Volatile fraction of commercial thyme honeys produced in Mediterranean regions and key volatile compounds for geographical discrimination: A chemometric approach

The aim of the present study was to investigate the volatile fraction and discriminate 34 commercial thyme honeys from Morocco, Egypt, Spain, and Greece according to geographical origin, using key volatile compounds in combination with chemometrics. Sixty-two volatile compounds belonging to different classes were identified and semi-quantified using headspace solid phase micro-extraction coupled to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC/MS). Applying chemometric analyses to 17 volatiles (p < 0.05), honeys were successfully discriminated according to geographical origin. Correct classification rate was 88.2% using the cross-validation method. Volatile compounds proved to be a powerful tool for discriminating commercial thyme honeys from different countries.     

Effect of moisture on salmonella spp. heat resistance in cocoa and hazelnut shells

The heat resistance of food-poisoning outbreak and non-outbreak associated strains of Salmonella (S. Enteritidis, S. Montevideo, S. Napoli, S. Oranienburg, S. Poona, S. Senftenberg and S. Typhimurium) was established in confectionery-related materials such as crushed cocoa bean and hazelnut shells at low moisture contents (≤ 4% w/w). The two most heat resistant strains in cocoa and hazelnut shells at ca. 4% w/w moisture were S. Oranienburg and S. Enteritidis PT30. Both strains were associated with outbreaks from dried materials. Their D_100°C values were ca. 2.5 min in crushed cocoa bean shells and 7–11 min in crushed hazelnut shells. Addition of moisture to ca. 7% w/w markedly reduced D-values (D_80°C of 2–4.5 min) for both strains in the two matrices.     

Mexico’s regional output convergence after NAFTA: a dynamic panel data analysis

This paper examines Mexico’s output convergence across its 32 states for 1993–2006, a period including the start of NAFTA. Employing dynamic panel data methods, our estimates provide interesting new results. First, we find positive rates of output absolute convergence across Mexican regions: varying from 1.5% for the years 1993–2006 to 9.4% for the years 1996–2006. Second, trade, capital inflows and international migration exert positive effects on output per capita growth. Third, rolling panels suggest the Border-North region faces increasing output convergence speed (from 8.9 to 11.2%), while the South-Center experiences a declining trend (from 12 to 7.6%) more recently.     

Determination of alcohols and volatile organic acids in anaerobic bioreactors for H2 production by near infrared spectroscopy

In recent years, near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has been investigated as a tool for monitoring anaerobic digesters, but several adversities in its application have been reported. This study proposes the application of NIR for the determination of alcohols and volatile organic acids from H₂ production bioreactors and evaluates different approaches to optimize the prediction models. Partial least squad (PLS) models were developed using samples from anaerobic batch reactors fed with crude glycerol for wastewater treatment. The analytes predicted were: methanol, ethanol, 1-butanol, acetic, propanoic, butyric, isocaproic and total volatile organic acids (VFA). The optimization of the predictive capacity of the models was achieved through the orthogonal signal correction (OSC) preprocessing and the selection of variables performed by the genetic algorithm (GA). The application of the proposed models were based on the following figures of merit: accuracy, precision, linearity, limits of detection and quantitation, measurement interval, sensitivity, selectivity, signal-to-noise ratio and bias. Despite the low selectivity (maximum of 0.12%), the models presented high sensitivity [γ^?1 = 0.19 (mg L^?1)^?1], low LOQ (1 mg L^?1) and correlation between reference and predicted values (r) at least 0.93, except for propanoic acid (r_pred = 0.85). The F-test revealed that the selection of variables by GA significantly improved the accuracy and linearity of the prediction models for methanol, acetic acid, isocaproic acid and VFA. NIR spectroscopy has proved to be a powerful tool for monitoring H₂ production bioreactors since provides fast, low cost and multicomponent information.     

Molecular Advances in Preeclampsia and HELLP Syndrome

Preeclampsia (PE) constitutes one of the principal reasons for maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. The circumstance typically implicates formerly healthful normotensive women, after 20 weeks of gestation, typically withinside the third trimester, without regarded threat elements or past deliveries. PE can be further complicated with hemolysis and thrombocytopenia, leading to the emergence of HELLP syndrome (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low platelets). Both conditions are classified as hypertensive diseases of pregnancy (HDP), and their pathogenesis has been linked to an excessive maternal inflammatory response, accompanied by enhanced endothelial activation. Several studies have found that in pregnancies affected by PE/HELLP, von Willebrand factor (vWF) antigen levels (vWF:Ag) are significantly elevated, while its cleaving protease (ADAMTS-13, A Disintegrin-like and Metalloprotease with Thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13) activity is normal to decreased. Furthermore, the higher urine excretion of the terminal complement complex C5b-9, as well as its greater deposition in the placental surface in preeclamptic women, imply that the utero-placental unit’s distinctive deficits are intimately tied to disproportionate complement activation. The goal of this updated evaluation is to provide the most up-to-date molecular advances in the pathophysiology of PE/HELLP syndromes. Recent medical data on vWF:Ag levels in patients with PE, ADAMTS-13, and dysregulation of the complement system, are highlighted and evaluated. Furthermore, we discuss the relationship between those entities and the progression of the disease, as well as their significance in the diagnostic process. Finally, considering the difficulties in analyzing and controlling those symptoms in pregnant women, we can provide a current diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm.     

A survey of the current photovoltaic equipment industry in Brazil

The use of renewable alternative sources of energy in the world has been growing in the last few decades due to concerns about dependence on fossil sources and to environmental reasons, related to climatic change and its effects on mankind. Tax and/or financial incentives have been instituted for the population, to have access to renewable source technologies, and for the local equipment industry, to develop more quickly. In Brazil, the PV (photovoltaic) equipment to convert solar into electricity is more often used in low income rural communities, located distant from the grid network, for rural electrification, water pumping and public illumination. However, since there is no currently specific regulatory incentive mechanism for this source in the country, the Brazilian PV equipment industry has not made great advances and the market is largely dominated by multinationals. Against this background, a survey of the current PV equipment industry in Brazil is extremely relevant, especially in the event of a national program development to promote the use of this technology, stimulate the domestic industry and reduce the dependence on imported equipment.     

Prospective environmental life cycle assessment of nanosilver T-shirts

A cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) is performed to compare nanosilver T-shirts with conventional T-shirts with and without biocidal treatment. For nanosilver production and textile incorporation, we investigate two processes: flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) and plasma polymerization with silver co-sputtering (PlaSpu). Prospective environmental impacts due to increased nanosilver T-shirt commercialization are estimated with six scenarios. Results show significant differences in environmental burdens between nanoparticle production technologies: The "cradle-to-gate" climate footprint of the production of a nanosilver T-shirt is 2.70 kg of CO(2)-equiv (FSP) and 7.67-166 kg of CO(2)-equiv (PlaSpu, varying maturity stages). Production of conventional T-shirts with and without the biocide triclosan has emissions of 2.55 kg of CO(2)-equiv (contribution from triclosan insignificant). Consumer behavior considerably affects the environmental impacts during the use phase. Lower washing frequencies can compensate for the increased climate footprint of FSP nanosilver T-shirt production. The toxic releases from washing and disposal in the life cycle of T-shirts appear to be of minor relevance. By contrast, the production phase may be rather significant due to toxic silver emissions at the mining site if high silver quantities are required.