Isotope and microbiome data provide complementary information to identify natural nitrate attenuation processes in groundwater

Natural attenuation processes alleviate the impact of fertilization practices on groundwater resources. Therefore, identifying the occurrence of denitrification has become a requirement for water quality management. Several approaches are useful for this purpose, such as isotopic and microbiological methods, each of them providing distinct but complementary information about denitrification reactions, attenuation rates and their occurrence in the aquifer. In this paper, we investigate the contribution of both approaches to describe denitrification in a consolidated rock aquifer (limestone and marls), with a porosity related to fracture networks located in the northeastern sector of the Osona basin (NE Spain). Isotopic methods indicated the origin of nitrate (fertilization using manure) and that denitrification occurred, reaching a reduction of near 25% of the nitrate mass in groundwater. The studied area could be divided in two zones with distinct agricultural pressures and, consequently, nitrate concentrations in groundwater. Denitrification occurred in both zones and at different levels, indicating that attenuation processes took place all along the whole hydrogeological unit, and that the observed levels could be attributed to a larger flow path or, in a minor extent, to mixing processes that mask the actual denitrification rates. Microbiological data showed a correlation between denitrifier genes and the isotopic composition. However, the groundwater microbiome and the distribution of denitrifying bacteria did not reveal a major influence on the denitrification level observed by isotopic methods. This focuses the interest of microbiological analysis to identify functional genes within the bacteria present in the aquife

Evidence for quality management systems being instrumental in improving supplier performance: the case of the wind power sector

This paper evaluates whether ISO certification enables a supplier to become an extended resource in a specific sector. The evaluation consisted of a statistical analysis of data from 90 suppliers to a wind turbine manufacturer. The suppliers were selected, evaluated and audited as extended resources from a resource-based view (RBV). We test the differences that the qualified suppliers exhibit in main ISO processes and we identify specific areas that will improve supplier relationships. We also demonstrate significant differences exist when the level of technology the supplier uses is taken into account. Our results may well be applicable in a wider manufacturing processes context. We determine that ISO certification alone is not enough to cement a positive relationship in an upstream supply chain environment, despite such relationships being crucial to the success of a business, and support the use of a wider sector-specific certification tool that goes beyond ISO certificatio

Obtenció de propietats mecàniques per al procés de conformat de materials compòsits termoplàstics

Una empresa del sector de l'automoció necessita caracteritzar les propietats mecàniques d'un material compost de matriu termoplàstica per poder realitzar simulacions del procés de conformat de components i així poder disminuir els costos del procés de fabricació. Aquesta empresa s'ha posat en contacte amb el grup de investigació AMADE de la Universitat de Girona per obtenir una solució sobre com obtenir les propietats mecàniques que requereixen per introduir-les a les seves simulacions. L'objectiu d'aquest projecte és el de desenvolupar mètodes d'assaigs, per caracteritzar el comportament mecànic de materials compostos de matriu termoplàstica, durant el seu conforma

Synthesis, structural study, thermal, optical properties and characterization of the new compound [C6H7N2O2]3TeCl5·2Cl

The new organic-inorganic compound, [(C6H7N2O2)3TeCl5.2Cl] was synthesized and its structure was determined at room temperature in the triclinic system (P ̅1) with the following parameters: a= 10.5330(11)Å, b= 10.6663(11) Å, c= 15.9751(16)Å, α= 82.090(2)°, β= 71.193(2)°, γ= 68.284(2)° and Z = 2. The final cycle of refinement led to R= 0.057 and Rw = 0.149. The crystal structure was stabilized by an extensive network of N-H...Cl and non-classical C-H Cl hydrogen bonds between the cation and the anionic group. Several thermal analysis techniques such as thermogravimetric analysis, the differential scanning calorimetric analysis and Evolved Gas Analysis were used. We used isoconversional kinetics methods to determine the kinetics parameters. We observe that the decomposition of [C6H7N2O2]3TeCl5.2Cl entails the formation hydrochloric acid of nitroaniline as volatiles. The infrared spectra were recorded in the 4000-400 cm-1 frequency region. The Raman spectra were recorded in the external region of the anionic sublattice vibration 50-1500 cm-1. The optical band gap was calculated from the UV-Vis absorbance spectra using classical Tauc relation which was found to be 3.12 and 3.67 e

Eficàcia, seguretat i abandonament del tractament farmacològic del trastorn per dèficit d’atenció amb hiperactivitat en pacients adults

There are concerns about the benefit-risk ratio of pharmacologic interventions for ADHD in adults, especially in patients with ADHD and substance use disorder (SUD). Four systematic reviews of randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials in adult patients with ADHD and in patients with ADHD and SUD were performed. Data were combined using meta-analysis. Pharmacological treatment for ADHD was moderately efficacious in improving ADHD symptom severity, but it was associated with more frequent adverse events and a slightly higher treatment discontinuation compared to placebo. The results were more favourable when treatment was administered with psychotherapy, when psychostimulant drugs were used, when efficacy was assessed by investigators, when previously-treated patients were included, in short-term studies and in studies that included a lead-in phase. In patients with ADHD and SUD pharmacological treatment reduced ADHD symptom severity but did not improve neither drug abstinence nor treatment discontinuationExisteixen dubtes sobre la seva relació benefici-risc dels medicaments per al tractament del TDAH en adults, sobretot en pacients amb TDAH i trastorn per ús de substàncies (TUS). S’han realitzat quatre revisions sistemàtiques metanalítiques d’assajos clínics aleatoritzats de pacients adults amb TDAH i de pacients amb TDAH i TUS. Els medicaments pel TDAH disminueixen moderadament la gravetat dels símptomes, però s’associen a una major aparició d’efectes adversos i a un petit augment de l’abandonament del tractament en comparació amb el placebo. Els resultats són més favorables quan els medicaments s’administren amb psicoteràpia, quan s’utilitzen psicoestimulants, quan l’avaluador de l’eficàcia és l’investigador, en pacients que han estat prèviament tractats amb psicoestimulants, en els estudis de curta durada i en els que fan servir un període de preinclusió. En pacients amb TDAH i TUS els medicaments pel TDAH milloren la gravetat del TDAH, però no l’abstinència de substàncies ni l’abandonament del tractamen

Hiperestimulació ovàrica i tècniques de manipulació d’oòcits en el tractament de la infertilitat humana

According to the Spanish Fertility Society (SEF) among 15-17% of the population of reproductive age have troubles having a baby. The causes of infertility may lie in the man, the woman, in both members of the couple or may be idiopathic. In order to give solution to fertility problems assisted reproductive techniques (ART) were developed. Such techniques involve the handling of oocytes or sperm in a laboratory. The ART, however, does not provide a solution to all cases of sterility. Currently the most commonly ART used are artificial insemination (AI), in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmatic sperm injection (ICSI), which is derived from IVF. To successfully perform these techniques, most patients undergo controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) protocols. The COH has the purpose of stimulating the ovaries through hormonal treatments to obtain more than a mature follicle and to increase in this way the probabilities of pregnancy. There are several protocols available to develop these techniques, being the gonadotropins the most used treatment because of their intense stimulation. But if mild stimulations is desired clomiphene citrate may be an alternative. In addition, there is also the possibility of using an adjuvant treatment by using gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues, both agonists and antagonist, which significantly increase success rates due to an improvement in oocyte quality. Complications and adverse effects such as oocyte abnormalities, problems in endometrial receptivity, or two of the most recurrent complications like multiple gestation and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) can also arise from COH. There are a numerous protocols available to be followed, and each one derives advantages and disadvantages, so there is a need to individualize the technique to each patient considering age, ovarian reserve and medical histor

Is effective Bexsero for invasive meningococcal disease prevention?

INTRODUCTION: Invasive Meningococcal Disease (IMD) is considerated as a Major Health Problem and it causes substantial morbidity and mortality. It is caused by Neisseria Meningitidis. This pathology especially affects children under 5 years old and teenagers, although it can occur at any life stage. In fact, in our environment N. Meningitids is the first cause of bacterial meningitis in children > 3 months, and specifically N. Meningitids serogroup B is the most usually involved. Recently, a new vaccine called Bexsero has been deveolped and commercialised for IMD prevention due to serogroup B. However, the use of that vaccine is highly controversial because few information about its effectiveness is available. Even so, paediatricians as well as organisations like “Comité Asesor de Vacunas” encourage parents to vaccinate their children with Bexsero. OBJECTIVE: this study aims to assess the effectiveness of Bexsero for Invasive Meningococcal Disease prevention in children under 5 years old. Moreover, the study will provide useful information about the possible association among being vaccinated with Bexsero and have a greater proportion of adverse reactions. DESIGN: This is an observational prospective cohort study. METHODOLOGY: In this study we will have two groups: vaccinated with Bexsero (cohort 1) and Unvaccinated with Bexsero (cohort 2). Then, we will perform a 5 years follow-up and we will compare the incidence of IMD registered in both groups. We will expect a significant reduction in incidence of IMD in children that have been vaccinate

¿Es la medicalización un fenómeno negativo? Un análisis de las consecuencias que suelen atribuirse a la medicalización = Is Medicalization a Negative Phenomenon? An Analysis of the Consequences that are often Ascribed to Medicalization

In this paper I will analyze the negative character of those consequences that are often ascribed to the phenomenon of medicalization. Whit this, I will be arguing that medicalization is not a negative phenomenon per se. There are only two occasions in which medicalization will be a negative phenomenon. Firstly, when there is a negative result coming from the calculation between, on the one hand, the effectiveness of the medical way to solve the problem and, on the other hand, the balance between the benefits of the medical way and its possible negative side effects. Secondly, when the individual, either by disinformation or by an external restriction (medical paternalism), is not at liberty to choose between a medical way or a non-medical wayEn este ensayo expondremos un análisis de las consecuencias que suelen atribuirse al fenómeno de la medicalización y, partiendo de aquí, nuestro objetivo básico será mostrar que la medicalización no es en sí mismo un fenómeno negativo. Sólo lo será cuando se obtenga un valor negativo del cálculo entre, por un lado, la efectividad de la propuesta médica para solucionar el problema y, por otro lado, el balance entre los beneficios de dicha propuesta médica y sus posibles efectos secundarios; o bien, cuando se dé un contexto en el que el individuo, ya sea por desinformación o por una restricción externa (paternalismo médico), no tiene la libertad suficiente de escoger entre una propuesta médica y una propuesta no-médic

Patterns of morphological variation among native and non-native pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) populations: shared and unique aspects of diversification

Contemporary patterns of morphological variation among populations reflects the interplay between historic and contemporary processes that result from selection and constraint. Using the pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus), a species native to North America and introduced to Europe, we assessed the shared and unique aspects of morphological divergence in lentic and lotic environments among native and non-native populations. Ten native and thirteen non-native pumpkinseed populations were collected between 2003 and 2010 from lakes, rivers and reservoirs within the Iberian Peninsula and east-central North America. Fifteen linear external measurements among homologous landmarks that pertain to bo dy size, fin position and fin size were taken from all sampled individuals. Eleven of these measurements were used to test for morphological differences among populations. Pumpkinseed found in lotic water bodies exhibited a more anterior placement of pectoral and pelvic fins and a deeper caudal peduncle and body than those found in lentic water bodies from the same geographic region. However, pumpkinseed also showed morphological differences between geographic origins: pumpkinseed from native populations exhibit a more posterior placement of pectoral and pelvic fins, a narrower anterior caudal peduncle and a more slender body than pumpkinseed from non-native populations. In addition, unique responses of populations to waterbodies within geographic origins revealed a shift between water body types that was opposite in direction for native and non-native populations. Native populations exhibited shorter and deeper caudal peduncles and deeper bodies in lotic habitats, whereas non-native populations showed longer and slender caudal peduncles and more slender bodies in the same type of habitat. Our study demonstrates that contemporary patterns of morphological variation among native and non-native pumpkinseed populations can be explained by contemporary selection and/or a common plastic developmental response among water bodies, historical effects related to geographic origin and unique responses of populations to habitats within geographic origin, and that the effects of history and the interaction between history and contemporary habitat were larger than contemporary processes in explaining morphological variation at this large spatial scaleFunding was provided by a PhD Grant from the University of Girona to JN, and Scientific Research Grants (CGL2006-01755/BOS, CGL2010-15958/BOS) from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology to AVG, and by the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities in the form of an Ontario Graduate Scholarship to SY. Financial support was also provided by the Generalitat de Catalunya (ref. 2014 SGR 484

La percepción del colectivo médico sobre la gestión del proceso de desvinculación = The medical community’s perceptions of management of the layoff process = A percepção da comunidade médica sobre a gestão do processo de desvinculação

The definition and process of layoff are evolving rapidly. This study focuses on the perceptions of physicians in Catalonia, Spain, concerning layoff and the identification of strategies and proposals that allow more satisfactory adjustment to the process. A qualitative approach was used with 16 in-depth interviews with key persons in the healthcare setting (phase 1) and 6 focus groups with 72 persons, according to sampling criteria (phase 2). The analysis was interpretative, based on Grounded Theory. Comparison and triangulation of the results generated by the different techniques and researchers revealed the social representation of the current healthcare organization (immersed in a new public management model) on the medical community and the layoff process. In this sense, retirement is seen as a personal issue, separate from human resources policies, which are more interested in staff turnover at a lower “cost”. Given this situation, the article proposes alternatives that value physicians’ experience and expertise before they leave the healthcare organizationO conceito e processo de desvinculação estão evoluindo rapidamente. O objetivo do trabalho é conhecer as percepções de profissionais médicos na Catalunha (Espanha) sobre o processo de desvinculação e identificar estratégias e propostas de criação de um ajuste mais satisfatório. Através de uma abordagem qualitativa, houve 16 entrevistas em profundidade com pessoas-chave do contexto de saúde (fase 1) e 6 grupos focais com 72 pessoas, com base em critérios de amostragem (fase 2). A análise é interpretativa, seguindo os pressupostos da Grounded Theory. A comparação constante e triangulação dos resultados gerados por diferentes técnicas e pesquisadores mostram a representação social da atual organização da saúde, imersa no novo modelo de gestão, na comunidade médica e o processo de desvinculação. Nesse sentido, a aposentadoria é vista como uma questão pessoal, separada das políticas de recursos humanos, que estão mais interessadas em modelos de rejuvenescimento de pessoal com um “custo” menor. Diante desta situação, o artigo propõe alternativas que valorizam a experiência e os conhecimentos dos médicos antes da desvinculação à organização de saúdeEl concepto y el proceso de desvinculación están evolucionando rápidamente. El objetivo del artículo es conocer las percepciones de los profesionales de la medicina de Cataluña (España) sobre el proceso de desvinculación e identificar estrategias y configurar propuestas que permitan un ajuste más satisfactorio. Mediante una aproximación cualitativa, se han realizado 16 entrevistas en profundidad a personas clave del contexto sanitario (fase 1) y 6 grupos focales a 72 personas, atendiendo a criterios muestrales (fase 2). El análisis es interpretacional, siguiendo los supuestos de la Grounded Theory. La comparación y triangulación constante de los resultados generados por las diferentes técnicas e investigadores muestra la representación social que tiene la organización sanitaria actual, inmersa en el nuevo modelo de gestión pública, sobre el colectivo médico y su proceso de desvinculación. En este sentido, la jubilación es vista como un tema personal y ajeno a las políticas de recursos humanos, más interesadas en rejuvenecer plantillas con un “coste” menor. Ante esta situación se proponen alternativas que valoren la pericia y experiencia del médico antes de desvincularse de la organización sanitari