Preparation of micro-nanocapsules based on bioplastics from industrial waste

Aquest projecte es centra en el principi de l'economia circular d'obtenir productes a partir de residus, en aquest cas, utilitzant microorganismes capaços de produir polímers amb propietats similars als tradicionals. El polímer seleccionat per a aquest projecte és el Poli(3-Hidroxibutirat-co-3-Hidroxivalerat), obtingut a partir de substrats de baix valor i recursos renovables. L'objectiu del projecte és sintetitzar un pegat transdèrmic utilitzant l’electrospinning. Aquest mètode genera nano i microfibres a partir d'una dissolució amb polímer per crear una matriu, on s’hi afegeixen dos fàrmacs, l’escopolamina i la clonidina. El pegat té com a objectiu ser utilitzat com un sistema d’alliberació de fàrmacs pel tractament de la hipertensió i el mareig. Es buscaran les condicions òptimes d'operació de l’electrospinning per aquest cas. Un cop obtingut el pegat, s'avaluarà el seu correcte funcionament, demostrant la distribució uniforme del fàrmac i estudiant la seva alliberació tant en un medi salí com en pell de porc. Els resultats obtinguts són satisfactoris. S'han pogut optimitzar les condicions d'operació de l'electrospinning utilitzant 5 mL/hi 15kV per a les matrius sense fàrmacs i 2.5ml/h a15 kV i 17kV per a l'escopolamina i la clonidina. Els diàmetres de les fibres obtingudes estan tots inclosos al rang dels micròmetres, obtenint diferents morfologies depenent de la composició de la matriu. Es va poder estimar la ràtio real de mfàrmac/mmòstra per a la Clonidina i l'Escopolamina, obtenint valors iguals a 16.12 ±1.69 (%-W/W) i 6.24 ± 0.83 (%-W/W) confirmant la seva distribució uniforme a la matriu. Dels estudis d'alliberament s'ha obtingut un alliberament de la clonidina de 6.77±0.16(%-W/W) a PBS i 6.24±0.83 (%-W/W) a la pell de porc. Per a l'Escopolamina de 10.79±0.94(%-W/W) a PBS i 7.60±01.30 (%-W/W) a la pell de porc.Este proyecto se centra en el principio de la economía circular de obtener productos a partir de residuos, en este caso utilizando microorganismos capaces de producir polímeros con propiedades similares a los tradicionales. El polímero seleccionado para este proyecto es el Poli(3-Hidroxibutirato-co-3-Hidroxivalerato), obtenido a partir de sustratos de bajo valor y recursos renovables. El objetivo del proyecto es sintetizar un parche transdérmico utilizando electrospinning, un método que genera nano y microfibras de una solución con polímero para crear una matriz, cargando dos fármacos por separado, escopolamina y clonidina. El parche tiene como objetivo ser utilizado como un sistema de liberación de fármacos para el tratamiento de la hipertensión y el mareo. Se buscarán las condiciones óptimas de operación del electrospinning para este caso. Una vez obtenido el parche, se evaluará su correcto funcionamiento, demostrando la distribución uniforme del fármaco y estudiando su liberación tanto en un medio salino como en piel de cerdo. Los resultados que se han obtenido mayoritariamente son satisfactorios. Se ha podido optimizar las condiciones de operación del electrospinning utilizando 5 mL/h y 15kV para las matrices sin fármacos 2.5ml/h a 15 kV y 17kV para la Escopolamina y la clonidina. Los diámetros de las fibras obtenidas están todas incluidas en el rango de los micrómetros, obteniendo diferentes morfologías dependiendo de la composición de la matriz. Se pudo estimar el ratio real de mfármaco/mmuestra para la Clonidina y la Escopolamina, obteniendo valores iguales a 16.12 ±1.69 (%-W/W) y 6.24 ± 0.83 (%-W/W) confirmando su distribución uniforme en la matriz. De los estudios de liberación se ha obtenido una liberación de la clonidina de 6.77±0.16(%-W/W) en PBS y 6.24±0.83 (%-W/W) en la piel de cerdo. Para la Escopolamina de 10.79±0.94(%-W/W) en PBS y 7.60±01.30 (%-W/W) en la piel de cerdo.This project focuses on the Circular Economy principle of obtaining products from waste, specifically utilizing microorganisms capable of producing polymers with properties similar to traditional ones. The selected polymer for this project is Poly 3-Hydroxybutyrate-co-3-Hydroxyvalerate, derived from low-value substrates and renewable resources. The objective of the project is to synthesize a transdermal patch using electrospinning, a method that draws nano and microfibres from a polymer solution to create a scaffold, loading two drugs, scopolamine and clonidine. The proposed patch aims to serve as a drug release system for the treatment of hypertension and dizziness. The optimal operating conditions for electrospinning in this case will be sought. Once the patch is obtained, its proper functioning will be evaluated, demonstrating the uniform distribution of the drug and studying its release in both a saline medium and pig skin. The obtained results are satisfactory. The operating conditions of electrospinning were successfully optimized using 5 mL/h and 15 kV for the drug-free matrices, 2.5 mL/h at 15 kV for Scopolamine, and 17 kV for Clonidine. The diameters of the obtained fibres are all within the range of micrometres, with different morphologies depending on the matrix composition. The real drug-to-sample ratio was estimated for Clonidine and Scopolamine, resulting in values of 16.12 ± 1.69 (% w/w) and 6.24 ± 0.83 (% w/w) respectively, confirming their uniform distribution in the matrix. In the release studies, Clonidine exhibited a release of 6.77 ± 0.16 (% w/w) in PBS and 6.24 ± 0.83 (% w/w) in pig skin, while Scopolamine showed a release of 10.79 ± 0.94 (% w/w) in PBS and 7.60 ± 1.30 (% w/w) in pig skin. To conclude, it has been confirmed that the release rate obtained for the Scopolamine-loaded patch is equal to the commercially available patch, amounting to 0.979 mg

Canals spawn dams ? Exploring the filiation of hydraulic infrastructure

This article studies the aetiology underlying water management by exploring the social hermeneutics that determined its construction. It details how science, technology and political relations construct each other mutually, both producing and harnessing the scientific discourse on the environment. Supply management continues to prevail, in spite of contradictory claims, through the filiation process linking successive generations of water infrastructure. The case study of the Neste Canal inducing the construction of the Charlas Dam, allows the identification of three types of mechanisms participating in the construction of water deficits that now lead both proponents and opponents of dam construction to harness the environmental discourse. The first lies in the social construction of water science and technology. The second lies in the evolution of power relations among the various actors. The third lies in the insertion of the 'expert' within these power relations

Knowledge and Behaviors Surrounding a Gluten-Free Diet Between Medically and Self-Diagnosed Individuals

Objective: Gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley has been linked to the inflammatory response of the GI tract in individuals with Celiac Disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and in some cases irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Several factors have contributed to the increase in these gluten-related disorders in recent years, including improved medical diagnosis, public awareness of the disease, changes in the composition of wheat due to modern agricultural technologies and perceived health benefits from following a gluten-free diet. The purpose of this research was to examine the knowledge, behaviors and adherence to a gluten-free diet by individuals with a medical diagnosis versus those who self-diagnose themselves, and the nutritional consequences of following a gluten-free diet. Methods: A survey instrument consisting of forty-three questions was designed to collect data. The self-administered questionnaire was distributed online using Qualtrics Survey Software and was made available to participants throughout Syracuse University from January 26, 2015 to February 9, 2015. Results: Two hundred and eighteen individuals completed the questionnaire. Of these respondents, seventy-three individuals reported a gluten sensitivity/intolerance diagnosis, of whom 63% (n=46) identified as self-diagnosed and 37% (n=27) were medically diagnosed. Conclusion: There are several reasons why individuals choose to follow a gluten-free diet (GFD). A GFD requires education and knowledge of gluten containing foods. Strict adherence of a GFD is challenging and may cause several nutritional deficiencies. However, a GFD can be wholesome and nutrient dense provided it is well planned under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: How to Retrieve Scientific Articles form the Internet

The Internet is the largest source of scientific information. For a few years now, the role of library resources and scientific databases has been downgraded in comparison with the immediacy and simplicity of Google’s search toolbar when it comes to retrieving scientific articles. With the emergence of the Open Access movement, and especially since funding agencies began to establish it as a mandatory requirement, there has been some lack of understanding about the concept. However, there are three main characters that will help us clarify this: “The Good”, where we find the institutional or thematic repositories and their corresponding discovery tools, which enable us to disseminate our research and to find scientific articles; “the Bad”, where we find pages like Sci-Hub; and “the Ugly”, which are the copyright agreements that we sign with the journals without knowing all the implications that they involve.N

Acute Toxicity of Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid on Early Life Stages of Daphnia Magna, Siriella Armata, Paracentrotus Lividus Sea Urchin, and Turbot (Scophthalmus Maximus L.).

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a persistent organic pollutant whose potential toxicity is causing great concern. In the present study, we used two crustaceans (_Daphnia magna_, _Siriella armata_), echinoid embryos (_Paracentrotus lividus_) and turbot (_Scophthalmus maximus L._) embryos and larvae to investigate the acute toxicity of this compound. The marine species _S. armata_ exhibited greater sensitivity than the freshwater species _D. magna_. In the 48-h acute toxicity test the median lethal concentration was 10.96 mg/L for _S. armata_ and 87.46 mg/L for _D. magna_. In the 96h toxicity test, turbot showed the lowest EC50 (0.155 mgL-1), whilst the EC50 for _S. armata_ was 7.92 mgL-1 which was approximately three times lower than that for sea urchin (24.12 mgL-1). The EC10 values were estimated as 0.032 mgL-1, 4.23 mgL-1 and 45.21 mgL-1 for turbot, Siriella and daphnia, respectively. The LOEC values were 75 µgL-1, 2.5 mgL-1 and 75 mgL-1 (p< 0.05) for turbot, daphnia, and Siriella, respectively. The NOEC values were estimated at 37.5 µgL-1, 1.25 mgL-1 and 50 mgL-1 (p< 0.05) for turbot, Siriella and daphnia, respectively. The order of acute toxicity was: turbot > _S. armata_ > sea urchin > _Daphnia magna_. This result highlights the importance of including a marine fish in the battery of species to describe the toxicity of these compounds. Considering the persistent nature of PFOS, more research is required to determine potential consequences of long-term exposure to these compounds in aquatic ecosystems

Enquêter sur la GEMAPI : quelles origines et quels effets sur les territoires de l’eau ?

La compétence GEMAPI, effective au 1er janvier 2018, a fait l’objet de nombreux débats parlementaires et sénatoriaux et d’une production intense d’écrits. En s’appuyant sur les comptes rendus des débats politiques et sur des entretiens semi-directifs réalisés auprès d’acteurs de la gestion de l’eau, cet article donne à voir le jeu des négociations entre les porte-paroles de l’action publique territoriale et nationale qui a contribué à redéfinir les contours, le contenu, l’organisation et le financement de la GEMAPI

Mapping the Quixotic Imagination: Madrid in Galdos\u27s Misericordia

The project examines Pérez Galdós’s views on social regeneration of 19th-century Spain in one of his most acclaimed novels, “Misericordia”, by documenting the wanderings through 19th-century Madrid of the main characters of the novel through geolocation tools. The novel’s main character is a quixotic and self-sacrificing beggar who does not only challenge the cartographic power and the conceptualization of space imposed by a middle class seeking to control urban growth but also reappropriates civic values that had been robbed of all meaning by Spanish society at the time. From that perspective, “Misericordia” constitutes the writer’s ultimate vindication of the narrative genre as a space of dialogue to contribute to the ideological foundations of social progress in 19th-century Spain. The project employs tools such as Google Maps and ArcGIS to trace the character’s whereabouts, interactions, and ranges of emotions throughout the novel on the maps of 19th-century and contemporary Madrid, respectively, and documents how the characters’ material enrichment and social ascension are geographically traced as directly proportional to their spiritual (and physical) demise. Conversely, the protagonist undergoes a spiritual purification and finds the true meaning of charity in the suburban slums of Madrid. The multimedia nature of the project makes it a suitable medium to visualize two contending representations of the urban space: that of the 19th-century Spanish middle-class, and that of the marginalized, constantly struggling to expand the material and symbolic urban borders

Deterioration of willow seeds during storage

Willow (Salix spp.) seeds are able to tolerate desiccation, but differ from typical orthodox seeds in that they lose viability in a few days at room temperature, and in that the chloroplasts in embryo tissues do not dedifferentiate during maturation drying, thus retaining chlorophyll and maintaining intact their thylakoid membranes. In the present study, we investigated the damage generated in willow seeds during storage under appropriate conditions to exclude the eventual generation of reactive oxygen species by photooxidation. To this end, we measured different indicators of molecular damage, such as changes in the fatty acid profile, protein degradation, nuclease activities, and DNA damage, and evaluated normal germination and total germination in seeds stored for one, ten and sixteen years. We found: (i) a decrease in the fraction of unsaturated fatty acids; (ii) changes in the protein profile due to a decrease in protein solubility; (iii) activation of nucleases; and (iv) DNA fragmentation. Taken together, our findings identified programmed cell death as a key mechanism in seed deterioration during storage. We also found that, although the seeds maintained high percentages of total germination, the death program had already started in the seeds stored for ten years and was more advanced in those stored for sixteen years.Fil: Lopez Fernandez, Maria Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Moyano, Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Correa, María Daniela. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Vasile, Franco Emanuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Chaco Austral. Departamento de Industrias Alimentarias; ArgentinaFil: Burrieza, Hernán Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Maldonado, Sara Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; Argentin