Abstract CuCrO2 was synthesized by solution combustion synthesis (SCS) and applied as a heterogeneous catalyst to produce soybean biodiesel. The combustion reaction was carried out using urea as a fuel, and copper (II) and chromium (III) nitrates as precursors. After the powders’ obtention, these were calcined and functionalized in an acidic medium. The powders were characterized by thermogravimetry (TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and infrared spectroscopy (IR) techniques. The TG curve revealed that the formation of the CuCrO2 in the combustion reaction remained stable up to 1000 °C. The XRD results confirmed the formation of the CuCrO2 compound. The SEM images showed that the crystallinity of the samples increased after the calcination process. The IR spectra showed the presence of delafossite characteristic bands. After the transesterification reaction, biodiesel was obtained with a yield of around 80%. Thus, catalysts based on delafossite synthesized through the combustion method and functionalized showed to be promising for the transesterification reaction of vegetable oils.

Abstract Chenopodium quinoa Willd. it is an Andean cereal of great importance for human consumption due to its high nutritional value. In Colombia there is a high phenotypic and genotypic variability within quinoa crops, which has not been studied and has been maintained by the same farmers cycle after production cycle. The objective of this study was to carry out an interpopulation characterization of quinoa cultivated in different producing municipalities of the department of Boyacá, in Colombia, for which 19 morphological descriptors were used, which were evaluated in situ in nine municipalities and analyzed through descriptive statistics, principal component analysis, correlation and conglomerates. In the evaluation of the quantitative traits for all the populations, it was observed that the most variable descriptors were Number of teeth lower leaf (DHI), Lower leaf length (LHI), Width upper leaf (AHI) and Number of teeth upper leaf (DHS). Great segregation between and within individuals of Blanca de Jericó and Piartal was observed for panicle and leaf color and shape, stem color, presence of teeth, and axils on upper and lower leaves. A classification key is proposed that allows in the field to be able to morphologically differentiate the genotypes of Piartal and Blanca de Jericó. This research shows that among the most cultivated genotypes in the department of Boyacá, there is still an important phenotypic diversity given at the inter and intra-individual level, due to the phenological state and the agroclimatological conditions of the different producing regions.

Resumo Chenopodium quinoa Willd. é um cereal andino de grande importância para a alimentação humana por causa do seu alto valor nutricional. Na Colômbia, existe uma alta variabilidade fenotípica e genotípica nos cultivos de quinoa, que não foi estudada e tem sido mantida pelo mesmo produtor ciclo após ciclo de produção. O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma caracterização interpopulacional da quinoa cultivada em diferentes municípios produtores do departamento de Boyacá, na Colômbia. Para tanto, foram utilizados 19 descritores morfológicos, avaliados in situ em nove municípios e analisados por meio de estatísticas descritivas, análise de componentes principais, correlação e conglomerados. Na avaliação dos caracteres quantitativos para todas as populações, observou-se que os descritores mais variáveis foram: número de dentes da folha inferior (DHI), comprimento da folha inferior (LHI), largura da folha superior (AHI) e número de dentes da folha superior (DHS). Entre os indivíduos de Blanca de Jericó e Piartal e dentro deles, observou-se grande segregação quanto à cor, formato da panícula e folha, cor do caule, presença de dentes e axilas nas folhas superiores e inferiores. É proposta uma chave de classificação que permite no campo poder diferenciar morfologicamente os genótipos de Piartal e Blanca de Jericó. Esta pesquisa mostra que, entre os genótipos mais cultivados no departamento de Boyacá, ainda existe uma importante diversidade fenotípica em nível inter e intraindividual, em razão do estado fenológico e das condições agroclimatológicas das diferentes regiões produtoras.

Abstract In this investigation thermochemical properties of 3-hydroxyphthalic anhydride were determined. Fusion enthalpy, fusion temperature and molar heat capacity in solid phase were obtained by differential scanning calorimetry. By the Knudsen effusion method, the molar enthalpy of sublimation at 298.15 K was obtained. By thermogravimetric data, it was possible to determine the molar enthalpy of sublimation and the molar enthalpy of vaporization. On the other hand, the molar enthalpy of formation in solid phase at 298.15 K was determined by combustion calorimetry. The molar enthalpy of formation in gas phase at 298.15 K was calculated from molar enthalpy of sublimation at 298.15 K and molar enthalpy of formation in solid phase at 298.15 K. This experimental value was compared both theoretical enthalpy of formation in gas phase by using Gaussian methods at the G3 and G4 levels and with an estimated value in relation to phthalic anhydride.

BACKGROUND: The parotid tissue can give rise to a large variety of benign and malignant neoplasms. The objective of this study was to describe the management and outcome of parotid gland tumours over a 15-year period. METHOD: The records of consecutive patients treated by parotid gland excision from January 1995 to December 2008 were reviewed retrospectively. Data recorded were age, gender, history, physical findings, surgical procedure, fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), final pathological diagnosis and complications. RESULTS: The vast majority of patients (306) had benign neoplasms, and 14 patients had malignant neoplasms. Overall, pleomorphic adenoma contributed to 76% of the lesions, and Warthin's tumour to 17%. The sensitivity and specificity of FNAB was 79% and 100%, respectively. There were 15 cases of marginal mandibular transitory paresis and 12 cases of seroma. Marginal mandibular definitive paralysis was observed in three cases with malignant tumour. CONCLUSION: Standardised parotidectomy is a safe operation, with a low complication rate.