Maize is frequently contaminated by toxigenic fungi, mainly Fusarium spp. and Aspergillus section Flavi, which produce several mycotoxins and represent a major food safety concern. Climate change is expected to alter fungal communities in agroecosystems, potentially modifying mycotoxin contamination patterns in maize. This study compared mycotoxin accumulation and the mycotoxigenic potential of fungal isolates between two consecutive growing seasons characterized by contrasting climatic conditions (2023, hot/dry, and 2024, mild/wet) in maize samples from northeastern Spain.From 2023 and 2024, 853 Fusarium and 210 Aspergillus section Flavi isolates were obtained, and their toxigenic potential for fumonisins (FBs), deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN), T-2/HT-2 toxins and aflatoxins (AFs) was assessed by HPLC, while natural mycotoxin contamination in the maize samples was determined by ELISA.The 2024 season was associated with a higher proportion of mycotoxin-producing Fusarium isolates and higher DON and ZEN concentrations in maize. DON and ZEN concentrations were positively correlated in both growing seasons, and the relative proportion of F. graminearum was positively associated with DON. F. proliferatum showed high FBs-producing potential in both seasons and a higher proportion of FBs-producing isolates than F. verticillioides. Although AFs-producing isolates were more frequent in 2023, AFs remained below the analytical LOD in all maize samples from both seasons. A. parasiticus showed high AF-producing capacity in vitro despite its relatively low occurrence.No significant correlations were detected between the in vitro toxigenic potential of fungal isolates and mycotoxin concentrations in the corresponding maize samples.Overall, contrasting seasonal conditions were associated with differences in toxigenic fungal profiles and mycotoxin accumulation in maize.
The thermal energy storage (TES) system represents a promising alternative energy source for industrial steam generation systems and a tool to decrease fossil fuel consumption. Numerous research studies focused on the use of organic and inorganic phase change materials (PCMs) as energy storage mediums for TES systems. The primary limitations of these PCMs are their low thermal conductivity, which restricts their charging and discharging capabilities. This study focuses on the viability of using metal or metal alloy PCMs as energy storage mediums for TES systems. Metal or metal alloy PCMs offer the advantage of high thermal conductivity, which mitigates the issues commonly associated with organic or inorganic PCMs; however, the primary challenge is the limited data available in the existing literature concerning these materials. From a comprehensive list of metal alloy PCMs, three PCMs, PbAg2.4, Pb, and ZnAl6, were selected based on the relevant temperature range for steam generation. The ZnAl6 metal alloy PCM was estimated to exhibit minimal density variation with respect to temperature, specifically 0.001302 kg/m3·°C. Additionally, the ZnAl6 metal alloy PCM was subjected to 1000 thermal cycles alongside conventional construction and heat-resistant stainless containers. It was determined that the heat-resistant stainless steel container serves as a more effective encapsulation medium for the ZnAl6 metal alloy PCM, exhibiting an exceptionally low corrosion rate of 0.15 μm per day. Furthermore, the eutectic composition of ZnAl6 was found to remain stable even after 4128 h of thermal cycling.
Open microchannels are a promising configuration for flow boiling because the top gap facilitates vapor evacuation and liquid replenishment, thereby improving thermal performance and moderating flow instabilities. However, their behavior under different inlet subcooling conditions remains insufficiently understood under hydrostatically controlled inlet-head operation, particularly when water is used as the working fluid. Deionized water flow boiling was experimentally investigated in an open microchannel heatsink featuring a 100 mu m top gap and microstructures with an aspect ratio of 15 and a length of 50 mm. Experiments were conducted at four prescribed hydrostatic heads (from 45 to 85 cm) at three different inlet temperatures: 60, 75 and 90 degrees C. Quantitative thermohydraulic measurements were complemented by high-speed flow visualization. Raising inlet temperature from 60 to 90 degrees C reduced the heat flux at the onset of nucleate boiling (ONB) by 73-79%, whereas the critical heat flux (CHF) decreased by only 19-34%. Consequently, the two-phase operating window widened and was largest at 90 degrees C. The lowest subcooling condition yielded the highest heat transfer performance, with maximum heat transfer coefficients of 12,847-23,686 W/m2 & sdot;K under surge-like vapor motion, but also the sharpest pre-CHF deterioration. This wider operating window incurred hydraulic and dynamic penalties: pressure drop increased by up to 335% from ONB to CHF and, at 102 W/cm2 under the highest hydrostatic-head condition, pressure drop oscillation severity increased by 169%. Increasing hydrostatic head from 45 to 85 cm more than doubled the ONB flow rate, whereas lower subcooling accelerated flow rate depletion and fluctuations toward CHF.
Biomass-derived ionic liquids are promising compounds which can transform thermal energy storage (TES) by coupling high-performance phase change behaviour with renewable origins. Based on a comprehensive review of more than 120 key studies published between 2002 and 2026, this review targets Green Chemistry agenda by moving beyond generic claims of "green" ionic liquids and systematically linking precursor origin, synthetic routes, and atom economy to thermophysical performance in thermal, waste-heat recovery, and building energy storage systems. Recent advances in sugar-, lignin-, amino acid-, cholinium- and fatty acid-based ionic liquids are reported, showing how rational cation-anion design can tune melting point, latent heat, heat capacity, viscosity, and cycling stability to compete or outperform conventional molten salts and organic phase change materials. At the same time, it is discussed that sustainability is not intrinsic to the final ionic liquid: since life-cycle burdens, side contaminations and processes, fluorinated anions, and energy demands can fake environmental benefits if not quantified. By including cradle-to-grave considerations and bio-origin-driven classification with structure-property trends, this review provides design guidelines for ionic liquids that are not only advanced TES media but also aligned with circularity and climate mitigation goals.
Epithelial ovarian cancer (OC) is the second leading cause of death among gynecologic malignancies and exhibits marked histological and molecular heterogeneity. Advances in tumor biology and targeted therapies have increased the need for accurate biomarker characterization. This updated consensus by the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) and the Spanish Society of Pathology (SEAP) reviews key morphological and molecular features for diagnosis and providing recommendations for biomarker assessment across major OC subtypes. The document addresses classical serum biomarkers, prognostic tools, and genomic alterations with therapeutic implications, including homologous recombination deficiency (HRD), BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, mismatch repair status, as well as other established and emerging biomarkers. Emphasis is placed on optimal sample selection, validated techniques, and multidisciplinary integration is required to ensure diagnostic quality. These recommendations aim to optimize prognostic stratification and guide personalized treatment strategies, ultimately improving clinical outcomes in ovarian cancer.
