Intensifying glycerol steam reforming on a monolith catalyst: a reaction kinetic model

In this work, a structured monolithic catalyst has been tested under a wide range of conditions (partial pressure, residence time, temperature and time-on-stream), with the aim of modeling its kinetic behavior and assessing its economic and upscaling potential. We have developed a sequential model to help us interpret both main trends and salient features. Unexpected behavior was found for certain parameter values, which led us to consider kinetic parasitic effects such as mass or heat transfer limitations. By independently invoking these effects, a conciliatory view of the results observed could not be reached. A combined explanation may prove successful, although overfitting could not be ruled out at this point. More importantly, however, the observed salient features of this stable and selective monolith catalyst may hold potential for process intensification of glycerol steam reforming, thus contributing to a more sustainable industry.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad ENE2013-47880-C3-2-R, ENE2015-66975-C3-2-

Activity Budgets, Foraging Behavior, and Diet of White-Tailed Kites (Elanus leucurus) during Breeding and Nonbreeding Seasons in the Argentine Pampas

From 2005 to 2009 we evaluated the activity patterns and food habits of White-tailed Kites (Elanus leucurus) during the breeding and nonbreeding seasons in the Argentine Pampas. According to time-activity budget analyses, perching was the most frequently observed activity during the nonbreeding season (52% of total time), whereas foraging was the most frequent activity during the breeding season (41% of total time). Flight was the least frequent of all kites' activities in both seasons (8% and 9% during the breeding and nonbreeding season, respectively). Even when kites spent a similar percentage of time foraging during both breeding and nonbreeding seasons (41% and 39%, respectively), their hunting technique differed between seasons. During the nonbreeding season, we only observed kites using active searching to forage, but during the breeding season, we observed them using active and passive searching in similar proportions. According to pellet analyses, the diet of kites was mostly composed of rodents (> 96% of total prey). Small rodents (body mass < 35 g) were dominant in numeric terms in the diet in both seasons, but larger rodents represented the bulk of biomass. Our results indicate that in the Argentine Pampas, White-tailed Kites are predominantly mammal-eating, active-search predators, as previously reported for the species in South America and North America and for other Elanus species around the world.Fil: Baladrón, Alejandro V.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Pretelli, Matías Guillermo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Cavalli, Matilde. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Bó, Maria Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentin

Comparison of the diet of two bird-eating raptors, the Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis) and the Cinereous Harrier (Circus cinereus), in the Pampean Region of Argentina

We studied the diet and hunting activity of two bird-eating raptors, the Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis) and the Cinereous Harrier (Circus cinereus), in Mar Chiquita Biosphere Reserve, Argentina. Prey was identified by analyzing pellets collected during December 2005. The Cinereous Harrier showed a higher consumption of birds than the Aplomado Falcon (92,3% vs 67,9% of total prey, respectively), and a reverse tendency was observed for the biomass contribution (26% vs 88%). In addition, these raptors showed differences in hunting techniques: the Aplomado Falcon used a sit-and-wait strategy, whereas the Cinereous Harrier used an active-search strategy. Our results suggest that both factors, the use of different prey and hunting modes, could be important for trophic niche segregation between these two bird-eating raptors.Fil: Baladrón, Alejandro V.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Bó, Maria Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Cavalli, Matilde. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Martinez, Guadalupe. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentin

Optimizing CIGB-300 intralesional delivery in locally advanced cervical cancer

Background:We conducted a phase 1 trial in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer by injecting 0.5 ml of the CK2-antagonist CIGB-300 in two different sites on tumours to assess tumour uptake, safety, pharmacodynamic activity and identify the recommended dose.Methods:Fourteen patients were treated with intralesional injections containing 35 or 70 mg of CIGB-300 in three alternate cycles of three consecutive days each before standard chemoradiotherapy. Tumour uptake was determined using 99 Tc-radiolabelled peptide. In situ B23/nucleophosmin was determined by immunohistochemistry.Results:Maximum tumour uptake for CIGB-300 70-mg dose was significantly higher than the one observed for 35 mg: 16.1±8.9 vs 31.3±12.9 mg (P=0.01). Both, AUC 24h and biological half-life were also significantly higher using 70 mg of CIGB-300 (P<0.001). Unincorporated CIGB-300 diffused rapidly to blood and was mainly distributed towards kidneys, and marginally in liver, lungs, heart and spleen. There was no DLT and moderate allergic-like reactions were the most common systemic side effect with strong correlation between unincorporated CIGB-300 and histamine levels in blood. CIGB-300, 70 mg, downregulated B23/nucleophosmin (P=0.03) in tumour specimens.Conclusion:Intralesional injections of 70 mg CIGB-300 in two sites (0.5 ml per injection) and this treatment plan are recommended to be evaluated in phase 2 studies.Fil: Sarduy, M. R.. Medical-surgical Research Center; CubaFil: García, I.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: Coca, M. A.. Clinical Investigation Center; CubaFil: Perera, A.. Clinical Investigation Center; CubaFil: Torres, L. A.. Clinical Investigation Center; CubaFil: Valenzuela, C. M.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: Baladrón, I.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: Solares, M.. Hospital Materno Ramón González Coro; CubaFil: Reyes, V.. Center For Genetic Engineering And Biotechnology Havana; CubaFil: Hernández, I.. Isotope Center; CubaFil: Perera, Y.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: Martínez, Y. M.. Medical-surgical Research Center; CubaFil: Molina, L.. Medical-surgical Research Center; CubaFil: González, Y. M.. Medical-surgical Research Center; CubaFil: Ancízar, J. A.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: Prats, A.. Clinical Investigation Center; CubaFil: González, L.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: Casacó, C. A.. Clinical Investigation Center; CubaFil: Acevedo, B. E.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: López Saura, P. A.. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; CubaFil: Alonso, Daniel Fernando. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes; ArgentinaFil: Gómez, R.. Elea Laboratories; ArgentinaFil: Perea Rodríguez, S. E.. Center For Genetic Engineering And Biotechnology Havana; Cuba. Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología; Cub

Traces of past activity in the Galactic Centre

The Milky Way centre hosts a supermassive Black Hole (BH) with a mass of ~4*10^6 M_Sun. Sgr A*, its electromagnetic counterpart, currently appears as an extremely weak source with a luminosity L~10^-9 L_Edd. The lowest known Eddington ratio BH. However, it was not always so; traces of "glorious" active periods can be found in the surrounding medium. We review here our current view of the X-ray emission from the Galactic Center (GC) and its environment, and the expected signatures (e.g. X-ray reflection) of a past flare. We discuss the history of Sgr A*'s past activity and its impact on the surrounding medium. The structure of the Central Molecular Zone (CMZ) has not changed significantly since the last active phase of Sgr A*. This relic torus provides us with the opportunity to image the structure of an AGN torus in exquisite detail.Comment: Invited refereed review. Chapter of the book: "Cosmic ray induced phenomenology in star forming environments" (eds. Olaf Reimer and Diego F. Torres

Dr Victor Baladrón

Before the operation, the hepatic reserve was assessed with the LiMON® monitor by means of the determination of the ICG-PDR. The ICG-PDR dose used was 0.25 mg/kg. The monitor has a calculator that evaluates the amount and correct dilution of ICG based on the patient's weight and height, dosage, and concentration of the vial contents. The monitor starts calibration and prompts for injection. The curve detected message is displayed and the measurement starts. Once this has been completed, the result is displayed in a table. For the assessment of hepatic flow and hepatic function, the plasma concentration of indocyanine green is measured by spectrophotometry at the time of injection and after 15 minutes. After liver resection surgery, the patient was admitted to Post-op. Twenty-four hours after the operation, the hepatic reserve was assessed using the same technique. On the fifth postoperative day, either in Post-op if the patient continues to be monitored, or on the hospital ward if discharged, an analysis was taken, including blood count, coagulation, biochemistry (including liver function), total bilirubin and prothrombin time

Dr Victor Baladrón

Before the operation, the hepatic reserve was assessed with the LiMON® monitor by means of the determination of the ICG-PDR. The ICG-PDR dose used was 0.25 mg/kg. The monitor has a calculator that evaluates the amount and correct dilution of ICG based on the patient's weight and height, dosage, and concentration of the vial contents. The monitor starts calibration and prompts for injection. The curve detected message is displayed and the measurement starts. Once this has been completed, the result is displayed in a table. For the assessment of hepatic flow and hepatic function, the plasma concentration of indocyanine green is measured by spectrophotometry at the time of injection and after 15 minutes. After liver resection surgery, the patient was admitted to Post-op. Twenty-four hours after the operation, the hepatic reserve was assessed using the same technique. On the fifth postoperative day, either in Post-op if the patient continues to be monitored, or on the hospital ward if discharged, an analysis was taken, including blood count, coagulation, biochemistry (including liver function), total bilirubin and prothrombin time

Trophic ecology of falconiformes and strigiformes: time for a synthesis

Aunque a nivel mundial existen numerosos antecedentes sobre hábitos tróficos de aves rapaces, la información disponible para Argentina es escasa y sesgada. Con el objetivo de sintetizar el estado actual del conocimiento sobre la ecología trófica de aves rapaces en Argentina, se presenta una revisión de la información publicada sobre dieta, estrategia y comportamiento de caza, ambiente de alimentación y aspectos de las interrelaciones tróficas entre especies. Las rapaces del orden Strigiformes son las más estudiadas, con el 80% del total de trabajos publicados, aunque solo se cuenta con datos para el 39% de las especies presentes en el país. En cuanto a las del orden Falconiformes, solo hay datos sobre hábitos tróficos del 28% de las especies. A nivel regional, la mayor parte de los trabajos se concentra en las provincias Pampeana (36%), Patagónica (24%) y del Monte (13%). Las rapaces fueron caracterizadas en base a los estimadores del nicho trófico y se agruparon de acuerdo con su principal presa en tres grandes gremios: consumidores de mamíferos (37% de las especies), consumidores de insectos (42%) y consumidores de aves (21%). En Argentina, los estudios sobre hábitos tróficos de rapaces se encuentran en un nivel intermedio de complejidad. Es importante para investigaciones futuras que los análisis se realicen utilizando estimadores de nicho trófico, los cuales permiten el desarrollo de estudios comparativos y una mejor comprensión de la dinámica de los ensambles de aves rapaces. PALABRAS CLAVE: Argentina, comportamiento de caza, dieta, Falconiformes, hábitat de alimentación,Although there is abundant information about food habits of raptors around the world, available data on this topic in Argentina are scarce and biased. The aim of this work is to summarize the current knowledge about the trophic ecology of raptor birds in Argentina. We present a review of the published information on diet, hunting strategy and behaviour, foraging habitat, and some aspects of the trophic relationships among species. Species belonging to the order Strigiformes are the most studied, representing 80% of the published studies, although there are data only for 39% of the species inhabiting the country. Among species belonging to Falconiformes, there are data for 28% of the species. At a regional scale, most studies were concentrated in the phytogeographic provinces Pampeana (36%), Patagónica (24%), and del Monte (13%). Raptors were characterized based on the estimators of trophic niche and grouped according their main prey in three guilds: mammal consumers (37% of the species studied), insect consumers (42%), and bird consumers (21%). Studies on food habits of raptors in Argentina are in an intermediate level of complexity. For future investigations, we emphasize the importance of analyzing data using trophic niche estimators, which would allow the development of comparative studies and a better understanding of the dynamics of raptor assemblages

Relative Abundance, Habitat Use, and Seasonal Variability of Raptor Assemblages In the Flooding Pampas of Argentina

We evaluated the species composition, relative abundance, habitat use, and seasonal variability of raptor assemblages in the Flooding Pampas of Argentina, which represents the southeastern part of the biome known as the Rio de la Plata Grasslands. We conducted seasonal roadside surveys to detect raptors in modified and natural habitats over a 3-yr period from spring 2006 through autumn 2009. We classified raptor species according to their relative abundances and occurrence frequencies, and compared the assemblage composition among land-cover types (croplands, grazing fields, periurban areas, and grasslands) and seasons. The raptor assemblage in the Flooding Pampas comprised 16 species, representing approximately 43% of all raptor species in the biome. The Chimango Caracara (Milvago chimango) was the dominant species in all land-cover types and seasons. The Southern Caracara (Caracara plancus), American Kestrel (Falco sparverius), and Roadside Hawk (Rupornis magnirostris) were all abundant and very frequently observed species, whereas Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia), White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus), and Long-winged Harrier (Circus buffoni) were less abundant but recorded during most surveys. The remaining raptors (Aplomado Falcon [Falco femoralis], Cinereous Harrier [Circus cinereus], Short-eared Owl [Asio flammeus], Sharp-shinned Hawk [Accipiter striatus], and Snail Kite [Rostrhamus sociabilis]) were much less abundant in the study area. We also recorded four other raptor species (Variable Hawk [Geranoaetus polyosoma], Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle [G. melanoleucus], Striped Owl [Asio clamator], and Barn Owl [Tyto alba]), but only outside of the standard transect surveys. Species composition differed among land-cover types, but we detected no distinct overall seasonal patterns except that species diversity indices were lower in autumn and especially, spring. Milvago chimango was important to determine similarity in assemblage composition within land-cover types, but other less abundant species, such as C. plancus, A. cunicularia, and R. magnirostris, were more important to differentiate land-cover types based on raptor composition. Species diversity was highest in grazing fields and grasslands, and lowest in periurban areas. Our results suggest that although some raptor species appear to benefit from land-cover patterns in the study area, man