Nonlinear model predictive control for hydrogen production in an ethanol steam reformer with membrane separation

© 2016 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other worksThis paper presents a new Nonlinear Model Predictive Control (NMPC) design for an Ethanol Steam Reformer with Pd-Ag membrane separation stage. The reformer is used to produce pure hydrogen able to feed a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell. Mass and energy balances are used to obtain the nonlinear dynamic model of both the reforming and the separation stages. Constraints, system nonlinearities and flexible cost function are the main reasons to select an NMPC controller, which is tested against the ordinary differential equations as simulation model, and has an internal model based on the sample data technique.Accepted versio

Isocyanate toughened pCBT: reactive blending and tensile properties

Electronic version of an article published as "Express polymer letters" vol. 7, nº. 2, February 2013, p. 172-185. Cyclic butylene terephthalate oligomers (CBT) were reacted in a ring-opening polymerization with three types of isocyanates: a bifunctional aromatic type, a bifunctional aliphatic type and a polymeric aromatic isocyanate. All reactions took place in a batch mixer. The use of 0.5 to 1 wt% isocyanate led to a dramatic increase in elongation at break of polymerized cyclic butylene terephthalate (pCBT), from 8 to above 100%. The stiffness and strength of the modified pCBT, however, were found to slightly decrease. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis shows that the formation of thermally stable amide groups is the dominant chain extension reaction mechanism. Gel content measurements suggest a linear structure for samples containing bifunctional isocyanates while pCBT modified with polyfunctional isocyanate exhibited some gel formation at higher isocyanate content. Melting and crystallization temperatures as well as degree of crystallinity were found to decrease with increasing isocyanate content. No phase separation was detected by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Moreover, a high degree of polymerization is deduced due to the absence of CBT oligomer crystals.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Improving Security in Internet of Things with Software Defined Networking

Future Internet of Things (IoT) will connect to the Internet billions of heterogeneous smart devices with the capacity of interacting with the environment. Therefore, the proposed solutions from an IoT networking perspective must take into account the scalability of IoT nodes as well as the operational cost of deploying the networking infrastructure. This will generate a huge volume of data, which poses a tremendous challenge both from the transport, and processing of information point of view. Moreover, security issues appear, due to the fact that untrusted IoT devices are interconnected towards the aggregation networks. In this paper, we propose the usage of a Software- Defined Networking (SDN) framework for introducing security in IoT gateways. An experimental validation of the framework is proposed, resulting in the enforcement of network security at the network edge

t(10;12)(q24;q15): A new cytogenetic marker in hematological malignancies

Cytogenetic studies have played a crucial role in the discovery of genes involved in several diseases. In the field of oncohematology, cytogenetics is still necessary for the classification and prognosis of many diseases. Here we report a new recurrent chromosome translocation, t(10;12)(q24;q15), in two patients with different hematological malignancies: myelodysplastic syndrome with excess blasts (MDS-EB), and myelofibrosis (MF) secondary to essential thrombocythemia (ET). The chromosome alteration was observed as a sole karyotype change in the patient with MDS-EB, both at the initial diagnosis and following progression to MDS-EB2. A putative HMGA2-KLLN rearrangement by RNA-sequencing was detected in this patient. The patient with ET, had a normal karyotype at diagnosis and the t(10;12)(q24;q15) translocation emerged as a sole cytogenetic alteration after transformation, and when MF was evident. We reviewed the literature to determine whether this chromosome abnormality had previously been described in other hematological patients and found two cases: an aggressive T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) and a case of transformed chronic myeloproliferative syndrome (CMS), in both of which t(10;12)(q24;q15) was also the only karyotype change. The clinical evolution of all four cases suggested that t(10;12)(q24;q15) is associated with a poor outcome in oncohematological patients

Oribatid mites in different Mediterranean crop rotations fertilized with animal droppings

Unsustainable soil management is one of the drivers of soil degradation, but impact assessment requires the development of indicators. Oribatids might be considered as early indicators of disturbances due to the stability of their community. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of oribatids as bioindicators of sustainable agricultural practices. Under a dry Mediterranean climate, three fertilization experiments – two under a two-crop rotation system and one under maize monoculture and established 12 years earlier – were sampled 3× for oribatid identification during the last annual cropping cycle. The hypothesis was that different nutrient and crop managements affect the number of oribatid species and individuals present, and these parameters could be used as indicators of soil degradation. In total, 18 oribatid species were identified, and 1974 adult individuals were recovered. Maximum abundance was found prior to sowing. Pig slurry (PS) vs. control, and dairy cattle manure (CM) vs. mineral fertilization increased oribatid abundance. This increase was evident when the average applied rates with PS were ca. 2 Mg of organic matter (OM) ha− 1 yr− 1, or higher than ca. 4 Mg OM ha− 1 yr− 1 for CM. When the preceding crop was wheat and PS or CM were used, Oribatula (Zygoribatula) excavata (which reproduces sexually) predominated. In maize monoculture fertilized with CM, Tectocepheus sarekensis and Acrotritia ardua americana (which can reproduce through parthenogenesis) prevailed vs. Oribatula, which indicated a heavily disturbed soil. Under this specific Mediterranean environment, the predominance of certain parthenogenic oribatid species and the number of individuals provide advanced warning on soil degradation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Contribution of cardio-vascular risk factors to depressive status in the PREDIMED-PLUS Trial. A cross-sectional and a 2-year longitudinal study

Background Cardio-vascular disease and depression are thought to be closely related, due to shared risk factors. The aim of the study was to determine the association between cardio-vascular risk (CVR) factors and depressive status in a population (55–75 years) with metabolic syn drome (MetS) from the PREDIMED-Plus trial. Methods and findings Participants were classified into three groups of CVR according to the Framingham-based REGICOR function: (1) low (LR), (2) medium (MR) or (3) high/very high (HR). The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) was used to assess depressive symptoms at baseline and after 2 years. The association between CVR and depressive status at baseline (n = 6545), and their changes after 2 years (n = 4566) were evaluated through multivariable regression models (logistic and linear models). HR women showed higher odds of depressive status than LR [OR (95% CI) = 1.78 (1.26, 2.50)]. MR and HR participants with total cholesterol <160 mg/mL showed higher odds of depression than LR [OR (95% CI) = 1.77 (1.13, 2.77) and 2.83 (1.25, 6.42) respectively)] but those with total cholesterol �280 mg/mL showed lower odds of depression than LR [OR (95% CI) = 0.26 (0.07, 0.98) and 0.23 (0.05, 0.95), respectively]. All participants decreased their BDI-II score after 2 years, being the decrease smaller in MR and HR diabetic compared to LR [adjusted mean±SE = -0.52±0.20, -0.41 ±0.27 and -1.25±0.31 respectively). MR and HR participants with total cholesterol between 240–279 mg/mL showed greater decreases in the BDI-II score compared to LR (adjusted mean±SE = -0.83±0.37, -0.77±0.64 and 0.97±0.52 respectively). Conclusions Improving cardiovascular health could prevent the onset of depression in the elderly. Diabe tes and total cholesterol in individuals at high CVR, may play a specific role in the precise response. International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial (ISRCTN89898870). Introduction Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the main cause of mortality worldwide [1], and increas

RT-PCR multiplex para la detección simultánea de las mutaciones FLT3-ITD/NPM-1/AML1-ETO asociadas a Leucemia Mieloide Aguda

La Leucemia Mieloide Aguda (LMA) representa un grupo de neoplasias muy heterogéneo. Las aberraciones citogenéticas detectadas en el momento del diagnóstico son el marcador pronóstico más comúnmente utilizado. Sin embargo, el 20% de los casos de LMA presentan un cariotipo normal. Dentro de este grupo de pacientes la presencia de mutaciones del tipo FLT3-ITD se considera de mal pronóstico. Sin embargo, la presencia de la mutación NMP1 o AML1-ETO se asocia a un mejor pronóstico. En este contexto, el objetivo de este trabajo es el desarrollo de una técnica de diagnóstico molecular hematológico, que permita la detección simultánea de mutaciones para estos tres genes. Hemos desarrollado un método basado en la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) que permite amplificar y visualizar simultáneamente estos 3 marcadores tanto desde ARN (un paso) como desde ADNc (dos pasos). De las 28 muestras analizadas, 6 (21,42 %) muestras fueron positivas para FLT3-ITD, 7 para NPM-1 (25%) y otras 4 (14,28) para AML1-ETO. Al comparar ambos métodos (ADNc vs ARN) con métodos convencionales los resultados de las 28 muestras estudiadas fue equivalente en el 100% de los casos, demostrando la robustez de los mismos.Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous group of neoplasms. The cytogenetic aberrations detected at the time of diagnosis are most commonly used as prognostic marker. However, 20% of AML patients exhibit a normal karyotype. Within this group of patients the presence of FLT3 -ITD mutations type is considered of poor prognosis. However, the presence of AML1 –ETO or NMP-1 or mutation is associated with a better prognosis. In this context, the aim of this work is to develop a technique of molecular diagnostic in hematology, allowing the simultaneous detection of mutations for these three genes. We have developed a method based on PCR that simultaneously amplifies and visualizes these three molecular markers both from RNA (one- step) and from cDNA (step two). Of the 28 samples tested, 6 (21.42%) samples were positive for FLT3 -ITD, 7 for NPM- 1 (25% ) and 4 ( 14,28 ) for AML1 -ETO . When comparing the two methods (cDNA vs RNA) by conventional techniques the obtained results from the 28 samples tested was equivalent in 100% of cases, demonstrating the robustness of this development

Pla de l’Horta (Sarrià de Ter, Girona): una necrópolis con inhumaciones visigodas en la Tarraconense oriental

The first large Visigothic necropolis in eastern Tarraconensis was found in Sarrià de Ter (Girona, Spain) between 2004 and 2006. It is composed of 58 burials with typically Germanic trousseaux and ornamental objects (buckles, fixtures, brooches …). The existence of this necropolis must be discussed in relation to the proximity of the city of Gerunda, of the Via Augusta and the castellum of Late Antiquity discovered recently in the neighbouring town of Sant Julià de Ramis.En Sarrià de Ter (Girona) se produjo entre 2004 y 2006 el hallazgo de la primera gran necrópolis visigoda en la Tarraconense oriental, compuesta por 58 enterramientos con ajuares y objectos de ornamentacion tipicamente germánicos (hebillas, apliques, fíbulas...). La existencia de esta necrópolis se debe poner en relación con la proximidad de la ciudad de Gerunda, de la Vía Augusta y del castellum tardoantiguo descubierto recientemente en el muncipio vecino de Sant Julià de Ramis

Radioresistance of mesenchymal glioblastoma initiating cells correlates with patient outcome and is associated with activation of inflammatory program

Glioblastoma (GBM) still remains an incurable disease being radiotherapy (RT) the mainstay treatment. Glioblastoma intra-tumoral heterogeneity and GlioblastomaInitiating Cells (GICs) challenge the design of effective therapies. We investigated GICs and non-GICs response to RT in a paired in-vitro model and addressed molecular programs activated in GICs after RT. Established GICs heterogeneously expressed several GICs markers and displayed a mesenchymal signature. Upon fractionated RT, GICs reported higher radioresistance compared to non-GICs and showed lower α- and β-values, according to the Linear Quadratic Model interpretation of the survival curves. Moreover, a significant correlation was observed between GICs radiosensitivity and patient disease-free survival. Transcriptome analysis of GICs after acquisition of a radioresistant phenotype reported significant activation of Proneural-to-Mesenchymal transition (PMT) and pro-inflammatory pathways, being STAT3 and IL6 the major players. Our findings support a leading role of mesenchymal GICs in defining patient response to RT and provide the grounds for targeted therapies based on the blockade of inflammatory pathways to overcome GBM radioresistance