Syngas production from wood pellet using filtration combustion of lean natural gas–air mixtures

A common method for the production of hydrogen and syngas is solid fuel gasification. This paper discusses the experimental results obtained from the combustion of lean natural gas–air mixtures in a porous medium composed of aleatory alumina spheres and wood pellets, called hybrid bed. Temperature, velocity, and chemical products (H₂, CO, CO₂, CH₄) of the combustion waves were recorded experimentally in an inert bed (baseline) and hybrid bed (with a volume wood fraction of 50%), for equivalence ratios (φ) from 0.3 to 1.0, and a constant filtration velocity of 15 cm/s. Upstream, downstream and standing combustion waves were observed for inert and hybrid bed. The maximum hydrogen conversion in hybrid filtration combustion is found to be ∼99% at φ = 0.3. Results demonstrate that wood gasification process occurs with high temperature (1188 K) and oxygen available, and the lean hybrid filtration process can be used to reform solid fuels into hydrogen and syngas.     

Assessment of Nutrients of Escamoles Ant Eggs Limotepum apiculatum M. by Spectroscopy Methods

Edible insects, escamoles ant eggs of the Formicidae family are consumed by cultural tradition at rural communities and by sensory characteristics at high class restaurants of Mexico; however, people ignore the importance of insect consumption in the nutrition of humans. Laboratory spectroscopy methods in food analysis represent benefits in time and precision. The aim of this study is to assess macronutrients and micronutrients of escamoles and eggs by spectroscopic methods to inform population the benefits they provide in health and to mention the advantage in the use of these techniques at laboratory work. Samples were gather the second week of March and April 2012, at Hidalgo State and analyze moisture and macronutrients by AOAC （Association of Official Analytical Chemistry） methods, amino acids by cation exchange chromatography, tryptophan was determined by a colorimeter method, fatty acids by GC （gas chromatography） using helium as a carrier （AOAC）, fat soluble vitamins A, D and E by HPLC （high performance liquid chromatography）, and minerals by atomic absorption spectrophotometers and phosphorus by colorimeter （AOAC）. Data showed high amount in proteins, lipids and minerals; low in fiber and soluble carbohydrates; contained all essential amino acids. Fatty acids contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. Fat soluble vitamins A, D and E. Minerals： sodium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium and manganese. Escamoles ant eggs include polyunsaturated fatty acids essential for mental development, vitamin A to prevent eye diseases, vitamin E as antioxidant and vitamin D involved in calcium absorption that low intake, impair grow and bone health. Iron and zinc contained anemia. Regarding the laboratory benefits, needs less expensive chemicals, testing is clean, rapid and easy results of multiple samples, but it is required to handle by qualified chemists. In conclusion, data may change according to biotic and abiotic conditions of the environment; however, escamoles have all nutrients in adequate balance to improve human health; and provide faster and precise results.     

Effects of Low-Intensity and Long-Term Aerobic Exercise on the Psoas Muscle of mdx Mice: An Experimental Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a muscle disease characterized by the absence of the protein dystrophin, which causes a loss of sarcolemma integrity, determining recurrent muscle injuries, decrease in muscle function, and progressive degeneration. Currently, there is a need for therapeutic treatments to improve the quality of life of DMD patients. Here, we investigated the effects of a low-intensity aerobic training (37 sessions) on satellite cells, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator (PGC)-1α protein (PGC-1α), and different types of fibers of the psoas muscle from mdx mice (DMD experimental model). Wildtype and mdx mice were randomly divided into sedentary and trained groups (n = 24). Trained animals were subjected to 37 sessions of low-intensity running on a motorized treadmill. Subsequently, the psoas muscle was excised and analyzed by immunofluorescence for dystrophin, satellite cells, myosin heavy chain (MHC), and PGC-1α content. The minimal Feret’s diameters of the fibers were measured, and light microscopy was applied to observe general morphological features of the muscles. The training (37 sessions) improved morphological features in muscles from mdx mice and caused an increase in the number of quiescent/activated satellite cells. It also increased the content of PGC-1α in the mdx group. We concluded that low-intensity aerobic exercise (37 sessions) was able to reverse deleterious changes determined by DMD.     

Clinical evaluation of ultra-high-field MRI for three-dimensional visualisation of tumour size in uveal melanoma patients,with direct relevance to treatment planning

Objectives

To assess the tumour dimensions in uveal melanoma patients using 7-T ocular MRI and compare these values with conventional ultrasound imaging to provide improved information for treatment options.

Materials and methods

Ten uveal melanoma patients were examined on a 7-T MRI system using a custom-built eye coil and dedicated 3D scan sequences to minimise eye-motion-induced image artefacts. The maximum tumour prominence was estimated from the three-dimensional images and compared with the standard clinical evaluation from 2D ultrasound images.

Results

The MRI protocols resulted in high-resolution motion-free images of the eye in which the tumour and surrounding tissues could clearly be discriminated. For eight of the ten patients the MR images showed a slightly different value of tumour prominence (average 1.0 mm difference) compared to the ultrasound measurements, which can be attributed to the oblique cuts through the tumour made by the ultrasound. For two of these patients the more accurate results from the MR images changed the treatment plan, with the smaller tumour dimensions making them eligible for eye-preserving therapy.

Conclusion

High-field ocular MRI can yield a more accurate measurement of the tumour dimensions than conventional ultrasound, which can result in significant changes in the prescribed treatment.

     

Chemical,thermal and structural properties of alkaline-cooked (nixtamalised) chickpea (Cicer arietinum) flours

The present study examined how the alkaline cooking process affects the chemical, thermal and structural properties of the chickpea, evaluating different lime concentrations. Cooking was carried out at 94 °C, with two times of water for 15 min with five different lime concentrations. Regarding chemical composition, a decrease in protein and fat was observed: from 23.64% to a range of 18.26–19.93% for protein and from 8.20% to a range of 6.05–7.74% for fat. However, an increase was observed for ash and mineral content. The same pattern was observed for potassium. Raw chickpea did not present endotherm retrogradation, but a higher endotherm retrogradation was presented in chickpea cooked without lime, denoting that nixtamalisation decreased retrogradation. Additionally, V-amylose relative crystallinity increased with concentration of lime. Protein digestibility increases by β-sheet dismissing structure. Finally, it was observed that steeping time plays a key role in the nixtamalisation process.     

How does wage polarization affect productivity? The case of Spanish regions

The effect of wage polarization on total factor productivity (TFP) in the Spanish regions between 2004 and 2012 is analysed using dynamic panel estimates. The main finding of this research is that there seems to be some evidence that polarization can affect productivity negatively. Although the specification of the models seems to be correct, the time period studied is brief, so these results should be interpreted with caution.     

Characterization Techniques for Hydroxyapatite Deposited by Plasma Spray on Hip Prosthesis

As part of a characterization research on hydroxyapatite (HAp) plasma deposits for hip prosthesis, crystallinity and residual stresses weredetemiined at the interface Hap'TA6V. A traditional method employed by several laboratories is based on X-ray diffraction by a powder mixture of the investigated HAp sample with a standard of crystallinity Al₂O₃ Four new methods were investigated for determining the crystallinity of HAp sample, two of which are based on x-ray diffraction, one on neutron diffraction and one on the infrared absorption spectrometry. Whereas the three techniques require the use of powders, the neutron technique can be applied also to the intact HAp deposits. All four methods provide reasonable results, not very different one from each other, with a greater accuracy than for the x-ray and IR methods.