color was not as stable as that of wines produced through fermentation at a higher constant temperature. Consequently, the implementation of a temperature gradient during the alcoholic fermentation process is recommended and a longer period at high temperature over the last phase of the process would be desirable to obtain aromatic wines with the desirable color stability.This research was co-financed by the 2014-2020 ERDF Operational Programme and by the Department of Economy, Knowledge, Business and University of the Regional Government of Andalusia. Project reference: FEDER-UCA18-108366

Changes in the Aromatic Compounds Content in the Muscat Wines as a Result of the Application of Ultrasound during Pre-Fermentative Maceration

This research focuses on the aromatic composition of Muscat of Alexandria wines after the application of ultrasound for 40 or 80 min during a 4 h pre-fermentative maceration process. Two methods of ultrasound application were compared in this study: probe ultrasound and bath ultrasound, for periods of 10–20 min per hour. Increases of more than 200% were obtained for some of the compounds from the skins, such as two of its terpenes, citronellol and nerol. On the other hand, increases in alcohol and ester values were registered with the application of ultrasound for 40 min. However, a significant decrease in these compounds was recorded when the ultrasound process was extended. In fact, when ultrasound was applied for 80 min, content values were even lower than those registered for the wine produced without the application of ultrasound. At the sensory level, the effect resulting from probe and bath ultrasound application for different times were compared, where most of the judges successfully discriminated the wines resulting from the application of ultrasound bath. According to data, the wines resulting from the application of ultrasound bath for 80 min presented the most significant differences, which affected the aromas of white fruit, tropical fruit, stone fruit, flowers and citrus.This research was co-financed by the 2014-2020 ERDF Operational Programme and by the Department of Economy, Knowledge, Business and University of the Regional Government of Andalusia. Project reference: FEDER-UCA18-108366

Connect with the public: strategic design of user communities by convergent TV

RESUMEN: Los desafíos de la interacción humana pasan por la necesidad básica de conectar. La digitalización en televisión derivó en un entorno convergente que fortalece la "desmasificación de los medios de comunicación de masas". Los consumos cada vez más personalizados, selectivos, compartidos y comentados obligan a estrategias que permitan conectar directamente con cada usuario que, al mismo tiempo, busca su propia conexión con otros públicos y con el medio. En este artículo se parte del interés estratégico de las comunidades de usuarios en la TV convergente, especialmente entre el público millennial. Se concluye que apenas se han desarrollado aún sus potencialidades y se abre una vía de discusión para mejorar la conexión entre la programación transmedia y las audiencias.ABSTRACT: The challenges of human interaction go through the basic need to connect. TV digitization resulted in a converged environment that strengthens the "de-massification of the mass media". The increasingly personalized, targeted, shared and commented consumption require strategies to connect directly to each user, while seeking his own connection with other public and with the media. This article is part of the strategic interests of the user communities in the converging TV, especially among the millennial audience. We conclude that have barely yet developed its potential and opens an avenue of discussion to improve the connection between the transmedia programming and audiences

La reforma de la financiación autonómica de 2009

La reforma del sistema de finançament autonòmic del 2009 es va gestar, impulsada per les reformes estatutàries aprovades en els últims anys, singularment la de l’Estatut català, per donar resposta a les principals debilitats mostrades pel sistema anterior. Concretament, per respondre als problemes d’insuficiència financera, a les deficiències del sistema d’anivellament, de la insuficient descentralització tributària i a la feble coresponsabilitat fiscal. Després d’analitzar els antecedents de la reforma i el procés negociador, l’article fa una descripció del nou model i dels diferents elements que l’integren per identificar després tant els aspectes de la reforma que mereixen una valoració positiva com els problemes que aquesta no encerta a resoldre. Aquesta descripció està relacionada tant amb l’autonomia tributària i la coresponsabilitat fiscal de les comunitats com amb els mecanismes d’anivellament pressupostari; a més, s’hi assenyalen també les possibilitats de millora de l’articulació institucional i la governança del sistema.The reform of the autonomous financing system in 2009, motivated by the statutory reforms approved in recent years, particularly the reform of the Catalan Statute, was implemented as a response to the primary weaknesses presented by the previous system, specifically in relation to the problems of financial inadequacy, deficiencies in the capping system, the insufficient tax devolution and the weak fiscal co-responsibility. After analysing the background information of the reform and the negotiating process, the article describes the new model and the different elements integrating it, and then it identifies both the aspects of the reform that deserve a positive evaluation and the problems that it has not managed to solve, in terms of both the tax autonomy and the fiscal co-responsibility of the Communities, and the budget capping mechanisms, also indicating the possibilities of improvement in the institutional articulation and system governance.La reforma del sistema de financiación autonómica de 2009 se gestó, impulsada por las reformas estatutarias aprobadas en los últimos años, singularmente la del Estatuto catalán, para dar respuesta a las principales debilidades mostradas por el sistema anterior, concretamente, a los problemas de insuficiencia financiera, a las deficiencias del sistema de nivelación, a la insuficiente descentralización tributaria y a la débil corresponsabilidad fiscal. Tras analizar los antecedentes de la reforma y el proceso negociador, el artículo realiza una descripción del nuevo modelo y de los diferentes elementos que lo integran, para identificar después tanto los aspectos de la reforma que merecen una valoración positiva como los problemas que la misma no acierta a resolver, en relación tanto con la autonomía tributaria y la corresponsabilidad fiscal de las Comunidades, como con los mecanismos de nivelación presupuestaria, señalando también las posibilidades de mejora de la articulación institucional y la gobernanza del sistema

The adoption of corporate social responsibility active learning methodology with management accounting students

The aim of this paper is to integrate active methodology on corporate social responsibility (CSR) learning into management accounting studies. The linkages between sustainable management and management accounting demand those future managers integrate CSR into their training in an effective way, as they will become change agents for CSR. A representative sample of students at the University of Jaen has been selected in order to adopt CSR active learning, which allows us to draw conclusions about how they perceive CSR and its management. Qualitative methodology has been integrated in this project-based learning using flipped classroom. Our evidence full supports the validity of the CSR active learning methodology to create an effective learning context that involves professional and emotional competences, as the answers offered mainly included some relevant topics covered by CSR research and social and environmental accounting (SEA). This study contributes to previous literature assessing the potential of active methodologies in CSR learning. Also, it provides important insights for university and business school managers to design or modify curricula that are related to management accounting in line with sustainabilit

Functional Estimation of the Random Rate of a Cox Process

The intensity of a doubly stochastic Poisson process (DSPP) is also a stochastic process whose integral is the mean process of the DSPP. From a set of sample paths of the Cox process we propose a numerical method, preserving the monotone character of the mean, to estimate the intensity on the basis of the functional PCA. A validation of the estimation method is presented by means of a simulation as well as a comparison with an alternative estimation method.Projects MTM2007-63793 of Dirección General de Investigación, Ministerio de Ciencia, P06-FQM-01470 from Consejería de Innovación, Ciencia y Empresa de la Junta de Andalucía and MTM2007-66791 of Plan Nacional I+D, Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología jointly by the FEDER and grant FQM-307 of Conserjería de Innovación de la Junta de Andalucía, all of them in Spai

Solar Ultraviolet Irradiance Characterization under All Sky Conditions in Burgos, Spain

Solar Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR), which is identified as a major environmental health hazard, is responsible for a variety of photochemical reactions with direct effects on urban and aquatic ecosystems, human health, plant growth, and the deterioration of industrial systems. Ground measurements of total solar UVR are scarce, with low spatial and temporal coverage around the world, which is mainly due to measurement equipment maintenance costs and the complexities of equipment calibration routines; however, models designed to estimate ultraviolet rays from global radiation measurements are frequently used alternatives. In an experimental campaign in Burgos, Spain, between September 2020 and June 2022, average values of the ratio between horizontal global ultraviolet irradiance (GHUV) and global horizontal irradiance (GHI) were determined, based on measurements at ten-minute intervals. Sky cloudiness was the most influential factor in the ratio, more so than any daily, monthly, or seasonal pattern. Both the CIE standard sky classification and the clearness index were used to characterize the cloudiness conditions of homogeneous skies. Overcast sky types presented the highest values of the ratio, whereas the clear sky categories presented the lowest and most dispersed values, regardless of the criteria used for sky classification. The main conclusion, for practical purposes, was that the ratio between GHUV and GHI can be used to model GHUV.This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, grant numbers RTI2018-098900-B-I00 and TED2021-131563B-I00, and Junta de Castilla y León, grant numbers INVESTUN/19/BU/0004 and INVESTUN/22/BU/0001