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Antonio Cano-Ortiz,1 Pablo Morales,2 Álvaro Sánchez-Ventosa,1 Isabel Leiva-Gea,3,4 Alberto Membrillo,1,5 Vasyl Druchkiv,6,7 Timoteo González-Cruces,1 José-María Sánchez-González,8 Jaime Beltrán,7 Alberto Villarrubia1 1Instituto de Oftalmología la Arruzafa, Córdoba, Spain; 2Department of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Clínica Baviera, Málaga, Spain; 3Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Málaga, Spain; 4Istituto de Biomedicina de Málaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain; 5Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; 6University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; 7Department of Research & Development, Clínica Baviera, Valencia, Spain; 8Department of Physics of Condensed Matter, Optics Area University of Seville, Seville, SpainCorrespondence: Pablo Morales; Isabel Leiva-Gea Málaga, SpainTel +34 669 232 767; Tel +34 677254051Email pblmorales@hotmail.com; isabeleiva@hotmail.comPurpose: To assess the safety, aberrometric and keratometric changes, and stability of trans-epithelial topography-guided phototherapeutic keratectomy (TE-TG-PTK) with mitomycin C (MMC) using the ALLEGRO Topolyzer platform for the treatment of irregular astigmatism.Methods: This is a retrospective case series including 57 eyes that underwent TE-TG-PTK + MMC using the ALLEGRO Topolyzer platform for the treatment of irregular astigmatism. CDVA, manifest refraction (MR), keratometry readings, and aberrometry readings were analyzed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.Results: Causes of corneal irregularity included non-infectious leucoma (n=23), infectious leucoma (n=7), adenoviral keratitis (n=20), corneal haze (n=2), post-penetrant keratoplasty (PKP) (n=1), and others (n=4). Overall, 76% of the eyes (n=40) gained lines of vision; patients gained 1, and 2 or more lines of vision in 76%, and 38% of cases, respectively. Only 1 patient (2%) lost 5 lines of vision. Mean preoperative CDVA (LogMAR) was 0.37 ± 0.31 and improved to 0.14 ± 0.18 (p< 0.001) at final follow-up (12 months). CDVA remained unchanged in 10 eyes (21%). No significant changes were observed in mean keratometry (Kmean) and keratometric astigmatism readings. Regarding aberrometry, only changes in coma proved to be significant 6 months after surgery (P< 0.01). No intraoperative/postoperative complications were reported.Conclusion: At final follow-up, significant improvements were observed in CDVA and coma. TE-TG-PTK + MMC proved to be an effective and safe procedure for the treatment of corneal irregular astigmatism due to several causes.Keywords: topography-guided phototherapeutic keratectomy, irregular astigmatism. laser refractive surgery, mitomycin C

The objective of this article was to demonstrate that the third-grade elementary school mobile application for mathematics, Matercergrado, enhanced collaborative problem-solving. The instructional design of the application followed the ADDIE methodology, and its creation employed the Mobile-D methodology. The research approach was mixed and descriptive, with a convenience sample of 18 participants from an elementary school in the municipality of Nezahualcóyotl, State of Mexico. These participants completed a Likert-type survey, validated using the Delphi method and Cronbach’s Alpha, which evaluated usability, interface design, functionality, thematic content, and comprehension of exercises and components. The results indicated that students highly appreciated Matercergrado, and teachers validated its thematic content and explanatory procedures for teaching mathematics. In addition, students reported collaborative and union sentiments while solving problems and doing exercises. Overall, Matercergrado achieved excellent results during the study, showing the potential to enhance students’ understanding and academic performance.

Introduction: Multiple aspects of the Mpox epidemics during 2022-2024 have been explored, including clinical features, diagnostic aspects, therapies, and vaccines. However, socioeconomic aspects have been poorly assessed regarding the epidemiological associated factors. No studies have been published on the relationships between international tourism, measured as the annual number of arrivals per country, and the morbidity and mortality from Mpox. Methods: This study was conducted globally, encompassing data from 114 countries. We collected arrivals data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) (2022/2023), the Tourism Statistics Database, and disease incidence data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). We calculated incidence rates and assessed the annual variation of these variables. Non-linear regression models were then applied using Stata/MP® v.14.0. Results: The non-linear regression models revealed significant findings. The relationship between epidemiological factors and arrivals was found to be significant. During this epidemic, a higher number of cases was observed in countries with a higher number of arrivals (r2 = 0.2663; p < 0.0001), as well as the incidence rates (cases per 100,000 pop.) were higher also in those with a higher number of arrivals (r2 = 0.3039; p < 0.0001). We found 88 countries (42.7%) globally that have not reported cases of Mpox and 118 that have reported Mpox (57.2%); 25 of them (28.4%) are low-income countries, and 33 (37.5%) are from Africa. Discussion/conclusions: Our findings have interesting implications. They highlight the role of tourism and international travel, which may play a significant role in viral circulation for emerging diseases, such as Mpox. This is particularly relevant, considering that those countries with the highest income tourism should consider preparedness for other similar emerging conditions in the future. Despite the epidemics of 2022-2024, Mpox remains a neglected condition worldwide; with a resurgence in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2023-2024, high-income countries may experience new epidemics of Mpox. These findings underscore the urgent need for further studies on multiple epidemiological factors of Mpox. Keywords: Mpox, Epidemics, Tourism, Global, Surveillance. Conflicts of interest: There was no conflicts of interest. Ethics and financing: No financial support.

Tragedies are neither sought nor requested. Unfortunately, they happen and affect all areas of life, especially education. However, they leave lessons that work to face new challenges. This study aims to analyze the transition from classroom classes to distance classes due to an earthquake that hit Mexico City in 2017, damaging its buildings and infrastructure, to find the necessary aspects for an efficient transition in these cases. Faculty members were interviewed about their views during the transition. The student’s grades were also compared. Student responses were analyzed in the teacher satisfaction surveys. According to the results, a statistical model was finally generated to establish a correlation between the studied factors. A model was obtained with four clusters in which different teacher profiles are grouped. Young teachers with excellent technology management or experienced teachers with good use of technology and who are very well trained is the profile required for an efficient transition. This study served as a basis to meet the contingencies, which allowed the establishment of a more expeditious and efficient online educational system.

Abstract It is becoming increasingly clear that not all students require the same education, and the requirement of personalized education is increasingly in demand. The incorporation of adaptive learning (AL) has increased in recent years. However, research on this subject is still evolving at the university level. In this study, we investigated the impact of integrating an AL tool (CogBooks®) in a university course (statistics for decision making) taught in an innovative online modality called FIT (flexible, interactive, and with technology), in which the course is designed in the CANVAS® platform and uses Zoom® as a means of communication with students. Learning outcomes were compared between the FIT courses with or without AL and between AL strategies in online and face-to-face courses. It was clear that AL improved the students’ achievement regardless of the modality. In addition, we conclude that students achieve better in AL courses in the classroom than in distance courses. Satisfaction surveys favor a preference for FIT courses with AL over classroom classes with AL. Our results suggest that AL is a solid strategy for teaching undergraduate courses. Graphical abstract

IntroductionThis research explores leveraging Industry 4.0 technologies and best practices to address the challenges faced by Continuing Engineering Education (CEE) in Higher Education, ensuring its sustainability and relevance. CEE is essential for engineers' continuous professional growth and adaptability, especially in an era marked by swift technological progress and changing job requirements. CEE must adapt to rapid technological advancements and evolving workforce demands. Nevertheless, traditional pedagogical methods often lag behind the needs of modern engineering professionals.MethodsThrough a case study, this study aims to show how skills visualization allows the creation of comparisons between professional scenarios to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of CEE programs. To achieve this goal, we utilized a platform based on the KSA taxonomy, which enables the visualization of skills and supports creating personalized and adaptive learning.ResultsOur results demonstrate the transformative potential of integrating new technologies and learning approaches in CEE programs. By leveraging Industry 4.0 technologies, developing personalized learning experiences, and embracing Education 4.0 principles, CEE programs can empower the workforce of the future to thrive in an increasingly complex and dynamic landscape.DiscussionsThis study underscores the significance of Education 4.0 principles in shaping the future of CEE programs, emphasizing the crucial role of innovative learning approaches and technological integration in empowering the future engineering workforce in the Industry 4.0 era.

Objectives: This sub-analysis seeks to delineate and characterize factors influencing hospitalization in individuals diagnosed with Mpox disease amidst the initial outbreak in Spain in the onset of 2022. Methods: Employing a non-probabilistic convenience sampling approach, a retrospective multicenter investigation was carried out to examine Monkeypox virus infection within Spanish healthcare facilities. Results: The median duration of the disease was 16 days, with 4.2 % of cases resulting in hospitalization. There was a single ICU admission leading to fatality. Sequelae were observed in 2.3 % of cases. Multivariate analysis revealed that hospitalization decisions were influenced by immunosuppression and severe symptoms, including gastrointestinal, neurological, ear-nose-throat, and respiratory manifestations. Significant analytical parameter differences were restricted to hemoglobin levels at diagnosis. Conclusions: This study elucidates factors influencing hospitalization decisions for Monkeypox patients in Spain, emphasizing the importance of immunosuppression and extracutaneous symptoms involving the gastrointestinal, ear-nose-throat, and respiratory pathways. In summary, hospitalization determinations arise from the interplay of these crucial dimensions.

The COVID-19 pandemic influenced teaching and learning in higher education. The transformation towards digital education challenged Faculty and students. This research examines the online learning readiness of students in a Higher Education Institution in Mexico. Specifically, we investigated how much prior digital skills, as well as having used the digital resources available by the university, influenced their academic achievement in distance learning settings. Seven dimensions of online learning readiness were selected to evaluate the student's preparation for the online learning process. Questionnaires were applied before the start and at the end of digital courses. Follow-up tools were offered to support the student, and two groups were observed, users and non-users of the digital devices. It was observed that students who used the support developed significantly better critical thinking, problem-solving, and time organization skills than non-users. On the other hand, although the evaluations were not significantly different, the lowest averages were found in the non-user group. Our results indicate that prior training in the use of digital tools is essential for the success of online education; in the same way, a timely follow-up with technical and pedagogical assistance is necessary for developing competencies. Training more autonomous and independent students capable of distance learning in a global world demands experts in digital education urgently. Educational institutions must embrace new technologies and teaching methods to meet the ever-changing needs of students. This research is expected to play a crucial role in promoting constructive discussions and facilitating informed decisions concerning the creation of future educational models.

Fernando Munayco-Guillén,1,2 Miguel Angel Vazquez-Membrillo,1,2 Marlon Rafael Garcia-Roa,1,2 Jhony Alberto De La Cruz-Vargas,3 Herney Andrés García-Perdomo,4 Rafael Pichardo-Rodriguez3 1Department of Retina and Vitreous Surgery, Instituto Mexicano de Oftalmología (IMO), Querétaro, México; 2Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), México City, México; 3Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Biomédicas (INICIB), Universidad Ricardo Palma, Lima, Perú; 4Division of Urology/Urooncology, Deparment of Surgery, School of Medicine, Universidad del Valle, Cali, ColombiaCorrespondence: Fernando Munayco-Guillén, Fray Servando Teresa de Mier 202, Quintas del Marqués, Querétaro, México, Tel +51 985-558886, Email fernando.munayco.guillen@gmail.comPurpose: It has been reported that intravitreal Ziv-aflibercept is a safe and effective drug for the treatment of diabetes macular edema (DME). The objective of this study was to evaluate in a real-life setting, the efficacy of intravitreal Ziv-aflibercept in the treatment of DME after the administration of three consecutive monthly doses.Methods: A single arm, prospective cohort study. We included patients with DME who received three doses of intravitreal Ziv-aflibercept. Data such as best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and tomographic biomarkers before treatment and a month after the third dose were collected. DME was staged using the Panozzo classification.Results: Thirty-eight patients participated for a total of 53 eyes. The mean age was 59 ± 8.1 years. We observed significant changes after the third dose in the parameters studied (BCVA in LogMAR pre-treatment (0.6 ± 0.33) and post-treatment (0.4 ± 0.29) [p< 0.001], macular thickness pre-treatment (501 ± 167 μm) and post-treatment (324 ± 114 μm) [p< 0.001], macular volume pre-treatment 10.8 (7.5– 17.8) mm3 and post-treatment 9.3 (0– 13.6) mm3 [p< 0.005]). And 73.6% of the patients presented an advanced severe stage during their pre-treatment evaluation and after post-treatment, 64.2% of the patients no longer presented edema. No systemic or ocular adverse events occurred.Conclusion: The use of three consecutive monthly doses of intravitreal Ziv-aflibercept in a real-life setting is effective and safe in the management of diabetic macular edema.Keywords: antiangiogenic, diabetes mellitus, intravitreal injection, macular edema, optical coherence tomography, Ziv-aflibercept

Abstract Gender equity and quality education are Sustainable Development Goals that are present when a culture of equity and inclusion is pursued in society, companies, and institutions. Particularly in undergraduate programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), there is a noticeable gender gap between men and women. The objective of this study was to find out the causes of permanence in STEM careers of women, as well as the possible causes of career abandonment towards another STEM or non-STEM career. This was done by analyzing historical data for admission to STEM careers and using an instrument (survey) for data collection carried out in a private university in Mexico. Historical data indicates that only 17% of the total population were women choosing a STEM career. A survey was carried out for 3 months to obtain information on the factors that affect the decision to opt for a STEM career or to remain in it. It was found that men and women prefer inspiring Faculty who motivate them to continue their careers. Factors such as the competitive environment and the difficulty of teaching with less empathetic Faculty were negative and decisive aspects of decision-making. School achievement did not influence the dropout rate of women in STEM careers. The factors of choice and desertion of women in STEM careers were determined, and actions of educational innovation such as mentoring and timely monitoring of already enrolled female students, digital platforms for students and Faculty, awareness workshops for Faculty, and talks with successful women in STEM areas were proposed.

Abstract Sexual selection favors male traits that increase their ability to monopolize the breeding access to several females. Deer antlers are cranial appendages that regenerate annually in males. Throughout life, the phenology of antler growth advances and antler mass increases until the stag reaches, between 8 and 10 years old, maximum body mass and highest reproductive success. The molecular mechanisms of antler development are of great interest in both evolutionary and regenerative medicine studies. To minimize errors in the assessment of gene expression levels by qRT-PCR, we analyzed the stability of a panel of eight candidate reference genes and concluded that qRT-PCR normalization to three stable genes is strongly convenient in experiments performed in red deer antler blood. To validate our proposal, we compared the expression level of three genes linked to red deer antler growth (ANXA2, APOD and TPM1) in fifteen male red deer classified as young (up to 4 years old) and adults (4–6 years old). Our data confirms that B2M, ACTB and RPLP0 are valuable reference genes for future gene expression studies in red deer antler blood, which would provide increased insight into the effects of intrinsic factors that determine antler development in red deer.

This letter explores the societal aspects and healthcare implications that underlie thinking about mpox (formerly known was monkeypox), in the 2022 outbreak, as a sexually transmitted infection (STI). The authors examine what underlies this question, exploring what is an STI, what is sex, and what is the role of stigma in sexual health promotion. The authors argue that, in this specific outbreak, mpox is an STI among men who have sex with men (MSM). The authors highlight the need of critically thinking about how to communicate effectively, the role of homophobia and other inequalities, and the importance of the social sciences.

IntroductionIt is known that the world is facing and will face significant sustainability challenges. Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG12), responsible consumption and production, is one of the most relevant SDGs for building Sustainable Cities. This study is based on the analysis of the implementation of SDG12 in cities, starting from universities as laboratories or first examples of sustainability.MethodsThe study was carried out through a multilevel scale approach. A systematic review of the literature (global scale) of the last 5 years (2018–2022) was conducted. An analysis of the program and the initiatives of a Higher Education Institution (Tecnologico de Monterrey) is presented (local scale). Finally, a survey was applied to Faculty at this University (micro-scale).ResultsThe systematic review indicated that the main themes or aspects addressed in SDG12 by higher education institutions were sustainable food, supply chains, community, infrastructure, technology, policies, energy consumption, the collaborative economy, smart cities, and curricula. The local scale analysis highlighted the Distrito Tec project, 37 institutional initiatives, and 26 courses directly related to SDG12. The survey showed that 8% of Faculty considered SDG12 the most important of the SDGs and stated that this goal is necessary to reduce environmental impacts. As the most significant impact that Universities can have on SDG12, 52% of the Faculty consider that Universities should become living labs in the transition toward sustainable cities, followed by 36% who think it would be better to implement operational facilities.DiscussionThe diverse contributions of the HEIs at the three scales were classified into six categories: culture, mitigation, adaptation, education, research, and outreach. The study indicates that SDG 12 has been achieved by universities in different ways, which overlaps widely with the performance of other SDGs. Results demonstrate that following a multistakeholder approach, international collaborations between HEIs can foster technology-driven multi-disciplinary research projects to consolidate sustainable cities. Building capacity to accelerate the transition of universities into urban living labs will promote climate action among the students who enroll every year.

In the current labor market, developing STEM skills in students is a priority for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The present research assesses the Competence Achievement Degree (CAD) of four disciplinary competencies in undergraduate Biotechnology Engineering students at a private university in Mexico. Descriptive statistics of CADs, considering sociodemographic and academic variables (age, gender, nationality, campus region, provenance, admission origin, and load), are presented. Data, filtered through Python, was statistically analyzed with Minitab software. The disciplinary competence of Innovation Management (BT4) was the strongest among undergraduate students in the 2019 and 2020 cohorts. Meanwhile, the other three competencies (BT1: Bioproduct Development, BT2: Bioreactor Design, and BT3: Bioprocess Design) had CADs above 90%. Although there was no statistical difference between the cohorts for BT1, the average CADs for both cohorts differed for BT4. The CADs differed from the Competence Average Grades (CAGs) for all competencies. However, the 2020 cohort showed the lowest correlation between CADs and CAGs and a few significant associations with the tested variables. These assessments will help to focus on the factors and key elements that influence CAD and subsequently establish and conduct appropriate actions to improve the quality of the academic program.

Education is a concept that encompasses not only the teaching-learning process but also the conditions, environment, and facilities in which it takes place. Education is a precondition to development because it serves as a society’s primary engine of innovation. Therefore, the concept of a space designated as an Innovation District is essential for the creation of Sustainable Cities since it is in such spaces that jobs are created and new markets specializing in products and high-added value services emerge. However, in the past, successful innovation districts have generally been found in developed countries, which have sufficient resources to invest in projects of this magnitude. Our methodology consists of a case study, the city of Querétaro, in central Mexico, to analyze the role of higher education within developing countries that seek to create innovation districts. We employ quantitative methods such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and locations quotients, along with qualitative documentary analysis, to conduct a spatial-urban analysis, characterize the industrial configuration, and to analyze the design of educational models adapted to the needs of specific industries. The results of our case study suggest that cities from developing countries that are fast industrializing can best maximize their chances of success by encouraging an explicit collaboration between industry and education through a Triple Helix Model. Such a collaboration would be based on matching educational competencies with opportunities for industrial reconfiguration to carefully select the location for the new district and decide over its area of specialization.

IntroductionIn general, in automatic control courses, the process of designing and testing a control system includes applying physical laws to model the system, working with virtual models, building one or various prototypes, and testing the control algorithms. However, in the industry, the approach must be more pragmatic because the design and implementation time must be shorter, and the success of the solution must be ensured.MethodsChallenged with this problem, a black-box model from which data are generated turns into a convenient starting point to design and implement the automation, and this approach is addressed in this research. The herein proposal is the design and implementation of didactic stations and their application in undergraduate automatic control courses. In the context of active learning, by using the stations to identify the model’s dynamics, and subsequently, design and implement an automatic system, students reinforce the theory and receive another stimulus for the development of competencies in automatic control.ResultsThe didactic stations emulate those cases in the industry where the hardware is already working, and it is necessary to automate or improve some process following a practical approach. During the first phase, students, guided by professors, designed and implemented four electromechanical prototypes. The second phase was using the prototypes in the curricular courses Control Engineering and Computerized Control to implement and evaluate controllers. The research included a control group and an experimental group. The group using the stations had a higher final course average grade than the control group.DiscussionThe findings encourage the application of this type of approach to complement the teaching of automatic control, which could positively impact the professional performance of future control engineers.

The analysis of population genetic structure and individual multilocus heterozygosity are crucial for wildlife management and conservation. Microsatellite markers have traditionally been used to assess these genetic parameters. However, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are becoming increasingly popular. Our goal here was to determine to what extent SNPs can provide better insights than microsatellites into the overall genetic status and population genetic processes in the species. To this end, we genotyped 210 red deer (Cervus elaphus) in the Spanish wild population with both 11 microsatellites and 31,712 SNPs. We compared parameters related to population genetic structure and individual multilocus heterozygosity obtained with both types of markers. Our results showed correlations between parameters measured using both microsatellites and SNPs, particularly those related to the level of genetic diversity and genetic differentiation. However, we found notably lower precision of microsatellites in measuring the distribution of genetic diversity among individuals. We conclude that microsatellites can be used to monitor the overall genetic status and detect broad patterns in red deer populations. Nevertheless, the greater precision of SNPs in inferring genetic structure and multilocus heterozygosity leads us to encourage scientists and wildlife managers to prioritize their use whenever possible.

Objectives: In the context of COVID-19, patients with a severe or critical illness may be more susceptible to developing secondary bacterial infections. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the use of prophylactic antibiotic therapy and the occurrence of bacterial or fungal isolates following the administration of tocilizumab in hospitalized COVID-19 patients who had previously received steroids during the first and second waves of the pandemic in Spain. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 70 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who received tocilizumab and steroids between January and December 2020. Data on demographics, comorbidities, laboratory tests, microbiologic results, treatment, and outcomes were collected from electronic health records. The patients were divided into two groups based on the use of antibiotic prophylaxis, and the incidence of bacterial and fungal colonizations/infections was analyzed. Results: Among the included patients, 45 patients received antibiotic prophylaxis. No significant clinical differences were observed between the patients based on prophylaxis use regarding the number of clinically diagnosed infections, ICU admissions, or mortality rates. However, the patients who received antibiotic prophylaxis showed a higher incidence of colonization by multidrug-resistant bacteria compared to that of the subgroup that did not receive prophylaxis. The most commonly isolated microorganisms were Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Conclusions: In this cohort of hospitalized COVID-19 patients treated with tocilizumab and steroids, the use of antibiotic prophylaxis did not reduce the incidence of secondary bacterial infections. However, it was associated with an increased incidence of colonization by multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Background: Ceftobiprole is a fifth-generation cephalosporin that has been approved in Europe solely for the treatment of community-acquired and nosocomial pneumonia. The objective was to analyze the use of ceftobiprole medocaril (Cefto-M) in Spanish clinical practice in patients with infections in hospital or outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT). Methods: This retrospective, observational, multicenter study included patients treated from 1 September 2021 to 31 December 2022. Results: A total of 249 individuals were enrolled, aged 66.6 ± 15.4 years, of whom 59.4% were male with a Charlson index of four (IQR 2–6), 13.7% had COVID-19, and 4.8% were in an intensive care unit (ICU). The most frequent type of infection was respiratory (55.8%), followed by skin and soft tissue infection (21.7%). Cefto-M was administered to 67.9% of the patients as an empirical treatment, in which was administered as monotherapy for 7 days (5–10) in 53.8% of cases. The infection-related mortality was 11.2%. The highest mortality rates were identified for ventilator-associated pneumonia (40%) and infections due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococus aureus (20.8%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16.1%). The mortality-related factors were age (OR: 1.1, 95%CI (1.04–1.16)), ICU admission (OR: 42.02, 95%CI (4.49–393.4)), and sepsis/septic shock (OR: 2.94, 95%CI (1.01–8.54)). Conclusions: In real life, Cefto-M is a safe antibiotic, comprising only half of prescriptions for respiratory infections, that is mainly administered as rescue therapy in pluripathological patients with severe infectious diseases.

Information and communication technologies play an important role in education. Coaching systems promote a new teaching method, based on the digitalization and automation of activities. This study presented the construction of a tutorial coaching system in the academic accompaniment of students of the Bachelor’s Degree in International Commerce of the Centro Universitario Nezahualcóyotl, of the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México. The research was divided into four phases: 1) development of instructional models for the design and selection of didactic materials, 2) system design, 3) system programming and 4) evaluation of the coaching system’s functionality. The developed system is a potential tool, since it allows the inclusion of the materials best suited to the needs of the student, considering the different educational modalities, making it an innovative tool, easily accessible and suitable in the current digital era.

Teaching by subjects and contents where students passively receive knowledge is increasingly obsolete. Universities are opting for teaching strategies supporting skills development to face the labor, social, environmental, and economic conditions afflicting us. Employers demand increasingly complex skills; universities have identified experiential learning as giving access to real situations and learning by doing. One of the most advanced strategies is Challenge-Based Learning (CBL). Through real problem situations, faculty and students collaborate to solve an established challenge, with or without external stakeholders. This educational advancement has been global and is developing graduates with international skills, which ensures a world-class standard. Here we report a global study carried out in universities from three different continents, and we analyze the implementations of CBL in educational programs through cases in Mexico, The Netherlands, Ireland, and China. Developing skills and competencies is evident, and CBL is a viable way to ensure the success of Higher Education graduates. Obstacles in the transformation of faculty towards CBL are a similar fence in all cases. For CBL, the path needs to be explored, as it is on the frontline of educational developments that can be most helpful for developing a new paradigm in education.

The evolution of curricula in recent decades has given rise to multiple ways of teaching the task of experimental science, through which research skills are developed. In this learning gain process, teaching the systematized steps of the scientific method has been of invaluable help. In this study, we wanted to determine under what contexts of the last century the knowledge of the scientific method has encouraged the development of research skills in higher education learners. Through a literature review yielding nineteen empirical articles in the SCOPUS and Web of Science databases between 2000 and 2022, it was found that the scientific method is rarely mentioned and is more often referred to as a set of steps or structures to solve a problem, a challenge, or to carry out an investigation or an assigned task. Problem-solving and critical thinking were the two most-cited skills developed through the knowledge and practice of the scientific method. There are skills developed in theoretical classes and others that can be developed in practical courses such as laboratories or field work. A gap was found in the literature on using the scientific method and developing research skills in learners of non-science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The findings of this review lead studies to determine and compare whether effectively teaching students the scientific method improves their understanding and development of research skills in STEM and non-STEM areas.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution requires global, structural, and technological changes in all economic and production fields. The most apparent adaptation requirements fall on Generation Z individuals, who will have more and more responsibilities within organizations. The international reports of the World Economic Forum and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development indicate that this training will mainly require a strong development of thinking diversity and lifelong learning skills. This study presents an analysis of the education in these future skills that these individuals will need to work successfully throughout their careers, taking into account the evolution of conditions toward the changes expected in the following years. The methodology used in this research belongs to the field of futures studies. Through strategies in the field of foresight, various scenarios are proposed that involve the expected changes in the short, medium, and long term, both in higher education institutions and in industries and companies, to ensure the adaptation of Generation Z individuals to changes in work, workplace, and workforce. The findings show the strong influence that other skills and attitudes, such as self-esteem, self-efficacy, initiative, emotions, and motivation, have on the capacity for self-managed development throughout professional life.

Meat quality is an important concern for the poultry industry. Domestic geese products obtained from free-range systems usually have rather tough meat, and it is necessary to select them to improve meat tenderness. The relation of the calpain 1 (CAPN1) gene with the post-mortem tenderness process of meat has been demonstrated in several species. Thus, the objective of the present study was to identify polymorphisms in this gene and to perform an association analysis between these polymorphisms and related economic traits in goose raised in the dehesa ecosystem. For the analysis, 50 geese of 3 different subpopulations (20 Embden Anser anser; 20 Toulouse Anser anser; 10 F1 cross) were studied. The experimental protocols were followed complying with principles of animal welfare. A novel SNP was found in the CAPN1 gene, g.68G → A. This polymorphism was statistically associated with different carcass and meat quality traits such as thigh muscle width (P = 0.020) and the b* 10-day meat colour parameter (P = 0.024) for the global goose population. The association of this gene with meat tenderness (Warner–Bratzler shear force) was confirmed in the case of female individuals of the Toulouse breed (P = 0.043). The results suggest the possibility of using molecular markers in CAPN1 gene as a potential tool for improving carcass and meat quality traits in goose breeding programmes.

Usually, the segmentation of color images is performed using cluster-based methods and the RGB space to represent the colors. The drawback with these methods is the a priori knowledge of the number of groups, or colors, in the image; besides, the RGB space issensitive to the intensity of the colors. Humans can identify different sections within a scene by the chromaticity of its colors of, as this is the feature humans employ to tell them apart. In this paper, we propose to emulate the human perception of color by training a self-organizing map (SOM) with samples of chromaticity of different colors. The image to process is mapped to the HSV space because in this space the chromaticity is decoupled from the intensity, while in the RGB space this is not possible. Our proposal does not require knowing a priori the number of colors within a scene, and non-uniform illumination does not significantly affect the image segmentation. We present experimental results using some images from the Berkeley segmentation database by employing SOMs with different sizes, which are segmented successfully using only chromaticity features.

El trabajo postula una aproximación interpretativa a tres cuentos en torno al conflicto bélico en Guatemala (1960-1996), seleccionados a partir de una cualidad temática: las historias poseen personajes sobre los cuales no se afirma explícitamente si comulgan ideológica o militarmente con alguno de los bandos en conflicto y, sin embargo, sufren las consecuencias de la violencia. Los cuentos son los siguientes: “Adriana” de Arturo Monterroso, “Mañana nunca lo hablamos” de Eduardo Halfon y “El testigo” de Víctor Muñoz. Se asume la premisa de que la narrativa ficcional sobre violencia política rebasa el mero propósito de generar eficacia estética internándose, en definitiva, en los terrenos de la representación histórica, lo cual, en última instancia, supone implicaciones de carácter ético.

Se propone una interpretación a cuatro textos narrativos que abordan el tema del conflicto armado en Guatemala (1960-1996): El ángel de la retaguardia (1997) de Mario Roberto Morales; un informe militar (1982) que aparece como anexo en el libro Guatemala en llamas (2008) de Gustavo Adolfo Díaz, los cuentos “Turbio el silencio” (1986) de Marco Antonio Flores y “El amenazado” (1987) de Dante Liano. El trabajo, en suma, tiene como objetivo vincular los comentarios producto de un ejercicio de refiguración cruzada –según nociones de Paul Ricoeur– con un conjunto de ensayos relativos a los nexos existentes entre ética y confrontación bélica. Básicamente se realiza una aproximación interpretativa a partir de reflexiones previas (e históricas) que distintos pensadores han establecido con respecto al papel que juega la ética frente a un fenómeno como la guerra.

La celulosa (C6H10O5)n es un biopolímero de gran interés biotecnológico. El presente trabajo ofrece una revisión breve de los aspectos más relevantes que conciernen a los determinantes genéticos y moleculares involucrados en la síntesis de celulosa en bacterias. El análisis de los genes de Acetobacter xylinum involucrados en la síntesis de celulosa ha permitido la identificación de varias especies bacterianas capaces de producir celulosa, así como la elucidación de mecanismos biosintéticos que involucran a la molécula reguladora c-di-GMP, sintetizada por proteínas que poseen dominios GGDEF, las cuales están ampliamente distribuidas entre las bacterias.

Background and objective: Complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) are serious, potentially life-threatening infections that occur in patients with an increased disease progression risk. Antimicrobial resistance represents an important health issue worldwide, contributing to relapses, which can generate further resistances. It is necessary to clarify the role of microbiological eradication as an additional objective in the management of cUTIs. Some publications suggest that relapses relate to insufficient bacterial suppression in the urinary tract. This study focuses on generating a consensus on how patients with cUTIs would benefit from effective antimicrobial agents associated with higher rates of bacterial eradication. Methods: The nominal group technique was followed: systematic literature review, development of a questionnaire, expert panel meeting to discuss results, individual review of draft consensus document, and expert panel meeting to discuss final views and finalise the consensus document. Key findings and limitations: Experts identified risk factors for cUTIs (patients with a higher risk of relapse, physiological obstruction of urinary tract, immune suppression, and previous relapse), and patients who would benefit most from a therapeutic strategy combining clinical cure and aim for microbiological eradication. While experts agreed that the scientific evidence discourages repetition of urine cultures after treatment, they proposed recommendations to prioritise antibiotics with higher evidence of microbiological eradication and close follow-up in patients with a higher risk of relapse, considering any symptoms appearing following clinical cure of the cUTI. Conclusions and clinical implications: Selection of active antimicrobial agents associated with increased microbiological eradication should be prioritised in patients with cUTIs and a high risk of relapse. Patient summary: Complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) occur in patients with an increased risk of disease progression or are caused by multidrug-resistant uropathogens. Antimicrobial resistance is of concern as it can result in relapses. Antimicrobial therapeutic strategies associated with increased microbiological eradication in cUTI patients with a high risk of relapse are crucial to prevent relapses and development of antibiotic resistance.

INTRODUCTION: The 2022-2024 Mpox epidemics have been studied regarding clinical features, diagnostics, therapies, and vaccines. However, socioeconomic factors, including the link between international tourism and Mpox morbidity and mortality, remain poorly assessed and have not yet been explored in published studies. METHODS: This study was conducted on a global scale, encompassing data from 114 countries. We collected arrivals data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) (2022/2023), the Tourism Statistics Database; and disease incidence data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). We calculated incidence rates and assessed the annual variation of these variables. Non-linear regression models were then applied using Stata/MP® v.14.0. RESULTS: The non-linear regression models revealed significant findings. The relationship between epidemiological factors and arrivals was found to be significant. During this epidemic, a higher number of cases was observed in countries with a higher number of arrivals (r2=0.2663; p

The Spanish Merino is the most significant sheep breed globally due to its economic and cultural importance in human history. It has also had a substantial influence on the development of other Merino and Merino-derived breeds. Historical sources indicate that crossbreeding to produce finer, higher-quality wool was already taking place in the south of the Iberian Peninsula during the Roman era. This evidence suggests that individuals with a racial pattern very similar to that of the modern Merino may have already existed on the peninsula. The presence of the skeletal remains of these animals at various human settlements dated to the late fourth and third millennia BC could provide insights into the genomics of these ancestral sheep. This study analyses ancient DNA extracted from nine skeletal remains from three archaeological sites in Southern Iberia, dated to the third millennium BC. The samples were sequenced and aligned with the ovine genome. The genetic distances observed among the samples indicate a closer relationship between several animals from the Marinaleda (Seville) and Grañena Baja (Jaén) sites. The study of the slaughter/death age profiles identified at La Minilla (La Rambla, Córdoba) suggests an approach centred on meat exploitation, while the data from Marinaleda (Seville) and Grañena Baja (Jaén) indicate the potential exploitation of secondary resources. A review of the composition of these small ruminant herds could provide insights into the type of secondary resource exploitation that may have been prioritised. Our aim is to investigate the presence of distinct production systems, differentiating between those aimed primarily at meat use and those focused on secondary products. This is the first approach to exploring the genetic evidence for sheep livestock related to its productive use during this period and in this geographical area.

Topological data analysis is an important framework for quantifying the structural and morphological features of soft materials. Here, structural heterogeneity is introduced as a quantitative measure of non-equilibrium mesoscopic order in soft matter and used to track the time-evolution of liquid crystal phase transitions.

In the last decades, climate change has caused an increase in mean temperatures and a reduction in average rainfall in southern Europe, which is expected to reduce resource availability for herbivores. Resource availability can influence animals' physical condition and population growth. However, much less is known on its effects on reproductive performance and sexual selection. In this study, we assessed the impact of three environmental factors related to climate change (rainfall, temperature and vegetation index) on Iberian red deer Cervus elaphus hispanicus reproductive timing and sexual behaviour, and their effects on the opportunity for sexual selection in the population. We measured rutting phenology as rut peak date, the intensity of male rutting activity as roaring rate, and the opportunity for sexual selection from the distribution of females among harem holding males in Doñana Biological Reserve (Southwest Spain), from data of daily observations collected during the rut over a period of 25 years. For this study period, we found a trend for less raining and hence poorer environmental conditions, which associated with delayed rutting season and decreased rutting intensity, but that appeared to favour a higher degree of polygyny and opportunity for sexual selection, all these relationships being modulated by population density and sex ratio. This study highlights how climate change (mainly rainfall reduction in this area) can alter the conditions for mating and the opportunity for sexual selection in a large terrestrial mammal.

Este artículo tiene por objetivo analizar el Sistema Nacional de Educación Superior Tecnológica en México, así como sus políticas y estructura. La pregunta de investigación es: ¿cómo está organizada la Educación Superior Tecnológica en México? Para dar respuesta organizamos este artículo en tres apartados: en el primero se describe la estructura del Sistema Educativo Nacional en México, se sitúa la educación superior y los diferentes subsistemas que lo integran ubicando a la educación superior tecnológica y su definición; en el segundo apartado se presenta una revisión del subsistema de educación tecnológica de financiamiento público que se conforma por cuatro principales subsistemas de instituciones, se incluyen las políticas, cobertura, oferta educativa, matrícula, entre otras; en el tercer apartado se hace una comparación sobre los logros y los retos que enfrenta la educación superior tecnológica de los subsistemas presentados, en paralelo con otros países latinoamericanos y la necesidad de adoptar políticas que impulsen el desarrollo de la educación tecnológica como respuesta a las demandas de la sociedad y de las diferentes regiones donde se encuentra inmersa la educación superior tecnológica. Se concluye que la educación tecnológica representa nuevos panoramas indispensables para el fortalecimiento del país, no obstante, dado que el desarrollo científico y cultural está fundamentado en el capital humano altamente capacitado, será la educación tecnológica la base para el desarrollo del presente.Este artículo tiene por objetivo analizar el Sistema Nacional de Educación Superior Tecnológica en México, así como sus políticas y estructura. La pregunta de investigación es: ¿cómo está organizada la Educación Superior Tecnológica en México? Para dar respuesta organizamos este artículo en tres apartados: en el primero se describe la estructura del Sistema Educativo Nacional en México, se sitúa la educación superior y los diferentes subsistemas que lo integran ubicando a la educación superior tecnológica y su definición; en el segundo apartado se presenta una revisión del subsistema de educación tecnológica de financiamiento público que se conforma por cuatro principales subsistemas de instituciones, se incluyen las políticas, cobertura, oferta educativa, matrícula, entre otras; en el tercer apartado se hace una comparación sobre los logros y los retos que enfrenta la educación superior tecnológica de los subsistemas presentados, en paralelo con otros países latinoamericanos y la necesidad de adoptar políticas que impulsen el desarrollo de la educación tecnológica como respuesta a las demandas de la sociedad y de las diferentes regiones donde se encuentra inmersa la educación superior tecnológica. Se concluye que la educación tecnológica representa nuevos panoramas indispensables para el fortalecimiento del país, no obstante, dado que el desarrollo científico y cultural está fundamentado en el capital humano altamente capacitado, será la educación tecnológica la base para el desarrollo del presente.

El interés de este estudio radica en contribuir a investigar las dificultades que presentan los estudiantes en los cursos de programación, quienes invierten tiempo al desarrollar programas con deficiencias. Por esta razón, este artículo ofrece una perspectiva de la situación de la programación en la educación superior en México basándose en entrevistas realizadas a docentes que imparten clases de programación en diferentes universidades de la República Mexicana, así como en estudios efectuados en instituciones de educación superior (IES) sobre el tema de la programación. Asimismo, se expone la investigación realizada sobre las prácticas de ingeniería de software y los criterios de calidad (CC) utilizados en los cursos de programación en el ámbito universitario, considerando a docentes de universidades públicas. El objetivo de este estudio es establecer un conjunto de buenas prácticas, administrativas y de ingeniería, y CC en el proceso de desarrollo, en el ciclo de vida (CV), para mejorar los cursos de programación y para alentar a los estudiantes a adoptar buenas prácticas en las primeras fases de su formación profesional. Lo anterior contribuirá a que mejoren su proceso de desarrollo y a que creen programas con resultados óptimos.

We report herein a case of a 17-year-old male who presented status postmotor vehicle accident resulting in severe polytrauma and reduced visual acuity in his right eye (OD). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/400 OD and 20/20 in his left eye (OS). Slit-lamp examination confirmed normal anterior segment anatomy in both eyes (OU). Indirect ophthalmoscopy and subsequent fluorescein angiography confirmed the presence of multiple cotton-wool spots, intraretinal hemorrhages, a well-circumscribed area of macular whitening, and vascular tortuosity throughout the posterior pole and peripapillary region, all suggestive of an arterio-occlusive event OD, with a normal fundus examination OS. Imaging of the macula with optical coherence tomography demonstrated hyperreflectivity of the inner retina, along with subfoveal irregularities of the outer retinal segments OD. Systemic steroid therapy was initiated, and after 1 month, BCVA improved to 20/70 OD.

We used metagenomics to analyze one sputum sample from a patient with symptoms of a respiratory infection that yielded negative results for all pathogens tested. We detected two viral genomes that could be assembled and showed sequence similarity to redondoviruses, a recently described group within the CRESS-DNA viruses. One hundred sputum samples were screened for the presence of these viruses using specific primers. One sample was positive for the same two viruses, and another was positive for one of them. These findings raise questions about a possible role of redondoviruses in respiratory infections in humans.

A partir del enfoque de la integración conceptual propuesto por Gilles Fauconnier y Mark Turner se mostró la importancia del modelo de la Revolución cubana en el primer ciclo revolucionario guatemalteco, que va de 1956 a 1967. Se analizaron los testimonios de los combatientes y un comunicado estatal que muestran la influencia de la Revolución cubana en el surgimiento de tres organizaciones guerrilleras en Guatemala: el Movimiento Revolucionario 13 de Noviembre (MR-13), el Movimiento Revolucionario 20 de Octubre o guerrilla de Concuá y las Fuerzas Armadas Rebeldes (FAR). Se demuestra la influencia que tuvo la Revolución comandada por Fidel Castro tanto en la violencia revolucionaria como en el uso estatal de la fuerza en el país centroamericano.

Se propone una interpretación a cuatro textos narrativos que abordan el tema del conflicto armado en Guatemala (1960-1996): El ángel de la retaguardia (1997) de Mario Roberto Morales; un informe militar (1982) que aparece como anexo en el libro Guatemala en llamas (2008) de Gustavo Adolfo Díaz, los cuentos “Turbio el silencio” (1986) de Marco Antonio Flores y “El amenazado” (1987) de Dante Liano. El trabajo, en suma, tiene como objetivo vincular los comentarios producto de un ejercicio de refiguración cruzada –según nociones de Paul Ricoeur– con un conjunto de ensayos relativos a los nexos existentes entre ética y confrontación bélica. Básicamente se realiza una aproximación interpretativa a partir de reflexiones previas (e históricas) que distintos pensadores han establecido con respecto al papel que juega la ética frente a un fenómeno como la guerra.

El metabolismo celular aeróbico, al utilizar dioxígeno como último aceptor de electrones en la cadena respiratoria causa inevitablemente la producción de Especies Reactivas de Oxígeno (EROs) que oxidan cualquier macromolécula a su alcance (DNA, lípidos y proteínas). La investigación de los mecanismos de oxidación de proteínas se ha intensificado en los últimos 20 años debido a la creciente evidencia que ha correlacionado procesos como el envejecimiento y diversas patologías humanas con el aumento de la oxidación proteica. Las proteínas sufren varios tipos de oxidación; una de ellas, la formación de grupos carbonilo, ha sido utilizada metodológicamente para evaluar el grado de daño oxidativo en diferentes sistemas biológicos. A pesar de que se desconocen los mecanismos que vinculan oxidación proteica y procesos como proteólisis, apoptosis y reproducción nos encontramos cerca de descubrir el papel de la oxidación proteica en la fisiología celular.

Las hemoglobinas se definen como aquellas hemoproteínas que unen reversiblemente el oxígeno. Estas proteínas se encuentran distribuidas en plantas, protozoarios, hongos y bacterias. Las hemoglobinas presentes en los microorganismos se han dividido en tres grupos. En el primer grupo se encuentran aquellas hemoproteínas que presentan un solo dominio con el grupo hemo, por ejemplo la hemoglobina de Vitreoscilla. En el segundo se encuentran aquellas hemoglobinas que presentan dos diferentes dominios, el primer dominio con el grupo hemo el cual es homólogo a la hemoglobina de Vitreoscilla y un segundo dominio con actividad de reductasa el cual es homólogo a la familia de las proteínas ferrodoxín NADP- reductasas (FNR), a éstas hemoglobinas se les conoce como flavohemoglobinas, un ejemplo es Hmp, la flavohemoglobina de Escherichia coli, ésta fue la primera flavohemoglobina estudiada a nivel molecular. En el tercer grupo se encuentran las hemoglobinas truncadas, éstas son proteínas pequeñas de 20 a 30 aminoácidos en donde se encuentra el dominio hemo. Poco se sabe acerca de la función de estas hemoglobinas, pero se ha reportado su participación en la protección y destoxificación del óxido nítrico.

Family Health (FH) has three main elements: individual health, life material conditions and family functioning. Its main actors are the individual, the family and society. A common framework is the basis of FH, as each one of these elements is extremely important. Currently, in Mexico two aspects are considered: epidemiological studies and those inherent to the family medicine specialty. That latter has a residency and an integrated specialty curriculum, as well as certification from the corresponding board. All of this allows us to apply the HF approach to each and every family and individual that is cared for.

RESUMEN: Estudiamos en nuestro artículo los pavimentos de mosaico exhumados en las excavaciones de la estación termal del «Puerto de la Nava» (Cabeza del Buey, Badajoz). Se trata de un balneario de aguas ferruginosas en cuya zona residencial hemos podido poner a la luz dos cubicula pavimentadas con mosaicos —uno bícromo y otro polícromo— en torno a un patio solado con una taracea de cantos rodados que enmarca una alfombra de opus tessellatum de color azul. Por las características de los pavimentos y los paralelos que hemos podido aducir, concluimos que su cronología debe fijarse entre fines del s. II y mediados del III. d.C.ABSTRACT: In our article we study the mosaic pavings exhumed during the excavations at the thermal station in «Puerto de la Nava (Cabeza del Buey, Badajoz). The place is a spa of ferruginous waters, in the residential area of which we have brought to light two paved —wilh— mosaic cubicula -one bichromatic and the other polychromatic- around a court paved with a intarsia made or stream-gravel that frames a blue coloured opus tessellatum carpet. Throughout the features of the pavings and the likes that we have been able to produce as proof, we conclude that its date should be fixed between the end of the Ilnd century and the middle of the Illrd century A.D.