Tools and strategies for engaging the supervisor in technology-supported work-based learning : evaluation research

This study reports the results of the formative evaluations of two computer-supported tools and the associated strategies for their use. Tools and strategies embedded in web-based courses can increase a supervisor’s involvement in helping employees transfer learning onto the workplace. Issues relating to characteristics of the tools and strategies as well as factors influencing their likelihood of use are identified via summaries of the two evaluation studies

Evaluation of immune responses induced by a novel candidate vaccine against whooping cough in a human pre-clinical model

New vaccines against pertussis are needed to evoke full protection and long-lasting immunological memory starting from the first administration in neonates—the major target of the life-threatening pertussis infection. A novel live attenuated Bordetella pertussis vaccine strain, BPZE1, has been developed by eliminating or detoxifying three important B. pertussis virulence factors: pertussis toxin, dermonecrotic toxin, and tracheal cytotoxin. We used a human preclinical ex vivo model based on monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs) to evaluate BPZE1 immunogenicity. We studied the effects of BPZE1 on MDDC functions, focusing on the impact of Bordetella-primed dendritic cells in the regulation of Th and suppressor T cells (Ts). BPZE1 is able to activate human MDDCs and to promote the production of a broad spectrum of proinflammatory and regulatory cytokines. Moreover, conversely to its parental wild-type counterpart BPSM, BPZE1-primed MDDCs very efficiently migrate in vitro in response to the lymphatic chemokine CCL21, due to the inactivation of pertussis toxin enzymatic activity. BPZE1-primed MDDCs drove a mixed Th1/Th17 polarization and also induced functional Ts. Experiments performed in a Transwell system showed that cell contact rather than the production of soluble factors was required for suppression activity. Overall, our findings support the potential of BPZE1 as a novel live attenuated pertussis vaccine, as BPZE1-challenged dendritic cells might migrate from the site of infection to the lymph nodes, prime Th cells, mount an adaptive immune response, and orchestrate Th1/Th17 and Ts responses

An uncommon case of inferior vena cava injury during atrial fibrillation ablation

A 64-year-old man underwent catheter ablation (CA) of atrial fibrillation with intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) assistance. As the probe was advanced toward the right atrium, sudden abdominal pain was felt by the patient with hypotension and tachycardia requiring fluids and vasopressors for hemodynamic stabilization. The inferior vena cava (IVC) was injured by the passing probe and open repair was then performed. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of symptomatic IVC laceration by the probe used for ICE during CA

“Modulation of 5-fluorouracil as adjuvant systemic chemotherapy in colorectal cancer:the IGCS-COL multicentre, randomised, phase III study”

The aims of this multicentre, randomised phase III trial were to evaluate: (1) the role of levamisol (LEV); and (2) the role of folinic acid (FA), added to 5-fluorouracil (5FU) in the adjuvant treatment of colorectal cancer. Patients with histologically proven, radically resected stage II or III colon or rectal cancer were eligible. The study had a 2x2 factorial design with four treatment arms: (a) 5FU alone, (b) 5FU+LEV, (c) 5FU+FA, (d) 5FU+LEV+FA, and two planned comparisons, testing the role of LEV and of FA, respectively. From March 1991, to September 1998, 1327 patients were randomised. None of the two comparisons resulted in a significant disease-free (DFS) or overall (OAS) survival advantage. The hazard ratio (HR) of relapse was 0.89 (95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.73-1.09) for patients receiving FA and 0.99 (95% CI 0.80-1.21) for those receiving LEV; corresponding HRs of death were 1.02 (95% CI: 0.80-1.30) and 0.94 (95% CI 0.73-1.20). Nonhaematological toxicity (all grade vomiting, diarrhoea, mucositis, congiuntivitis, skin, fever and fatigue) was significantly worse with FA, while all other toxicities were similar. In the present trial, there was no evidence that the addition of FA or LEV significantly prolongs DFS and OAS of radically resected colorectal cancer patients

Low sensitivity of a heavily-calcified coccolithophore under increasing CO2 : the case study of Helicosphaera carteri

Unidad de excelencia María de Maeztu CEX2019-000940-MStudies on CO2 effects on coccolithophores, unicellular calcifying phytoplankton, show species-specific responses, although only less than 5 % of the ~280 living species have been tested so far. Helicosphaera carteri significantly contributes to carbon fluxes and CaCO3 storage due to its size and high calcite production. Despite its importance, few studies have examined H. carteri under experimental conditions, and only one has addressed the effects of rising CO2/decreasing pH. Being H. carteri a large-sized, obligated calcifier species, an important aspect to understand is how changes in seawater carbonate chemistry may affect its morphology. It has already been suggested for other coccolithophores species, that the presence of malformed coccoliths may represent a disadvantage for these organisms. Moreover, an alteration in coccolith morphology may affect their contribution to CaCO3 sedimentation and ballasting. As for H. carteri, it has also been suggested that due to its high PIC:POC ratio, the species could show a high-sensitivity to CO2 rise. In this study, we investigate for the first time whether high pCO2/low pH does affect the morphology of H. carteri coccoliths, by culturing this species under pre-industrial CO2 levels (~295 µatm) and ~600 µatm, i.e., the SSP 2-4.5 scenario for 2100 (IPCC, 2021). We also analyzed cellular PIC and POC quotas using morphometric data, roundness, and protoplast and coccosphere size to observe the pCO2 influence on the calcification and photosynthesis ratio. Our results indicate that H. carteri morphology is only slightly affected by increasing CO2, in contrast to other heavily calcified species. Helicosphaera carteri protoplast and coccosphere shapes did not vary with changes in CO2, indicating unaltered general health. The low PIC:POC ratio found in this work for H. carteri compared to ratios previously measured in the same strain under different experimental conditions, and compared to other highly-calcified species, could explain the observed low sensitivity of H. carteri to CO2. Moreover, the observation of a stable ratio between calcification and photosynthesis in H. carteri under increasing CO2 might suggest a constant contribution to the rain ratio under climate change. However, further studies comparing experimental and field data from past ocean acidification events will be required to confirm the conclusions drawn here

Environmental concerns of borehole heat exchangers (BHE): the role of heat-carrier fluid and grouting

Green renewable technology,  chemical riskiness, propylene glycol,  Po Plai

Estado del arte de la educación jurídica: a diez años del Congreso Nacional de Sociología Jurídica

Revisamos 148 ponencias de 260 autores de la comisión de Enseñanza del Derecho, presentadas en once Congresos Nacionales de Sociología Jurídica. Indagamos: 1. Los elementos que contribuyen a la conformación de un campo, tomando como indicadores quiénes son los productores de las ponencias, qué papel han tenido los equipos de investigación de las universidades y cuáles trabajos son interdisciplinarios. 2. Nos preguntamos sobre los temas y problemas de los cuales partieron los autores, qué objetivos explicitaron y qué opciones metodológicas tomaron. Esperamos contribuir a mostrar el trabajo de la comisión sobre el conocimiento acumulado y realizar una metalectura sobre las preocupaciones de los participantes.A collection of one hundred and forty eight (148) papers presented by two hundred and sixty (260) authors, members of the Teaching of Law Groups, at eleven National Legal Sociology Congresses were analyzed. The following questions were made: 1. Which are the elements which contribute to define the field? The writers themselves, their performance at the University Research Groups and the appraisal of their interdisciplinary work. 2. Which has been the authors’ starting point? Their themes, problems, declared aims, assumptions and methodological choices. Summing up, the goal is showing an updated picture of available knowledge in the field and throwing a new light into the participant’s concerns.Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y SocialesFacultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació