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The paper is intended to outline criteria for evaluating professional performance of environmental educators by describing dimensions, sub-dimensions and indicators for appraising the professional performance of environmental educators’ variable, controlled by means of a set of tools and statistics techniques. The authors start by presenting a framework dealing with competence and performance in the field of environmental education that allows defining the terms environmental professional training, professional performance of environmental educators, and evaluation of professional performance of environmental educator.

Domain wall coupling in thin film sandwiches of permalloy/Cu/permalloy, obtained by sputtering, of thickness from 2000Å/200Å/2000Å up to 200Å/50Å/200Å has been studied to determine the coupling field between domain walls. To perform this study samples were cut in a size small enough to obtain a value of magnetostatic energy of the same order than the domain wall energy. Results show the possibility of obtaining magnetic dots with bistable behaviour of microns size.Se ha estudiado el acoplamiento entre paredes magnéticas en películas tipo sandwich de permalloy/Cu/permalloy, obtenidas por pulverización catódica, de espesores comprendidos entre 2000Å/200Å/2000Å, para evaluar el campo de acoplamiento entre las paredes. Para realizar este estudio se han cortado la muestras de un tamaño lo suficientemente pequeño para conseguir que la energía magnetostática de la muestra sea del mismo orden de magnitud que la energía de la pared magnética. Los resultados obtenidos muestran la posibilidad de conseguir dots magnéticos de tamaños de micrómetros con un comportamiento biestable.

Pedro Santos-Moreno,1 Guillermo Sánchez-Vanegas,2 Angélica Monterrosa-Blanco,3 Gabriel-Santiago Rodríguez-Vargas,1 Manuel Rivero,1 Pedro Rodriguez,1 Omar-Javier Calixto,4 Adriana Rojas-Villarraga,5 Carlos Alberto Castro3 1Rheumatology Department, Biomab IPS, Bogotá, Colombia; 2Scientific Direction Department, Hospital Universitario Mayor Mederi, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia; 3Research and Health Education Department, Comprehensive Solutions for Health Research and Education-SIIES, Bogotá, Colombia; 4Rheumatology and Immunology Department, Hospital Militar Central, Bogotá, Colombia; 5Research Institute, Fundación Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud–FUCS, Bogotá, ColombiaCorrespondence: Pedro Santos-Moreno, Rheumatology Department, Biomab IPS, Calle 48 # 13-86, Bogotá, Colombia, Tel +57 320 8094232, Email pedrosantosmoreno@hotmail.comPurpose: To assess, in a cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with subcutaneous antitumor necrosis factor drugs (anti-TNFs), the levels of treatment adherence before and after implementing a comprehensive care model (CCM).Patients and Methods: An observational study including RA patients under treatment with subcutaneous anti-TNFs (adalimumab, etanercept, and golimumab) selected at convenience was performed; a sample size of 125 patients was calculated. The outcome variable was adherence assessed with the Compliance Questionnaire on Rheumatology (CQR19), measured before and after implementing a CCM. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed comparing adherence before and after applying the model (Wilcoxon and McNemar’s Chi2 test). For multivariate analysis, a generalized linear model adjusted for covariates was performed, where the difference in the proportion of adherence was the outcome measure.Results: A total of 131 RA patients were followed-up for 24 months; average age was 62 years, and 83.9% were women. The median of DAS28 at the beginning of the follow-up was 2.32, and the HAQ was 0.25. At baseline, 87.8% were adherent; after 24 months, 96.2% were adherent according to CQR19. At the end of follow-up, adherence increased with the three types of anti-TNFs treatment. In a matched model adjusted for clinical variables, the CCM was estimated to produce a 9.4% increase in the total percentage of adherent patients. Additionally, a statistically significant increase of 4.5% in the percentage of adherent patients treated with golimumab compared with etanercept and adalimumab was found.Conclusion: A CCM produced an important increase in the percentage of patients with rheumatoid arthritis adherent to treatment after 24 months of follow-up. It is noteworthy that Golimumab patients were more adherent when compared with other current anti-TNFs treatments.Keywords: rheumatoid arthritis, treatment adherence, comprehensive health care, antirheumatic agents, controlled before–after studies

Pedro Santos-Moreno,1 Gabriel-Santiago Rodríguez-Vargas,1 Susan Martínez,2 Linda Ibatá,2 Laura Villarreal-Peralta,1 Anggie Aza-Cañon,1 Manuel Rivero,1 Pedro Rodriguez,1 Adriana Rojas-Villarraga3 1Rheumatology Department, Biomab IPS, Bogotá, Colombia; 2Epidemiology Department, Epithink Health Consulting, Bogotá, Colombia; 3Research Institute, Fundación Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud–FUCS, Bogotá, ColombiaCorrespondence: Pedro Santos-Moreno, Rheumatology Department, Biomab IPS, Calle 48 # 13-86, Bogotá, Colombia, Tel +57 320 8094232, Email pedrosantosmoreno@hotmail.comPurpose: To describe clinical characteristics and effectiveness of health care in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as part of a multidisciplinary care model (MCM) in a specialized rheumatology center, compared with the results of a national registry of RA (NARRA) as evidence of real-world management.Patients and Methods: We conducted a real-world study (July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019) based on an analysis of electronic health records of a cohort of RA patients managed with the “Treat-to-Target” strategy in a specialized rheumatology center in Colombia with an MCM, compared with the NARRA that includes different models of usual care.Results: We have analyzed 7053 subjects with RA treated at a specialized rheumatology center and 81,492 patients from the NARRA. Cohorts were similar in their baseline characteristics, with women in predominance and diagnosis age close to 50 years. At the time of diagnosis, a higher proportion of clinical diagnostic test use and rheumatology consultation access was observed in the specialized rheumatology center than in the national registry (4– 6 per year versus three or less). In addition, higher proportions of patients in remission and low disease activity were reported for the specialized rheumatology center, with a > 40% amount of data lost in the national registry. Pharmacological management was similar regarding the analgesic use. In the specialized center, Certolizumab was more frequently used than in the NARRA registry; also, there were significant differences in methotrexate, leflunomide, and sulfasalazine use, being higher in the specialized rheumatology center.Conclusion: The MCM of a specialized center in RA can guarantee comprehensive care, with better access to all the services required to manage the disease. It ensures specialist management and evidence-based care that facilitates the achievement of therapeutic objectives. In addition, better patient records and follow-ups are available to evaluate health outcomes.Keywords: rheumatoid arthritis, therapeutics, multidisciplinary healthcare, real-world data

Plantago lanceolata L. (plantain) increases herbage dry matter (DM) production and quality during warm and dry conditions due to its deep roots and drought tolerance and reduces nitrogen losses in grazing systems compared to traditional pastures. However, plantain density usually declines after the third growing season, mainly due to defoliation management. The effects of defoliation frequency and intensity on water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) reserves and below-ground plant responses need further research to optimize grazing strategies for improved productivity and sustainability of grazing systems. Our study investigated the effects of defoliation frequencies (15, 25, and 35 cm of extended leaf length, ELL) and intensities (5 and 8 cm of residual heights) on morphological traits and WSC concentrations in plantain biomass under controlled environmental conditions. Defoliation frequency significantly influenced morphological and chemical characteristics and biomass distribution more than residual height. Less frequent defoliations promoted above-ground herbage DM production, reproductive stems, and root biomass. Root architecture showed adaptations in response to defoliation frequency, optimizing resource acquisition efficiency. Frequent defoliation reduced high molecular weight WSC concentrations in leaves, affecting regrowth capacity and DM mass. A defoliation frequency of 25 cm ELL (~15 days) balances herbage production and root development, promoting long-term pasture sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to characterize the nutritional composition, fatty acid profile, and IgG concentration of the milk produced by Chilean Corralero horse (CCH) mares from breeding farms located in southern Chile. Forty-five milk samples were collected from three of the biggest breeding farms (coded as A, B and C) specialized in breeding and selection of CCH in Chile (15 mares sampled per farm). Farms differed in days in milk (DIM). A negative association between DIM and ash, milk protein, milk solids, saturated fatty acids (SFA), and gross energy (GE) was found, whereas DIM had a positive association with monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). Milk components like fat, lactose, and energy content varied independently of DIM, indicating other influencing factors such as farm-specific management practices. Offspring sex moderately affected GE content, with milk from mares bearing female offspring having higher GE. Macronutrient profiles of the CCH mares' milk were within the reported range for other horse breeds but tended to have lower fat and total solids. Compared to cow and human milk, horse milk is richer in lactose and lower in fat and protein. Immunoglobulin G concentration was only affected by the farm (B > A) which could be linked to dietary factors and pasture composition rather than maternal parity or other known factors. Overall, CCH mare milk has notable nutritional characteristics, with implications for both foal health and potential human consumption, posing less cardiac risk compared to cow's milk as indicated by lower atherogenic and thrombogenic indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional pastures in temperate regions face limitations such as reduced growth and nutritional quality during the summer season. Plantain (P. lanceolata L.) offers advantages like increased yield and decreased nitrogen losses from grazing ruminants. Effective grazing management is essential for pasture health, and defoliation frequency and intensity play a pivotal role. This study aimed to evaluate plantain's regrowth, yield, and morpho-physiological and chemical responses under different defoliation frequencies and intensities, with the goal of enhancing its management in pastures. The study was conducted in pots within a controlled-environment growth chamber, examining the impact of three defoliation frequencies (based on extended leaf length: 15, 25 and 35 cm) and two defoliation intensities (5 and 8 cm of residual heights) with four replicates (24 pots as experimental units). The variables of interest were morphological characteristics, dry matter (DM) accumulation, herbage chemical composition, growth rate traits, and photosynthetic parameters. Defoliation frequency affected plantain's growth and nutritional composition. More frequent cuts (15 cm) resulted in lower DM yield per cut and lower stem content, while less frequent cuts (35 cm) produced higher values. Defoliation intensity influenced the proportion of leaves and stems in the total DM, with 5 cm cuts favoring leaves. Nutrient content was also affected by defoliation frequency, with less frequent cuts (35 cm) showing lower crude protein concentration and metabolizable energy content but higher neutral detergent fiber and water-soluble carbohydrate concentration. Plantain's growth rate variables were mainly influenced by defoliation frequency, with less frequent cuts promoting faster leaf appearance and growth of new leaves. The basal fluorescence variables and chlorophyll content were affected by cutting frequency, being highest when cut less frequently (35 cm), while no differences were found in the actual quantum efficiency among different defoliation frequencies and intensities. The fraction of light dedicated to non-photochemical quenching was highest when cut less frequently and more intensively. Overall, defoliation at 25 cm of extended leaf length balanced plantain forage quality and regrowth capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pedro Santos-Moreno,1 Susan Martinez,2 Linda Ibatá,2 Laura Villarreal,1 Manuel Rivero,3 Adriana Rojas-Villarraga4 1Rheumatology, Biomab IPS, Bogotá, DC, Colombia; 2Epidemiology, Biomab IPS, Bogotá, DC, Colombia; 3Pharmacy, Biomab IPS, Bogotá, DC, Colombia; 4Rheumatology, Research División, Fundación Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud – FUCS, Bogotá, DC, ColombiaCorrespondence: Pedro Santos-MorenoRheumatology, Biomab IPS, Calle 48 # 13-86, Bogotá, ColombiaEmail pedrosantosmoreno@hotmail.comObjective: Although it is known that methotrexate (MTX) increases the effectiveness of biological drugs (mainly anti-TNFs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in real life, it is known that many patients using anti-TNFs are on monotherapy due to many causes. This article compares the effectiveness of certolizumab as monotherapy as combined with MTX or leflunomide (LFN) in RA patients with failure to conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) in a real-world setting.Methods: A retrospective observational cohort study was conducted at a specialized centre for RA management in Colombia. Patients treated with certolizumab as monotherapy or in combination with MTX, LFN, or MTX+LFN, between 2011 and 2020 with a minimum 3-month follow-up were included. Demographics and RA clinical characteristics were recorded; effectiveness was assessed as the improvement in Disease Activity Score (DAS28) getting remission or low disease activity at 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment.Results: A total of 181 patients were included, 24 received certolizumab as monotherapy, 62 certolizumab plus MTX, 47 certolizumab plus LFN and 48 certolizumab plus MTX+LFN. At 3 months of follow-up, 80% of the patients showed decreased disease activity, with no significant differences between groups; at 12 months of treatment, response in certolizumab monotherapy group was 94.4% compared to 81.8% in combination with MTX, 80.5% in combination with LFN and 51.4% in combination with MTX+LFN. Response at 3 months (OR 4.04; 95% CI 1.28– 12.69) and positive anti-CCP (OR 3.83; 95% CI 1.11– 13.21) were associated with 12-month response.Conclusion: Certolizumab seems to be effective as monotherapy in the treatment of RA patients with failure to csDMARDs.Keywords: rheumatoid arthritis, treatment, anti-TNFs, certolizumab, monotherapy

Agricultural soils account for about 60% of the global atmospheric emissions of the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O). One of the main processes producing N2O is denitrification, which occurs under oxygen-limiting conditions when carbon is readily available. On grazed pastures, urine patches create ideal conditions for denitrification, especially in soils with high organic matter content, like Andisols. This lab study looks at the effects of Urine-urea-N load on the Andisol potential to emit N2O. For this, we investigated the effects of three levels of urea-N concentrations in cow urine on emissions of N2O, N2, and CO2 under controlled conditions optimised for denitrification to occur. Results show total N2O emissions increased with increasing urine-N concentration and indicate that denitrification was the main N2O-producing process during the first 2–3 days after urine application, though it was most likely soil native N rather than urine-N being utilised at this stage. An increase in soil nitrate indicates that a second peak of N2O emissions was most likely due to the nitrification of ammonium hydrolysed from the added urine, showing that nitrification and denitrification have the potential to play a big part in N losses and greenhouse gas production from these soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]