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• Evidence for estrogen receptor signaling in lophotrochozoans is reviewed. • Lophotrochozoans of particular interest are annelids and rotifers. • Estrogen receptors are present and ligand activation in some lineages. • De novo synthesis of estradiol is not clearly established due to large data gaps. • Expression patterns for ER suggest roles in development, reproduction, digestion. Estrogen receptors (ERs) are thought to be the ancestor of all steroid receptors and are present in most lophotrochozoans studied to date, including molluscs, annelids, and rotifers. A number of studies have investigated the functional role of estrogen receptors in invertebrate species, although most are in molluscs, where the receptor is constitutively active. In vitro experiments provided evidence for ligand-activated estrogen receptors in annelids, raising important questions about the role of estrogen signalling in lophotrochozoan lineages. Here, we review the concordant and discordant evidence of estradiol receptor signalling in lophotrochozoans, with a focus on annelids and rotifers. We explore the de novo synthesis of estrogens, the evolution and expression of estrogen receptors, and physiological responses to activation of estrogen receptors in the lophotrochozoan phyla Annelida and Rotifera. Key data are missing to determine if de novo biosynthesis of estradiol in non-molluscan lophotrochozoans is likely. For example, an ortholog for the CYP11 gene is present, but confirmation of substrate conversion and measured tissue products is lacking. Orthologs CYP17 and CYP19 are lacking, yet intermediates or products (e.g. estradiol) in tissues have been measured. Estrogen receptors are present in multiple species, and for a limited number, in vitro data show agonist binding of estradiol and/or transcriptional activation. The expression patterns of the lophotrochozoan ERs suggest developmental, reproductive, and digestive roles but are highly species dependent. E 2 exposures suggest that lophotrochozoan ERs may play a role in reproduction, but no strong dose–response relationship has been established. Therefore, we expect most lophotrochozoan species, outside of perhaps platyhelminths, to have an ER but their physiological role remains elusive. Mining genomes for orthologs gene families responsible for steroidogenesis, coupled with in vitro and in vivo studies of the steroid pathway are needed to better assess whether lophotrochozoans are capable of estradiol biosynthesis. One major challenge is that much of the data are divided across a diversity of species. We propose that the polychaetes Capitella teleta or Platyneris dumerilii, and rotifer Brachionus manjavacas may be strong species choices for studies of estrogen receptor signalling, because of available genomic data, established laboratory culture techniques, and gene knockout potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objectives The enhanced safety surveillance for seasonal influenza vaccines established by the European Medicines Agency is required each season. Therefore, a registry capable of rapidly detecting and evaluating potential new safety concerns is needed. The aim of the study is to demonstrate the effectiveness of the vaccine information system of the Valencia region to make a rapid assessment of the influenza vaccine safety and describe the safety of the two vaccine types used in the 2017/2018 season. Study design It is a population-based descriptive study. Methods Adverse events following immunization reports collected from 23rd October 2017 to 15th March 2018 were analyzed. Results A total of 55 adverse events for influenza vaccine were reported in season 2017/2018 with a reporting rate (RR) of 0.77 per 10,000 administered doses. Injection site reactions had a RR of 0.30 and 0.47 per 10,000 for subunit and adjuvanted vaccines, respectively. Differences per vaccine, sex, and risk group did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions Reported events of the two influenza vaccine types used were similar than in other seasons and consistent with their safety profiles. Highlights • The aim of enhanced surveillance is to rapidly detect a change in the reactogenicity. • Vaccine information system of the Valencia region is useful for rapid safety assessment. • Reported adverse events for influenza vaccines were consistent with safety profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concern for the nutritional quality of chips is growing due to rising consumption, motivating research and development of new snack products that contribute to a lower calorie and fat intake in the diet while retaining their good flavor and facility of consumption. The objective of this study was to investigate the behavior of cassava chips, blanched or unblanched and processed under either atmospheric or vacuum frying conditions, in order to determine the influence of these treatments on mechanical and acoustic parameters, optical properties and oil absorption. Vacuum frying trials (17 kPa) were conducted at 120, 130 and 140 °C and compared with frying at atmospheric pressure (101.3 kPa) at 165 °C. Pre-blanching brings a considerable improvement in the color of the vacuum-treated samples and less oil absorption. Vacuum frying pre-blanched cassava chips may be an alternative to atmospheric frying since it improves the color of the samples, reduces the oil gain and maintains crispness. The treatment at 130 °C under vacuum conditions after pre-blanching achieved the best results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this work Laponite was combined with a modified abundant natural polymer, (caboxymethyl cellulose), acrylic sodium salt polymer and lithium perchlorate aiming to produce inexpensive and sustainable nanocomposite electrolytes for functional electrochemical devices. Optical, electrochemical, structural, morphological and rheological characterization was performed in order to evaluate their properties and potential advantages as electrolyte. It was verified that the addition of Laponite led to an ionic conductivity at room temperature (25°C) in the range of 6 to 9×10−5 Scm−1 this value being then determined by the composition of the nanocomposite. These electrolytes were applied to electrochromic devices using evaporated nickel oxide thin film as the electrochromic layer. The devices exhibited a significant transmittance modulation that exceeds 45 % at 600nm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper presents a criterion for detecting diffuse (homogeneous) instabilities in granular soils sheared under fully drained conditions. The criterion is based on bifurcation theory and applied to elasto-plasticity by allowing multiple incremental solutions in elasto-plastic soils, physically losing controllability of stress boundary conditions. Drained diffuse instabilities are poorly understood, and are induced by kinematic modes different from those observed in shear bands and liquefaction instabilities. Unlike shear bands, diffuse instabilities occur under fairly homogenous deformation modes and, unlike liquefaction, drained instabilities are not generated by the excess pore pressures. Recent experiments under drained constant shear report sudden homogeneous instabilities in samples of relatively dense and loose sands. The criterion presented in this paper is used in conjunction with an elasto-plasticity model for sands to predict and explain these reported drained instabilities. From a practical standpoint, these developments serve to expand the repertoire of potential instabilities that occur well before failure, and which have been reported in case studies of puzzling slope instability failures under fully drained conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study, the influence of the β-lactoglobulin, prolactin and αS1-casein variants on milk production traits of three Portuguese sheep breeds, including Serra da Estrela, White Merino and Black Merino, was analyzed. The genetic variants of each marker were identified using PCR-RFLP. β-Lactoglobulin genotype AA was associated with lower milk yield in Serra da Estrela and Merino ewes. This marker also affected milk fat content in Serra da Estrela and protein content in Merino. First results regarding the influence of the sheep prolactin gene on milk production traits are reported. In the Serra da Estrela breed, ewes carrying prolactin genotype AA were significantly associated with lower milk yield, but this influence of prolactin genotypes on milk yield was not detected in Merino. Prolactin genotypes were also significantly associated with milk fat and protein contents in the Serra da Estrela breed. A suggestive effect of the αS1-casein locus on milk yield was detected in Serra da Estrela, but no associations were found between the variants of this marker with milk fat and protein content. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In [J. Henry, A.M. Ramos, Factorization of second order elliptic boundary value problems by dynamic programming, Nonlinear Analysis. Theory, Methods & Applications 59 (2004) 629–647] we presented a method for factorizing a second-order boundary value problem into a system of uncoupled first-order initial value problems, together with a nonlinear Riccati type equation for functional operators. A weak sense was given to that system but we did not perform a direct study of those equations. This factorization utilizes either the Neumann to Dirichlet (NtD) operator or the Dirichlet to Neumann (DtN) operator, which satisfy a Riccati equation. Here we consider the framework of Hilbert–Schmidt operators, which provides tools for a direct study of this Riccati type equation. Once we have solved the system of Cauchy problems, we show that its solution solves the original second-order boundary value problem. Finally, we indicate how this techniques can be used to find suitable transparent conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study, fresh and processing quality traits were collected on a total of 312 Country Hams. Phenotypic correlations between traits were estimated and numerous values were significantly different (P <0.05) from zero. Yield was significantly correlated with several fresh pork quality traits measured on the fresh hams, including subjective color (0.34) and lipid percentage (0.32). Some meat color traits were significantly correlated, including associations between the color scores taken on the fresh and cured hams. Correlations between fresh pork quality traits were also determined, with results showing significant correlations between ultimate pH and other pork quality traits. The results indicate that yield can be maximized if hams with good fresh pork quality parameters are used for curing. The correlations estimates are helpful for understanding of the biological mechanisms behind the production of dry-cured hams and can potentially be used to improve the efficiency of the dry-cured ham production chain. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A mathematical model has been developed to describe the phenomena of heat and mass transfer taking place during the high-pressure treatment of foods. It has proved that convection currents in the pressure medium play an important role in the thermal evolution of the processed samples especially when the filling ratio in the pressure vessel is low. This model shows to be an extremely useful tool to design high-pressure processes seeking a uniform temperature distribution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) membranes crosslinked with sulfosuccinic acid (SSA) were used for the esterification of acetic acid by isoamylic alcohol. In order to study the effects of the crosslinking degree and, simultaneously, the amount of sulfonic groups, different membranes were prepared with SSA:PVA ratios in the range of 5–40mol%. Aiming at to eliminate the dependence between the amount of acid sites and the crosslinking degree, were also prepared PVA membranes in which the –SO3H groups were introduced by anchoring 5-sulfosalisilic acid (SA) on the PVA chains. The conversion of isoamylic alcohol increases when the amount of sulfosuccinic acid used in the polymer crosslinking is increased from 5 to 20%. However, when crosslinking degree increases from 20 to 40%, the conversion of isoamylic alcohol increases only slightly, probably due to the increase of molecules mobility restrictions, in the PVA matrix. In the case of the PVA membranes where the –SO3H groups were introduced by esterifying 5-sulfosalisilic acid on the PVA –OH groups, it was observed that membrane activity increases with the polymer crosslinking. It was also observed an increase of the activity of these membranes with the amount of –SO3H groups in the polymeric matrix. Catalytic stability of PVA membranes, prepared with SSA and SA, was evaluated by performing consecutive batch runs with the same membrane being observed, after the third run, a trend to stabilization of catalytic activity. An experiment with a membrane reactor operating under sweep gas pervaporation conditions is described. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The oxidation of limonene over carbon anchored cobalt acetylacetonate catalysts is reported. The reaction is carried out in batch reactor, at 60°C, in the solvent system acetone:t-butanol, with t-butyl hydroperoxide as oxygen supplier. Complex anchoring was achieved in four consecutive steps: (i) oxidation of activated carbon with nitric acid, (ii) treatment with thionyl chloride that converts the free carboxylic acid surface groups into acyl chloride functionalities, (iii) reaction between the carbon surface acyl chloride functionalities and linear diamines used as linking agents and (iv) Schiff condensation between the remaining free amino group of the linking agent and the acetylacetonate complex. The resulting carbon-based materials were characterised by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), DRIFT, nitrogen adsorption isotherms and temperature-programmed desorption. Ethylenediamine, tetramethylenediamine, hexamethylenediamine and dodecamethylenediamine are used as linking agents. Two different carbon supports are prepared by oxidising the parent activated carbon with 1M HNO3 or 13M HNO3 in order to obtain support surfaces with different oxygen contents. The effects of the chain length of the linking agent as well as the support''s oxygen content on the orientation of the reaction towards epoxidation or autoxidation is discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We present a method to factorize a second-order boundary value problem in a cylindrical domain in a system of uncoupled first-order initial value problems, together with a nonlinear Riccati-type equation for functional operators. This uncoupling is obtained by a space invariant embedding technique along the axis of the cylinder. This method can be viewed as an infinite-dimensional generalization of the block Gauss LU factorization. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The α-pinene hydration to α-terpineol was studied using as catalysts polymeric catalytic membranes consisting of HPMo entrapped in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) cross-linked with 10, 20 and 30% of succinic acid, and HPMo encaged in USY zeolites dispersed in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix.In the case of HPMo/PVA membranes it was observed that membrane activity increases with the polymer cross-linking, due to the increase in membrane hydrophobicity, up to the limit of the increasingly restrictions to the molecules mobility. The HPMo-USY/PDMS membrane shows a significantly higher activity for pinene hydration, which is even higher than that observed with USY encaged HPMo alone. However, selectivity to α-terpineol (65% at 80% conversion) is slightly lower than that obtained for the HPMo/PVA cross-linked with 20 or 30% of succinic acid (70–75% at 90% conversion).For both catalytic membranes, HPMo/PVA or HPMo-USY/PDMS, the stability is reasonable good and catalyst activity increases in the subsequent uses of the same membrane, probably due to the interaction between retained α-terpineol and the polymer matrix. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The objective of the study hereby presented consisted on the analysis of different finishing milling strategies of a complex geometry part containing concave and convex surfaces. The machining quality was assessed through the comparison of surface roughness, surface texture and dimensional control parameters. Three typical milling strategies were studied: radial, raster and 3D offset. The tool-cutting parameters were maintained constant for all strategies tested. The 3D offset machining strategy evidenced to be the suitable one for the geometry model used within the study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Activated carbon impregnated with precursor salts of Ba, Co, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb and V and their binary mixtures was used for adsorption of SO2 at 20 °C. The most promising materials for SO2 removal are carbons doped with V, Cu and mainly their binary mixtures, which show a synergetic effect. Kinetic curves and isotherms of SO2 adsorption were obtained at 20 °C. These isotherms are reasonably well fitted by the Langmuir model and the respective parameters were determined. TPD experiments show that adsorption of SO2 increases the oxygenated groups on the carbon surface. The sample doped with V, after SO2 adsorption at 20 °C, presents an increase of basic oxygenated groups, which may be responsible for the observed extra adsorption of SO2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Atmospheric scavenging processes have been investigated, taking into consideration a numerical simulation through the model Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS), the below-cloud scavenging model, local atmospheric conditions and local emissions in the Serra do Mar region in southeastern Brazil. The RAMS modeling was coupled with a one-dimensional (1-D) below-cloud scavenging model in order to simulate the in-cloud and below-cloud scavenging processes. RAMS modeling was also used in order to simulate the cloud structures. The aim of the modeling was to predict the average concentration of three chemical species found in rainwater: SO4=, NO3− and NH4+, scavenged from the atmosphere. The concentrations of gases and particles in the samplings, as well as the meteorological parameters obtained during the March 1993 Campaign, were the input data in both models. Another objective was to compare the modeled and the observed rainwater and determine the variability in concentration. Rainwater was obtained by using fractionated rain samplers. Variability was determined through chemical analysis. Urban and rural aerosol spectra modeling were also used in order to compare the rainwater concentration species variability. When both in-cloud and below-cloud processes are included, the general result of the March 1993 events presents a better agreement between modeled and observed data sets than only below-cloud. Preliminary results lead us to conclude that the rainwater variability of nitrate is explained by the scavenging of particles from urban spectrum size distribution, whereas rural spectra explain ammonium rainwater variability—indicating the different sources of those species. Comparing to the March 1992 events, these case studies present a significant contribution from the in-cloud scavenging, supported by the Weather Radar maps and RAMS modeling. In particular, the almost constant rainwater concentrations on 16 March (an indication of strong in-cloud contribution) are related to the rainfall event, which crossed the study area on that day. These results add an important understanding to the atmospheric wet removal processes in the region studied. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in China many models have appeared in the literature, trying to simulate its dynamics. Focusing on modeling the biological and sociological mechanisms which influence the disease spread, the basic reference example is the SIR model. However, it is too simple to be able to model those mechanisms (including the three main types of control measures: social distancing, contact tracing and health system measures) to fit real data and to simulate possible future scenarios. A question, then, arises: how much and how do we need to complexify a SIR model? We develop a θ -SEIHQRD model, which may be the simplest one satisfying the mentioned requirements for arbitrary territories and can be simplified in particular cases. We show its very good performance in the Italian case and study different future scenarios. • Mathematical model for coronavirus disease (COVID-19). • New θ -SEIHQRD model taking into account quarantine and undetected infections. • Validation of the model with the reported data for Italy. • New formula for the effective reproduction number. • Different scenarios to show the impact of undetected cases and control measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the mapping of the porcine peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha gene to chromosome 5. Primer sequences; Polymerase chain reaction conditions; Genetic polymorphism and Mendelian inheritance; Chromosomal location.

Alkoxylation of α−pinene, β−pinene and limonene was performed in the presence of SBA-15-occluded tungstophosphoric acid (HPW). The HPW was immobilised in SBA-15 using the sol-gel method. The catalysts were characterised by N 2 adsorption, FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, X-Ray diffraction, ICP-AES and TEM. A series of catalysts with different heteropolyacid loadings ranging from 1.8 to 19.3 wt. % were prepared. PW4-SBA-15 (with 10.8 wt. %) exhibited the highest catalytic activity for the alkoxylation of α-pinene with ethanol. An approximately 53% selectivity to α-terpinyl ethyl ether was observed over the PW-SBA-15 catalysts. PW4-SBA-15 was also used as a catalyst for the alkoxylation of other terpenes, including β-pinene and limonene. The PW4-SBA-15 catalyst exhibited high catalytic stability for the alkoxylation of α-pinene with ethanol. PW4-SBA-15 was also used as a catalyst for the esterification of free fatty acids (i.e., palmitic, stearic and oleic acids) with ethanol. Good catalytic activity was observed for the PW4-SBA-15 catalyst with the different substrates used in the esterifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the static equilibria of a simplified Leslie–Ericksen model for a unidirectional uniaxial nematic flow in a prototype microfluidic channel, as a function of the pressure gradient G and inverse anchoring strength, B . We numerically find multiple static equilibria for admissible pairs ( G , B ) and classify them according to their winding numbers and stability. The case G = 0 is analytically tractable and we numerically study how the solution landscape is transformed as G increases. We study the one-dimensional dynamical model, the sensitivity of the dynamic solutions to initial conditions and the rate of change of G and B . We provide a physically interesting example of how the time delay between the applications of G and B can determine the selection of the final steady state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we study optimal and suboptimal control strategies for the treatment of a polluted water resource by using aside a continuous bioreactor. The control consists in choosing the inlet volumetric flow rate for filling the bioreactor with contaminated water from a considered resource (lake, reservoir, water-table, …). The treated outflow returns to the resource. We tackle an optimization problem which aims to minimize the time needed to reach a prescribed minimal value of contamination in the resource by choosing the input flow. Next, we study the influence of inhomogeneities of concentrations in the bioreactor, considering a system based on partial differential equations which describe its dynamics. We show that applying the optimal feedback control derived for perfectly mixed bioreactor does not allow to reach the target with small diffusion parameters as it drives the bioreactor to washout (the bioreactor equilibrium with no biomass). In this case, a suboptimal feedback (which reaches the target in finite time) is obtained with the help of a Hybrid Genetic Algorithm. Furthermore, we consider that the fluid flow velocity of the water entering into the bioreactor follows either a uniform or a nonuniform profile, showing that the optimal volumetric flow rates obtained with the uniform profile are not optimal if the profile is nonuniform, even when high diffusion coefficients are considered in the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the assignment of the porcine peptide YY gene to chromosome 12. Primer sequences; Polymerase chain reaction conditions; Genetic polymorphism and Mendelian inheritance; Chromosomal location.

Abstract: Nowadays, consumers look for minimally processed, additive-free food products that maintain their organoleptic properties. This has led to the development of new technologies for food processing. One emerging technology is high hydrostatic pressure, as it proves to be very effective in prolonging the shelf life of foods without losing its properties. Recent research has involved modelling and simulating the effect of combining thermal and high pressure processes (see Denys et al. (2000) [3], Infante et al. (2009) [5], Knoerzer et al. (2007) [6], Otero et al. (2007) [9]). The focus is mainly on the inactivation of certain enzymes and microorganisms that are harmful to food. Various mathematical models that study the behaviour of these enzymes and microorganisms during a high pressure process have been proposed (see Infante et al. (2009) [5], Knoerzer et al. (2007) [6]). Such models need the temperature and pressure profiles of the whole process as an input. In this paper we present two dimensional models, with different types of boundary conditions, to calculate the temperature profile for solid type foods. We give an exact solution and propose several simplifications, in both two and one dimensions. The temperature profile of these simplified two and one dimensional models is calculated both numerically and analytically, and the solutions are compared. Our results show a very good agreement for all the approximations proposed, and so we can conclude that the simplifications and dimensional reduction are reasonable for certain parameter values, which are specified in this work. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Acetalization of glycerol with hexanal was studied over sulfonic acid-functionalized mesoporous silica (SBA-15), at 70 ºC. The product obtained were (2-pentyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methanol and 2-pentyl-1,3-dioxan-5-ol. Materials with different amounts of sulfonic acid groups were prepared. The support functionalization was achieved by the introduction of 3-(mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane onto the surface of these materials by grafting technique. The [SO 3 H]-SBA-15 catalysts were characterized by nitrogen adsorption at 77 K, X-ray diffraction, SEM and titrations. All the catalysts were active in the studied reaction being the [SO 3 H] 3 -SBA-15 the best one. It was observed that the reaction rate increase with the amount of sulfonic acid groups on SBA-15 until a maximum. With high amounts of sulfonic groups, a decrease of activity is observed. Good values of selectivity to (2-pentyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methanol were obtained with mesoporous silicas anchored sulfonic acid groups. Catalytic stability of the [SO 3 H] 3 -SBA-15 was evaluated by performing consecutive batch runs with the same catalyst sample. The material showed a good catalytic stabilization. [Display omitted] • Acetalization of glycerol with hexanal was carried out over SBA-15 with sulfonic groups. • High catalytic activity of [SO 3 H] 3 -SBA-15. • Good selectivity to (2-pentyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl) methanol product. • Good catalytic activity after the fifth use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acetalization of glycerol with hexanal was studied over sulfonic acid-functionalized mesoporous silica (SBA-15), at 70 ºC. The product obtained were (2-pentyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methanol and 2-pentyl-1,3-dioxan-5-ol. Materials with different amounts of sulfonic acid groups were prepared. The support functionalization was achieved by the introduction of 3-(mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane onto the surface of these materials by grafting technique. The [SO 3 H]-SBA-15 catalysts were characterized by nitrogen adsorption at 77 K, X-ray diffraction, SEM and titrations. All the catalysts were active in the studied reaction being the [SO 3 H] 3 -SBA-15 the best one. It was observed that the reaction rate increase with the amount of sulfonic acid groups on SBA-15 until a maximum. With high amounts of sulfonic groups, a decrease of activity is observed. Good values of selectivity to (2-pentyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methanol were obtained with mesoporous silicas anchored sulfonic acid groups. Catalytic stability of the [SO 3 H] 3 -SBA-15 was evaluated by performing consecutive batch runs with the same catalyst sample. The material showed a good catalytic stabilization. [Display omitted] • Acetalization of glycerol with hexanal was carried out over SBA-15 with sulfonic groups. • High catalytic activity of [SO 3 H] 3 -SBA-15. • Good selectivity to (2-pentyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl) methanol product. • Good catalytic activity after the fifth use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A novel porous polymer-ionic liquid composite with poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIPF6) has been synthesized by γ-irradiation without heat or chemical initiators. The products can be reversibly converted into organogels. The composites are potential candidates for electrochemical applications. The use of γ-radiation can be a simple and versatile alternative way to obtain these materials. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article deals with an inverse problem concerning the identification of the heat exchange coefficient H (assumed depending on the temperature and/or pressure) between a certain material with the external environment, when only experimental measurements of the temperature are supposed to be known. The main difficulties are that we consider the case of functions H depending on the solution of the state equation and we use experimental data that may have errors. We develop rigorous mathematical strategies for this identification. We separately consider pressure and temperature dependence and, in both cases, we set several scenarios for the inverse problem. For each scenario, we know the initial and ambient temperatures, we identify function H through different methods and we obtain error bounds in adequate norms (uniform and square integrable). Finally, we perform numerical tests in order to compare the results obtained with these algorithms and with some classical regularization algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The hydrolysis of sucrose into glucose and fructose was carried out over composite catalysts at 80°C. These catalysts consisted of USY and Beta zeolites dispersed in polymeric matrices (PDMS and PVA). The swelling degree of polymers increased with the amount of zeolite immobilised in PDMS and PVA. This result can be explained by the increase in the polymeric matrix channelling. Additionally, the effective diffusivity of sucrose increases with the amount of USY and Beta zeolite that was dispersed in PDMS. The catalytic activity increases with the amount of zeolite dispersed in the polymeric matrix. The PVA composites showed higher catalytic activity than the PDMS ones. To study the catalytic stability of the Beta2/PVA catalyst, four consecutive batch runs were carried out with the same catalyst. The Beta2/PVA catalyst was recycled and reused with a negligible loss in its activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Acetalisation of glycerol with butanal has been investigated over a range of zeolites with different pore structures and acidity (USY with different Si/Al ratio, BEA and ZSM-5). The products of glycerol acetalisation were (Z+E)-(2-propyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl) methanol (five-member ring acetal) and (Z+E)-2-propyl-1,3-dioxan-5-ol (six-member ring acetal). The results showed an optimum in activity for Si/Al ratio in USY zeolite that corresponds to 30. BEA zeolite presented the highest catalytic activity of all zeolites while ZSM-5 zeolite presented the lowest activity. All catalysts exhibited high selectivity to five-member ring acetal product (77–82%). The effects of reaction temperature, catalyst loading and molar ratio of glycerol to butanal on this reaction, over BEA zeolite, have been studied. It was found that the glycerol conversion increased with the catalyst loading, with the temperature and with molar ratio of glycerol to butanal. BEA zeolite was recycled four times with the same catalyst sample. It was observed a stabilization of the catalytic activity (after the fourth use, the zeolite showed 93% of its initial activity). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The acetylation of glycerol was carried out over dodecatungstophosphoric acid (PW) supported on activated carbon, being the monoacetin, diacetin and triacetin the reaction products. A series of catalysts, with different heteropolyacid loading (from 3.5 to 6.5wt.%), were prepared. It was observed that the catalytic activity increases with the amount of PW immobilized on the activated carbon, being the PW2_AC (with 4.9wt.%) the most active sample. However, at high loading of heteropolyacid on the activated carbon, a decrease on the catalytic activity was observed, which can be probably explained due to some hindrance in the activated carbon porous system. All catalysts exhibited good values of selectivity to the diacetin. Catalytic stability of the PW2_AC was also studied by performing consecutives batch runs with the same catalyst sample. After the third batch, it was observed that the catalytic activity stabilized. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new stochastic and spatial model was developed to evaluate the potential spread of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) within- and between-farms, and considering the specific farm-to-farm contact network. Within-farm transmission was simulated using a modified SI model. Between-farm transmission was assumed to occur by direct contacts (i.e. animal movement) and indirect contacts (i.e. local spread, vehicle and person contacts) and considering the spatial location of farms. Control measures dictated by the European legislation (i.e. depopulation of infected farms, movement restriction, zoning, surveillance, contact tracing) were also implemented into the model. Model experimentation was performed using real data from Segovia, one of the provinces with highest density of pigs in Spain, and results were presented using the mean, 95% probability intervals [95% PI] and risk maps. The estimated mean [95% PI] number of infected, quarantined and depopulated farms were 3 [1,17], 23 [0,76] and 115 [0,318], respectively. The duration of the epidemic was 63 [26,177] days and the most important way of transmission was associated with local spread (61.4% of the infections). Results were consistent with the spread of previous CSFV introductions into the study region. The model and results presented here may be useful for the decision making process and for the improvement of the prevention and control programmes for CSFV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The acetalisation of glycerol was studied using heteropolyacids, immobilized in silica, as catalysts, at 70°C. The main product of glycerol acetalisation was solketal. The tungstophosphoric (PW), molybdophosphoric (PMo), tungstosilisic (SiW) and molybdosilisic (SiMo) acids were immobilized in silica by sol–gel method. It was observed that the catalytic activity decreases in the series: PW_S>SiW_S>PMo_S>SiMo_S. All catalysts exhibited good values of selectivity to solketal (about 98% near complete conversion). The effect of different parameters, such as catalyst loading, molar ratio of glycerol to acetone and temperature on the glycerol acetalisation, over PW_S catalyst, was studied. Catalytic stability of the PW_S, SiW_S, PMo_S and SiMo_S catalysts was evaluated by performing consecutive batch runs with the same catalyst sample. After the third batch, it was observed a stabilisation of the initial activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The hydrolysis of sucrose was carried out over poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with sulfonic acid groups, at 80°C. The products of sucrose hydrolysis were glucose and fructose. A series of PVA with different crosslinking degree were prepared. It was observed that the catalytic activity of PVA matrix increases with the crosslinking degree, due to the increases of the amount of sulfonic acid groups on PVA. Further, the influence of various reaction parameters, such as, catalyst loading, initial concentration of sucrose and temperature, on the hydrolysis of sucrose over PVA_40 was studied. It was found that at 80°C, with 0.511g of catalyst loading and with an initial concentration of sucrose of 0.6M, a sucrose conversion of about 90%, after 3h, could be obtained. The PVA_40 catalyst was recycled and reused with negligible loss in the activity. A simple kinetic model was developed assuming that the sucrose hydrolysis is an irreversible reaction and the first order with respect to the sucrose concentration. Since the concentration profiles of the reactant and the products do not exhibit any pronounced initial inductive period, the external and internal diffusion of the reactant and products on the catalyst were not considered. It was observed that the kinetic model fits experimental concentration data quite well. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The esterification of glycerol with acetic acid was carried out over dodecatungstophosphoric acid (PW) immobilized into a silica matrix. The products of glycerol acetylation were monoacetin, diacetin and triacetin. The immobilization of PW into silica was carried out by two different techniques: sol–gel and impregnation methods. The catalysts prepared by sol–gel method will be denoted as PW-in-S while the catalysts prepared by impregnation will be denoted as PW-on-S. The catalysts were characterized by nitrogen adsorption at 77K, FTIR, XDR and ICP-AES. A series of PW immobilized into silica with different PW loading were prepared. It was observed that the catalytic activity increases with the amount of PW immobilized into silica, either by the sol–gel method or by the impregnation method. High values of selectivity to diacetin were obtained with all catalyst. The effect of various parameters, such as, reaction temperature, catalyst loading, molar ratio of glycerol to acetic acid and reusability of PW-in-S2 were studied to optimize the reaction conditions. The catalytic stability of the PW-in-S2 was evaluated by performing consecutives batch runs with the same catalyst sample. It was observed a stabilization of the catalytic activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The methoxylation of α-pinene was studied using poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) containing sulfonic acid groups as catalysts. These groups were introduced by the direct reaction between –OH groups of PVA and sulfosuccinic acid (SSA). Poly(vinyl alcohol) catalysts were prepared using sulfosuccinic acid by varying the amount of SSA (5–40mol%). It was observed that the amount of acid sites increases with amount of SSA. It was also observed that the diffusivity of α-pinene through the polymeric catalysts decreases with the increase of crosslinking degree. The conversion of α-pinene increases when the amount of sulfosuccinic acid used in the polymer crosslinking is increased from 5% to 40%. However, when the crosslinking degree increases from 20% to 40%, the conversion of α-pinene increases only slightly. Good values of selectivity to α-terpinyl methyl ether (about 60% near complete conversion) were obtained over poly(vinyl alcohol) with sulfonic acid groups. Catalytic stability of the PVA_SSA20 was evaluated by performing consecutive batch runs with the same catalyst sample. After the third batch it was observed a stabilisation of the initial activity. A kinetic model was developed assuming that the α-pinene is consumed according to the parallel reaction network. Since the concentration profiles of the reagent and the products do not exhibit any pronounced initial inductive period, the external and internal diffusion of the reagents and products on the catalyst were not considered. It was observed that the kinetic model fits experimental concentration data quite well. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This work reports the covalent attachment of three different salen-based complexes on MCM-41, using two different methods. In both methods, a diisocyanate is used as a binder. All the prepared catalysts were tested on the liquid phase limonene oxidation reaction, using diluted t-butyl hydroperoxide as oxidant. Limonene oxide, carveol, carvone and a polymer were the main products obtained. The preservation of the MCM-41 channel system was checked by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Catalytic activity seems to increase in the following order: Mn(4-OHsalen)

Abstract: The esterification of glycerol with acetic acid was carried out over dodecamolybdophosphoric acid (PMo) encaged in the USY zeolite. The products of glycerol acetylation were monoacetin, diacetin and triacetin. A series of PMo encaged in the NaUSY zeolite with different PMo loading from 0.6 to 5.4wt.% were prepared. It was observed that the catalytic activity increases with the amount of PMo immobilized in the NaUSY zeolite, being the PMo3_NaUSY (with 1.9wt.%) the most active sample. However, at high loading of heteropolyacid encaged in the NaUSY zeolite, a decrease on the catalytic activity was observed, which can be explained, probably, due to the internal diffusion limitations. Good values of selectivity to diacetin were obtained with all the catalyst. Catalytic stability of the PMo3_NaUSY was evaluated by performing consecutives batch runs with the same catalyst sample. After the second batch, it was observed a stabilization of the catalytic activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The main goal of this work is to discuss a controllability approach to the image matching/shape identification problem, an important issue in many applications, medical ones in particular. The matching problem is formulated as an approximate controllability problem involving a cost functional whose gradient is computed using an adjoint equation based methodology. The time discrete version of the image matching problem is also discussed in this work. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Beta zeolite with Si/Al ratio equal to 40 was synthesised and used as solid catalyst in acetoxylation of camphene. The main product of camphene acetoxylation was isobornyl acetate being also formed bornyl acetate and fenchyl acetate. Effects of various parameters, such as reactant molar ratio, reaction temperature, catalysts loading and reusability of the catalyst were studied to optimise the reaction conditions. The catalytic stability of beta zeolite in the acetoxylation of camphene was studied by performing consecutive batch runs with the same catalyst sample. After the third run, it was observed similar values of the catalytic activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The esterification of palmitic acid with methanol was studied using tungstophosphoric acid (PW), molibdophosphoric acid (PMo) and tungstosilicic acid (SiW) immobilized by sol–gel technique on silica, at 60°C. It was observed that the catalytic activity decreases in the series: PW-silica>SiW-silica>PMo-silica. A series of PW immobilized on silica with different PW loadings from 2.5wt.% to 8.4wt.% were prepared. It was observed that the PW-silica2 (with 4.2wt.%) shows the highest catalytic activity on esterification of palmitic acid with methanol. Catalytic stability of the PW-silica2 was evaluated by performing consecutive batch runs with the same catalyst sample. After the second batch it was observed a stabilisation of the initial activity. In order to study the heteropolyacid lixiviation, a posterior catalytic experiment was carried out. The PW-silica2 was put in contact with methanol, without palmitic acid, during 72h. After this period, the catalyst was separated from methanol by centrifugation, and the palmitic acid was added to the reaction mixture. It was observed that the reaction only occurs in the heterogeneous phase. The PW-silica2 was also used as catalyst in esterification of others fatty acids: oleic and stearic acid. It was also observed a good catalytic activity of PW-silica2 for the different substrates used in the esterifications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This work reports the results of limonene oxidation in the liquid phase, over manganese acetylacetonate anchored onto MCM-41. Diluted t-butyl hydroperoxide is used as oxidant. Limonene oxide, carveol and carvone are formed, but the main product obtained is a polymer. The preservation of the MCM-41 channel system upon anchoring was checked by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction and nitrogen adsorption analysis. The complex anchoring was succeeded, since the catalyst could be used in four consecutive experiments. The maximum TOF values obtained for each run are similar and no significant metal complex leaching was observed (3% after the 4th run). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Vanadia-titania catalysts prepared by different sol–gel procedures were studied as heterogeneous catalysts for the liquid phase oxidation of limonene. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, XPS, ICP and nitrogen adsorption. According to the XRD results the catalyst samples can be divided in two different groups: anatase samples and anatase+rutile samples. XRD signals of vanadia are not found in the diffractograms. The main reaction products are polymers. Limonene oxide, limonene glycol, carveol and carvone are obtained in small amounts. A number of autoxidation products, alcohols, aldehydes and ketones, are also obtained. The effects of titania composition on the reaction orientation are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This work aimed the induction of crystallization on powder mango juice during the process of spray drying and the correlation of the microstructure of the powder obtained with the functional properties of stickiness and solubility. To perform this work, we used mango juice with 12 °Brix. Before being dehydrated, the juice undertook addition from the following carriers: maltodextrin, gum arabic and starch waxy in the concentration of 12%. The solution also received addition of crystalline cellulose in the concentrations of 0, 3, 6 and 9%. The powder was obtained through the use of a mini-spray dryer of laboratorial scale. Analyses of microstructure, stickiness, hygroscopicity and solubility were performed on the obtained powder. The microstructure analyses showed that the powders of the mango juices obtained through spray drying using the carriers maltodextrin, gum arabic, starch waxy without the addition of cellulose presented surfaces of amorphous particles. The analysis XRD showed that when 3, 6 and 9% of cellulose were added, the particles showed half-crystalline surfaces. The value of stickiness decreased in terms of the concentration of cellulose reaching values of 0.15, 0.22 and 0.11 Kg-f for maltodextrin, gum arabic and starch waxy, respectively. The functional property of solubility is affected when 9% of cellulose is added reaching the values of 72, 71 and 31% for the carriers maltodextrin, gum arabic and starch wax, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A polyvinylalcohol/molybdophosphoric acid (PVA/HPMo) membrane crosslinked with succinic acid was modified by treatment with acetic anhydride in order to improve its hydrophobic properties, and was used as catalyst in the hydration reaction of α-pinene. The increase of membrane hydrophobicity with acetylation is documented not only by the water droplet contact angle but also by the sorption coefficients of α-pinene and water. The introduction of acetyl groups improves the membrane transport properties, as reflected by pinene diffusivity calculated from permeation data. A kinetic-diffusion model was developed assuming that the reaction product α-terpineol affects the transport of water and α-pinene across the acetylated PVA membranes. When membrane acetylation increases, the model predicted kinetic constants for hydration and isomerization reactions decrease, although the initial water diffusivity increases. These results suggest that the increase of catalytic activity may be due to an improvement of water transport across the membrane. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract. We prove the approximate controllability of several nonlinear parabolic boundary-value problems by means of two different methods: the first one can be called a Cancellation method and the second one uses the Kakutani fixed-point theorem. Key Words. Approximate controllability, Semilinear parabolic boundary-value problems, Interior or boundary controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Acetalization of glycerol with pentanal was performed over molybdophosphoric acid (HPMo) encaged in USY zeolite. • High catalytic activity with low amount of HPMo@Y was observed. • High selectivity to (2-butyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl) methanol product. • Good catalytic activity after the forth use. Dodecamolydbophosphoric acid (HPMo) immobilized on USY zeolite was used as a catalyst for the acetalization of glycerol with pentanal at 70 °C. Catalysts were prepared with different amounts of heteropolyacid, and the most active sample was the HPMo2@Y catalyst (1.1 wt.%). The products of glycerol acetalization with pentanal were (2-butyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methanol, a five-member ring compound, and 2-butyl-1,3-dioxan-5-ol, a six-member ring compound. Good values of selectivity for the five-member ring compound (80–85%) were obtained with all materials. The reaction conditions were optimized using HPMo2@Y as a catalyst. The optimal conditions were determined to be 70 °C reaction temperature with 0.3 g catalyst and a 1:2.5 M ratio of glycerol to pentanal. The catalytic stability of HPMo2@Y was studied. The acetalization of glycerol with pentanal was performed using the same sample. High catalytic activity for HPMo2@Y was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A substantial drug release from poly(lactic- co -glycolic) acid (PLGA) micro- and nanoparticles can occur in the first hours of immersion, which is referred to as burst release. A strong burst release (when not intentional) is to be avoided as it decreases the efficacy of the treatment and could be dangerous to the host. In this work we analyze the total amount of drug released during burst and respective kinetics in relation to formulations characteristics, experimental conditions and drug molecular properties in 154 drug release experiments with 41 different drugs by partial least squares (PLS) and decision tree regression. The model created enables to quantify to which degree the physicochemical parameters control the burst release from PLGA particles. Our analysis shows that the amount of drug released during burst is mostly influenced by the formulation characteristics and the synthesis parameters, whereas the drug release kinetics is also influenced by the molecular properties of the drug. The variables that significantly influence the amount and kinetics of the burst release are discussed in detail and compared with findings from other researchers. The final regression models are shown to predict the release profile of a new drug, opening the possibility to be applied to systematically manipulate the burst release by means of designing an optimized drug delivery system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanical properties of bacterial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) can be tailored by changing the type of substrate in the accumulation stage. Hence different comonomer distributions can be produced with significant variations in their physico-chemical properties. In the present study, the biopolymer produced by a mixed microbial community enriched in PHA accumulators fed with different substrate composition was characterised. The accumulation experiments were: single acetic (A1) and propionic acids (A2); an equivolumetric mixture of acetic and propionic acids (A3); VFA mixture (A4); and this VFA mixture and a concentration of 21.6 g NaCl/L in the reactor (B1). The objective was to investigate the impact of different circumstances on biopolymer composition and properties. The obtained copolymers were constituted by units of hydroxybutyrate (HB) and hydroxyvalerate (HV) with HB:HV ratios between 96:4 and 34:66 (wt%). Thermal properties showed a clear dependence on the HB:HV ratio although no apparent connection with the decomposition temperature was found. Salinity affected both biopolymer composition and properties. The physico-chemical properties of purified and no purified polymer were also determined. Purification was found not to affect the molecular weight, while crystallinity augmented more than 70% and the thermal properties also increased. This study shows that, besides the substrate composition, also salts present in the media and the purification stage affect the properties of the produced biopolymer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]