Showing papers by "Rovira i Virgili University published in 2007"
TL;DR: One of the main features of OPTIMIZER is that it makes it possible to optimize a DNA sequence using pre-computed codon usage tables from a predicted group of highly expressed genes from more than 150 prokaryotic species under strong translational selection.
Abstract: OPTIMIZER is an on-line application that optimizes the codon usage of a gene to increase its expression level. Three methods of optimization are available: the ‘one amino acid–one codon’ method, a guided random method based on a Monte Carlo algorithm, and a new method designed to maximize the optimization with the fewest changes in the query sequence. One of the main features of OPTIMIZER is that it makes it possible to optimize a DNA sequence using pre-computed codon usage tables from a predicted group of highly expressed genes from more than 150 prokaryotic species under strong translational selection. These groups of highly expressed genes have been predicted using a new iterative algorithm. In addition, users can use, as a reference set, a pre-computed table containing the mean codon usage of ribosomal protein genes and, as a novelty, the tRNA gene-copy numbers. OPTIMIZER is accessible free of charge at http://genomes.urv.es/OPTIMIZER.
567 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyzed 14 marine species for the concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids, as well as a number of metals and organic pollutants, and calculated the monthly fish consumption limits for human health endpoints based on the intake of these chemical contaminants.
362 citations
TL;DR: This paper has reviewed the main research studies that have been made of gas sensors that use nanomaterials and made a critical review of the possible advantages and drawbacks of these nanostructured material-based sensors.
Abstract: Gas detection is important for controlling industrial and vehicle emissions, household security and environmental monitoring. In recent decades many devices have been developed for detecting CO2, CO, SO2, O2, O3, H2, Ar, N2, NH3, H2O and several organic vapours. However, the low selectivity or the high operation temperatures required when most gas sensors are used have prompted the study of new materials and the new properties that come about from using traditional materials in a nanostructured mode. In this paper, we have reviewed the main research studies that have been made of gas sensors that use nanomaterials. The main quality characteristics of these new sensing devices have enabled us to make a critical review of the possible advantages and drawbacks of these nanostructured material-based sensors.
360 citations
TL;DR: It is shown how for fixed coupling strengths local patterns of synchronization emerge differently in homogeneous and heterogeneous complex networks, driving the process towards a certain global synchronization degree following different paths.
Abstract: The understanding of emergent collective phenomena in natural and social systems has driven the interest of scientists from different disciplines during decades. Among these phenomena, the synchronization of a set of interacting individuals or units has been intensively studied because of its ubiquity in the natural world. In this Letter, we show how for fixed coupling strengths local patterns of synchronization emerge differently in homogeneous and heterogeneous complex networks, driving the process towards a certain global synchronization degree following different paths. The dependence of the dynamics on the coupling strength and on the topology is unveiled. This study provides a new perspective and tools to understand this emerging phenomena.
352 citations
TL;DR: The results indicate that activated carbon could be employed for the removal of dyes from wastewater and the rates of adsorption were found to conform to the pseudo-second-order kinetics with a good correlation.
325 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that some groups of population frequently consuming high quantities of certain species could be significantly increasing health risks due to PCDD/F and PCB exposure.
273 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the analytical methods used were: gas chromatography, aminolysis, UV-spectroscopy, 1 H and 13 C NMR spectroscopy and oximating method, FTIR spectrograph, acid number determination, and non-aqueous and aqueous potentiometry.
256 citations
TL;DR: The significant global presence of atypical pathogens and the better outcomes associated with antimicrobial regimens with atypICAL coverage support empiric therapy for all hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia with a regimen that covers atypicals pathogens.
Abstract: Rationale: Controversy still exists in the international literature regarding the need to use antimicrobials covering atypical pathogens when initially treating hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). In different regions of the world, monotherapy with a β-lactam antimicrobial is common.Objectives: We sought to correlate the incidence of CAP due to atypical pathogens in different regions of the world with the proportion of patients treated with an atypical regimen in those same regions. In addition, we sought to compare clinical outcomes of patients with CAP treated with and without atypical coverage.Methods: A secondary analysis was performed using two comprehensive international databases. World regions were defined as North America (I), Europe (II), Latin America (III), and Asia and Africa (IV). Time to reach clinical stability, length of hospital stay, and mortality were compared between patients treated with and without atypical coverage.Measurements and Main Results: The incid...
221 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, six agricultural residues of different botanic origin, namely corncobs (CC), almond shells (AS), olive stones (OS), rice husks (RH), wheat straw (WS), and barley straw (BS), were tested as feedstocks for the production of xylo-oligosaccharides (XOs) by autohydrolysis at 179 °C for 23 min.
211 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that, with the proposed controller, the boost converter has a faster response and a lower voltage overshoot over a wide range of operating conditions as compared to that under the widely used peak current-mode controller.
Abstract: This paper proposes a fast-response sliding-mode controller for controlling boost-type converters requiring a fast dynamical response over a wide range of operating conditions. The various aspects of the controller, which include the method of generating the reference-current profile, the choice of sliding surface, the existence and stability properties, and the selection of the control parameters, are discussed. Experimental results are presented to validate the theoretical design and to illustrate the strength of the proposed controller. It is demonstrated that, with the proposed controller, the boost converter has a faster response and a lower voltage overshoot over a wide range of operating conditions as compared to that under the widely used peak current-mode controller. Moreover, it is easily realized with simple analog circuitries.
210 citations
TL;DR: A review of the current status of laccase production by wild-type strains of filamentous fungi at the bioreactor scale is presented in this paper, where the authors discuss the main drawbacks of using laccases in a wide variety of processes, such as textile dye decolouration, pulp bleaching, effluent detoxification, biosensors and bioremediation.
TL;DR: A series of (NHC)AuICl (1, NHC = N,N‘-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene (IPr); 2,NHC = n,N'-bis (2,4,6)-trimethylphenyl (IMes); 3, NOC = N ICy; 4, ICy = ICy-dicyclohexy(2.4, 6)-dimitri-methylphenyl)-limid
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors consider spiking neural P systems as binary string generators, where the set of spike trains of halting computations of a given system constitutes the language generated by that system.
Abstract: We continue the study of spiking neural P systems by considering these computing devices as binary string generators: the set of spike trains of halting computations of a given system constitutes the language generated by that system. Although the "direct" generative capacity of spiking neural P systems is rather restricted (some very simple languages cannot be generated in this framework), regular languages are inverse-morphic images of languages of finite spiking neural P systems, and recursively enumerable languages are projections of inverse-morphic images of languages generated by spiking neural P systems.
TL;DR: SS were very attractive materials for removing anionic dyes from dyed effluents and fitted well both the Freundlich and multilayer adsorption isotherm equations indicating the heterogeneity of the adsorbent surface.
TL;DR: The results of a pilot study conducted to provide preliminary data on the levels of 13 FOCs in the blood of 48 residents in Catalonia, Spain, found that the current FOC concentrations were lower than those found in recent studies concerning levels of these chemicals in human blood and serum of subjects from different countries.
TL;DR: The dietary habits of the population of Catalonia (Spain) regarding fish and seafood consumption do not contribute remarkably to increase PCDD/F and DL-PCB intake.
TL;DR: It is suggested that the levels of vanadium must be periodically monitored to assure that the important industrialization of Tarragona does not mean health risks for the population living near the complex.
TL;DR: In this paper, a physically based model for the threshold voltage, subthreshold swing, and drain-induced barrier lowering (DIBL) of undoped cylindrical gate-all-around MOSFETs has been derived based on an analytical solution of 2-D Poisson's equation (in cylinrical coordinates) in which the mobile charge term has been included.
Abstract: Analytical physically based models for the threshold voltage, subthreshold swing, and drain-induced barrier lowering (DIBL) of undoped cylindrical gate-all-around MOSFETs have been derived based on an analytical solution of 2-D Poisson's equation (in cylindrical coordinates) in which the mobile charge term has been included. Using the new model, threshold voltage, DIBL and subthreshold swing sensitivities to channel length, and channel thickness have been investigated. The models for DIBL, subthreshold swing, and threshold voltage rolloff parameters have been verified by comparison with 3-D numerical simulations; close agreement with the numerical simulations has been observed
TL;DR: New evidence is provided that pain is an important problem for the older adult, one that severely impacts on their health status, causing disability and reduced ability to function, particularly in older women.
TL;DR: Although it seems evident that fish must be an important part of a balanced diet, to choose the most suitable species in terms of levels of PUFAs and pollutants, the frequency of consumption, and the meal size are essential aspects to balance benefits and risks of a regular consumption.
TL;DR: Average exposure of children to contaminants through fish and seafood consumption did not exceed the respective tolerable daily intake of those pollutants for which it has been already established (metals, PCDD/Fs plus dioxin-like PCBs, HCB, and PAHs).
TL;DR: Metal values recorded for treated wastewater and sludge were within the maximum permitted levels established by the Environmental Sanitation Company (CETESB), São Paulo, Brazil.
Abstract: The presence of heavy metals in wastewater is one of the main causes of water and soil pollution. The aim of the present study was to investigate the removal of Cd, Cu, Pb, Hg, Mn, Cr and Zn in urban effluent by a biological wastewater treatment, as well as to quantify the levels of As, Be, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, Tl, V and Zn in dewatering sludge from the Biological Wastewater Treatment Plant to Ribeirao Preto (RP-BWTP), Brazil. Concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn and Pb in wastewater and those of Ni in sludge were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry with graphite furnace atomization. Mercury concentrations in wastewater were measured by hydride generation atomic spectrophotometry, and Zn levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry using acetylene flame. In sludge, the levels of As, Be, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb, Sn, Tl, V and Zn were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The percentages of removal efficiency (RE) were the following: Hg 61.5%, Cd 60.0%, Zn 44.9%, Cu 44.2%, PB 39.7%, Cr 16,5% and Mn 10.4%. In turn, the mean concentrations (mg/kg) of metals in dewatering sludge followed this increasing order: Tl (<0.03), Hg (0.31), Be (0.43), As (1.14), Cd (1.34), V (59.2), Pb (132.1), Sn (166.1), Cr (195.0), Mn (208.1), Ni (239.4), Cu (391.7), Zn (864.4) and Fe (20537). The relationship between metal levels in untreated wastewater, as well as the removal efficiency are in agreement with previous data from various investigators, It is important to note that metal removal efficiency is not only affected by metal ion species and concentration, but also by other conditions such as operating parameters, physical, chemical, and biological factors. Metal values recorded for treated wastewater and sludge were within the maximum permitted levels established by the Environmental Sanitation Company (CETESB), Sao Paulo, Brazil. There is an urgent need for the authorities who are responsible for legislation on sludge uses in agriculture of establishing safety levels for As, Be, Hg, Sn, Tl and V. According to the current metal levels, RP-BWTP sludge might be used for agriculture purposes. However, for an environmentally safe use of sewage sludge, further studies including systematic monitoring are recommended. Annual metal concentrations and predicted variations of those elements in the sludge should be monitored.
TL;DR: The in vitro decolouredation of two structurally different dyes such as the anthraquinonic dye Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) and the triphenylmethane dye Methyl Green (MG) shows the high potential of T. pubescens laccase for synthetic dye decolouration, especially for anthraquonic dyes.
TL;DR: NGF is upregulated in obesity, type 2 diabetes, and the MetSyn, and whether this NT may contribute to inflammation and the metabolic derangements associated with body weight gain remains to be elucidated.
Abstract: Objective: Neurotrophins (NTs) could be involved in the development and progression of inflammatory and immune diseases. Because obesity and the metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) are related to a lowgrade systemic inflammation, plasma NT levels (neurotrophinemia) could play an important role in the ethiopathogenic mechanisms underlying these metabolic derangements. This is the first study evaluating the plasma NT levels in a group of women with obesity and MetSyn, and also the adipose tissue nerve growth factor (NGF) expression in a small group of them. Methods: Included were 146 adult women with different degrees of adiposity, with or without MetSyn. Plasma NT levels were measured. NGF expression was analyzed in s.c. adipose tissue of a subgroup of morbidly obese and normal-weight females. Results: NGF plasma levels were 1.4-fold higher in overweight and obese subjects. Plasma NGF was, however, lower in a group of morbidly obese subjects than in overweight or obesity, but it remained elevated relative to the normal-weight group. Plasma NGF was significantly correlated with body mass index (BMI), percentage body fat, and waist circumference in non-morbidly obese subjects. NGF was positively related to inflammatory markers. NT3 and brain-derived neurotrophin factor seem to be more related to lipid profile than to BMI, adipose tissue distribution, or peripheral inflammatory markers. Subjects with type 2 diabetes, abdominal fat distribution, or the MetSyn showed significantly higher levels of NGF. The MetSyn was the only independent predictor of the variability observed in the NGF plasma values. Conclusion: NGF is upregulated in obesity, type 2 diabetes, and the MetSyn. Whether this NT may contribute to inflammation and the metabolic derangements associated with body weight gain remains to be elucidated.
TL;DR: In this article, the modified sol-gel Pechini method was used to obtain small nanoparticles in the range of 20-50nm of monoclinic KREW.
Abstract: KRE(WO4)2 (RE = Gd and Yb) nanocrystalline powder was obtained by the modified sol-gel Pechini method. The precursor powder was calcined between 923 and 1023 K for a maximum of 6 h at air atmosphere. DTA-TG of the precursor powder shows that the temperature for total calcination is around 800–850 K. Molar ratio between the complexing agent and the metal ions in the first step of the method and molar ratio between the complexing agent and the ethylene glycol in the second step of the method were studied to optimize the preparation process. X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy were used to study the transformation from precursor powder into a crystalline monoclinic phase. Raman spectroscopy was used to study the vibrational structure of the nanoparticles. The Scherrer formula was used to confirm the grain sizes visualized by SEM and TEM techniques. Small nanoparticles in the range of 20–50 nm of monoclinic KREW have been successfully obtained by this methodology.
TL;DR: The results of this study suggest that European Mediterranean countries should take nutrition policy action to maintain their traditional healthy food pattern, with a cultural added value.
Abstract: Objective: The aims of this study were to assess the changes that have occurred in food patterns in Europe over the last 40 years based on food availability data and to compare the stability of the traditional Mediterranean diet in the south of Europe in this period. Design: An ecological study carried out on the basis of Food and Agriculture Organization food balance sheets for three geographical areas of Europe (Mediterranean, north and east) over two time periods: 1961–1963 and 1998–2000. The average availability of total energy, energy provided from macronutrients and food groups was calculated for each area and each period studied. Results: Over the last 40 years total energy availability and energy availability from lipids have increased considerably in the three European areas, while the percentage of energy from carbohydrates has fallen. The greatest changes have occurred in Mediterranean Europe, with an increase of 20.1% in total energy availability, an increase of 48.1% in energy availability from lipids and a fall of 20.5% from carbohydrates. Moreover, Mediterranean Europe showed a significant fall in the energy supplied by cereals (29.9%) and wine (55.2%), while the contribution of milk (77.8%) and dairy products (23.6%) increased. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that European Mediterranean countries should take nutrition policy action to maintain their traditional healthy food pattern, with a cultural added value. This implies actions at all levels, including raising awareness of consumers, collaboration with the food sector and a call to set the agenda of the concerned politicians and stakeholders.
TL;DR: A molecularly imprinted polymer designed to enable the selective extraction of carbamazepine (CBZ) from effluent wastewater and urine samples has been synthesised using a non-covalent molecular imprinting approach.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors developed analytical physically based models for the threshold voltage and sub-threshold swing of undoped symmetrical double-gate (DG) MOSFETs.
Abstract: We have developed analytical physically based models for the threshold voltage [including the drain-induced barrier lowering (DIBL) effect] and the subthreshold swing of undoped symmetrical double-gate (DG) MOSFETs The models are derived from an analytical solution of the 2-D Poisson equation in which the electron concentration was included The models for DIBL, subthreshold swing, and threshold voltage roll-off have been verified by comparison with 2-D numerical simulations for different values of channel length, channel thickness, and drain-source voltage; very good agreement with the numerical simulations has been observed
TL;DR: In this article, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Xray photoelectron spectra (XPS) was used to characterize Co catalysts for steam reforming of ethanol.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyzed the link between firms' decisions to innovate and the barriers that prevent them from being innovative and presented the main steps taken by the Catalan Government to promote the creation of new firms and to reduce barriers to innovation.
Abstract: The present paper analyses the link between firms’ decisions to innovate and the barriers that prevent them from being innovative. The aim is twofold. First, it analyses three groups of barriers to innovation: the cost of innovation projects, lack of knowledge and market conditions. Second, it presents the main steps taken by Catalan Government to promote the creation of new firms and to reduce barriers to innovation. The data set used is based on the 2004 official innovation survey of Catalonia which was taken from the Spanish CIS-4 sample. This sample includes individual information on 2,954 Catalan firms in manufacturing industries and knowledge-intensive services (KIS). The empirical analysis reveals pronounced differences regarding a firm’s propensity to innovate and its perception of barriers. Moreover, the results show that cost and knowledge barriers seem to be the most important and that there are substantial sectoral differences in the way that firms react to barriers. The results of this paper have important implications for the design of future public policy to promote entrepreneurship and innovation together.