Grape musts differentiation based on selected aroma compounds using SBSE-GC-MS and statistical analysis

Fifty-one aroma compounds in musts from 'Muscat Ottonel', 'Aligoté', 'Muscat of Alexandria' and 'Pedro Ximénez' white grapes have been determined, three of them identified for the first time in grapes. Two fingerprints for each cultivar, based in 6 groups of aroma compounds before and after acidic hydrolysis of the musts were obtained by Multiple Variable Analysis. Only 17 aroma compounds before and 21 after hydrolysis, were selected by their high discriminating power. The Principal Component Analysis carried out with data of these selected compounds provided two components explaining 85.11 % of the overall variance for free aroma compounds and 87.58 % for those obtained after hydrolysis of musts, allowing an objective differentiation of each cultivar

Treatment of end-of-life concrete in an innovative heating-air classification system for circular cement-based products

A stronger commitment towards Green Building and circular economy, in response to environmental concerns and economic trends, is evident in modern industrial cement and concrete production processes. The critical demand for an overall reduction in the environmental impact of the construction sector can be met through the consumption of high-grade supplementary raw materials. Advanced solutions are under development in current research activities that will be capable of up-cycling larger quantities of valuable raw materials from the fine fractions of End-of-Life (EoL) concrete waste. New technology, in particular the Heating-Air classification System (HAS), simultaneously applies a combination of heating and separation processes within a fluidized bed-like chamber under controlled temperatures (±600 °C) and treatment times (25–40 s). In that process, moisture and contaminants are removed from the EoL fine concrete aggregates (0–4 mm), yielding improved fine fractions, and ultrafine recycled concrete particles (<0.125 mm), consisting mainly of hydrated cement, thereby adding value to finer EoL concrete fractions. In this study, two types of ultrafine recycled concrete (either siliceous or limestone EoL concrete waste) are treated in a pilot HAS technology for their conversion into Supplementary Cementitious Material (SCM). The physico-chemical effect of the ultrafine recycled concrete particles and their potential use as SCM in new cement-based products is assessed by employing substitutions of up to 10% of the conventional binder. The environmental viability of their use as SCM is then evaluated in a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The results demonstrated accelerated hydration kinetics of the mortars that incorporated these SCMs at early ages and higher mechanical strengths at all curing ages. Optimal substitutions were established at 5%. The results suggested that the overall environmental impact could be reduced by up to 5% when employing the ultrafine recycled concrete particles as SCM in circular cement-based products, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 41 kg CO2 eq./ton of cement (i.e. 80 million tons CO2 eq./year). Finally, the environmental impacts were reduced even further by running the HAS on biofuel rather than fossil fuel.The authors of the present paper, prepared in the framework ofthe Project VEEP "Cost-Effective Recycling of C&DW in High AddedValue Energy Efficient Prefabricated Concrete Components forMassive Retrofitting of our Built Environment", wish to acknowl-edge the European Commission for its support. This project hasreceived funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 researchand innovation programme under grant agreement No 723582.This paper reflects only the author’s view and the European Com-mission is not responsible for any use that may be made of theinformation it contains.The authors are also grateful to the Spanish Ministry of Science,Innovation and Universities (MICIU) and the European RegionalDevelopment Fund (FEDER) for funding this line of research(RTI2018-097074-B-C21)

Observation of enhanced transmission for s-polarized light through a subwavelength slit

Enhanced optical transmission (EOT) through subwavelength apertures is usually obtained for p-polarized light. The present study experimentally investigates EOT for s-polarized light. A subwavelength slit surrounded on each side by periodic grooves has been fabricated in a gold film and covered by a thin dielectric layer. The excitation of s-polarized dielectric waveguide modes inside the dielectric film strongly increases the s-polarized transmission. Transmission measurements are compared with a coupled mode model and show good qualitative agreement. Adding a waveguide can improve light transmission through subwavelength apertures, as both s and p-polarization can be efficiently transmitted.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Applied Physics Letter

Definición, selección y consolidación de la Raza Caprina Florida

El grupo de investigación Pastos arbustivos, comenzó a trabajar en la definición, selección y optimización de los sistemas de explotación de la raza Florida en 1985, en el rebaño experimental que la Diputación de Sevilla creó mediante convenio con José Antonio Sánchez Romero. En 1991, y dentro de esa colaboración se publica el libro Raza Caprina Florida Sevillana en el que se define y se dan los primeros datos de esta raza, demostrando científicamente sus diferencias con otras razas andaluzas. A partir de esta fecha la Diputación de Sevilla abandona el proyecto, continuando el trabajo el grupo de investigación y D. José A. Sánchez Romero hasta 1994. En este periodo se consiguen grandes avances en la selección y optimización del sistema semiextensivo de explotación pasándose de los 432 kg de leche en 216 días de los primeros controles a más de 600 kg en lactaciones de nueve meses. En 1994, el grupo firma un convenio con la Excma. Diputación de Córdoba para el mantenimiento de un rebaño en estabulación en sus instalaciones, siguiendo desde entonces con los trabajos de selección y consolidación así como la optimización de los sistemas intensivos de producción. Las lactaciones controladas bajo este sistema superan los 750 kg en 290 días de lactación. Bajo este convenio, la Diputación de Córdoba ha facilitado más de 100 animales selectos a los ganaderos de la provincia. En 1996, el Grupo de investigación promueve la creación de la Asociación Española de Criadores de la Raza Caprina Florida, a la que pertenece desde entonces.El grupo de investigación Pastos arbustivos, comenzó a trabajar en la definición, selección y optimización de los sistemas de explotación de la raza Florida en 1985, en el rebaño experimental que la Diputación de Sevilla creó mediante convenio con José Antonio Sánchez Romero. En 1991, y dentro de esa colaboración se publica el libro Raza Caprina Florida Sevillana en el que se define y se dan los primeros datos de esta raza, demostrando científicamente sus diferencias con otras razas andaluzas. A partir de esta fecha la Diputación de Sevilla abandona el proyecto, continuando el trabajo el grupo de investigación y D. José A. Sánchez Romero hasta 1994. En este periodo se consiguen grandes avances en la selección y optimización del sistema semiextensivo de explotación pasándose de los 432 kg de leche en 216 días de los primeros controles a más de 600 kg en lactaciones de nueve meses. En 1994, el grupo firma un convenio con la Excma. Diputación de Córdoba para el mantenimiento de un rebaño en estabulación en sus instalaciones, siguiendo desde entonces con los trabajos de selección y consolidación así como la optimización de los sistemas intensivos de producción. Las lactaciones controladas bajo este sistema superan los 750 kg en 290 días de lactación. Bajo este convenio, la Diputación de Córdoba ha facilitado más de 100 animales selectos a los ganaderos de la provincia. En 1996, el Grupo de investigación promueve la creación de la Asociación Española de Criadores de la Raza Caprina Florida, a la que pertenece desde entonces

Use of nanomaterials to conserve the stone of the Roman Theatre of Cartagena

[EN] The Roman Theatre of Cartagena is an important example of the monumental architecture of Hispania. Various types of local stone were used in its construction, including a type of sandstone known as Tabaire. This paper describes the physical characteristics of Tabaire. We also identify its deterioration patterns and study its consolidation using lime nanoparticles and silicon dioxide (ethyl silicate). Initial analyses using the imaging techniques Optical Microscopy (OM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Tomography (CT) show that it is an extremely porous, soft stone. The effectiveness of the consolidating treatments was verified using non-destructive methods based on identifying dispersion and penetrability in the substrate (OM and SEM) and detecting colour variation (CIE-L*a*b*) or minimally destructive methods, such as the peeling test and Shore-D hardness, to determine their effect on the characteristics of the material.[ES] El Teatro de Cartagena es un importante exponente de la arquitectura monumental de la Hispania romana. Para su construcción fueron utilizados diversos pétreos locales, entre ellos una arenisca conocida como Tabaire. Este artículo tiene como objetivo la caracterización física del Tabaire, así como la identificación de sus formas de deterioro y el estudio de su consolidación mediante nanopartículas de cal y de dióxido de silicio (silicato de etilo). Los análisis iniciales mediante técnicas de imagen como la Microscopía Óptica (OM), Microscopía Electrónica de Barrido (SEM) y Tomografía de Rayos X (CT) muestran que es una roca de elevada porosidad y escasa dureza. La eficacia de los tratamientos consolidantes se comprobó mediante métodos no destructivos, basados en la identificación de la dispersión y penetrabilidad en el sustrato (OM y SEM) y en la detección de la variación del color (CIE-L*a*b*), o mínimamente destructivos, como el peeling test y la dureza Shore-D, para conocer su incidencia en las características del material.Navarro-Moreno, D.; Martínez-Arredondo, A.; García-Vera, VE.; Lanzón, M. (2023). Uso de nanomateriales para la conservación de la piedra del Teatro Romano de Cartagena. Loggia, Arquitectura & Restauración. (36):106-119. https://doi.org/10.4995/loggia.2023.193601061193

Molecular Physiology of Kainate Receptors

28 páginas, 15 figuras, 3 tablas.A decade ago, our understanding of the molecular properties of kainate receptors and their involvement in synaptic physiology was essentially null. A plethora of recent studies has altered this situation profoundly such that kainate receptors are now regarded as key players in the modulation of transmitter release, as important mediators of the postsynaptic actions of glutamate, and as possible targets for the development of antiepileptic and analgesic drugs. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge of the properties of kainate receptors focusing on four key issues:1) their structural and biophysical features, 2) the important progress in their pharmacological characterization,3) their pre- and postsynaptic mechanisms of action, and4) their involvement in a series of physiological and pathological processes. Finally, although significant progress has been made toward the elucidation of their importance for brain function, kainate receptors remain largely an enigma and, therefore, we propose some new roads that should be explored to obtain a deeper understanding of this young, but intriguing, class of proteins.Work in the laboratory of J. Lerma has been supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Education and Culture (DGICYT Grants PB93/0150 and UE96/0007 as well as DGESIC Grants PM-0008/96 and PM99–0106), the Ministry of Health (FISSS Grant 95/0869), the Comunidad de Madrid (Grant 08.5/ 0042/1998), and the European Union (Grant BIO2-CT930243). J. C. López-García is the recipient of a long-term fellowship awarded by EMBO.Peer reviewe

QTL Analysis of Morpho-Agronomic Traits in Garden Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.)

In order to understand the genetic control of quantitative agronomic traits in garden asparagus, we performed a quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis. A population (n = 167) derived from a cross between a female and male plants was evaluated for morpho-agronomic traits over three years. Interval mapping (IM) and restricted multiple QTL mapping (rMQM) analysis was applied, and 18 QTLs were detected. QTLs were located in two linkage groups (LG): 5 in LG5 and 13 in LG6. The physical position of markers of both groups was mapped onto the reference genome through BLAST analysis. LG5 and LG6 match with chromosome 1 (sex-determining chromosome) and chromosome 5, respectively. Haplotypes of both chromosomes of the heterozygous parent and their progeny were obtained, and a bin map was developed. Bins were used to map the QTLs on the reference genome and to perform the association analysis with the morpho-agronomic traits. Two major and stable QTLs over the years (R2 > 10%) for number of stalk and earliness were mapped in the end of chromosome 1 into a bin that spans 3.25 Mb and includes the sex-determination locus. In chromosome 5, some QTLs were located in the center of chromosome for the year 2016. Branching is tightly regulated by both internal factors (such as plant hormones) and external factors (such as light conditions). QTLs for branching height and earliness were detected in a bin that spans 4.96 Mb. Functional annotation of genes within the two bins revealed candidate genes with potential roles in SA and light signaling and photomorphogenesis pathways that may be involved in branching and/or tillering. This is the first study providing the identification of genomic regions associated with yield-related morpho-agronomic traits in asparagus

Life cycle assessment of cost-optimized buttress earth-retaining walls: A parametric study

In this paper life cycle assessments are carried out on 30 optimized earth-retaining walls of various heights (4e13 m) and involving different permissible soil stresses (0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 MPa) in Spain. Firstly, the environmental impacts considered in the assessment method developed by the Leiden University (CML 2001) are analyzed for each case, demonstrating the influence of the wall height and permissible soil stress. Secondly, this paper evaluates the contribution range of each element to each impact. The elements considered are: concrete, landfill, machinery, formwork, steel, and transport. Moreover, the influence of the wall height on the contribution of each element over the total impact is studied. This paper then provides the impact factors per unit of concrete, steel, and formwork. These values enable designers to quickly evaluate impacts from available measurements. Finally, the influence of steel recycling on the environmental impacts is highlighted. Findings indicate that concrete is the biggest contributor to all impact categories, especially the global warming potential. However, the steel doubles its contribution when the wall heights increase from 4 m to 13 m. Results show that recycling rates affect impacts differently.The authors acknowledge the financial support of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, along with the FEDER funding (BRIDLIFE Project: BIA2014-56574-R) and from the European Institute of Innovation and Technology under grant agreement no 20140262 Low Carbon Strategy in the Construction Industry (PGA_APED0094_2014-2.1-278_P066-10). Additionally, authors acknowledge the contributions of Nadia Ata and Vicent Penades in the overall review process.Zastrow, P.; Molina Moreno, F.; García-Segura, T.; Martí Albiñana, JV.; Yepes, V. (2017). Life cycle assessment of cost-optimized buttress earth-retaining walls: A parametric study. Journal of Cleaner Production. 140(3):1037-1048. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.10.085S10371048140