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La contaminación por microplásticos en los ecosistemas marinos representa una amenaza creciente que atenta contra la biodiversidad de los océanos, debido a que las micropartículas plásticas pueden ser ingeridas por organismos marinos que confunden visualmente a sus presas con los microplásticos, teniendo en cuenta que varias especies son para consumo humano. Por esta razón se analizaron los tractos gastrointestinales de 35 individuos de seis especies de pescado popular para consumo humano, agua y arena de 10 distintas payas de la bahía de santa Lucía para determinar la ocurrencia. Para la extracción de los microplásticos se empleó una solución de hidróxido de sodio al 10% para separación de la materia orgánica de las micropartículas plásticas y una solución de cloruro de zinc con una densidad de 1.4 g/mL para las pruebas confirmativas por flotabilidad. En los resultados obtenidos, de las 6 especies analizadas, el 68.5%% de los peces presentó microplásticos en tracto digestivo, 37.1% positivos en carne y el 100% de las muestras de agua y arena analizadas fueron positivas, ante la falta de evidencia científica, es necesario profundizar en el estudio sobre la presencia de estos y sus efectos potenciales en la salud, para ser considerado como un parámetro a vigilar en los pescados de consumo humano en la población de Acapulco.

This paper presents the conceptual framework for positioning a government-funded higher education institution (HEI)in the Philippines as a regenerative university. It grounds the notion that academia should rethink and redefine Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through regenerative development and futures thinking. While Davao Oriental is home to a rich biological, social, and cultural heritage, this paper outlines how an academic institution can contribute to its protection, conservation, management, and regeneration. The end goal is to mainstream regenerative futures in the university’s four-fold functions: instruction, research, extension, and production. Consequently, the paradigm shift aims to influence local communities to engage in a shared regenerative future that would equally benefit the environment and human societies.

L'urbanisation touristique qui occupe une bonne partie des 200 km de littoral de la province d'Alicante a permis depuis les années 1960 une diversification de l'économie, mais a provoqué un déséquilibre dans l'usage des sols et une dégradation des paysages naturels. La détérioration des zones humides, le modèle touristique de Benidorm (constructions en hauteur au centre, pavillonnaire dans les alentours, énorme parc thématique de loisirs Terra Mitica) et les politiques d'urbanisme de Santa Pola et de Elche sont autant d'exemples négatifs alimentés par la pression spéculative sur le foncier et la permissivité des autorités locales face à la demande nationale et étrangère. Since the 60s, touristic urban areas which occupy most of the 200 kilometre coastline of the province of Alicante have brought about an economic diversification, but have completely disturbed soil management and damaged the landscape’s natural quality. The deterioration of wetlands, the Benidorm touristic model (high buildings in city centre, and private housing estates in the outskirts, a huge thematic park called Terra Mitica) as well as the urbanizing policies of Santa Pola and Elche are so many negative examples promoted still further by speculative pressure and the permissive attitude of local authorities to meet national and foreign demand. La urbanización turística de los 200 km del litoral de la provincia de Alicante ha permitido desde los años 1960 una diversificación de la economía, pero ha provocado desequilibrios en los usos del suelo y una degradación de los paisajes naturales. El deterioro de zonas húmedas, el modelo urbanístico de Benidorm (construcciones en altura en el centro, baja densidad en los municipios vecinos, gran parque temático de ocio Terra Mítica) y las políticas de urbanismo litoral de Santa Pola y de Elche, son ejemplos negativos alimentados por la presión especulativa sobre el suelo y la permisividad de las autoridades locales frente a la demanda nacional y extranjera.

The FTO rs9939609 gene, which presents three polymorphisms (AA, AT, and TT), has been associated with the development of obesity through an increased fat accumulation; however, the associations of the gene with other physiological mechanisms, such as appetite or fat oxidation, are still unclear. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the influence of the FTO rs9939609 gene on different obesity-related factors in young adults. The FTO rs9939609 polymorphism was genotyped in 73 participants (28 women, 22.27 ± 3.70 years). Obesity-related factors included dietary assessment, physical activity expenditure, body composition, appetite sensation, resting metabolic rate, maximal fat oxidation during exercise (MFO), and cardiorespiratory fitness. Our results showed that TT allele participants expressed higher values of hunger (p = 0.049) and appetite (p = 0.043) after exercising compared to the AT allele group. Moreover, the TT allele group showed significantly higher values of MFO (p = 0.031) compared to the AT group, regardless of sex and body mass index. Thus, our results suggest that the FTO rs9939609 gene has an influence on appetite, hunger, and fat oxidation during exercise, with TT allele participants showing significantly higher values compared to the AT allele group. These findings may have practical applications for weight loss and exercise programs.

This study aims to analyse sex-specific associations of physical activity and sedentary behaviour with oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in a young-adult population. Sixty participants (21 women, 22.63 ± 4.62 years old) wore a hip accelerometer for 7 consecutive days to estimate their physical activity and sedentarism. Oxidative stress (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione, malondialdehyde, and advanced oxidation protein products) and inflammatory (tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6) markers were measured. Student t-tests and single linear regressions were applied. The women presented higher catalase activity and glutathione concentrations, and lower levels of advanced protein-oxidation products, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-6 than the men (p < 0.05). In the men, longer sedentary time was associated with lower catalase activity (β = −0.315, p = 0.04), and longer sedentary breaks and higher physical-activity expenditures were associated with malondialdehyde (β = −0.308, p = 0.04). Vigorous physical activity was related to inflammatory markers in the women (tumour necrosis factor-alpha, β = 0.437, p = 0.02) and men (interleukin−6, β = 0.528, p < 0.01). In conclusion, the women presented a better redox and inflammatory status than the men; however, oxidative-stress markers were associated with physical activity and sedentary behaviours only in the men. In light of this, women could have better protection against the deleterious effect of sedentarism but a worse adaptation to daily physical activity.

Objective To describe in detail the variability of the attachments of the iliopectineal fascia (IPF) and its relation to the external iliac vessels to inform surgical approaches and help prevent injury to the adjacent vascular structures. Methods A cadaveric study was performed on 16 specimens. The IPF was identified from the lateral and medial perspectives of the II and anterior intrapelvic approaches, respectively, and its anatomic characteristics were described. Results The IPF originates in the fascia of the psoas muscle, it has variable attachments in the pelvic brim, and it inserts in the medial surface of the iliac bone where it is continuous with the obturator internus fascia. Two variants were found in relation to the external iliac vessels. In one variant found in 4 cadavers, the IPF formed a sail-like structure that surrounds the external iliac vessels. In the other variant observed in 4 cadavers, the IPF overlaid the iliac fossa, under the external iliac vessels which laid free in the iliac fossa. Conclusions The anatomic variants of the attachment of the IPF to the pelvic brim and its variants in relation to the external iliac vessels must be accounted for when performing acetabular surgery to prevent vascular injury and attain adequate exposure.

Ewing's Sarcoma (ES) is the second most common type of bone cancer, with an annual incidence of 2.9:100,000. Extraosseous cases represent 15%; however, there are no reported cases of ES located in the intestine in the pediatric population.We describe the case of a 14-year-old male patient, previously healthy, who started with an anemic syndrome, weight loss, and diaphoresis of 8 weeks of evolution. After visiting a physician, who documented the presence of anemia, the patient was referred to the National Institute of Pediatrics. Physical examination showed grade III-IV systolic murmur, splenomegaly, and pain in the left hemiabdomen with no irradiation. Computed axial tomography showed a mass-dependent on the peritoneum and intestinal loop. A biopsy of the lesion showed intestinal ES. The lesion was completely resected, and the patient was treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Thirty months after diagnosis, the patient has no evidence of tumor activity.Extraosseous presentation of ES in pediatric age is rare. There are no reports of intestinal ES in the Latin American pediatric population, although eight case reports were found in adults. ES is curable by a combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. The medical literature indicates that the extraosseous presentation should receive the same treatment as the osseous presentation, which can provide a survival rate of up to 70% if there is no evidence of metastasis (which most frequently is observed in the lung).El sarcoma de Ewing (SE) es el segundo tipo cáncer más común de hueso, cuya incidencia anual es de 2.9:100,000. Los casos extraóseos representan el 15%; sin embargo, no existen reportes en la literatura de casos de SE ubicados en el intestino en la población pediátrica.Se describe el caso de un paciente de sexo masculino de 14 años, previamente sano, que inició con síndrome anémico, pérdida de peso y diaforesis de 8 semanas de evolución. Acudió con un médico, quien documentó la presencia de anemia y lo refirió al Instituto Nacional de Pediatría. A la exploración física presentaba soplo sistólico grado III-IV, esplenomegalia y dolor en hemiabdomen izquierdo sin irradiaciones. La tomografía axial computarizada mostró una masa dependiente del peritoneo y asa intestinal. La biopsia de la lesión reportó SE intestinal. Se resecó por completo la lesión y el paciente recibió tratamiento con quimioterapia y radioterapia. Después de 30 meses del diagnóstico, el paciente se encuentra sin datos de actividad tumoral.La presentación extraósea del SE en edad pediátrica es rara. No existen reportes de presentación de SE intestinal en la población pediátrica latinoamericana, aunque se encontraron ocho reportes de caso en adultos. El SE es curable mediante la combinación de quimioterapia, radioterapia y cirugía. La literatura médica indica que la presentación extraósea debe recibir el mismo tratamiento que la ósea, lo cual puede proporcionar una sobrevida de hasta el 70% si no hay evidencia de metástasis (que ocurre más frecuentemente a pulmón).

Introducción: El tutor es fundamental en la formación de estudiantes del posgrado, su trabajo no se enfoca únicamente en la dirección de la tesis; además debe fomentar el desarrollo de otras habilidades en el alumno al incorporarlo al conocimiento tácito en comunidades de investigación. Esto implica que el tutor muestre competencias en la tutoría, de ahí la importancia de reconocerlas y autoevaluarlas tanto en forma crítica como reflexiva para su mejora. Objetivo: Analizar y autoevaluar las competencias de los tutores de un posgrado en enfermería. Método: Los tutores fueron invitados a participar de manera libre y voluntaria en grupos focales, con el propósito de analizar, discutir y autoevaluar sus competencias; se empleó una rúbrica como elemento detonador, que describe cualitativamente diez competencias que deben tener los tutores de posgrado, en cuatro niveles de dominio. Resultados: La discusión sostenida al interior de los grupos focales fue documentada para su codificación y análisis, se obtuvieron categorías que aludieron a: 1) aspectos éticos y el respeto a las autorías de los estudiantes en publicaciones; 2) la relevancia de la transferencia del conocimiento a problemas específicos del campo de enfermería; 3) la relación tutor-alumno destacando vínculos de menor y mayor dependencia. Conclusiones: Se identificó el reconocimiento de las competencias que requieren los tutores en este nivel, se generó una autoevaluación crítica y reflexiva, sobre lo que se ha realizado en la práctica educativa. Los tutores ubicaron sus niveles de competencia en desarrollo y consumado.

Mental health problem is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. It makes up one-third of the world population. With the increasing number of individuals with mental health problems and difficulties worldwide, countries such as the Philippines are still in the process of addressing the issue of providing quality mental health care services. This study aimed to identify and evaluate the existing mental health services offered in a selected Municipality in Metro Manila, Philippines. Moreover, this sought to increase knowledge and awareness about mental health services to help solve the issues and challenges identified in this study. The study employed an initial semi-structured interview that can lead to a case study, which is a qualitative research design. The study was conducted in one of the City Health Offices in Metro Manila. Insufficient budget, lack of trained professionals and mental health workers, lack of mental health system framework, not fully implemented mental health law and lack of collaboration and integration were the problems identified in providing quality mental health services. Although the Philippine government exerts effort on filling the gaps in providing treatment and care to those individuals with mental health difficulties, access to mental health institutions in the Philippines favors those near the National Capital Region.

The Automated Geospatial Watershed Assessment Tool (AGWA) and the Rangeland Hydrology Erosion Model (RHEM) were used to evaluate conservation practices on the Cienega Creek watershed (CCW) that were implemented under the Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) on Grazing Lands. CEAP on Grazing Lands is a multi-agency effort to quantify the environmental effects of conservation practices and programs, and develop the science base for managing rangelands for environmental quality using conservation practices (Spaeth et al. 2013). The evaluation was performed on the CCW and the Empire Ranch, located in southeastern Arizona, where numerous conservation practices have been implemented to achieve their management goals of maintaining desired plant communities and watershed processes. To assess the effects of the conservation practices on long-term soil and water loss, RHEM was applied to the entire CCW using National Resources Inventory (NRI) data. Four analysis periods were selected based on climatic contrasts, conservation spending, and availability of NRI sample points. The CCW results showed that the simulations using RHEM parameters derived from NRI data could be used to demonstrate the impact of climate on vegetation condition and sediment yield. A subsection, dubbed “select treatment areas,” of the CCW, which received extensive treatments with brush removal, prescribed burns, and stock ponds, was assessed using remotely sensed data. The select treatment areas were modeled over three different periods, representing preconservation spending, postconservation spending, and later postconservation spending. Remote sensing was capable of detecting and estimating the changes in vegetation cover from brush removal and prescribed burns. Simulations of sediment yield using pre- and posttreatment data indicated a modest reduction in sediment yield. Simulations in the select treatment areas indicated mechanical brush treatments were typically more effective than prescribed burns for improving watershed condition as estimated by reductions in sediment yield, but were more costly to implement. Stock ponds had a larger impact on sediment yield than the land treatments. The assessment demonstrated the utility of remotely sensed estimates of plant growth form and cover for model inputs to estimate changes in runoff and sediment yield with changing cover conditions over large areas.

This study aims to evaluate the differences in body composition, physical function, and physical activity between pre-frail/frail older adults and to detect risk and protective factors against frailty and physical frailty. Fried’s criteria for frailty and physical frailty using the short-performance physical battery (SPPB) were measured in 179 older participants (75.3 ± 6.4 years old). Body weight, height, and waist, arm, and leg circumferences were obtained as body composition variables. Daily accelerometer outcomes (physical activity and inactivity) were obtained. Pre-frail participants showed overall better physical function and spent more time in physical activity and less time in long inactivity periods than frail participants (p < 0.05). Risk frailty factors were higher waist perimeter (Odds Ratio [OR]: 1.032, 95%CI: 1.003–1.062), low leg performance (OR: 1.025, 95%CI: 1.008–1.043), and inactivity periods longer than 30 min (OR:1.002, 95%CI: 1.000–1.005). Protective factors were standing balance (OR:0.908, 95%CI: 0.831–0.992) and SPPB score (OR: 0.908, 95%CI: 0.831–0.992) for frailty, handgrip strength (OR: 0.902, 95%CI: 0.844–0.964) for physical frailty, and light (OR: 0.986, 95%CI: 0.976–0.996) and moderate-to-vigorous (OR: 0.983, 95%CI: 0.972–0.996) physical activity for both. Our findings suggest that handgrip strength, balance, and physical activity are protective frailty factors and can be monitored in pre-frail older adults. Moreover, poor lower body performance and long inactivity periods are frailty risk factors, which highlights their importance in frailty assessment.

An interlaboratory comparison exercise was performed to assess the technical proficiency of laboratories in measuring the organochlorine pesticides in drinking water. The homogeneity and stability of the samples to be used in the test were evaluated, the assigned value and the standard deviation were determined according to ISO Guide 35 and ISO standard 17043, and the results showed that the samples were homogeneous and stable for the study period. The test samples (previously verified, as pesticide-free) and the fortifying solution were distributed to nine laboratories in Mexico and analyzed using their own established analytical methods. The pesticides in the fortifying solution were aldrin, β-endosulfan, heptachlor, lindane (γ-HCH), and p,p′-DDE. The assigned values and reference standard deviations were compared with those obtained by each laboratory to determine the z-score for each pesticide and laboratory, and the results are shown graphically for each pesticide. The acceptable z-scores obtained by the participating laboratories were 20 %, 20 %, 20 %, 40 %, and 16.7 % for aldrin, β-endosulfan, heptachlor, lindane, and p,p′-DDE, respectively. This study also provides a summary of the sample preparation and chromatographic techniques used by the participating laboratories, which highlights the technical problems revealed by the interlaboratory exercise.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of a 12-week concurrent training intervention on cardiometabolic health in obese men. Twelve obese men (42.5 +/- 5.3 years old) participated in the current 12-week randomized controlled trial with a parallel group design. The participants were randomly assigned to a concurrent training group or to a no-exercise control group. Anthropometry and body composition assessment were determined by electrical bio-impedance. Blood samples were obtained and a cardiometabolic risk Z-Score was calculated. Energy metabolism-related parameters [i.e., resting metabolic rate (RMR), respiratory quotient (RQ), and substrate oxidation in both resting conditions and during exercise] were determined by indirect calorimetry. Echocardiographic studies were performed using an ultrasound system equipped with a transducer to measure cardiac function. A significant decrease of weight (Delta = -4.21 kg; i.e., primary outcome), body mass index (Delta = -1.32 kg/m(2)), fat mass (FM; Delta = -3.27 kg), blood pressure (BP; Delta = -10.81 mmHg), and cardiometabolic risk Z-Score (Delta = -0.39) was observed in the exercise group compared with the control group (all P < 0.05), while no significant changes were noted in waist circumference (WC), lean mass (LM), bone mineral content, glycemic and lipid profiles, liver function, nor in energy metabolism-related parameters (all P > 0.1). Moreover, a significant increment of left ventricular (LV) end diastolic diameter (Delta = -4.35 mm) was observed in the exercise group compared with the control group (P = 0.02). A 12-week concurrent training intervention is an effective strategy to induce weight and fat loss with simultaneous reductions of BP and cardiometabolic risk, and improving cardiac function in obese men., LCurrent research activities of DJ-P are supported by a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation-MINECO (RYC-2014-16938) and the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness-MINECO/FEDER (DEP2016-76123R), the Government of Andalusian, Integrated Territorial Initiative 2014-2020 for the province of Cadiz (PI-00022017); the European Union's ERASMUS C SPORT program (Grant Agreement: 603121-EPP-1-2018-1-ES-SPO-SCP), and the EXERNET Research Network on Exercise and Health in Special Populations (DEP2005-00046/ACTI). Technology Fund-FEDER funds (R&D&I Operating Program) by and for the benefit of companies (Technology Fund) INNTERCONECTA (BRISA Contract-University of Cadiz). The results of the study are presented clearly, honestly, and without fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate data manipulation.

While protected areas (PAs) are established primarily for biological diversity conservation and provision of ecological services, social dimensions comes into play. This paper extends the discourse on PAs’ impact to local communities by focusing on the latent functions and social consequences utilizing Robert Merton’s Functional Analysis. Based on in-depth interviews among community leaders and elders, and forest custodians around Mount Hamiguitan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is revealed that establishment of PAs entails varied consequences beyond what are being intended and manifested. While communities availed of some latent benefits from the declaration of the PA, they also have responses that limit the success of conservation initiatives. Hence, forest protection is a complex social and political process that demands more integrative response on community’s social, cultural, and political structures and dynamics.

BackgroundHydroxychloroquine has not been associated with improved survival among hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the majority of observational studies and similarly was not identified as an effective prophylaxis following exposure in a prospective randomized trial. We aimed to explore the role of hydroxychloroquine therapy in mildly symptomatic patients diagnosed in the outpatient setting.MethodsWe examined the association between outpatient hydroxychloroquine exposure and the subsequent progression of disease among mildly symptomatic non-hospitalized patients with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection. The primary outcome assessed was requirement of hospitalization. Data was obtained from a retrospective review of electronic health records within a New Jersey USA multi-hospital network. We compared outcomes in patients who received hydroxychloroquine with those who did not applying a multivariable logistic model with propensity matching.ResultsAmong 1274 outpatients with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection 7.6% were prescribed hydroxychloroquine. In a 1067 patient propensity matched cohort, 21.6% with outpatient exposure to hydroxychloroquine were hospitalized, and 31.4% without exposure were hospitalized. In the primary multivariable logistic regression analysis with propensity matching there was an association between exposure to hydroxychloroquine and a decreased rate of hospitalization from COVID-19 (OR 0.53; 95% CI, 0.29, 0.95). Sensitivity analyses revealed similar associations. QTc prolongation events occurred in 2% of patients prescribed hydroxychloroquine with no reported arrhythmia events among those with data available.ConclusionsIn this retrospective observational study of SARS-CoV-2 infected non-hospitalized patients hydroxychloroquine exposure was associated with a decreased rate of subsequent hospitalization. Additional exploration of hydroxychloroquine in this mildly symptomatic outpatient population is warranted.Lay SummaryIn this observational study of 1,274 COVID-19 patients, hydroxychloroquine given as an outpatient treatment was associated with a 47% reduction in the hazard of hospitalization. Adverse events were not increased (2% QTc prolongation events, 0% arrhythmias). Further validation is required. Use of hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 in the outpatient setting should be reserved for a clinical trial or after discussion with a physician regarding risks and benefits.

A device called FeelBreathe (FB)® was designed, developed, and patented for inspiratory muscle training. The main aim was to determine the acute responses on lung ventilation, gas exchange, and heart rate during exercise in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with and without the use of FB. In this study, a randomized cross-over trial was performed with 18 men diagnosed with COPD (FEV1 between 30% and 70% of its predicted value). Each participant randomly conducted two trials with 30 min of rest between them with the same protocol on a treadmill for 10 min at a constant rate of 50% of VO2peak. Each test was performed randomly and in a crossover randomized design in two different conditions: (1) oronasal breathing; and (2) nasal breathing with FB (nasal ventilatory flow restriction device). It was observed that FB had positive effects on dynamic hyperinflation, breathing pattern, and breathing efficiency, with higher expiratory and inspiratory time. Despite these differences, blood oxygen saturation percentage, oxygen uptake, and heart rate showed a similar response for both conditions during exercise. The results suggest that exercise performed with FB improved ventilatory responses compared to the oronasal mode in COPD patients. This new tool could be used during most daily tasks and exercise programs.

Commercial aerosolized insecticides can be implemented as a community-based approach to targeted indoor residual spraying against

Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary (MHRWS) is a home to many endemic, rare and threatened species of flora and fauna making it a UNESCO and ASEAN biodiversity heritage site. Out of the roughly 600 species of fauna from all taxa surveyed in Mt. Hamiguitan, 35 species belonging to 25 families and 5 classes were identified as threatened. Pithecophaga jefferyi Ogilvie-Grant, 1897 (Accipitridae) and Cacatua haematuropygia (Muller, 1776) (Cacatuidae) are Critically Endangered while Gorsachius goisagi (Temminck, 1836) (Ardeidae), Penelopides panini (Boddaert, 1783) (Bucerotidae), and Risiocnemis antoniea Gassman & Hamalainen, 2002 (Platycnemididae) are Endangered species. Twenty-four species belonging to 5 classes are Vulnerable. Class Aves has the greatest number of threatened species (14 spp.) followed by class Insecta with 11 species. Researchers, stakeholders, and policy makers should give high priority in doing research and conservation activities for the threatened species in MHRWS. Keywords : conservation, MHRWS, threatened species, IUCN, philippines.

The Protected Area of the Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary (MHRWS) was proposed for expansion in 2016 to protect the remaining biodiversity of the buffer zones and to fortify the core zone. This study provides data on avifaunal assemblage and assessment on the added value of the ca. 2.99 km2 MHRWS expansion sites to the already protected zone. A combination of transect line survey and mist netting technique were used to sample bird species in four sampling sites in the MHRWS expansion sites. Our inventory of the MHRWS expansion sites revealed 41 species of birds distributed to 10 orders, 24 families and 34 genera. This adds 24 avifauna species to the previously reported birds in Mt. Hamiguitan Range making it a home to 83 species. The low species diversity in the MHRWS expansion sites could be attributed to the poor soil, low forest productivity and habitat loss. The presence of threatened and endemic species of birds in the Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary expansion sites appeals for conservation initiatives by the stakeholders.

The objective of this study was to analyse the sun exposure habits of elite aquatics athletes, together with their sunburn history and skin examination habits, taking into account differences by sex and between sports. A cross-sectional health survey was conducted at world championship events during which elite surfers, windsurfers and Olympic sailors from 30 different countries were invited to participate. The athletes were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire focused on sun protection habits, sun exposure and sports practices. The survey was completed by 240 athletes, 171 men (71.3%) and 69 women (28.8%), with a mean age of 22 years (SD 5.86) and skin phototypes I (6.3%), II (3.3%), III (22.0%), IV (32.5%), V (9.2%) and VI (1.7%). There were significant differences between male and female athletes in skin self-examination (p 0.001) and in the use of sunglasses (p 0.001). In sunburn history during the last season, there were significant differences (p 0.001) among the three sports analysed, in both sexes. The mean rate of sunburn during the previous season was 76.7%, and 27.5% of participants reported having experienced three or more sunburns that lasted at least 1 day. This type of athlete is at high risk of sunburn and hence of future skin cancer. However, there is a general lack of awareness of this risk. This study highlights the need to inform such athletes and to raise awareness of the dangers, through educational interventions on the importance of protecting against sunburn in order to reduce the future incidence of skin cancer.

ResumenObjetivoComprender las vivencias cotidianas en espacios clínicos del estudiante de enfermería.MétodosEs un estudio cualitativo con método fenomenológico, se recolectó la información a través de 8 entrevistas a profundidad, a estudiantes de 4.o año de la Licenciatura en Enfermería de la Escuela Superior de Enfermería Culiacán, México. Tras obtener el consentimiento se les informó individualmente del estudio y su desarrollo, respetando la confidencialidad y la veracidad de los datos. El análisis de discurso permitió señalar conceptos significativos y asignar códigos para generar categorías. La validación de los resultados fueron credibilidad, confirmabilidad y transferibilidad.ResultadosSe trata de resultados preliminares, se presenta el análisis de la primera categoría, 1) Significados del espacio clínico, con 3 subcategorías: 1.1 satisfacción en espacios clínicos, 1.2 aprendizajes en espacios clínicos, y 1.3 figura simbólica en espacios clínicos.ConclusionesLos estudiantes manifestaron satisfacción y agrado porque van motivados a aprender y realizan actividades novedosas en los espacios clínicos. Además la enfermera del servicio simboliza el apoyo y enseñanza en los escenarios clínicos. Sin embargo, al referirse a los cuidados que realizan, estos aprendizajes están enfocados, como se ha señalado, a espacios planificados, fragmentados, basados en técnicas y procedimientos, como toma de signos vitales, tendido de cama y administración de medicamentos.AbstractObjectiveTo comprehend the daily experiences of nursing students in their clinical spaces.MethodThis is a qualitative study using a phenomenological method. Data were collected through 8 in-depth interviews to senior students enrolled in the Nursing Baccalaureate at the Nursing Superior School, Culiacan, Mexico. After gathering their corresponding informed consents, students were individually updated on the study development, always respecting the data confidentiality and veracity. The discourse analysis allowed to identify significant concepts, and assign them codes to form categories. The validation of the results included credibility, confirmability, and transferability.ResultsPreliminary results refer to the analysis of the first category, 1) meanings of the clinical space, with its three sub-categories: 1.1: satisfaction in the clinical spaces, 1.2: learning in the clinical spaces, and 1.3: symbolical figure in the clinical spaces.ConclusionsStudents expressed satisfaction and comfort because they go motivated to learn, and they perform novel activities in the clinical spaces. Also, the service nurse is a symbol of support and teaching within the clinical spaces. Nevertheless, while addressing their care duties, students stated that this learning is focused on planned and fragmented spaces and based on techniques and procedures such as vital signs readings, making beds, and medication dispensing.

In this study, the feasibility of gas stripping technique was studied for Brazilian sugarcane industry conditions: Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast and sugarcane molasses as raw material. The experimental trials were carried out in batch into two levels of gas flow rate (4 and 6 L/min) and sugar concentration (170 and 250 g/L). Results showed that the gas stripping technique was effective since ethanol concentration was maintained below threshold of toxicity (no more than 60 g/L in all cases), as well as sugar containing was consumed almost completely. Furthermore, a mixed mathematical model combining a complex term for the ethanol entrainment from gas stripping fermentation was proposed based in robust models for sugarcane molasses previously presented in literature. Parameters Y p x , μ max , P max , Y x , X max were estimated and presented itself within previous ranges validated for sugarcane molasses. The methodology of parameters estimation using genetic algorithms showed to have good performance, and the model was able to predict the data set of glucose, biomass and ethanol concentrations in low and high levels of sugarcane molasses in the broth, with only one set of parameters.

BACKGROUND In this study, the use of vegetable waste as a potential source of raw material for biofuel production was investigated. The microalga Chlorella vulgaris was used to maximize the production of lipids and carbohydrates. The culture medium was prepared with vegetable waste and diluted in the following proportions of medium:water: 1:0, 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3; the resulting solutions were adjusted for three different pH values (5.5, 7.2, 8.5). For a comparative analysis, modified CHU-10 medium was used. RESULTS The initial concentration of carbon in the medium was 279.6 ± 3.5 mg L−1, while nitrogen was 11.22 ± 1.32 mg L−1. The growth in heterotrophic conditions was performed for 21 days, during which it was observed that higher concentrations of biomass and higher productivity of lipids and carbohydrates were obtained in cultures performed in medium without dilution (1:0) and pH 5.5; however, higher yields of lipids and carbohydrates were obtained when the medium was diluted in the proportion 1:3 and with alkaline pH. CONCLUSION The results of this study should encourage the use of vegetable waste as raw material for the production of microalgae rich in lipids and carbohydrates for the production of environmentally friendly fuels. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry

The Whitney Museum of American Art, a Renzo Piano-designed triumph that proudly displays its complex structural engineering elements as functional works of art, has moved into its new home, in lowe...

Synthesis gas (syngas) is mostly known by its use on ammonia (Harber-Bosch process) and hydrocarbons (Fischer-Tropsch process) production processes. However, a less explored route to produce chemical products, among them alcohols and other oxygenates, from syngas has been gaining attention over the last few years. In this route, an initial feedstock as biomass is firstly gasified to synthesis gas, which is reformed, cleaned, compressed and finally catalytically converted into a mixture of alcohols and oxygenated products. After separation steps, these products attain sufficient purity to be sold. In this work, the thermochemical route, is used aiming ethanol production from syngas. Using the commercial simulator Aspen Plus, were proposed four study cases using 3 different categories of catalysts in 4 different process layouts. All the cases were evaluated regarding their productivity, energy consumption, and aspects of economic importance. The results show the technical viability to produce ethanol from syngas, proving an energy surplus of all processes and a reasonable production of the main product.

Histoplasmosis, caused by the dimorphic environmental fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, is a major mycosis on the global stage. Acquisition of the fungus by mammalian hosts can be clinically silent or it can lead to life-threatening systemic disease, which can occur in immunologically intact or deficient hosts, albeit severe disease is more likely in the setting of compromised cellular immunity. H. capsulatum yeast cells are highly adapted to the mammalian host as they can effectively survive within intracellular niches in select phagocytic cells. Understanding the biological response by both the host and H. capsulatum will facilitate improved approaches to prevent and/or modify disease. This review presents our current understanding of the major pathogenic mechanisms involved in histoplasmosis.

The cogeneration system is one of the most important parts of sugarcane mills which use the bagasse as fuel. In the recent years, modern equipments and energy efficiency measures made possible to the sugarcane industry, the production of surplus electricity which become, besides the sugar and ethanol, a third product from the same renewable source, the sugarcane. This work analyses the surplus electric power systems for three different schemes of cogeneration system in the sugarcane industry through the simulator Thermoflow ® . The analysis is made considering both the available bagasse and sugarcane straw recovery as fuel in three different scenarios for the industrial process energy requirements. The results show that the CEST (Condensing Extraction Steam Turbine) system can have a surplus of electricity of up to four times higher than the BPST (Backpressure Steam Turbine) system. The system CEST can have an increase in surplus power above 23% and 102% for the rate of 10% and 50% of cane straw recovery in the field respectively. The BPST-C (Backpressure and Condensing Turbines) system can produce similar values of surplus electricity when compared with the system CEST, but may represent an opportunity of flexible operation of the cogeneration systems in harvest and off-seasons.

Distillation is widely used as a key process to concentrate ethanol from fermented broth in the Brazilian sugarcane industry. In this study, Aspen Plus® was used to compare the energy demand for a heat-integrated distillation column (HIDiC) both with and without heat panels with the energy demand for a conventional distillation column for a separation process that could be applied to the Brazilian bioethanol market. The overall convective heat transfer coefficient, area, and other parameter values were calculated and combined with the HIDiC simulation. The reboiler duty results showed that by assuming a fixed fraction of the fluids exchanged energy at the panels, energy savings of 77% were possible with the HIDiC column compared to the energy requirements of a conventional column. This approach also allowed a stage-by-stage calculation of the overall heat transfer coefficient instead of assuming a constant value.

Cannabis-induced psychotic disorder (CIPD) refers to psychotic symptoms that arise in the context of cannabis intoxication. Prepulse inhibition (PPI) deficits have been extensively identified in schizophrenia and in cannabis abusers. We aimed to characterize PPI in CIPD patients. We used a sample of 48 CIPD patients, 54 schizophrenia patients and cannabis abuse (SCHZ), 44 cannabis dependents (CD), and 44 controls. CIPD, SCHZ and CD were abstinent of cannabis consumption for 9 months. Participants were assessed with PPI at 30, 60, and 120 ms. At 30 ms, CIPD showed lower PPI levels than controls, and SCHZ obtained worse functioning than controls and CD. At 60 ms, only SCHZ exhibited worse PPI percentages (of object) than controls. Finally, at 120 ms, CIPD showed higher PPI levels than SCHZ, and SCHZ obtained lower percentages than controls. We found that CIPD and SCHZ patients showed deficits at the most pre-attentional levels, whereas CIPD patients performed better than SCHZ at higher attentional levels. These results suggest that CIPD constitutes a different group of patients than that of SCHZ. Deficits in PPI functioning at 30 ms could be a useful psychophysiological measure to detect CIPD patients, who are frequently confused with cannabis abusers whose symptoms may mimic that of schizophrenia.