Rovira i Virgili University

About: Rovira i Virgili University is a education organization based out in Tarragona, Spain. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Catalysis. The organization has 4247 authors who have published 9141 publications receiving 236256 citations.

Oenological consequences of sequential inoculation with non-Saccharomyces yeasts (Torulaspora delbrueckii or Metschnikowia pulcherrima) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in base wine for sparkling wine production

Abstract: The use of non-Saccharomyces yeasts for the production of quality wine has become increasingly frequent in recent years. Several studies of the influence of Torulaspora delbrueckii and Metschnikowia pulcherrima on chemical composition have been reported, especially in aspects concerning aroma. The aim of this article was to study the influence of sequential inoculation of these non-Saccharomyces yeasts and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the composition and quality of base wine for sparkling wine production. The results indicate that sequential inoculation with non-Saccharomyces yeasts may be an interesting tool for obtaining base wines with different characteristics. On the one hand, T. delbrueckii Biodiva™ strain increased glycerol concentration, reduced volatile acidity and exerted a positive effect on foaming properties improving foamability (Hm) and foam persistence (Hs). On the other hand, M. pulcherrima Flavia® strain also increased foam persistence (Hs) and changed the aromatic profile, increasing smoky and flowery notes.

Customer loyalty to service providers: examining the role of service quality, customer satisfaction and trust

Abstract: In recent years, the concept of customer loyalty has become increasingly popular. Both academics and practitioners regard customer loyalty as being fundamental to a company's success. Developing customer loyalty is also a strategy that is well suited to the service industry precisely because services offer more opportunities for such development to take place. Yet despite the obvious importance of customer loyalty to all businesses, and in particular to services, there is still much to be learnt. The purpose of this study is to analyse the impact of service quality, satisfaction and trust on customer loyalty to the service provider by means of structural equation modelling. The results of the empirical research on travel agencies reveal how loyalty depends on the customer's degree of satisfaction and trust. In turn, satisfaction is influenced by service quality. Most previous studies have focused on quality and satisfaction but in this study, we extend the list of factors which predict loyalty by emphasis...

Accumulation of metals in autopsy tissues of subjects living in Tarragona County, Spain.

Abstract: The concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), tin (Sn), vanadium (V) and zinc (Zn) were determined in autopsy tissues collected from subjects who at the time of death had lived in Tarragona (Catalonia, Spain) over a period of, at least, the previous 10 years. Samples of liver, lung, kidney, brain and bone were obtained from a total of 78 non-occupationally exposed subjects, autopsied between 1997 and 1999. Arsenic, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Pb, Mn, Hg, Ni, Sn, V and Zn were determined by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP/MS). The results were analyzed with respect to age, sex, smoking and drinking habits, and the subject's place of residence. Most tissue concentrations of As, Co, Cr, Hg and V were near to the analytical detection limit or, in some cases, even below it. However, the levels of Cu were slightly higher than the average concentrations found in other studies. Also, tissue concentrations of Mn, Sn and Zn were similar to those found in previous surveys, while those of Ni were lower than previously reported. Although the current levels of tissue Cd and Pb were comparatively lower than in studies in other areas, the distribution of both metals was similar to previously-reported trends. From the tissue metal concentrations observed in the present study, it would appear that neither environmental exposure nor a dietary excess of these elements could be considered a health hazard to people living in the study area.

Second-Order Sliding-Mode Controlled Synchronous Buck DC–DC Converter

Abstract: In this paper, second-order sliding-mode (SOSM) control approach is applied to synchronous buck dc–dc converters. The proposed SOSM controller can stabilize synchronous buck dc–dc converters using a simple digital state-machine structure, without requiring current sensing or an integral term in the control loop. The SOSM controller results in fast step-load and start-up transient responses, and is robust against parameter uncertainties. Fast transients and current limitation during start up can be accomplished by adjusting one controller parameter. Furthermore, a hysteresis method is introduced to control the switching frequency. The proposed approach is verified by experimental results on a 1.25-V 10-A prototype.