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The research aimed to generate bioelectricity using pepper waste and the microalgae Spirulinasp by a double-chamber microbial fuel cell (dcMFC). A dcMFC was constructed with Cu and Zn electrodes, where organic waste and microalgae were placed in the anodic and cathodic chambers, respectively. Also, electrochemical parameters were measured for 35 days. Finally, possible electrogenic microorganisms were isolated and identified. It was possible to generate maximum values of current (6.04414 ± 0.2145 mA) and voltage (0.77328 ± 0.213 V). The maximum conductivity value was 134.1636 ± 7.121 mS/cm, while the internal resistance value was 83.784 ±7.147Ω. The values of power and current density reached were 584.45 ± 19.14 mW/cm 2and 5.983 A/cm 2, respectively. The optimal operating pH was 4.59 ± 0.14. From the microbial growth on the anode, the yeast Yarrowia phangngaensis(1) and Pseudomonas stutzeri(2) were identified, which may be involved in the transfer of electrons to the electrode. In conclusion, it was possible to generate clean energy in a laboratory-scale dcMFC when pepper waste and Spirulinasp. were used. These results are promising because organic waste can generate sustainable and environmentally friendly energy. more...

The dumping of organic waste in the areas surrounding food supply centers and the excessive use of fossil fuels for energy generation have generated major pollution problems worldwide. One of the novel solutions is the use of organic waste for electricity generation through the use of microbial fuel cell technology. In this research, low-cost, laboratory-scale, double-chamber microbial fuel cells were fabricated using zinc and copper as electrodes and avocado waste as fuel. Current and voltage values of 3.7326 ± 0.05568 mA and 0.74 ± 0.02121 V were achieved on the seventh day, with an optimum operating pH of 5.98 ± 0.16 and a maximum electrical conductivity of 94.46 ± 5.12 mS/cm. The cells showed a very low operating resistance of 71.480 Ω, indicating the good electrical conductivity of the electrodes. Likewise, a power density of 566.80 ± 13.48 mW/cm2at a current density of 5.165 A/cm2was generated. This research provides an eco-friendly solution to farmers and companies dedicated to the export and import of this fruit because it shows the benefits of using their own waste for the generation of electricity, reducing costs. more...

In this study, an alternative method is proposed for producing electricity using microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and fruit waste in case of industries and farmers. Herein, MFCs were manufactured using zinc and copper electrodes and three types of organic waste (R. ulmifolius, H. undatus, and M. citrifolia) as the substrate. The results revealed that the H. undatuswaste generated the highest voltage and current values, i.e., 1.17 ± 0.12 V and 25.78 ± 0.89 mA, respectively, in an open circuit. However, all the substrates exhibited acidic pH values. The H. undatussubstrate reported the highest voltage, power density (PD), and current density (CD) values at a Vmaxvalue of 1.11 ± 0.25 V, a PDmaxvalue of 0.0719 ± 0.0012 W/cm2, and a CDmaxvalue of 0.051 A/cm2. Conversely, the R. ulmifoliussubstrate exhibited the lowest values at a Vmaxvalue of 0.96 ± 0.13 V, a PDmaxvalue of 0.0668 ± 0.0013 W/cm2, and a CDmaxvalue of 0.025 A/cm2. The micrographs denote that the Cu anode porosity of H. undatusis higher when compared with those of the remaining two substrates, and the Pichia guilliermondii, Candida boidinii, and Brevibacillus laterosporus microorganisms were observed in its anodic biofilm. more...

La deformidad del adulto es una entidad cuya prevalencia aumenta de forma exponencial con el paso del tiempo. La cirugía ha demostrado ser un tratamiento eficaz con buenos resultados tanto clínicos como radiológicos. La elevada incidencia de complicaciones que se presentan con la cirugía convencional ha hecho posible la aparición de técnicas MIS con resultados muy prometedores desde el punto de vista clínico y radiológico. El presente estudio revisa de forma retrospectiva 25 pacientes con una deformidad del adulto tratados con técnicas MIS y con un seguimiento mínimo de 6 meses. La mejoría radiológica fue: SVA de 5 a 2cm, ángulo de Cobb coronal de 31° a 6° y la lordosis lumbar pasó de 18° a 38°. Todos estos parámetros se mantuvieron estables en el tiempo. Se presentan también las complicaciones que fueron en cuatro pacientes (16%), siendo necesaria la reintervención solo en un caso. Se realiza una descripción de la técnica utilizada y se lleva a cabo una revisión de la bibliografía sobre el tema, concluyendo que la técnica MIS en el tratamiento de la deformidad del adulto presenta unos resultados comparables a las técnicas convencionales pero con una menor tasa de complicaciones. more...

Durante los últimos años se han desarrollado técnicas «mínimamente invasivas» de artrodesis que pretenden alcanzar los buenos resultados clínicos con una baja incidencia de complicaciones. La artrodesis intersomática extralateral o directa transpsoas es una artrodesis anterior mínimamente invasiva. Se han intervenido desde mayo de 2012 hasta mayo de 2015, un total de 97 pacientes con 138 segmentos intervenidos. El seguimiento fue de 44 a 12 meses. La edad media fue de 68 años (41-86). La causa más frecuente de intervención fue el segmento adyacente (30%), la deformidad (22%) y la discopatía lumbar (21%). La caja intersomática se implantó: sola («stand-alone»), en el 33% y se utilizó fijación adicional en el resto: tornillos percutáneos unilaterales (11%), bilaterales (27%) o con placa lateral (62%). La estancia media fue 3,2 días (2-6). La puntuación de la escala analógica visual lumbar pasó de 9 a 4,1 bajando a 3 a partir del año. La mejoría de la altura del disco fue de 8,4mm a 13,8mm y un aumento del diámetro mayor del foramen de 10,5 a 13,1. Dichas diferencias son estadísticamente significativas. Se registraron complicaciones precoces mayores: tres lesiones motoras del nervio femoral y un hematoma retroperitoneal (4%); y precoces menores: dos fracturas/hundimientos (2%). Como tardías mayores: una hernia abdominal, una movilización de 10mm y tres radiculopatías (5%); y como tardías menores: tres fracturas/hundimiento, dos movilizaciones mayores de 10mm, cuatro movilizaciones menores de 10mm y una movilización de un tornillo de una placa (10%). La técnica artrodesis intersomática extralateral constituye una alternativa segura y fiable a la hora de plantear una artrodesis lumbar por vía mínimamente invasiva. more...

The rhomboidal mixing section is becoming very popular among processors to provide distributive mixing. Currently, several different designs are used but the details of the flow behavior and mixing efficiency is not well understood. This information is needed to be able to design and find the most efficient rhomboid geometry. In this investigation nine different geometries with various pitches (helix of rhomboids) were analyzed using a 3-dimensional boundary element method (BEM). The geometries were compared according to mixing efficiency, pressure and energy consumption. The results were compared to experiments performed with a conventional single screw extruder that was fitted with three different rhomboidal mixing sections. The investigation led to the conclusion that the most effective distributive mixing sections were those with neutral rhomboids (pine-apple mixer). However, the neutral rhomboidal mixing section consumes the most pressure in the extruder. It was also concluded that rhomboidal mixing sections deform the material by shear, making them poor dispersive mixing sections. more...

The PRP31 gene encodes a factor essential for the splicing of pre-mRNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Cell extracts derived from a prp31-1 strain fail to form mature spliceosomes upon heat inactivation, although commitment complexes and prespliceosome complexes are detected under these conditions. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments indicate that Prp31p is associated both with the U4/U6 x U5 tri-snRNP and, independently, with the prespliceosome prior to assembly of the tri-snRNP into the splicing complex. Nondenaturing gel electrophoresis and glycerol gradient analyses demonstrate that while Prp31p may play a role in maintaining the assembly or stability of tri-snRNPs, functional protein is not essential for the formation of U4/U6 or U4/U6 x U5 snRNPs. These results suggest that Prp31p is involved in recruiting the U4/U6 x U5 tri-snRNP to prespliceosome complexes or in stabilizing these interactions. more...