Influence of chemical speciation on the separation of metal ions from chelating agents by nanofiltration membranes

The simultaneous separation of various metal ions (nickel, copper, calcium, and iron) from chelating agents (EDTA and citric acid) in water streams using Nanofiltration membranes is analyzed. Assuming that multiply-charged species are highly rejected, chemical speciation computations reproduce the observed patterns of metal and ligand rejection at different pH values and concentrations. The separation of metal ions from citric acid is achieved in acidic conditions, where multiply-charged free metal ions and neutral or singly charged free chelating species are abundant. Overall, speciation studies help to evaluate the applicability of Nanofiltration for recycling chelating agents used for metal extraction

Meat analogs from different protein sources: A comparison of their sustainability and nutritional content

© 2018 by the authors. Meat analogs are processed foods designed to mimic meat products. Their popularity is increasing among people seeking foods that are healthy and sustainable. Animal-sourced protein products differ in both their environmental impact and nutritional composition. The protein sources to produce meat analogs come from different plants. There is a lack of published research data assessing differences in these two aspects of meat analogs according to the plant protein source. This study compared the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of different types of meat analogs according to their main source of protein (wheat, soy, wheat and soy, or nuts), and their nutritional composition. We also compared totally plant-based products with those containing egg. We performed life cycle analyses of 56 meat analogs from ingredient production to the final commercial product. The nutrient profile of the meat analogs was analyzed based on ingredients. Descriptive statistics and differences between means were assessed through t-test and ANOVA. No differences in GHG emissions were observed among products with different major sources of protein. However, egg-containing products produced significantly higher amounts of GHG (p \u3c 0.05). The nutritional composition of all meat analogs was found to be quite similar. Altogether, total plant-based meat analogs should be the choice for the sake of the environment

Ensayos previos sobre la separación de aminas biogenas mediante nanofiltración en vinagres

Peer Reviewe

Improving the Conservation and Use of Traditional Germplasm through Breeding for Local Adaptation: The Case of the Castellfollit del Boix Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Landrace

[EN] The dramatic reduction in the diversity of crops in the last century is often attributed to the consolidation of scientific breeding, probably because the two processes have occurred at the same time. We carried out a breeding program to enhance the Castellfollit del Boix landrace of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in a low-input environment to determine the effects of breeding on a landrace at risk of disappearing. The program increased the number of accessions conserved ex situ and obtained more efficient genotypes that are less likely to be abandoned by farmer without altering the characteristics that consumers appreciate most. As a result, the availability of the product, its promotion, and its use have increased. We propose a Conservation Potential Index to measure the impact of changes in the crop¿s epiphenotype, and also apply it to a set of landraces from several crops. We argue that scientific breeding and information gathered in the context of genetic improvement programs can help to conserve biodiversity when they aim to adapt materials to different local environments, rather than having a negative impact on the biodiversity of crops. This approach contrasts with the genetic erosion that results from efforts to homogenize environments by increasing inputs, so that a few improved varieties adapted to these environments can be grown.This research was funded by Ajuntament de Castellfollit del Boix, Consell Comarcal del Bages and Diputacio de Barcelona.Casals-Missio, J.; Rivera, A.; Rull-Ferré, A.; Romero Del Castillo-Shelly, R.; Sabaté, J.; Sans, S.; Soler Aleixandre, S.... (2019). Improving the Conservation and Use of Traditional Germplasm through Breeding for Local Adaptation: The Case of the Castellfollit del Boix Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Landrace. Agronomy. 9(12):1-17. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9120889S117912Louwaars, N. P. (2018). Plant breeding and diversity: A troubled relationship? Euphytica, 214(7). doi:10.1007/s10681-018-2192-5Gollin, D., Morris, M., & Byerlee, D. (2005). Technology Adoption in Intensive Post‐Green Revolution Systems. American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 87(5), 1310-1316. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8276.2005.00824.xCasañas, F., Simó, J., Casals, J., & Prohens, J. (2017). Toward an Evolved Concept of Landrace. Frontiers in Plant Science, 08. doi:10.3389/fpls.2017.00145Sánchez, E., Sifres, A., Casañas, F., & Nuez, F. (2007). Common bean (Phaseolus vulgarisL.) landraces in Catalonia, a Mesoamerican germplasm hotspot to be preserved. The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology, 82(4), 529-534. doi:10.1080/14620316.2007.11512269Díez, M. J., De la Rosa, L., Martín, I., Guasch, L., Cartea, M. E., Mallor, C., … Casañas, F. (2018). Plant Genebanks: Present Situation and Proposals for Their Improvement. the Case of the Spanish Network. Frontiers in Plant Science, 9. doi:10.3389/fpls.2018.01794ROMERO DEL CASTILLO, R., COSTELL, E., PLANS, M., SIMÓ, J., & CASAÑAS, F. (2012). A STANDARDIZED METHOD OF PREPARING COMMON BEANS (PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L.) FOR SENSORY ANALYSIS. Journal of Sensory Studies, 27(3), 188-195. doi:10.1111/j.1745-459x.2012.00381.xROMERO DEL CASTILLO, R., VALERO, J., CASAÑAS, F., & COSTELL, E. (2008). TRAINING, VALIDATION AND MAINTENANCE OF A PANEL TO EVALUATE THE TEXTURE OF DRY BEANS (PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L.). Journal of Sensory Studies, 23(3), 303-319. doi:10.1111/j.1745-459x.2008.00157.xDawson, J. C., Murphy, K. M., & Jones, S. S. (2007). Decentralized selection and participatory approaches in plant breeding for low-input systems. Euphytica, 160(2), 143-154. doi:10.1007/s10681-007-9533-0Almirall, A., Bosch, L., Romero del Castillo, R., Rivera, A., & Casañas, F. (2010). ‘Croscat’ Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), a Prototypical Cultivar within the ‘Tavella Brisa’ Type. HortScience, 45(3), 432-433. doi:10.21273/hortsci.45.3.432Plans, M., Simó, J., Casañas, F., & Sabaté, J. (2012). Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Analysis of Seed Coats of Common Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.): A Potential Tool for Breeding and Quality Evaluation. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 60(3), 706-712. doi:10.1021/jf204110kPlans, M., Simó, J., Casañas, F., del Castillo, R. R., Rodriguez-Saona, L. E., & Sabaté, J. (2014). Estimating sensory properties of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) by near infrared spectroscopy. Food Research International, 56, 55-62. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2013.12.003COYNE, D. P. (1967). Photoperiodism: Inheritance and Linkage Studies in Phaseolus vulgaris. Journal of Heredity, 58(6), 313-314. doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.jhered.a107628Koinange, E. M. K., Singh, S. P., & Gepts, P. (1996). Genetic Control of the Domestication Syndrome in Common Bean. Crop Science, 36(4), 1037-1045. doi:10.2135/cropsci1996.0011183x003600040037xManual de bones pràctiques. Mongeta de Castellfollit del Boixhttp://fundaciomiquelagusti.com/es/2017/03/04/projecte-de-recuperacio-i-millora-genetica-de-la-mongeta-de-castellfollit-del-boix/Sans, S., Casals, J., & Simó, J. (2018). Improving the Commercial Value of the ‘Calçot’ (Allium cepa L.) Landrace: Influence of Genetic and Environmental Factors in Chemical Composition and Sensory Attributes. Frontiers in Plant Science, 9. doi:10.3389/fpls.2018.01465Casañas, F., Pujolà, M., del Castillo, R. R., Almirall, A., Sánchez, E., & Nuez, F. (2006). Variability in some texture characteristics and chemical composition of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 86(14), 2445-2449. doi:10.1002/jsfa.2638De la Iglesia, B., Potter, J. F., Poulter, N. R., Robins, M. M., & Skinner, J. (2010). Performance of the ASSIGN cardiovascular disease risk score on a UK cohort of patients from general practice. Heart, 97(6), 491-499. doi:10.1136/hrt.2010.203364Ross, T., & Sumner, J. (2002). A simple, spreadsheet-based, food safety risk assessment tool. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 77(1-2), 39-53. doi:10.1016/s0168-1605(02)00061-2BITOCCHI, E., NANNI, L., ROSSI, M., RAU, D., BELLUCCI, E., GIARDINI, A., … PAPA, R. (2009). Introgression from modern hybrid varieties into landrace populations of maize (Zea maysssp.maysL.) in central Italy. Molecular Ecology, 18(4), 603-621. doi:10.1111/j.1365-294x.2008.04064.xVan Heerwaarden, J., Doebley, J., Briggs, W. H., Glaubitz, J. C., Goodman, M. M., de Jesus Sanchez Gonzalez, J., & Ross-Ibarra, J. (2010). Genetic signals of origin, spread, and introgression in a large sample of maize landraces. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(3), 1088-1092. doi:10.1073/pnas.1013011108Prada, D. (2009). Molecular population genetics and agronomic alleles in seed banks: searching for a needle in a haystack? Journal of Experimental Botany, 60(9), 2541-2552. doi:10.1093/jxb/erp130Nei, M. (1973). Analysis of Gene Diversity in Subdivided Populations. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 70(12), 3321-3323. doi:10.1073/pnas.70.12.3321Witcombe, J. R., Joshi, A., Joshi, K. D., & Sthapit, B. R. (1996). Farmer Participatory Crop Improvement. I. Varietal Selection and Breeding Methods and Their Impact on Biodiversity. Experimental Agriculture, 32(4), 445-460. doi:10.1017/s001447970000380xPimentel, D., Culliney, T. W., Buttler, I. W., Reinemann, D. J., & Beckman, K. B. (1989). Low-input sustainable agriculture using ecological management practices. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 27(1-4), 3-24. doi:10.1016/0167-8809(89)90068-6Lammerts van Bueren, E. T., Østergård, H., Goldringer, I., & Scholten, O. (2008). Plant breeding for organic and sustainable, low-input agriculture: dealing with genotype–environment interactions. Euphytica, 163(3), 321-322. doi:10.1007/s10681-008-9731-

Preserved endothelium-dependent vasodilation in coronary segments previously treated with balloon angioplasty and intracoronary irradiation

BACKGROUND: Abnormal endothelium-dependent coronary vasomotion has been reported after balloon angioplasty (BA), as well as after intracoronary radiation. However, the long-term effect on coronary vasomotion is not known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term vasomotion of coronary segments treated with BA and brachytherapy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with single de novo lesions treated either with BA followed by intracoronary beta-irradiation (according to the Beta Energy Restenosis Trial-1.5) or with BA alone were eligible. Of these groups, those patients in stable condition who returned for 6-month angiographic follow-up formed the study population (n=19, irradiated group and n=11, control group). Endothelium-dependent coronary vasomotion was assessed by selective infusion of serial doses of acetylcholine (ACh) proximally to the treated area. Mean luminal diameter was calculated by quantitative coronary angiography both in the treated area and in distal segments. Endothelial dysfunction was defined as a vasoconstriction after the maximal dose of ACh (10(-6) mol/L). Seventeen irradiated segments (89.5%) demonstrated normal endothelial function. In contrast, 10 distal nonirradiated segments (53%) and 5 control segments (45%) demonstrated endothelium-dependent vasoconstriction (-19+/-17% and -9.0+/-5%, respectively). Mean percentage of change in mean luminal diameter after ACh was significantly higher in irradiated segments (P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Endothelium-dependent vasomotion of coronary segments treated with BA followed by beta-radiation is restored in the majority of stabl

Validation of self-reported anthropometrics in the Adventist Health Study 2

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Relying on self-reported anthropometric data is often the only feasible way of studying large populations. In this context, there are no studies assessing the validity of anthropometrics in a mostly vegetarian population. The objective of this study was to evaluate the validity of self-reported anthropometrics in the Adventist Health Study 2 (AHS-2).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We selected a representative sample of 911 participants of AHS-2, a cohort of over 96,000 adult Adventists in the USA and Canada. Then we compared their measured weight and height with those self-reported at baseline. We calculated the validity of the anthropometrics as continuous variables, and as categorical variables for the definition of obesity.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>On average, participants underestimated their weight by 0.20 kg, and overestimated their height by 1.57 cm resulting in underestimation of body mass index (BMI) by 0.61 kg/m². The agreement between self-reported and measured BMI (as a continuous variable), as estimated by intraclass correlation coefficient, was 0.97. The sensitivity of self-reported BMI to detect obesity was 0.81, the specificity 0.97, the predictive positive value 0.93, the predictive negative value 0.92, and the Kappa index 0.81. The percentage of absolute agreement for each category of BMI (normoweight, overweight, and obese) was 83.4%. After multivariate analyses, predictors of differences between self-reported and measured BMI were obesity, soy consumption and the type of dietary pattern.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Self-reported anthropometric data showed high validity in a representative subsample of the AHS-2 being valid enough to be used in epidemiological studies, although it can lead to some underestimation of obesity.</p

The pilot project of the mineral collections from the University of Barcelona: An opportunity to create updated teaching material to be shared with other universities

The Mineralogy teaching collection from the University of Barcelona has proved to be a successful tool for students. The urge of its renewal to meet the necessities of modernCindustry brought the idea to replicate this collection in order to offer high quality teaching material to other universities worldwide. This project has led to an international collaboration aiming to enhance international solidarity among universities and make evident the importance of Mineralogy in Geology studies

Paracetamol in therapeutic dosages and acute liver injury: causality assessment in a prospective case series

Background: Acute liver injury (ALI) induced by paracetamol overdose is a well known cause of emergency hospital admission and death. However, there is debate regarding the risk of ALI after therapeutic dosages of the drug. The aim is to describe the characteristics of patients admitted to hospital with jaundice who had previous exposure to therapeutic doses of paracetamol. An assessment of the causality role of paracetamol was performed in each case. Methods: Based on the evaluation of prospectively gathered cases of ALI with detailed clinical information, thirty-two cases of ALI in non-alcoholic patients exposed to therapeutic doses of paracetamol were identified. Two authors assessed all drug exposures by using the CIOMS/RUCAM scale. Each case was classified into one of five categories based on the causality score for paracetamol. Results: In four cases the role of paracetamol was judged to be unrelated, in two unlikely, and these were excluded from evaluation. In seven of the remaining 26 cases, the RUCAM score associated with paracetamol was higher than that associated with other concomitant medications. The estimated incidence of ALI related to the use of paracetamol in therapeutic dosages was 0.4 per million inhabitants older than 15 years of age and per year (99%CI, 0.2-0.8) and of 10 per million paracetamol users-year (95% CI 4.3-19.4). Conclusions:Our results indicate that paracetamol in therapeutic dosages may be considered in the causality assessment in non-alcoholic patients with liver injury, even if the estimated incidence of ALI related to paracetamol appears to be low

Balanç de competències professionals. : Grau d'Infantil

Aquest document ha estat elaborat per un grup de treball coordinat per Màrius Martínez Muñoz i Edelmira Badillo JiménezLa formació universitària en el Grau d'Educació Infantil és una oportunitat per conèixer i contrastar coneixements teòrics i pràctics per poder ser i fer de mestre. Aquesta formació ha de poder oferir-vos, com a estudiants, unes bases teòriques i estratègies capaces de donar resposta a una societat en canvi continu. A més, el perfil dels mestres en educació infantil requereix haver desenvolupat tot un seguit de competències claus de caràcter personal i relacional que es van desenvolupant durant el grau però que sovint són difícils d'avaluar en la seva totalitat en el marc de les assignatures cursades. Aquestes competències professionals són difícils d'entendre si no és en el context de les pràctiques; per això és important que, des de la coordinació, es planifiqui i s'acompanyi l'alumnat en el procés d'orientació professional durant tot el grau. Aquest document que us presentem pretén ser una eina útil per prendre consciència, de manera autònoma però acompanyada, d'aquestes necessitats professionals que requereix l'educació infantil. Hi trobareu la planificació de l'orientació professional que us oferirem durant el grau i també un qüestionari que us permetrà prendre consciència i saber quin és el vostre punt de partida. El qüestionari us pot ser útil per avaluar i conèixer les pròpies competències i el seu desenvolupament durant el grau. En definitiva, us permetrà aturar-vos i pensar, identificar, revisar i planificar millores o reptes de futur en el vostre procés de formació amb la voluntat de millorar a partir d' objectius assolibles a curt i a llarg termini

Balanç de competències interpersonals i acadèmiques. : Grau d'Infantil

Aquest document ha estat elaborat per un grup de treball coordinat per Màrius Martínez Muñoz i Edelmira Badillo Jiménez.La formació universitària en el Grau d'Educació Infantil és una oportunitat per conèixer i contrastar coneixements teòrics i pràctics per poder ser i fer de mestre. Aquesta formació ha de poder oferir-vos, com a estudiants, unes bases teòriques i estratègies capaces de donar resposta a una societat en canvi continu. A més, el perfil dels mestres en educació infantil requereix haver desenvolupat tot un seguit de competències claus de caràcter personal i relacional que es van desenvolupant durant el grau però que sovint són difícils d'avaluar en la seva totalitat en el marc de les assignatures cursades. Aquestes competències professionals són difícils d'entendre si no és en el context de les pràctiques; per això és important que, des de la coordinació, es planifiqui i s'acompanyi l'alumnat en el procés d'orientació professional durant tot el grau. Aquest document que us presentem pretén ser una eina útil per prendre consciència, de manera autònoma però acompanyada, d'aquestes necessitats professionals que requereix l'educació infantil. Hi trobareu la planificació de l'orientació professional que us oferirem durant el grau i també un qüestionari que us permetrà prendre consciència i saber quin és el vostre punt de partida. El qüestionari us pot ser útil per avaluar i conèixer les pròpies competències i el seu desenvolupament durant el grau. En definitiva, us permetrà aturar-vos i pensar, identificar, revisar i planificar millores o reptes de futur en el vostre procés de formació amb la voluntat de millorar a partir d' objectius assolibles a curt i a llarg termini