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Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of saliva sampling as a non-invasive and safer tool to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and to compare its reproducibility and sensitivity with nasopharyngeal swab samples (NPS). The use of sample pools was also investigated. Methods: A total of 2107 paired samples were collected from asymptomatic healthcare and office workers in Mexico City. Sixty of these samples were also analyzed in two other independent laboratories for concordance analysis. Sample processing and analysis of virus genetic material were performed according to standard protocols described elsewhere. A pooling analysis was performed by analyzing the saliva pool and the individual pool components. Results: The concordance between NPS and saliva results was 95.2% (kappa 0.727, p = 0.0001) and 97.9% without considering inconclusive results (kappa 0.852, p = 0.0001). Saliva had a lower number of inconclusive results than NPS (0.9% vs 1.9%). Furthermore, saliva showed a significantly higher concentration of both total RNA and viral copies than NPS. Comparison of our results with those of the other two laboratories showed 100% and 97% concordance. Saliva samples are stable without the use of any preservative, and a positive SARS-CoV-2 sample can be detected 5, 10, and 15 days after collection when the sample is stored at 4 °C. Conclusions: The study results indicate that saliva is as effective as NPS for the identification of SARS-CoV-2-infected asymptomatic patients. Sample pooling facilitates the analysis of a larger number of samples, with the benefit of cost reduction.

We propose a new method to extend the size of a quantum computation beyond the number of physical qubits available on a single device. This is accomplished by randomly inserting measure-and-prepare channels to express the output state of a large circuit as a separable state across distinct devices. Our method employs randomized measurements, resulting in a sample overhead that is $\widetilde{O}(4^k / \varepsilon ^2)$, where $\varepsilon $ is the accuracy of the computation and $k$ the number of parallel wires that are "cut" to obtain smaller sub-circuits. We also show an information-theoretic lower bound of $\Omega(2^k / \varepsilon ^2)$ for any comparable procedure. We use our techniques to show that circuits in the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) with $p$ entangling layers can be simulated by circuits on a fraction of the original number of qubits with an overhead that is roughly $2^{O(p\kappa)}$, where $\kappa$ is the size of a known balanced vertex separator of the graph which encodes the optimization problem. We obtain numerical evidence of practical speedups using our method applied to the QAOA, compared to prior work. Finally, we investigate the practical feasibility of applying the circuit cutting procedure to large-scale QAOA problems on clustered graphs by using a $30$-qubit simulator to evaluate the variational energy of a $129$-qubit problem as well as carry out a $62$-qubit optimization.

Papaya fruit is of great importance to local trade. The objective of this research was to evaluate the textural, thermophysical and nutraceutical characteristics (Total phenolic and vitamin C) of fruit cultivated in the Colombian Caribbean in the post-harvest period. Five ripening stage levels were used as a treatment factor. The puncture method was used to measure the firmness of the shell (N) and firmness of the pulp (N) using uniaxial compression tests to measure the deformability modulus (MPa) and elasticity limit (MPa). The thermophysical parameters: thermal conductivity (k), density (ρ), diffusivity (∝) and specific heat (Cp) were calculated using the adjusted math model. The shell firmness decreased from ripening stage one to ripening stage five. The total phenolic content did not conform to a certain model and presented an inversely proportional relationship with the ripening stage. The vitamin C content was directly proportional to the ripening stage and was adjusted to a double quadratic behavior with a coefficient of determination.

Due to genetic selection for fast growth and high breast meat yield, commercial strains of broiler chickens and broiler breeders are predisposed to high feed intake; however, feeding broiler breeders ad libitum impairs their health and reproductive performance. Broiler breeders are feed-restricted throughout rearing to maintain health and performance, yet feed restriction results in hunger, feeding frustration and lack of satiety. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of alternative feeding strategies, including feed additives (separately or combined) and a fixed non-daily feeding schedule, on the feeding motivation and welfare of broiler breeders during rearing. At 3 weeks of age, 180 Ross 308 breeder pullets were allocated to 90 cages and fed with one of five isocaloric treatments: (1) daily control diet (control), (2) daily calcium propionate diet (CaP), (3) daily soybean hull diet (SBH), (4) daily alternative diet (alternative: CaP + SBH) and (5) 4/3 control diet (four on-feed days and three non-consecutive off-feed days per week). The CaP diet included calcium propionate at 1.4% from 3 to 6 weeks of age, and at 3.2% from 7 to 12 weeks of age, and the SBH diet contained soybean hulls included at 40%. The alternative diet included both soybean hulls and calcium propionate at the same inclusion rate as the SBH and CaP diets, respectively. Pullets were weighed and scored for feather coverage every week. A feed intake test was conducted at 3, 4, 8, 10 and 11 weeks of age for 10 min during on- and off-feed days. At 12 weeks of age, feather samples were analysed for fault bars. Data were analysed using linear mixed regression models, with cage nested in the models and age as a repeated measure. At 4 weeks of age, pullets fed soybean hull-enriched diets (SBH and alternative diets) and those on the 4/3 schedule had lower feed intake than control pullets (P = 0.02). Feathers from pullets fed the SBH diet had fewer fault bars than those fed the CaP diet (P = 0.04). The results indicated that the inclusion of soybean hulls (alone or combined with calcium propionate) and a 4/3 feeding schedule can reduce feeding motivation of broiler breeders during early rearing.

We present the experimental implementation of a two-qubit phase gate, using a radio frequency (RF) controlled trapped-ion quantum processor. The RF-driven gate is generated by a pulsed dynamical decoupling sequence applied to the ions’ carrier transitions only. It allows for a tunable phase shift with high-fidelity results. The conditional phase shift is measured using a Ramsey-type measurement with an inferred fringe contrast of up to $99_{-2}^{+1}\%$ . We also prepare a Bell state using this laser-free gate. The phase gate is robust against common sources of error. We investigate the effect of the excitation of the center-of-mass (COM) mode, errors in the axial trap frequency, pulse area errors and errors in sequence timing. The contrast of the phase gate is not significantly reduced up to a COM mode excitation $\lt$ 20 phonons, trap frequency errors of +10%, and pulse area errors of −8%. The phase shift is not significantly affected up to $\lt$ 10 phonons and pulse area errors of −2%. Both, contrast and phase shift are robust to timing errors up to −30% and +15%. The gate implementation is resource efficient, since only a single driving field is required per ion. Furthermore, it holds the potential for fast gate speeds (gate times on the order of 100 µ s) by using two axial motional modes of a two-ion crystal through improved setups.

Background. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the most transmissible ß-coronavirus in history, affecting all population groups. Immunocompromised patients, particularly cancer patients, have been highlighted as a reservoir to promote accumulation of viral mutations throughout persistent infection. Case presentation. We aimed to describe the clinical course and SARS-CoV-2 mutation profile for 102 days in an immunocompromised patient with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and COVID-19. We used RT-qPCR to quantify SARS-CoV-2 viral load over time and whole-virus genome sequencing to identify viral lineage and mutation profile. The patient presented with a persistent infection through 102 days while being treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and received targeted therapy for COVID-19 with remdesivir and hyperimmune plasma. All sequenced samples belonged to the BA.1.1 lineage. We detected nine amino acid substitutions in five viral genes (Nucleocapsid, ORF1a, ORF1b, ORF13a, and ORF9b), grouped in two clusters: the first cluster with amino acid substitutions only detected on days 39 and 87 of sample collection, and the second cluster with amino acid substitutions only detected on day 95 of sample collection. The Spike gene remained unchanged in all samples. Viral load was dynamic but consistent with the disease flares. Conclusions. This report shows that the multiple mutations that occur in an immunocompromised patient with persistent COVID-19 could provide information regarding viral evolution and emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants.

This study evaluated moisture loss, oil gain and porosity when frying pieces of yam (Dioscorea rotundata). The parallelepiped-shaped samples, approximately 1 × 1 × 4 cm, were subjected to frying temperatures of 145, 165 and 185 °C for 50, 150, 300, 450, or 600 s. Fick's law was used to determine the diffusion coefficient from the experiment data for the varieties 153 traditional Espino and 125 Brazilian Espino. The moisture loss in 153 traditional Espino was greater than in 125 Brazilian Espino. The diffusion coefficient and the activation energy were determined for both varieties, which were higher in the 153 traditional Espino variety. The porosity was expressed as a percentage and was also higher in the 153 traditional Espino variety.

Gaussian boson sampling is a model of photonic quantum computing that has attracted attention as a platform for building quantum devices capable of performing tasks that are out of reach for classical devices. There is therefore significant interest, from the perspective of computational complexity theory, in solidifying the mathematical foundation for the hardness of simulating these devices. We show that, under the standard Anti-Concentration and Permanent-of-Gaussians conjectures, there is no efficient classical algorithm to sample from ideal Gaussian boson sampling distributions (even approximately) unless the polynomial hierarchy collapses. The hardness proof holds in the regime where the number of modes scales quadratically with the number of photons, a setting in which hardness was widely believed to hold but that nevertheless had no definitive proof. Crucial to the proof is a new method for programming a Gaussian boson sampling device so that the output probabilities are proportional to the permanents of submatrices of an arbitrary matrix. This technique is a generalization of Scattershot BosonSampling that we call BipartiteGBS. We also make progress towards the goal of proving hardness in the regime where there are fewer than quadratically more modes than photons (i.e., the high-collision regime) by showing that the ability to approximate permanents of matrices with repeated rows/columns confers the ability to approximate permanents of matrices with no repetitions. The reduction suffices to prove that GBS is hard in the constant-collision regime.

Songs and poems from different traditions show a striking formal similarity: lines are flexible at the beginning and get more regular toward the end. This suggests that the free-beginning/strict-end pattern stems from a cognitive bias shared among humans. We propose that this is due to an increased sensitivity to deviants later in the line, resulting from a prediction-driven attention increase disrupted by line breaks. The study tests this hypothesis using an auditory oddball task where drum strokes are presented in sequences of eight, mimicking syllables in song or poem lines. We find that deviant strokes occurring later in the line are detected faster, mirroring the lower occurrence of deviant syllables toward the end of verse lines.

Se llevó a cabo un estudio observacional, descriptivo, de serie de casos, en 144 pacientes con diabetes mellitus de tipo 2, atendidos en el Laboratorio Clínico del Hospital Provincial Clinicoquirúrgico Docente Saturnino Lora Torres de Santiago de Cuba, de mayo de 2017 a igual de 2018, procedentes de la consulta de Endocrinología del propio hospital, con vistas a evaluar la utilidad de la cistatina C como biomarcador precoz de daño renal. En la investigación predominaron los pacientes de más de 50 años de edad y del sexo femenino, además de la hipertensión arterial como enfermedad asociada y la neuropatía periférica como complicación. Se concluyó que la cistatina C es útil como biomarcador precoz de daño renal en pacientes con diabetes mellitus de tipo 2, fundamentalmente si existen comorbilidades y complicaciones que pudieran conducir a la enfermedad renal crónica, lo que puede prevenirse.

The application of artificial intelligence and increasing high-speed computational performance is still not fully explored in the field of numerical modeling and simulation of machining processes. The efficiency of the numerical model to predict the observables depends on various inputs. The most important and challenging inputs are the material behavior of the work material and the friction conditions during the cutting operation. The parameters of the material model and the friction model have a decisive impact on the simulated results. To reduce the expensive experimentation cost that gives limited data for the parameters, an inverse methodology to identify the parameter values of those inputs is suggested to potentially have data of better quality. This paper introduces a novel approach for the inverse identification of model parameters by implementing the Efficient Global Optimization algorithm. In this work, a method relying on a complete automated Finite Element simulation-based optimization algorithm is implemented to inversely identify the value of the Johnson–Cook (JC) parameters and Coulomb’s friction coefficient correlatively, where the objective function is defined as minimizing the error difference between experimental and numerical results. The Ti6Al4V Grade 5 alloy material is considered as a work material, and the identified parameters sets are validated by comparing the simulated results with experimental results. The developed automation process reduces the computation time and eliminating human errors. The identified model parameters value predicts the cutting force as 169 N/mm (2% deviation from experiments), feed force as 55 N/mm (7% deviation from experiments), and chip thickness as 0.150 mm (11% deviation from experiments). Overall, the identified model parameters set improves the prediction accuracy of the finite element model by 32% compared with the best-identified parameters set in the literature.

In recent years, the popularity of rock-climbing has grown tremendously, setting an increasing pressure on cliff habitats. Climbing may be particularly harmful in the Mediterranean biome due to its appropriate environmental conditions for climbing. A few studies have identified the effect of climbing on plant diversity at a small-scale (namely locally or even just in specific climbing areas). However, no studies exist assessing the potential risk of rock-climbing on a broad-scale (e.g., regional or national). The study aims to identify the priority locations and priority cliff plant species in Spain to focus future study efforts. Spain was selected because it is a plant biodiversity hotspot, with a great diversity of endemic and endangered species, and one of the most popular destinations for climbers. We used a geographic information system-based approach to model the spatial concurrence among Spanish climbing areas (and climbing intensity), natural protected areas (NPAs), and distribution of threatened cliff plants (and their IUCN threat category). We found that 53.5% of climbing areas in Spain are located within a NPA, most of them falling into NPAs of medium protection level. We mapped 151 threatened cliff plants, identifying four medium priority Mediterranean locations and eight priority species in which future research efforts should be focused. High-priority study locations are absent in Spain according to our spatial modeling. For the first time on a national scale, this study identifies areas in which climbing represents a potential threat for cliff habitats and threatened plants. These findings contribute to designing field studies on the effects of rock-climbing on Mediterranean cliffs, laying the groundwork for a sustainable, yet challenging, balance between the protection of these unique habitats and rock-climbing.

El síndrome de Sturge-Weber es un trastorno neurocutáneo, congénito, esporádico e infrecuente que afecta aproximadamente a 1 de cada 20 000 a 50 0000 nacidos vivos y que se relaciona con una mutación genética activadora somática en GNAQ. Clínicamente se caracteriza por la presencia de una mácula en vino de Oporto en la piel de territorio trigeminal, angiomatosis leptomeníngea y glaucoma. Puede asociarse a diferentes manifestaciones clínicas, de las cuales las crisis epilépticas representan la manifestación neurológica más frecuente que se asocia a un deterioro cognitivo importante en estos pacientes. En el presente artículo se realiza una revisión descriptiva de la literatura sobre los aspectos etiológicos, fisiopatológicos, de clasificación, clínicos, diagnósticos y del tratamiento del síndrome de Sturge-Weber.

Although much research has been carried out in the field of the milling of GFRP (Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer) composites, the complexity of the process is such that it is still not mastered in many industrial cases. The current work is aimed at studying the influence of three different geometries of PCD (PolyCrystalline Diamond) and cemented tungsten carbide cutting tools during the up-milling of GFRP composites at fixed cutting conditions (vc = 502 m/min and vf = 420 mm/min). Delamination, cutting forces and tool wear are compared at the fresh and worn states, and the correlation between the lifespan and the cost of the cutting tool is analysed. The main wearing phase of the tools was performed under the conditions of production in the facilities of a company (Sobelcomp, Loncin, Belgium). The results indicate that the PCD tool with the straight edge, inclined peripheral tooth shape produces the smallest total cutting force and less delamination (shortest and lowest number of delaminated fibres) at both fresh and worn states. Moreover, the grinding ability of PCD makes the cutting tool cost per part lower than for cemented carbide. The PCD tool is therefore the best option to mill GFRP parts.

Extensive and profound political, economic, social and technological changes have taken place over the last forty years, mediated by neoconservative movements and the apparently unstoppable development of digital technology. At the same time, however, fundamental issues such as asymmetric power relations, inequality, poverty and exclusion have not only remained unchanged but are becoming more pronounced, producing, in some respects, movements and trends of reactionary change. From this perspective, in this article we begin by discussing the meaning of changes in the university field, based on contributions from different authors interested in the subject. We continue to analyze the problem considering the effects of the transformations produced by digital technologies on the lives and professional experience of university teachers and researchers. The evidence provided by this research project allows us to situate the impact of the unprecedented proliferation of information and the use of digital resources on the notion of knowledge and on teaching and learning methods, as well as to envisage the challenges to face by university. The text concludes considering some of the current university challenges and perspectives, based on various international studies and proposals. Our conclusions invite the reader to necessarily question the sense and the role of digital technology, not only in the seemingly inevitable transformation of university, but also in that of society.

Despite the prevalence of machining, tools and cutting conditions are often chosen based on empirical databases, which are hard to be made, and they are only valid in the range of conditions tested to develop it. Predictive numerical models have thus emerged as a promising approach. To function correctly, they require accurate data related to appropriate material properties (e.g., constitutive models, ductile failure law). Nevertheless, material characterization is usually carried out through thermomechanical tests, under conditions far different from those encountered in machining. In addition, segmented chips observed when cutting titanium alloys make it a challenge to develop an accurate model. At low cutting speeds, chip segmentation is assumed to be due to lack of ductility of the material. In this work, orthogonal cutting tests of Ti6Al4V alloy were carried out, varying the uncut chip thickness from 0.2 to 0.4 mm and the cutting speed from 2.5 to 7.5 m/min. The temperature in the shear zone was measured through infrared measurements with high resolution. It was observed experimentally, and in the FEM, that chip segmentation causes oscillations in the workpiece temperature, chip thickness and cutting forces. Moreover, workpiece temperature and cutting force signals were observed to be in counterphase, which was predicted by the ductile failure model. Oscillation frequency was employed in order to improve the ductile failure law by using inverse simulation, reducing the prediction error of segmentation frequency from more than 100% to an average error lower than 10%.

Broiler breeders, the parent stock of meat chickens, are feed-restricted throughout the production cycle to avoid obesity-related problems in their health and reproductive performance. Broiler breeders often show signs of chronic hunger, lack of satiety and feeding frustration, and the development of alternative feeding strategies has investigated the inclusion of calcium propionate (CaP) as an appetite suppressant. The mechanisms involved in the reduction of voluntary feed intake are unknown, but are thought to be due to low palatability, gastrointestinal discomfort, or both. The objective of this experiment was to examine the effect of CaP as an appetite suppressant on the experience of a negative affective state, using a conditioned place preference test. Twenty four broiler breeders were trained to associate the consumption of CaP or a placebo pill with a red or blue place, depending on inherent colour preference. Pullets consumed two pills followed by 20 g feed allotment. The CaP pill contained 160 mg of CaP and the placebo pill had 160 mg of feed. Conditioning lasted for 90 min/pullet/day over 8 consecutive days at 7 and 9 weeks of age, and pullets' choice was tested in a T-maze twice on two consecutive days at both 8 and 10 weeks of age. Data were analysed using a linear mixed regression model, with pen nested in the model and age as a repeated measure. Pullets were less likely to choose the place conditioned with the consumption of CaP (P

The constitutive model and its pertinent set of parameters are important input data in finite element modeling to define the behavior of Ti6Al4V during machining process. The present work focusses on comparing different constitutive models and the parameters sets available in literatures and investigating the quality of the predictions when varying uncut chip thickness (40 µm, 60 µm, 100 µm and 280 µm). In addition, temperature-dependent strain hardening factor along with strain softening phenomenon based reconstructed material model is proposed. The results from the numerical simulations are compared with experimental results available in literature. The comparison shows that the force values are highly influenced by constitutive models and the choice of parameters sets, whereas the chip morphologies are mainly influenced by the uncut chip thickness and constitutive models. This work justifies the need for an appropriate set of parameters and constitutive model that replicate the machining behavior of Ti6Al4V alloy for different cutting conditions.

Small guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) of the Rab and Arf families are key regulators of vesicle formation and membrane trafficking. Membrane transport plays an important role in the central nervous system. In this regard, neurons require a constant flow of membranes for the correct distribution of receptors, for the precise composition of proteins and organelles in dendrites and axons, for the continuous exocytosis/endocytosis of synaptic vesicles and for the elimination of dysfunctional proteins. Thus, it is not surprising that Rab and Arf GTPases have been associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Both pathologies share characteristics such as the presence of protein aggregates and/or the fragmentation of the Golgi apparatus, hallmarks that have been related to both Rab and Arf GTPases functions. Despite their relationship with neurodegenerative disorders, very few studies have focused on the role of these GTPases in the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration. In this review, we summarize their importance in the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, as well as their emergence as potential therapeutical targets for neurodegeneration.

Drag finishing is a widely used superfinishing technique in the industry to polish parts under the action of abrasive media combined with an active surrounding liquid. However, the understanding of this process is not complete. It is known that pyramidal abrasive media are more prone to rapidly improving the surface roughness compared to spherical ones. Thus, this paper aims to model how the shape of abrasive media (spherical vs. pyramidal) influences the material removal mechanisms at the interface. An Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian model of drag finishing is proposed with the purpose of estimating the mechanical loadings (normal stress, shear stress) induced by both abrasive media at the interface. The rheological behavior of both abrasive slurries (media and liquid) has been characterized by means of a Casagrande direct shear test. In parallel, experimental drag finishing tests were carried out with both media to quantify the drag forces. The correlation between the numerical and experimental drag forces highlights that the abrasive media with a pyramidal shape exhibits a higher shear resistance, and this is responsible for inducing higher mechanical loadings on the surfaces and, through this, for a faster decrease of the surface roughness.

En la actualidad, la enfermería ha sabido reconocer la importancia de las exigencias éticas que vinculan al acto del cuidado, y así ha dado razón a los diferentes conflictos de valores a los que los profesionales hacen frente a diario. No obstante, la profesión, no ha sabido encontrar un modelo bioético único que englobe todos los aspectos que surgen de su quehacer profesional y que ayudaría a aumentar la calidad de los servicios de salud percibida, para humanizar así la acción profesional del cuidado. El presente trabajo pretende, mediante la discusión teórica y el método de compara-ción constante, demostrar la necesidad de la profesión enfermera de conocer los distintos modelos bioéticos, y en especial la llamada “ética del cuidado”, modelo impulsado en 1982 por la psicóloga y filósofa norteamericana Carol Gilligan, que podría servir como sustento para definir un modelo bioético enfermero concreto. De la misma manera, se pretende explicar la diferencia entre la ética del cuidado y la ética de los cuidados.

Oxidative stress is involved in many of the stages of tumorigenesis, and the administration of exogenous antioxidants seems to modulate them. Thus, it has been described that oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol exert important anti-cancer activities. We analyse in vivo the anti-tumor properties of both phenolic compounds in an animal model of glioma, and their effects on oxidative stress, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defence systems and on several biochemical biomarkers. Hydroxytyrosol, but not oleuropein nor the mixture of both compounds, inhibits tumor growth through mechanisms that involve enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defences, as demonstrated by a decrease in lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation levels. Furthermore, hydroxytyrosol maintains the non-enzymatic antioxidants as in healthy animals, and positively modifies the enzymatic antioxidants. However, hydroxytyrosol probably acts not as an antioxidant, but through other mechanisms that only indirectly modify the redox status. Finally, these compounds yield few adverse effects related to changes in hepatic enzymes.

A Penning-trap facility for high-precision mass spectrometry based on a novel detection method has been built. This method consists in measuring motional frequencies of singly-charged ions trapped in strong magnetic fields through the fluorescence photons from laser-cooled ^40 Ca ^+ ions, to overcome limitations faced in electronic single-ion detection techniques. The key element of this facility is an open-ring Penning trap coupled upstream to a preparation Penning trap similar to those used at Radioactive Ion Beam facilities. Here we present a full characterization of the trap and demonstrate motional frequency measurements of trapped ions stored by applying external radiofrequency fields in resonance with the ions’ eigenmotions, in combination with time-of-flight identification. The infrastructure developed to observe the fluorescence photons from ^40 Ca ^+ , comprising the 12 laser beams and the optical system to register the image in a high-sensitive CCD sensor, has been proved by taking images of the trapped and cooled ^40 Ca ^+ ions. This demonstrates the functionality of the proposed laser-based mass-spectrometry technique, providing a unique platform for precision experiments with implications in different fields of physics.

Today more than ever, educational institutions need educational leaders who are able to promote profound, substantive and sustainable change. This paper is based on the efforts and results of the first stage of a European project implemented in universities and primary and secondary schools in Spain, Finland and the Czech Republic. The project seeks to explore the changes (and its educational effects) that have occurred in the last decade regarding digital competencies, especially in relation to the emergence of a culture of collaboration that connects youth learning, technology and a Do-it-Yourself (DIY) ethos. To achieve the project's objective, we followed a methodology based on the principles of collaborative action research (CAR). We have analysed the curricula and study plans of the participating institutions in order to explore how and where the project could be applied. We conducted a series of focus groups with teachers, students and parents to discuss notions of DIY learning among the educational communities. Based on these discussions, we began to analyse how each context envisions DIY learning and how it relates to the notion of virtual space. We finished the first stage with the professional development of the teachers, which was aimed at shaping the DIYLabs implementation plan.

En la actualidad, la enfermería ha sabido reconocer la importancia de las exigencias éticas que vinculan al acto del cuidado, y así ha dado razón a los diferentes conflictos de valores a los que los profesionales hacen frente a diario. No obstante, la profesión, no ha sabido encontrar un modelo bioético único que englobe todos los aspectos que surgen de su quehacer profesional y que ayudaría a aumentar la calidad de los servicios de salud percibida, para humanizar así la acción profesional del cuidado. El presente trabajo pretende, mediante la discusión teórica y el método de comparación constante, demostrar la necesidad de la profesión enfermera de conocer los distintos modelos bioéticos, y en especial la llamada “ética del cuidado”, modelo impulsado en 1982 por la psicóloga y filósofa norteamericana Carol Gilligan, que podría servir como sustento para definir un modelo bioético enfermero concreto. De la misma manera, se pretende explicar la diferencia entre la ética del cuidado y la ética de los cuidados.

Registros productivos de 1.097 pesos de corderos al nacimiento (PN), 543 pesos de corderos al destete (PD) y 543 ganancias diarias de peso predestete (GDP) fueron analizados con el objetivo de comparar la eficiencia productiva predestete de tres razas Pelibuey (P), Dorper (D), Katahdin (K) y dos cruces (PxD, PxK). Los registros productivos estudiados procedían de un rebaño localizado en Huimanguillo, Tabasco, México y correspondían al período enero 2001 y abril 2005. Las variables estudiadas fueron pesos de corderos al nacimiento, pesos de corderos al destete y ganancia diaria de peso predestete. El modelo final que describió el PN contempló los efectos fijos significativos de año (AN) de nacimiento (cinco clasificaciones, 2001 a 2005), grupo racial (P, D, K, PxD y PxK) dentro de año de nacimiento GR (AN), tipo de nacimiento (TN) único y doble, la interacción ANxTN, sexo del cordero (SX) hembra y macho, época climática de nacimiento (E) seca, lluvias y nortes. La edad al destete (EDEST) y PN se consideraron como variables continuas independientes en los análisis de PD y GDP predestete. Con excepción de E, todos los efectos principales afectaron (P

Objective: To assess the nutritional status of orthopaedic patients. Design: Prospective observation study. Setting: Tertiary hospital, Clinical Nutrition Unit. Patients: 107 patients (56,1% women, 43,9% men, 62,1 ± 20,4 years) are studied at admission to the orthopaedic unit and it is observed the evolution of orthopaedic surgery patients with hip or knee prosthesis. Material and methods: Medical history, anthropometric data and three nutritional screening tools were considered: Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) y Valoración Global Subjetiva (VGS). It was assessed the prevalence of malnutrition in patients on admission to hospital, using different methods and determining if a correlation exists between malnutrition and other factors, such as the development of pressure sores of the dependence in activities of daily living. Results: The risk of malnutrition is 22 and 24/100 patients admitted at hospital, if MNA and SGA are used, respectively (SGA caregorized 4% of the group as "malnourished"). 80% patients are considered to be at high risk of malnutrition using MUST. 1,7% patients presented a Body Mass Index (BMI) lower than 18,5. There is a strong agreement between malnutrition and neropsychological status (p = 0,001), and the dependence in activities of daily living (p = 0,002), and between medium and high risk of malnutrition and the development of pressure sores (p = 0,003). If MNA and SGA (p = 0,000) are used, post-surgical patients presents a deteriorating nutritional status. Conclusions: The prevalence of malnutrition in patients on admission to hospital is elevated. Orthopaedic surgery patients with hip and knee prosthesis presented a deteriorating nutritional status, and a higher incidence of pressure sores in a month. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we will be mainly concerned with some approaches for explaining the coherence of discourse. Our starting point will be discourse understood as a unit used in linguistic communicative behavior. In accordance with this view, we will suggest that the pragmatic approach to discourse based on an intentional-inferential model provides the more promising and natural account of the problem of coherence of discourse.

Background and purpose The first-pass effect (FPE), defined as a first-pass Expanded Treatment in Cerebral Ischaemia (eTICI) 2c/3 reperfusion, has emerged as a key metric of efficacy in mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischaemic stroke. The proximal balloon occlusion together with direct thrombus aspiration during stent retriever thrombectomy (PROTECT)-PLUS technique consists in the use of a balloon guide catheter and a combined MT approach involving contact aspiration and a stent retriever. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness and safety of the PROTECT-PLUS technique using distal aspiration catheters (DACs) with different inner diameters by comparing the large-bore DAC Catalyst 7 versus the use of medium-bore DACs.Methods Retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of patients treated with PROTECT-PLUS using Catalyst 7, Catalyst 6 or Catalyst 5 with an occlusion of either the terminal carotid artery or the M1 or M2 segments of the middle cerebral artery from 2018 to 2020 in two comprehensive stroke centres. Baseline characteristics and procedural, safety and clinical outcomes were compared between groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed in order to find independent predictors of FPE.Results We identified 238 consecutive patients treated with PROTECT-PLUS as front-line approach using Catalyst 7 (n=86), Catalyst 6 (n=78) and Catalyst 5 (n=76). The rate of FPE was higher with Catalyst 7 (54%) than Catalyst 6 (33%, p=0.009) and Catalyst 5 (32%, p=0.005), in addition to higher final eTICI 2c/3 reperfusion rates, shorter procedural times, lower need of rescue therapy and fewer procedure-related complications. After multivariable analysis the sole independent factor associated to FPE was the use of Catalyst 7 (OR 2.34; 95% CI 1.19 to 4.58; p=0.014).Conclusion Further development of combined MT by incorporating larger-bore aspiration catheters is associated with higher reperfusion rates, shorter procedure times, and lower need of rescue therapy while reducing the complication rates.

Objective: Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is essential to mitigate the personal, social and global impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as we move from a pandemic to an endemic phase. Vaccines are now required that offer broad, long-lasting immunological protection from infection in addition to protection from severe illness and hospitalisation. Here we present a review of the evidence base for a new COVID-19 vaccine, PHH-1V (Bimervax®; HIPRA HUMAN HEALTH S.L.U), and the results of an expert consensus., Methods: The expert committee consisted of Spanish experts in medicine, family medicine, paediatrics, immunology, microbiology, nursing, and veterinary medicine. Consensus was achieved using a 4-phase process consisting of a face-to-face meeting during which the scientific evidence base was reviewed, an online questionnaire to elicit opinions on the value of PHH-1V, a second face-to-face update meeting to discuss the evolution of the epidemiological situation, vaccine programmes and the scientific evidence for PHH-1V and a final face-to-face meeting at which consensus was achieved., Results: The experts agreed that PHH-1V constitutes a valuable novel vaccine for the development of vaccination programmes aimed towards protecting the population from SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease. Consensus was based on evidence of broad-spectrum efficacy against established and emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, a potent immunological response, and a good safety profile. The physicochemical properties of the PHH-1V formulation facilitate handling and storage appropriate for global uptake., Conclusions: The physicochemical properties, formulation, immunogenicity and low reactogenic profile of PHH-1V confirm the appropriateness of this new COVID-19 vaccine., (©The Author 2023. Published by Sociedad Española de Quimioterapia. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).)

A systematic screening for measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) and varicella zoster virus (VZV) in HIV-positive adult immigrants in Spain was evaluated, and factors associated with MMR and VZV vaccines' indication were studied. Every HIV-positive immigrant was tested for VZV and MMR-IgG. MMR vaccine was indicated to patients with lymphocytes CD4+ >200 cells/mm³ and a negative measles-IgG, a negative mumps-IgG and/or a negative rubella-IgG. VZV vaccine was indicated to every VZV-IgG negative patient with CD4+ >400 cells/mm³. In total, 289 patients were screened; seroprevalence was 95.2%, 92.2%, 70.3% and 89.3% for VZV, measles, mumps and rubella IgG, respectively. Having a negative VZV-IgG was statistically associated with coming from sub-Saharan Africa (prevalence ratio [PR]: 6.52; 95% CI: 1.71-24.84; p=0.006), while having secondary education was a protective factor (PR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.07-0.97; p=0.045). Fourteen patients (4.8%) had indication of VZV vaccine; vaccination was feasible in 21.4% of them at first visit. Eighty-one patients (29.7%) had indication of MMR vaccine, most of them due to mumps-IgG negative (53.1%) or rubella-IgG negative (24.7%). Age < 30 years at first visit was the only factor statistically associated with MMR vaccine indication (PR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.02-2.11; p=0.04). According to CD4+ cell counts, vaccination was feasible in 71.6% of patients at first visit. In conclusion, more than a third of HIV-infected immigrant patients are susceptible to at least one easily preventable infectious disease. Especial attention should be given to immigrant women of childbearing age.

Background: Nanoscale technology is rapidly being incorporated into medicine. Nanodermatology concentrates on the use of nanomaterials (sized less than 1000 nm) on the skin. This article gives basic descriptions of various nanomaterials currently used in dermatology., Methods: Studies retrievable through PubMed and other relevant literature from the nanotechnology industry pertaining to the use of nanoparticles in dermatology are reviewed. The authors provide their insight into potential applications for skin conditions., Results: Nanotechnology-based products and technology have a promising, inevitable future in medicine particularly in dermatology, such as prevention of disease, treatment, and imaging with less invasiveness., Conclusions: The advent of nanoparticles including nanostructured lipid particles and solid lipid nanoparticles, dendrimers, and quantum dots have already many cosmetic applications as well as great potential in dermatologic applications.

Objective: Systematic immunization programmes mostly depend on the correct maintenance and manipulation of the vaccines to be used, i.e. perfect maintenance of the cold chain. Therefore, we decided to carry out a systematic review of the literature on the cold chain and vaccines, to identify daily practices in vaccine sites., Methods: A literature search was performed in the main medical databases for documents published between 1990 and 2005, including those performed by means of a survey and/or inspection of vaccine sites that provided the following data: a designated health officer, availability of a thermometer with maximums and minimums, refrigerator temperature at the time of the visit, and temperature control and registration. For all the variables, the mean prevalence was calculated with a 95% confidence interval., Results: Three hundred seventy-seven articles were found; 31 were initially selected and 13 were finally included. In 72.21% of the vaccine points, there was an officer responsible for the vaccines, but only 61.43% knew the optimal temperature range. Fifty-five percent of these points had a thermometer with maximums and minimums and only 26.88% carried out temperature controls and registrations at least once per day., Conclusion: Important shortfalls were detected in cold chain maintenance in all selected articles, jeopardizing the effectiveness and efficiency of immunization programs.

Background: Due to their impaired immune system, patients with renal insufficiency have a suboptimal response to hepatitis B (HB) vaccination and frequent boosters are needed to maintain protection. GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals has developed a HB vaccine containing a new adjuvant system AS04 for use in this immunocompromised patient population., Methods: In an open, randomized clinical trial conducted in pre-hemodialysis (documented creatinine clearance < or =30 mL/min) and hemodialysis patients, over 15 years of age and naïve for HB, the immunogenicity and safety of single doses of HB-AS04 (Fendrix, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals) were compared to double doses of commercially available HB vaccine (Engerix, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals) administered at 0, 1, 2, and 6 months, and followed-up for 36 months., Results: The HB-AS04 vaccine elicited a more rapid onset of protection than the currently licensed vaccine for this particular population, with 74% versus 52% of subjects seroprotected at month 3. After the vaccination course, seroprotection rates increased to 91% versus 84% in the HB-AS04 and standard vaccine groups, respectively. Differences persisted up to 36 months post-vaccination (73% vs. 52%, respectively). Antibody concentrations were higher following the HB-AS04 vaccine at all post-vaccination time points. During the follow-up, significantly fewer subjects primed with the HB-AS04 vaccine needed a booster dose as a consequence of anti-HBs loss below seroprotective levels (11/62 subjects in the HB-AS04 group vs. 22/57 subjects in the standard vaccine group, respectively, P = 0.014). The HB-AS04 was more locally reactogenic than the standard immunization regimen, with pain at the injection site occurring with 41% of HB-AS04 doses versus 19% of standard vaccine doses. The occurrence of grade 3 pain was less than 1% in both groups and all events resolved within the 4-day follow-up period., Conclusion: The improved immunogenicity profile and clinically acceptable reactogenicity of HB-AS04 vaccine are of key importance to provide a more rapid, enhanced, and longer seroprotection to these immunocompromised patients at risk for HB infection.

Background and Objective: Since healthcare workers can transmit the influenza virus to high risk patients, they should be vaccinated prior to the influenza season. In this study we describe the influenza vaccination coverage in healthcare workers in a general hospital and study its evolution over the last years., Subjects and Method: Descriptive epidemiological study to determine the anti-influenza vaccination coverage in healthcare workers in a hospital during 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 seasons. The variables studied in each season were sex, age and professional category., Results: During each of the campaigns, 1,215 and 2,287 workers were vaccinated. The vaccination coverage increased significantly (p < 0.01) (20.2% in 2002-2003 and 38% in 2003-2004). Men were vaccinated more than women although the coverage increase was significant in both sexes (p < 0.01). During the 2002-2003 season, workers older than 50 years (24.4%) had the greatest coverage, while during 2003-2004 those older than 31 years (48.7%) were the ones with more coverage. By professional categories, the medical staff (33.8% in 2002-2003 and 59.9% in 2003-2004) had a greater vaccination acceptance. The coverage increase during these two years was significant in all healthcare workers (p < 0.01)., Conclusions: A significant increase in the vaccination coverage has been observed during the two seasons studied. This fact can be related to the changes introduced in the informative strategies and the performance of more active vaccination campaigns which connect vaccination to employment areas.

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is an occupational hazard among healthcare professionals accidentally contaminated with HIV-positive blood. This study is aimed at describing the characteristics of the accidents involving blood of HIV-positive patients recorded over a sixteen-year period at a general hospital., Methods: Epidemiological study of the accidents reported in 2001 involving biological material from an HIV-positive source by the healthcare personnel of a general hospital throughout the 1986-2001 period entailing the presence of biological material from HIV-positive serology individuals. Individual, time and place-related variables, in addition to the initial serologies and those throughout the protocolized follow-up were studied for those individuals involved in these accidents., Results: A total 550 accidents entailing an HIV-positive source were reported. The average number of accidents was 34.4/year. The accidental exposure rate for the period under study was 7.5/1000 workers/year. The professional group showing the highest accident rate was the nursing staff (54.4%). Percutaneous injuries were the most frequent (80.2%). The mean exposure rate was 2.6/100 beds/year. The anatomical areas involved to the greatest degree were the fingers (75.6%). A total 53.4% of those injured completed the serological follow-up without having shown any seroconversion., Conclusions: Throughout the sixteen-year period under study, the annual incidence of accidents involving an HIV-positive source increased from the 27 accidents reported in 1986 to the 60 accidents reported in 1990, there having been a downward trend as of that point in time, to the point of 12 accidents having been recorded in 2001.

Target of Rapamycin (TOR) mediates a signalling pathway that couples amino acid availability to S6 kinase (S6K) activation, translational initiation and cell growth. Here, we show that tuberous sclerosis 1 (Tsc1) and Tsc2, tumour suppressors that are responsible for the tuberous sclerosis syndrome, antagonize this amino acid-TOR signalling pathway. We show that Tsc1 and Tsc2 can physically associate with TOR and function upstream of TOR genetically. In Drosophila melanogaster and mammalian cells, loss of Tsc1 and Tsc2 results in a TOR-dependent increase of S6K activity. Furthermore, although S6K is normally inactivated in animal cells in response to amino acid starvation, loss of Tsc1-Tsc2 renders cells resistant to amino acid starvation. We propose that the Tsc1-Tsc2 complex antagonizes the TOR-mediated response to amino acid availability. Our studies identify Tsc1 and Tsc2 as regulators of the amino acid-TOR pathway and provide a new paradigm for how proteins involved in nutrient sensing function as tumour suppressors.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of antibodies versus tetanus, diphtheria and Bordetella pertussis in a population of health care personnel., Patients and Methods: A transversal study was carried out in a population of healthy health care professionals from two hospitalary centers in the Community of Madrid (Spain). The ELISA method was used for antibody determinations. The determination of antibodies versus tetanus and diphtheria was performed in a total of 344 individuals (mean age 32 years) and that of whooping cough in 104 subjects (mean age 23 years)., Results: The global prevalence of tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough was of 76.5, 48 and 57%, respectively. The prevalence of antibodies versus tetanus was significantly greater in males than in females., Conclusions: Revaccination versus tetanus and diphtheria is recommended every 10 years to guarantee protector antibody concentrations in adults. With regard to whooping cough, revaccination could be a strategy to consider in the future, particularly in risk groups in contact with cases of this disease.