Nickel removal from exhausted electroplatting baths by using vegetable wastes

During the last years our research group has been studying the use of industrial vegetable wastes as grape stalks and exhausted coffee to remove metals ions such as Ni(II), Cu(II), Pb(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) or Cr(VI) and Cr(III) in aqueous solution from the point of view to use these wastes as biosorbents in a low cost alternative to activated carbon for wastewater treatment. The optimal experimental conditions for the removal of each of these metal ions in synthetic solutions by using both biosorbents were determined in previous studies . In this work, the performance of grape stalks and exhausted coffee for the removal of nickel ions from an exhausted electroplating bath of a metal finishing industry from Barcelona (Spain) has been investigated. Batch and column experiments were carried out at room temperature by using grape stalk wastes (particle size 0.8-1.0 mm), meanwhile in the case of exhausted coffee, two different particle size ranges were used, 0.25-0.50 mm and 0.50-1.00 mm for batch and column experiments, respectively. Kinetics and equilibrium studies were carried out in batch mode to determine the equilibrium contact time and to obtain the sorption capacity of sorbents. The data in both studies have been treated by using different models. Column experiments were designed to establish the optimal condition for the treatment of the industrial wastewater. The experiments were performed in packed bed up flow columns of different internal diameter and bed depth in order to predict the transport and sorption parameters. In all column experiments the flow rate was around 11 mL h-1. From perspective of process modelling, the dynamic behavior was described in terms of breakthrough curves. The bed depth service time (BDST), Thomas and Yoon Nelson models were used to analyze the experimental data and to determine model parameters. Batch results show that about 1hour was the time needed to reach equilibrium when using grape stalks and around 15 h when using exhausted coffee. In the case of exhausted coffee, the pH solution decreased during the sorption process from initial pH 5,5 to lower pH than the corresponding pHpzc (point zero charge). To avoid this, pH solution was controlled to a constant pH 5,5 and the equilibrium were achieved in 1h. Kinetic data of both sorption processes fit pseudo-second order model, indicating that chemisorption could be rate limiting in the sorption step. Equilibrium data of nickel sorption onto grape stalks and exhausted coffee fit adequately Langmuir model, indicating monolayer coverage. Results showed that maximum sorption capacity of grape stalks (4,8 10-2 mmol/g; 2,84 mg/g) is slightly higher than exhausted coffee (2,9 10-2 mmol/g; 1,70 mg/g). The maximum nickel sorption capacity of both sorbents was reduced to 50% compared to maximum sorption capacity determined using synthetic Ni(II) solutions. Thus, grape stalks and exhausted coffee performance for the removal of Ni(II) from the studied industrial wastewater are negatively affected by the presence of other compounds in the industrial wastewater. In column experiments, the best results were obtained by using 2.8 cm internal diameter columns and bed depth 6 cm and 8 cm for grape stalks and exhausted coffee, respectively. Breakthrough curves were successfully modelled by the proposed columns models. The results obtained demonstrated that grape stalks sorption capacity was higher than exhausted coffee but this one presented a higher sorption rate.Postprint (published version

Valorització de residus vegetals procedents de processos industrials com a biosorbents per a l'eliminació d'ions metàl•lics d'afluents aquosos

L’objectiu d’aquest projecte és la valorització de residus vegetals procedents de processos industrials, com són el pinyol d’oliva, rapa del raïm, suro, marro de cafè, etc.,com a biosorbents per a l’eliminació de diferents ions metàl·lics, crom, arsènic, plom, cadmi, coure, níquel, etc., d’afluents aquosos.Peer Reviewe

Association of Candidate Gene Polymorphisms With Chronic Kidney Disease: Results of a Case-Control Analysis in the Nefrona Cohort

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major risk factor for end-stage renal disease, cardiovascular disease and premature death. Despite classical clinical risk factors for CKD and some genetic risk factors have been identified, the residual risk observed in prediction models is still high. Therefore, new risk factors need to be identified in order to better predict the risk of CKD in the population. Here, we analyzed the genetic association of 79 SNPs of proteins associated with mineral metabolism disturbances with CKD in a cohort that includes 2, 445 CKD cases and 559 controls. Genotyping was performed with matrix assisted laser desorption ionizationtime of flight mass spectrometry. We used logistic regression models considering different genetic inheritance models to assess the association of the SNPs with the prevalence of CKD, adjusting for known risk factors. Eight SNPs (rs1126616, rs35068180, rs2238135, rs1800247, rs385564, rs4236, rs2248359, and rs1564858) were associated with CKD even after adjusting by sex, age and race. A model containing five of these SNPs (rs1126616, rs35068180, rs1800247, rs4236, and rs2248359), diabetes and hypertension showed better performance than models considering only clinical risk factors, significantly increasing the area under the curve of the model without polymorphisms. Furthermore, one of the SNPs (the rs2248359) showed an interaction with hypertension, being the risk genotype affecting only hypertensive patients. We conclude that 5 SNPs related to proteins implicated in mineral metabolism disturbances (Osteopontin, osteocalcin, matrix gla protein, matrix metalloprotease 3 and 24 hydroxylase) are associated to an increased risk of suffering CKD

Experiències docents d'adaptació a l'EEES a l'Escola Politècnica Superior de la UdG

Col·lecció: dos punts; 4Aquesta publicació té com a objectiu servir de model i també de punt de reflexió a altres professors, per afrontar el nou model educatiu i per entrar així en igualtat de condicions que altres països a formar part d’aquest espai europeu d’educació superior. Els treballs que es recullen en aquest llibre s’han agrupat en tres blocs: “Adaptació d’assignatures i de plans d’estudi a l’EEES”, “Diversificació metodològica” i “Avaluació de l’aprenentatge

Adaptació al Moodle de l'assignatura experimentació en química II

Isabel Villaescusa, professora del Departament d' Enginyeria Química, Agrària i Tecnologia Agroalimentària de la UdG, parla de la seva experiència amb el Moodle aplicat en el disseny de l' assignatura 'Experimentació en Química II

20 años de Programa Erasmus

El trabajo recopila y analiza los intercambios de estudiantes que la Escuela Politécnica Superior (EPS) ha realizado en el marco del programa Erasmus durante el período comprendido entre los cursos 2000-2001 y 2007-2008. El análisis de dichos intercambios se realiza desde distintas perspectivas: número y reciprocidad de los intercambios, instituciones, países, titulaciones y actividades que realizan en las instituciones de destino. El objetivo del trabajo era evidenciar las instituciones con las cuales se han venido realizando intercambios y más colaboraciones docentes para poder contactar con los responsables de las mismas con el fin de incrementar la cantidad y la calidad de los intercambios y estudiar la posible colaboración en el desarrollo de títulos de grado y de master con doble titulación. Los resultados del estudio ponen de manifiesto que marchan más estudiantes de los que vienen; que los países con los cuales se han realizado más intercambios son Bélgica y Alemania, que la mayoría de los intercambios corresponden a estudiantes de Ingeniería Industrial y que mayoritariamente la actividad que los estudiantes realizan en la institución de destino es la realización del proyecto final de carrera (PFC). Un análisis más profundo de los resultados obtenidos en cuanto países, instituciones y titulaciones con más intercambios tienen su justificación en la política que se llevó a cabo justo al inicio del programa Erasmus cuando la Escuela Politécnica Superior entró a formar parte de dos redes formadas por instituciones de distintos países dentro del Programa de Cooperación Interuniversitaria (PCI) en el marco del Programa Erasmus. Se constata que las instituciones y las titulaciones con más intercambios coinciden en su mayoría con las instituciones integrantes de dichos PCIs y las titulaciones se imparten en dichas instituciones. El hecho que tanto los estudiantes que vienen a la EPS como los que marchan utilicen su estancia para realizar mayoritariamente su proyecto final de carrera obedece al hecho de que la organización de los planes de estudio y la lengua en la que se imparte la docencia no favorece que los estudiantes cursen créditos de asignaturas en instituciones extranjeras. La conclusión final es que si el análisis realizado en este estudio se hubiese llevado a cabo en algún momento de estos casi 20 años de Programa Erasmus, seguramente se habrían propuesto estrategias para aprovechar al máximo la sinergia creada por el Programa Erasmus y nuestra escuela entraría ahora en una mejor posición en el Espacio Europeo de Educación Superio

Quality improvement of Pleurotus mushrooms by modified atmosphere packaging and moisture absorbers

11 pages, 7 tables, 3 figures.Quality of Pleurotus ostreatus mushrooms was compared during cold storage under various temperatures and modified atmospheres with and without moisture absorbers. CO2 production followed a non-climacteric pattern and was about 0.50, 0.99 and 1.23 μmol CO2 kg−1 s−1 at 0, 4 and 7 °C, respectively, after 12 h. At the end of 11 days of storage, the respiration rates were very similar for all the assayed temperatures (±0.37 μmol CO2 kg−1 s−1). The best mushroom appearance was found at 0 °C, although for optimizing modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), 4 °C was selected to minimize low-temperature damage. When prolonging the storage beyond 7 days, quality characteristics dropped sharply and the mushrooms were not marketable, except when kept at 0 °C. Therefore, 7 days was the maximum recommended storage period for Pleurotus mushrooms. MAP at 4 °C for 7 days was created using microperforated polypropylenes (MPP1 and MPP2), low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) films. Results were compared with macroperforated polypropylene (PP) control packages. In order to avoid condensation, sorbitol and silica gel were used to modify the in-package relative humidity. Moisture absorbers did not modify the gas composition of the packages. Sorbitol promoted tissue leakage and cannot be recommended. Lower relative humidity was observed in packages containing silica gel and this did not affect the quality of the mushrooms. However, increasing amounts of silica gel increased weight loss in Pleurotus mushrooms, and high weight loss detected in PP packages made these unacceptable. MAP (15 kPa O2+5 kPa CO2) was found beneficial for maintaining acceptable quality of Pleurotus for 7 days at 4 °C.The authors are grateful to UE, Project EUCRAFT QLK5-CT-1999-70010 for financial support.Peer reviewe

Presentació de les segones jornades 'Coneix la recerca que es fa a l'EPS'

Presentació de les jornades 'Coneix la recerca que es fa a l'EPS 2011', en què investigadors dels difererents grups de recerca de l’Escola Politècnica Superior presentaran els projectes que desenvolupe

Quality improvement of Pleurotus mushrooms by modified atmosphere packaging and moisture absorbers

11 pages, 7 tables, 3 figures.Quality of Pleurotus ostreatus mushrooms was compared during cold storage under various temperatures and modified atmospheres with and without moisture absorbers. CO2 production followed a non-climacteric pattern and was about 0.50, 0.99 and 1.23 μmol CO2 kg−1 s−1 at 0, 4 and 7 °C, respectively, after 12 h. At the end of 11 days of storage, the respiration rates were very similar for all the assayed temperatures (±0.37 μmol CO2 kg−1 s−1). The best mushroom appearance was found at 0 °C, although for optimizing modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), 4 °C was selected to minimize low-temperature damage. When prolonging the storage beyond 7 days, quality characteristics dropped sharply and the mushrooms were not marketable, except when kept at 0 °C. Therefore, 7 days was the maximum recommended storage period for Pleurotus mushrooms. MAP at 4 °C for 7 days was created using microperforated polypropylenes (MPP1 and MPP2), low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) films. Results were compared with macroperforated polypropylene (PP) control packages. In order to avoid condensation, sorbitol and silica gel were used to modify the in-package relative humidity. Moisture absorbers did not modify the gas composition of the packages. Sorbitol promoted tissue leakage and cannot be recommended. Lower relative humidity was observed in packages containing silica gel and this did not affect the quality of the mushrooms. However, increasing amounts of silica gel increased weight loss in Pleurotus mushrooms, and high weight loss detected in PP packages made these unacceptable. MAP (15 kPa O2+5 kPa CO2) was found beneficial for maintaining acceptable quality of Pleurotus for 7 days at 4 °C.The authors are grateful to UE, Project EUCRAFT QLK5-CT-1999-70010 for financial support.Peer reviewe

Evolución de la atención educativa : de la segregación a la inclusión. Sistema I+I

Durante 15 años, las autoras de esta comunicación han trabajado conjuntamente distintos aspectos de la atención a la diversidad, como integrantes del departamento de orientación y como equipo directivo. A lo largo de estos años se han realizado distintos proyectos y actuaciones, con el objetivo de mejorar el rendimiento académico de los alumnos que presentaban un desarrollo curricular por encima o por debajo de sus compañeros. Teniendo siempre en cuenta la investigación, la bibliografía, normativa y las actuaciones establecidas desde la Consellería, se ha actuado desde posiciones inicialmente segregadoras, pasando por otras integradoras,… llegando a otras más inclusivas. A partir de todas esas actuaciones, desarrollamos un sistema I+I, donde el objetivo es tener en cuenta todos aquellos aspectos que nos han funcionado para lograr un adecuado rendimiento académico de nuestros alumnos. Además, otro objetivo que hemos pretendido ha sido sistematizar dichas actuaciones, de forma que puedan utilizarse en distintos contextos escolares. Así se asientan las pautas y coordinaciones pedagógicas inclusivas de éxito, en cada uno de los centros educativos, y empiezan a formar parte de las señas de identidad del centro. Se trata de un sistema en desarrollo, y puede irse completando desde distintas experiencias de centro. Somos conscientes de que cada centro educativo tendrá un itinerario inclusivo diferente según el punto en el que se encuentre. Ya que como suele ocurrir en otras disciplinas, no sólo es importante la implementación con éxito de medidas pedagógicas, sino aún más, el recorrido hasta alcanzar esa calidad y equidad educativa. Ya que durante el camino nos formamos y transcribimos el camino para otros docentes.For over 15 years, the authors of this communication have worked together on different aspects of attention to diversity, as members of the guidance department and as a management team. Throughout these years, different projects and actions have been carried out, with the main aim of improving the academic performance of the students who presented a curriculum development above or below their peers. Taking into account different resources such as the last inputs from research, bibliography, regulations and actions established by the Ministry, the authors have initially acted from segregating positions, later on through an integrator manner, and finally reaching an inclusive perspective. From all these actions, the authors have developed an I + I system, where the objective aims to take into account all those aspects to achieve an adequate academic performance for the students. In addition, another objective has been to systematize these actions, so that they can be used in different school and academic contexts. This article contains a developing system, and can adapted to different center contexts, since each educational center will probably have an specific inclusive itinerary, according to its particular context and situation