Pt-Co and Pt-Ni Catalysts of Low Metal Content for H2 Production by Reforming of Oxygenated Hydrocarbons and Comparison with Reported Pt-Based Catalysts

New catalysts of Pt, PtNi, PtCo, and NiCo supported on Al2O3 were developed for producing hydrogen by aqueous phase reforming (APR) of oxygenated hydrocarbons. The urea matrix combustion technique was used for loading the metal on the support in order to improve several aspects: increase both the metal-support interaction and the metal dispersion and decrease the metal load. The catalysts were characterized by MS/ICP, N2 adsorption, XRD, TPR, CO chemisorption, and the test of cyclohexane dehydrogenation (CHD). The APR of a solution of 10% mass ethylene glycol (EG), performed in a tubular fixed bed reactor at 498 K, 22 bar, WHSV = 2.3 h-1, was used as the main reaction test. After 10 h on-stream, the catalysts prepared by UMC had better hydrogen yield and catalytic stability than common catalysts prepared by IWI. The UMC/IWI H2 yield ratio was 23.5/15.2 for Pt, 24.0/17.0 for PtCo, 26.6/21.0 for PtNi, and 8.0/3.9 for NiCo. Ni or Co addition to Pt increased the carbon conversion while keeping the H2 turnover high. Cobalt also improves stability. Reports of several authors were revised for a comparison. The analysis indicated that the developed catalysts are a viable and cheaper alternative for H2 production from a renewable resource.Fil: Dosso, Liza Ainalen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Investigaciones en Catálisis y Petroquímica "Ing. José Miguel Parera". Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Investigaciones en Catálisis y Petroquímica "Ing. José Miguel Parera"; ArgentinaFil: Vera, Carlos Roman. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Investigaciones en Catálisis y Petroquímica "Ing. José Miguel Parera". Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Investigaciones en Catálisis y Petroquímica "Ing. José Miguel Parera"; ArgentinaFil: Grau, Javier Mario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Investigaciones en Catálisis y Petroquímica "Ing. José Miguel Parera". Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Investigaciones en Catálisis y Petroquímica "Ing. José Miguel Parera"; Argentin

Motivación y cultura tributaria en estudiantes de primer ciclo, 2016

La presente investigación titulada “Motivación y cultura tributaria en estudiantes de primer ciclo, 2016”, tuvo como objetivo determinar la relación que existe entre la motivación y la cultura tributaria en los estudiantes de primer ciclo de la Escuela Profesional de Arquitectura de la UCV – Sede Lima Norte. Nuestra investigación fue de tipo básica, diseño no experimental, descriptivo – correlacional, de enfoque cuantitativo. Este trabajo está dirigido a encontrar valores y actitudes, propios de la vida, que motiven la conducta humana hacia la consolidación de una cultura tributaria. Para el procesamiento de datos usamos el software estadístico SPSS versión 23, con una muestra representativa de 116 estudiantes de primer ciclo de la Escuela Profesional de Arquitectura de la UCV de la Sede Lima Norte. La población estuvo conformada por 165 estudiantes. Utilizamos reactivos con alternativa de tipo politómico y dicotómico sobre los que determinamos la confiabilidad de nuestros instrumentos con el Alpha de Cronbach = 0,786 y KR-20 de 0,710 respectivamente. En nuestra investigación hemos arribado a la siguiente conclusión: con un Rho de Spearman 0,383 y un grado de significación estadística p=0,004 < 0,05 se rechazó la hipótesis nula y se sostiene que la motivación se relaciona positiva y significativamente con la cultura tributaria en los estudiantes de primer ciclo de la Escuela Profesional de Arquitectura de la UCV – Sede Lima Norte, 2016

Gestión municipal y gobierno electrónico según el personal administrativo de la Municipalidad Distrital de Villa María del Triunfo, Lima 2014

La presente investigación titulada “Gestión Municipal y Gobierno Electrónico según el personal administrativo de la Municipalidad Distrital de Villa María del Triunfo, Lima 2014”, tiene como objetivo determinar la relación que existe entre la Gestión Municipal y el Gobierno Electrónico, evaluando las Tecnologías de Información y Comunicación implementadas para un mejor acercamiento entre el gobierno y la ciudadanía, mediante el uso de los sistemas, servicios administrativos y optimización de los procesos. La presente investigación es de tipo básico, diseño no experimental, descriptivo - correlacional, cuantitativa y busca aportar una nueva dinámica a la gestión municipal, pasando de un gobierno reactivo (aquel que espera la denuncia de los ciudadanos), a un gobierno proactivo (aquel que, por diversas acciones posee el conocimiento previo que le permite actuar antes del reclamo). Para el procesamiento de datos usamos el software estadístico de SPSS versión 22, con una población de 102 trabajadores del área administrativa de la Municipalidad de Villa María del Triunfo, a los cuales se les encuestó sobre su conocimiento e importancia de la Gestión Municipal y Gobierno Electrónico. Mediante la escala de Likert determinamos la confiabilidad de nuestros instrumentos con el Alpha de Cronbach = 0.878 y 0.803 respectivamente, con lo cual podemos señalar en base a las hipótesis planteadas que existe relación entre ambas variables

Commentary on Coram et al. (2021) on the use of Facebook to understand marine mammal stranding issues in Southeast Asia

We reviewed Coram et al. (Biodivers Conserv 30:2341–2359, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-021-02196-6), a paper that highlights the use of social media data to understand marine litter and marine mammals in Southeast Asia. While we commend its intent, we find that the methodology used and conclusions drawn portray an incomplete and inaccurate perception of how strandings, stranding response, and analysis of stranding data have been conducted in the region. By focusing on investigative results revealed by a very limited search of one social media platform (Facebook), using only English keywords, and insuffcient ground-truthing, Coram et al. (2021) have, unintentionally, given the perception that Southeast Asian scientists have not conducted even the bare minimum of investigation required to better understand the issue of marine litter and its impact on marine mammals. In this commentary we provide a more accurate account of strandings research in Asia and include recommendations to improve future studies using social media to assess conservation issues

Chemistry in Brazil: perspectives and needs for the next decade. Introductory document

Over the past years the Brazilian Chemical Society (SBQ) has been working on different projects related to the development of Chemistry in Brazil. After a discussion throughout the country two documents have been published in Quimica Nova: Mobilizing Axes in Chemistry and The Chemist's Education. Here, we describe the initial document which was the starting point for the discussion of a new series of papers published in this special issue of Quimica Nova which presents an overview of the Chemistry in our country and the perspectives and needs for the next decade.S7S1

Gasificación Catalítica y Autotérmica de Residuos Biomásicos a Escala Banco: Construcción y Optimización.

En este trabajo se construyó y optimizó un sistema de gasificación a escala banco de residuos biomásicos (aserrín de pino). El sistema consta de una unidad de alimentación (tolva y tornillo), un reactor autotérmico de lecho fluidizado y acondicionamiento de gases (ciclón y enfriamiento). En el reactor se evaluaron 2 catalizadores de bajo costo: un mineral natural (dolomita) y residuo de pirólisis comparados con un sólido inerte (arena). Los catalizadores y la biomasa fueron caracterizados por diferentes técnicas: ICP, BET, TGA, CHONS, entre otras. En la optimización del proceso se estudiaron diferentes parámetros: tamaño de partícula de biomasa, flujo másico de alimentación, agentes gasificante y perfiles de temperatura. Los ensayos mostraron un óptimo funcionamiento con un tamaño de biomasa en el rango de 0.50-0.85 mm, un flujo másico de alimentación de 0.840 kg/h y una relación de equivalencia entre mezcla de agentes gasificantes (aire y/o vapor de agua) y alimentación de 0.35-0.45 con temperaturas de equilibrio de 650 y 750ºC, respectivamente. Los catalizadores evaluados tuvieron una reducción de alquitrán entre 10-45% comparado con el inerte y valores superiores en la relación H2:CO y LHV. Los resultados mostraron que el sistema de gasificación autotérmico a escala banco construido, permite la transformación de la biomasa utilizando catalizadores de bajo/nulo costo, lo que lo hace atractivo desde el punto de vista ambiental y económico.Neste trabalho foi construído e otimizado o dimensionamento de um&nbsp;sistema de gaseificação de&nbsp;resíduos&nbsp;biomássicos&nbsp;(serragem de pinus). O sistema&nbsp;consta de uma unidade de alimentação (canoura&nbsp;e parafuso), um reator autotérmico&nbsp;de leito fluidizado e unidade de acondicionamento&nbsp;de gases (ciclone e esfriamento). No reator foram avaliados 2&nbsp;catalisadores&nbsp;de baixo&nbsp;custo: um mineral natural (dolomita) e resíduo&nbsp;de pirólise comparados com um sólido inerte (areia). Os catalisadores e a biomassa caracterizassem&nbsp;por diferentes tecnicas: ICP,&nbsp;BET, TGA, CHONS, entre outras. Na otimização&nbsp;do processo foram estudados diferentes parâmetros: tamanho de partícula&nbsp;de biomassa, fluxo mássico de alimentação,&nbsp;agentes gasificantes e perfis de temperatura. Os ensaios mostraram um ótimo&nbsp;funcionamento&nbsp;com um tamanho de biomassa na faixa de&nbsp;0.50-0.85 mm, um fluxo mássico de alimentação&nbsp;de&nbsp;0.840 kg/h, e uma relação&nbsp;de equivalência entre mistura de agentes gasificantes (ar /ou vapor de água) e alimentação&nbsp;de&nbsp;0.35-0.45 com temperaturas&nbsp;de equilíbrio&nbsp;de&nbsp;650 y 750ºC,&nbsp;respectivamente. Os catalisadores avaliados tiveram uma redução de alcatrão&nbsp;10-45% comparado com o inerte e valores&nbsp;superiores na relação&nbsp;H2:CO e LHV. Os resultados mostraram que o sistema de gaseificação&nbsp;autotérmico&nbsp;permite a transformação&nbsp;da biomassa utilizando&nbsp;catalisadores de custo baixo ou nulo, que o torna atrativo desde o ponto de vista ambiental e econômico.&nbsp;In this work, a bench scale gasification system for biomass waste (pine sawdust) was built. It composed of hopper and screw feeding system, fluidized bed autothermal reactor and gas conditioning system (cyclone and gas cooling). Low-cost catalysts were evaluated in the reactor: a natural mineral (dolomite) and a solid pyrolysis residue, compared to an inert (sand). Catalysts and biomass waste were characterized by different techniques: ICP, BET, TGA, CHONS, among others. Optimization process was studied different condition: biomass particle size, feed rate, gasifying agents and temperature profiles. Optimal performance was achieved with particle size range between 0.50-0.85 mm, feed rate of 0.84 kg/h and equivalent ratio gasifying gas (air and/or steam) to biomass of 0.35-0.45 with equilibrium temperatures of 650 and 750°C, respectively. As expected, higher tar reduction and better values of H2:CO and LHV was obtained with the use of catalysts, reaching tar reduction between 10-45%. Experimental results show that our bench scale autothermic gasification system add value to biomass waste with low-cost catalysts, making it environmentally and economically attractive

CDK5RAP2 primary microcephaly is associated with hypothalamic, retinal and cochlear developmental defects

International audienc

Commentary on Coram et al. (2021) on the use of Facebook to understand marine mammal stranding issues in Southeast Asia

We reviewed Coram et al. (Biodivers Conserv 30:2341–2359, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-021-02196-6), a paper that highlights the use of social media data to understand marine litter and marine mammals in Southeast Asia. While we commend its intent, we find that the methodology used and conclusions drawn portray an incomplete and inaccurate perception of how strandings, stranding response, and analysis of stranding data have been conducted in the region. By focusing on investigative results revealed by a very limited search of one social media platform (Facebook), using only English keywords, and insufficient ground-truthing, Coram et al. (2021) have, unintentionally, given the perception that Southeast Asian scientists have not conducted even the bare minimum of investigation required to better understand the issue of marine litter and its impact on marine mammals. In this commentary we provide a more accurate account of strandings research in Asia and include recommendations to improve future studies using social media to assess conservation issues

Plant chemicals and the sexual behavior of male tephritid fruit flies

Plant compounds affect insects in many different ways. In addition to being a food source, plants also contain secondary metabolites that may have positive and negative impacts on insects. The influence of these compounds on sexual behavior, in particular, has been the focus of many recent studies. Here, we review the existing literature on the effects of plant compounds on the sexual behavior of tephritid fruit fly males. We put special focus on polyphagous species whose males congregate in leks, where females exert strong mate selection. We first summarize the main findings related to plant compounds that increase male signaling behavior and attraction of females and consequently increase mating frequency, a phenomenon that has been recorded mainly for species of Anastrepha and Ceratitis. In other tephritid species, males are attracted to phenylpropanoids produced by plants (such as methyl eugenol or raspberry ketone) that, upon encounter, are consumed and sequestered by males. These compounds, or metabolic derivatives, which normally have negligible nutritional value, are included in the pheromone and also confer advantages in a sexual context: enhanced female attraction and improved male mating success. These phenomena have been reported for several Bactrocera species as well as for Zeugodacus cucurbitae. Because many tephritid species are serious pests, the effect of plant compounds on male behavior has been explored for potential incorporation into control strategies such as the sterile insect technique (SIT). We conclude noting several factors, such as age and nutrition during larval and adult stage, that modulate the effect of plant compounds on male mating behavior as well as some prominent gaps that preclude a thorough understanding of the plant-mediated enhancement of male sexual performance and hence limit our ability to effectively utilize phytochemicals in pest control strategies.Instituto de GenéticaFil: Segura, Diego Fernando. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Genética. Laboratorio de Genética de Insectos de Importancia Económica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Belliard, Silvina A. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Genética. Laboratorio de Genética de Insectos de Importancia Económica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Vera, María Teresa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Agronomía y Zootecnia; ArgentinaFil: Bachmann, Guillermo Enrique. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Genética. Laboratorio de Genética de Insectos de Importancia Económica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Ruiz, María Josefina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Agronomía y Zootecnia; ArgentinaFil: Jofre-Barud, Flavia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Juan; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Fernández, Patricia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Delta del Paraná; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Lopez, M. Liza. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Juan; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Shelly, Todd E. United States Department of Agriculture. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; Estados Unido