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The hazardous plasma environment surrounding Earth poses risks to satellites due to internal charging and surface charging effects. Accurate predictions of these risks are crucial for minimizing damage and preparing for system failures of satellites. To forecast the plasma environment, it is essential to know the current state of the system, as the accuracy of the forecast depends on the accuracy of the initial condition of the forecast. In this study, we use data assimilation techniques to combine observational data and model predictions, and present the first global validation of a data-assimilative electron ring current nowcast during a geomagnetic storm. By assimilating measurements from one satellite and validating the results against another satellite in a different magnetic local time sector, we assess the global response and effectiveness of the data assimilation technique for space weather applications. Using this method, we found that the simulation accuracy can be drastically improved at times when observations are available while eliminating almost all of the bias previously present in the model. These findings contribute to the construction of improved operational models in estimating surface charging risks and providing realistic source populations for radiation belt simulations.

La siguiente propuesta busca innovar en la realización de un cuestionario de orientación vocacional para el inicio de la vida universitaria. Este instrumento se basa en las inteligencias múltiples planteadas por Howard Gardner y está dirigido a estudiantes de educación media. Se consideran las habilidades e intereses del estudiante como fundamento para el actuar eficaz en una profesión, lo que permite una mejor elección vocacional y el inicio seguro para una carrera profesional. El objetivo de este estudio es diseñar un instrumento que vaya orientado a la teoría de las Inteligencias Múltiples, donde los jóvenes, a partir de sus habilidades, puedan escoger una carrera. Se aplicó el instrumento a 527 estudiantes de undécimo grado de educación media de diversas instituciones públicas y privadas en Colombia. Se estableció la validez de contenido, de constructo y la confiabilidad desde la consistencia interna del instrumento, obteniendo como resultado un nivel de fiabilidad adecuado; en cuanto a la validez de contenido la evaluación de expertos evidenció que el instrumento mide la variable de interés. En conclusión, este estudio contribuye al éxito universitario de los jóvenes que ingresan a la vida universitaria consciente de sus habilidades y cómo estás retribuyen a una carrera profesional.

This is a qualitative research article; a systematic review of more than 15 texts was carried out. Its objective is to identify the findings related to educational strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic in studies published since 2020. The research is based on the subjective knowledge of the strategies that were implemented in the educational system at a global level to face the health crisis and the impact of these methods on the student. As main findings, an increased use of ICTs was observed, a fact that was not considered before the pandemic, synchronous platforms such as Zoom, Cisco Webex, Microsoft Teams, and Google meet were the first choice for live classes with students, which allowed interaction through chat, camera, and screen presentation, among others. On the other hand, the use of asynchronous digital platforms that complemented online education, such as Moodle, was evident. However, because it was a sudden change that was experienced in education, most of the strategies were applied in an improvised way and without taking into account the achievement of learning, reflected in student dissatisfaction. Concluding Higher Education Institutions should evaluate the way in which the new educational strategies were implemented during that period and take measures for improvement since these tools became an essential component in the educational system.

An investigation is presented through the processing of natural language and text analysis found in the abstracts of the educational publication Profundidad of the Faculty of Administrative and Economic Sciences at the Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander Ocaña. The indicators analysed are magnitude, year of publication, importance weighting and sentiment index, so that it can be determined if the sentiment index determines the percentage of citations of the articles in importance with reference to the other indicators. The number of articles in the publication is 107 articles and a sample of 13 abstracts selected among those with the highest index and similar in score. The analysis is performed using the words in Spanish, the official language of the publication, since the translation may vary the score due to its meaning.

Background: Guidelines for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) propose total IgE and eosinophils as important biomarkers to identify type-2 inflammation. Despite the fact that specific IgE (sIgE) have been identified as a clinical predictor in some type-2 diseases for different clinical outcomes, its role in CRS has yet to be explored in detail. Objetive: To describe systemic and local sIgE in CRS and explore its possible association with clinical outcomes using nasal challenge tests (NCT). Methods: In CRS patients, we measure total IgE, serum sIgE (SsIgE) and nasosinusal sIgE (NsIgE) against 9 allergenic sources; Der p, Der f, Blo t, Can f, Fel d, Per a, grasses, Staphylococcus enterotoxin A, and B. NCT was done using the allergen with the higher sIgE prevalence (Der p). Results: A total of 174 patients were included. Prevalence of SsIgE was 52.8% and NsIgE 46.5%; Der p was the principal allergen for SsIgE and NsIgE. The presence of nasal polyps, asthma comorbidity, NSAID hypersensitivity, and hyposmia, were significantly associated with the presence of SsIgE and NsIgE but not with total IgE. NCT-Der p was performed in 73 CRS patients, being positive in 33 (45.2%). SsIgE have the best diagnostic accuracy (79.4%) to predict NCT results (NsIgE 67.5% total IgE 52%). Conclusion: Specific IgE is a better biomarker in CRS than total IgE. Patients with clinically relevant SsIgE have a pheno-endotype associated with different clinical outcomes. Considering the clinical relevance of SsIgE demonstrated by NCT, interventions like allergen immunotherapy in CRS must be study.

Abstract Background Assessing refractive errors under cycloplegia is recommended for paediatric patients; however, this may not always be feasible. In these situations, refraction has to rely on measurements made under active accommodation which may increase measurements variability and error. Therefore, evaluating the accuracy and precision of non-cycloplegic refraction and biometric measurements is clinically relevant. The Myopia Master, a novel instrument combining autorefraction and biometry, is designed for monitoring refractive error and ocular biometry in myopia management. This study assessed its repeatability and agreement for autorefraction and biometric measurements pre- and post-cycloplegia. Methods A prospective cross-sectional study evaluated a cohort of 96 paediatric patients that underwent ophthalmologic examination. An optometrist performed two repeated measurements of autorefraction and biometry pre- and post-cycloplegia. Test-retest repeatability (TRT) was assessed as differences between consecutive measurements and agreement as differences between post- and pre-cycloplegia measurements, for spherical equivalent (SE), refractive and keratometric J0/J45 astigmatic components, mean keratometry (Km) and axial length (AL). Results Cycloplegia significantly improved the SE repeatability (TRT, pre-cyclo: 0.65 D, post-cyclo: 0.31 D). SE measurements were more repeatable in myopes and emmetropes compared to hyperopes. Keratometry (Km) repeatability did not change with cycloplegia (TRT, pre-cyclo: 0.25 D, post-cyclo:0.27 D) and AL repeatability improved marginally (TRT, pre-cyclo: 0.14 mm, post-cyclo: 0.09 mm). Regarding pre- and post-cycloplegia agreement, SE became more positive by + 0.79 D, varying with refractive error. Myopic eyes showed a mean difference of + 0.31 D, while hyperopes differed by + 1.57 D. Mean keratometry, refractive and keratometric J0/J45 and AL showed no clinically significant differences. Conclusions Refractive error measurements, using the Myopia Master were 2.5x less precise pre-cycloplegia than post-cycloplegia. Accuracy of pre-cycloplegic refractive error measurements was often larger than the clinically significant threshold (0.25 D) and was refractive error dependent. The higher precision compared to autorefraction measurements, pre- and post-cycloplegia agreement and refractive error independence of AL measurements emphasize the superiority of AL in refractive error monitoring.

La pacarana (Dinomys branickii, Peters 1873) es un roedor sudamericano grande, único representante viviente de la familia Dinomyidae. Su distribución abarca desde Colombia y Venezuela a Brasil, Ecuador, Perú y Bolivia, en un rango altitudinal entre 200 y 3.200 msnm. En Bolivia se la conoce en bosques andinos y de llanura adyacentes desde el PN Amboró en Santa Cruz hacia el norte, pero en un relevamiento de mamíferos por foto-trampeo fue registrada en el área protegida PN ANMI Serranía del Iñao, en el departamento de Chuquisaca (~ 64°0' O; 19°20' S). Con un esfuerzo de 3147 trampas-noche en 26 estaciones se obtuvieron dos registros de pacarana distantes 55 km uno del otro. El primer sitio está en el NE del parque, a una altitud de 630 msnm en bosques ribereños subandino-interandinos y el segundo en el SO, a 1.353 msnm en bosques subhúmedos del subandino superior. Estos hallazgos amplían en 170 km el límite austral de su distribución y agregan nuevos tipos de vegetación boliviano-tucumana al conocimiento de su hábitat.

Objectives Research trends concerning hearing loss within teen rural populations are limited and current evidence suggests that extended high-frequency audiometry can be a sensitive tool to detect subclinical hearing loss. Moreover, current research emphasises the importance of representing different ethnic populations in science. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of acquired hearing loss through conventional pure-tone (0.25–8 kHz) and extended high frequency (EHF) (9–20 kHz) audiometry in Afro-Colombian adolescents from a rural area in Colombia.Design Observational, cross-sectional study.Participants 230 Afro-Colombian adolescents aged 13–17 years who attended high school in a rural population from Cartagena, Colombia.Interventions Otoscopic examination, conventional (0.25–8 kHz) and EHF (9–20 kHz) audiometry tests were performed during February-March 2021. Sociodemographic and associated factor questionnaires were also applied to assess probable factors associated with EHF hearing loss.Main outcome measures Prevalence of acquired hearing loss using conventional and EHF audiometry, and factors associated with hearing loss.Results Of 230 adolescents who met the eligibility criteria, 133 (57.82%) were female. The mean age was 15.22 years (SD: 1.62). The prevalence of hearing loss in at least one ear assessed with conventional audiometry was 21.30% and with EHF audiometry 14.78%. The main abnormal otoscopic findings included: neotympanum (1.30%), myringosclerosis (0.87%) and monomeric scars (0.43%). Factors associated with a higher probability of EHF hearing loss found through logistic regression were older age (prevalence ratio (PR): 1.45; 95% CI 1.16 to 1.80), attending the ‘Picó’ four or more times a month (PR: 6.63; 95% CI 2.16 to 20.30), attending bars more than three times a month (PR: 1.14; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.59) and self-reported hearing difficulties (PR: 1.24; 95% CI 1.22 to 4.05).Conclusions Our results suggest that acquired hearing loss is already widespread among this young rural population.

Background Challenges of polypharmacy and the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in older patients require further investigation. This retrospective study analyzed the progression of polypharmacy and anticholinergic burden in older patients in a primary care setting before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This 3-year cross-sectional study (2019, 2020, and 2021) comprised a dynamic cohort of individuals aged ≥75 years, who attended the Arrabal Primary Care Center in Zaragoza, Spain. Older patients with polypharmacy (≥5 medications) were identified according to their electronic health records. We collected demographic and clinical data, including medication prescriptions, diagnoses, and anticholinergic risks, and performed descriptive and statistical analyses. Results This study included a total of 1,928 patients with a mean age of 83.52±0.30 years. Over the 3-year study period, the mean number of medications prescribed increased, from 9.4 in 2019 to 10.4 in 2021. The prevalence of excessive polypharmacy (≥10 medications) increased from 39% in 2019 to 45% in 2021. The most commonly prescribed drugs were anilides, proton pump inhibitors, benzodiazepine derivatives, and platelet aggregation inhibitors. Women had a higher prevalence of illnesses and anticholinergic drug prescriptions than men. Conclusion The results of this study highlighted an upward trend in polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy among older patients in primary care settings. Future research should focus on optimizing medication management and deprescribing strategies and minimizing the adverse effects of polypharmacy in this population.

Abstract Respiratory viruses can cause life-threatening illnesses. The focus of treatment is on supportive therapies and direct antivirals. However, antivirals may cause resistance by exerting selective pressure. Modulating the host response has emerged as a viable therapeutic approach for treating respiratory infections. Additionally, considering the probable future respiratory virus outbreaks emphasizes the need for broad-spectrum therapies to be prepared for the next pandemics. One of the principal bioactive constituents found in the seed extract of Aesculus hippocastanum L. (AH) is β-escin. The clinical therapeutic role of β-escin and AH has been associated with their anti-inflammatory effects. Regarding their mechanism of action, we and others have shown that β-escin and AH affect NF-κB signaling. Furthermore, we have reported the virucidal and broad-spectrum antiviral properties of β-escin and AH against enveloped viruses such as RSV, in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we demonstrate that β-escin and AH have antiviral and virucidal activities against SARS-CoV-2 and CCoV, revealing broad-spectrum antiviral activity against coronaviruses. Likewise, they exhibited NF-κB and cytokine modulating activities in epithelial and macrophage cell lines infected with coronaviruses in vitro. Hence, β-escin and AH are promising broad-spectrum antiviral, immunomodulatory, and virucidal drugs against coronaviruses and respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2.

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Introducción: la enfermedad de Graves puede asociarse a parálisis periódica hipocalémica (PPHC). Dadas las interesantes particularidades de esta asociación para la práctica y el aprendizaje médico, se decide compartir el presente caso. Objetivo: reportar los hallazgos clínicos y de laboratorios de un paciente que consulta por debilidad generalizada, secundaria a una PPHC como debut de enfermedad de Graves, sin otras manifestaciones de tirotoxicosis. Presentación del caso: paciente masculino de 44 años que asiste por urgencias por cuadriparesia flácida, quien previamente se automedicó con dexametasona por lumbalgia. Se evidenció potasio sérico de 1,9 mmol/l, TSH < 0,005 ?UI/ml, antiTRAb positivos y bocio difuso hipercaptante, por lo que se diagnósticó con PPHC secundaria a enfermedad de Graves. El paciente presentó mejoría con la reposición hidroelectrolítica y el uso de betabloqueadores y antitiroideos. Discusión: el hipertiroidismo se asocia con múltiples manifestaciones sistémicas como la PPHC, la cual, a pesar de ser un hallazgo infrecuente en la enfermedad de Graves, fue la única manifestación clínica del paciente. Es poco frecuente que pacientes con PPHC debuten con parálisis y sin signos de hipertiroidismo, dado que el mecanismo exacto de la PPHC en tirotoxicosis aún no es claro. En este caso, surge la hipótesis que la automedicación del esteroide pudo haber empeorado la hipocalemia. Conclusión: la PPHC, aunque infrecuente, es una causa de debilidad generalizada, donde un alto índice de sospecha clínica será clave para la solicitud oportuna de electrolitos, junto con la búsqueda sistemática de enfermedades que se asocien a hipocalemia y debilidad, como la enfermedad de Graves.

Esta investigación se centra en la estimación de caudales extremos para cuencas hidrológicas en la región nororiental andina de Colombia, considerando periodos de retorno de 10, 50, 100 y 200 años. Se aplicó la prueba de bondad y ajuste de Kolmogórov-Smirnov a 39 estaciones limnimétricas en los departamentos de Boyacá, Cundinamarca, Santander y Norte de Santander. Se evaluaron funciones de distribución como Normal, Log Normal, Log Pearson y Gumbel. Se aplicaron las ecuaciones de amplificación de caudales no instantáneos de Fuller, Tonini (1939), Tonini (1969), Cotecchia (1965) y Tucci (1991). Los resultados revelan que la distribución Normal demostró ser la más apropiada, abarcando un 36% de las estaciones analizadas y que los modelos de Tonini (1939) y Cotecchia tienden a sobreestimar, mientras que los de Fuller, Tonini (1969) y Tucci son más conservadores para la estimación de caudales extremos no instantáneos para los periodos de retorno analizados. La selección de un modelo de amplificación incorrecto, puede incurrir en el incremento de costos de las obras hidráulicas, pero también favorece el factor de seguridad, por lo cual se recomienda la calibración de los modelos de amplificación de los caudales no instantáneos y el aumento de estaciones limnigráficas en la región Nororiental Andina de Colombia.

Abstract The hazardous plasma environment surrounding Earth poses risks to satellites due to internal charging and surface charging effects. Accurate predictions of these risks are crucial for minimizing damage and preparing for system failures of satellites. To forecast the plasma environment, it is essential to know the current state of the system, as the accuracy of the forecast depends on the accuracy of the initial condition of the forecast. In this study, we use data assimilation techniques to combine observational data and model predictions, and present the first global validation of a data-assimilative electron ring current nowcast during a geomagnetic storm. By assimilating measurements from one satellite and validating the results against another satellite in a different magnetic local time sector, we assess the global response and effectiveness of the data assimilation technique for space weather applications. Using this method, we found that the simulation accuracy can be drastically improved at times when observations are available while eliminating almost all of the bias previously present in the model. These findings contribute to the construction of improved operational models in estimating surface charging risks and providing realistic ’source’ populations for radiation belt simulations.