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The present work involved an assessment of the technical feasibility of coupling AnMBR, primary settling and anaerobic digestion to treat sulfate-rich wastewater at ambient temperature. The innovative approach used focused on reducing the carbon footprint of wastewater treatment while maximizing the energy recovered from influent organic matter. In this process, primary settling reduces the COD/SO4-S ratio in the influent of the AnMBR system and completely removes organic matter by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), while increasing the COD/SO4-S ratio in the sidestream anaerobic digester (AD), enhancing energy recovery and biogas quality. This approach has the significant advantage of only producing methane in the AD, so that the AnMBR produces a high-quality, methane-free effluent with no environmental impact from fugitive methane emissions. The performance of this treatment scheme was assessed by operating a demonstration-scale AnMBR plant fed by primary settled municipal wastewater at the hydraulic retention times of 25, 12 and 8.5 h. The results showed that the COD and BOD removed by SRB enabled setting the discharge limits at 25 and 12 h and lowered the carbon footprint to levels below those of an AnMBR plant fed by raw municipal wastewater, mainly by eliminating fugitive methane emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of green technologies such as ultrasound and natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) for revalorisation of food and agricultural by-products represents a sustainable way to tackle waste and promote a healthier environment while delivering much-needed functional food ingredients for an increasingly unhealthy population. The processing of persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) generates large amounts of by-products rich in fibre-bound bioactive phytochemicals. This paper assessed the extractability of bioactive compounds through NADES and the functional properties of the persimmon polysaccharide-rich by-products to evaluate their suitability to be used as functional ingredients in commercial beverages. Although higher amounts of carotenoids and polyphenols were extracted after eutectic treatment vs. conventional extraction (p < 0.05), the fibre-bound bioactives remained abundant (p < 0.001) in the resulting persimmon pulp by-product (PPBP) and persimmon pulp dietary fibre (PPDF), showing also a strong antioxidant activity (DPPH•, ABTS•+ assays) and an improved digestibility and fibre fermentability. The main structural components of PPBP and PPDF are cellulose, hemicellulose and pectin. PPDF-added dairy-based drink showed more than 50% of preference over the control among panellists and similar acceptability scores to the commercial ones. Persimmon pulp by-products represent sustainable source of dietary fibre and bioactives and are suitable candidates to develop functional ingredients for food industry applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gas chromatography (GC) techniques for analyzing and determining the cannabinoid profile in cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) are widely used in standard laboratories; however, these methods may mislabel the profile when used under rapid conditions. Our study aimed to highlight this problem and optimize GC column conditions and mass spectrometry (MS) parameters to accurately identify cannabinoids in both standards and forensic samples. The method was validated for linearity, selectivity, and precision. It was observed that when tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and cannabidiolic acid (CBD-A) were examined using rapid GC conditions, the resulting derivatives generated identical retention times. Wider chromatographic conditions were applied. The linear range for each compound ranged from 0.02 μg/mL to 37.50 μg/mL. The R2 values ranged from 0.996 to 0.999. The LOQ values ranged from 0.33 μg/mL to 5.83 μg/mL, and the LOD values ranged from 0.11 μg/mL to 1.92 μg/mL. The precision values ranged from 0.20% to 8.10% RSD. In addition, forensic samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD) in an interlaboratory comparison test, with higher CBD and THC content than GC–MS determination (p < 0.05) in samples. Overall, this study highlights the importance of optimizing GC techniques to avoid mislabeling cannabinoids in cannabis samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a study in the framework of Building and Construction Engineering Degree. The aim of our proposal is to discuss if the academic activities comprising the Final Degree Project (FDP) are correctcd, balanced and adapted in order to maximize the acquisition of the competences identified by the professional sector through two rounds of quantitative surveys (data also presented in this paper). Due to the economic and construction crises and the decreasing number of students in this sector, it is essential to ensure that future professionals are trained in a specific way to meet the current needs of the sector. Based on our assumption, the data obtained in the surveys, and the analytic approach of the main academic indicators, we propose new relations and FDP evaluation methods that would align the student's curriculum with the current professional needs. The obtained results reveal the need of changes in the current FDP structure in order to give more importance to certain learning activities identified as essential at the professional level. With our proposal, we will improve the FDP evaluation, and the student competences acquisition, in order to adapt them to the professional needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study involved the production of special fruit ale beers with different concentrations (100:0%, 75:25%, 50:50% and 25:75% v/v) of barley malt and persimmon juice from the 'Rojo Brillante' variety. Fermentation took place under beer quality control parameters and the influence of persimmon juice on beer quality was investigated. Colour, turbidity, pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, sugars, organic acids, total phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity and ethanol formation were determined during the fermentation process. These fruit beers, whose alcoholic contents were within the standards (3.6-5.63% v/v ethanol), were characterized by a normal acid pH (3.97-4.13) with citric and lactic acids the most abundant organic acids, a clear golden colour without turbidity [2.05-2.83 European Brewery Convention units], intermediate total phenolic compound values (283.0-327.1 mg GAE/L) and antioxidant activities between 1.65 and 5.78 m m TE/L. The persimmon beverage which contained 75% fruit juice was the most valued and preferred by the panelists followed by the 50:50% wort-persimmon beer. Copyright © 2017 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three craft ale beers contained 5, 10 and 20 g/L Hibiscus sabdariffa L. aqueous powered extract (HS) were submitted to a forced aging process for 7 days at 45°C, and the changes with time of physicochemical parameters, anthocyanins, total phenolic compounds (TPC) and antioxidant activities (AOX) were monitored. The determination of the individual characteristics of the 20 g/L HS beer after forced aging indicates that it was characterized by low pH and browning index, slight red hue, and high TPC content and AOX. It becomes clear that HS extract had a noticeable effect on the acidity and colour of beer and it was an important source of phenolics and anthocyanins, compounds with AOX. When the evolutions of the general parameters were compared, hibiscus beer showed the weakest tendency to age, giving as result lesser red colour loss and AOX owing to a low anthocyanin degradation and brown pigment formation. Copyright © 2017 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The effects of two heat processes LTP (low-temperature pasteurization: 65 °C, 30 s) and HTP (high-temperature pasteurization: 90 °C, 5 s) on color quality of pasteurized cloudy and clarified or centrifuged pomegranate juices were evaluated during prolonged storage at room temperature (25 °C) and under refrigeration (5 °C). Both heat treatments combined with refrigeration prevented microbial growth for 120 days. Although processing and storage of pomegranate juice had a decisive impact on the degradation of anthocyanin compounds and the consequent formation of brown pigments, storage temperature was the main factor affecting both browning index (BI) and red color loss in pasteurized pomegranate juices. Samples stored at 5 °C had a lower and slower loss of red color than those stored at 25 °C. Results showed that BIs increased rapidly with time in juices stored at 25 °C, being not acceptable (>1.00) after 7 days. The juices stored at 5 °C showed less browning regardless of pasteurization treatment they were subjected. In particular LTP-treated cloudy and clarified juices stored at 5 °C for 90 days exhibited BI values of 0.93 and 0.85, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) fruits are a remarkable source of carotenoids, which have shown protective effects against UV radiation in bacteria, fungi, algae, and plants. The aim of this study was to analyze the photoprotection provided by an acetone extract, rich in carotenoids and obtained from byproducts derived from the persimmon juice industry, against UV-induced cell death in the keratinocyte HaCaT cell line. For this purpose, the cytotoxicity and phototoxicity of carotenoid extract, as well as its intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and anti-adhesive activities towards HaCaT cells, were evaluated. The in vitro permeation test provided information about the permeability of the carotenoid extract. Persimmon extracts, rich in carotenoids (PEC), were absorbed by HaCaT keratinocyte cells, which reduced the UV-induced intracellular ROS production in treated cells. Thus, PEC exerted a photoprotective and regenerative effect on UV-irradiated HaCaT cells, and this protection was UV dose-dependent. No cytotoxic effect was observed in HaCaT cultures at the concentration tested. PEC treatment also stimulated the adhesion capacity of skin microbiome to HaCaT cells, while exhibiting a significant anti-adhesive activity against all tested pathogens. In conclusion, PEC showed potential for use as a functional ingredient in skin-care products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Appropriate nutrition targets decrease the risk of incidence of preventable diseases in addition to providing physiological benefits. Dietary fiber, despite being available and necessary in balanced nutrition, are consumed at below daily requirements. Food byproducts high in dietary fiber and free and bonded bioactive compounds are often discarded. Herein, persimmon byproducts are presented as an interesting source of fiber and bioactive compounds. The solvent extraction effects of dietary fiber from persimmon byproducts on its techno- and physio-functional properties, and on the Caco-2 cell model after being subjected to in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and probiotic bacterial fermentation, were evaluated. The total, soluble, and insoluble dietary fiber, total phenolic, carotenoid, flavonoid contents, and antioxidant activity were determined. After in vitro digestion, low quantities of bonded phenolic compounds were detected in all fiber fractions. Moreover, total phenolic and carotenoid contents, as well as antioxidant activity, decreased depending on the extraction solvent, whereas short chain fatty acids production increased. Covalently bonded compounds in persimmon fiber mainly consisted of hydroxycinnamic acids and flavanols. After probiotic bacterial fermentation, few phenolic compounds were determined in all fiber fractions. Results suggest that persimmon's dietary fiber functional properties are dependent on the extraction process used, which may promote a strong probiotic response and modulate the epithelial barrier function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 38-year-old man with a 3-year history of scaling and cracking of the lips without family history of psoriasis. Dermatological examination on the patient was performed and found diffuse mild erythema with adherent silvery scales and fissuring on upper lip. The patient was diagnosed with psoriasis and was prescribed with an emolient cream and a momethasone fuorate 0.1% ointment once daily for 14 days.

Usually speckled lentiginous nevus or nevus spilus is a small solitary lesion consisting of a light tan patch with numerous dark brown macules or papules (or both) within it. It is occasionally associated with complex birth defects such as phacomatosis pigmentovascularis, phacomatosis pigmentokeratotica, or speckled lentiginous nevus syndrome. Uncommon presentations include large segmental lesions that may or may not be systematized and can sometimes be associated with other anomalies. We hereby report a 6-year-old Caucasian patient with systematized nevus spilus associated with torsion dystonia, a combination not published thus far. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Hundred eighty-four direct and reconstituted juices from Spanish lemons were analysed. [•] Sugars, organic acids, amino acids and mineral profiles were determined. [•] Ranges of authentic juices obtained from the lemon varieties ‘Verna’ and ‘Fino’ were established. [•] These findings were compared to the current reference guideline for lemon juice. [•] New criteria for authenticity and identity control of lemon juice are proposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]