Importance of virtual resources in pandemic times. The Analytical Chemistry I course at UNNOBA as a case study

Las nuevas exigencias en la educación superior se centran en la mejora del proceso educativo. En tal sentido, la integración de las TIC facilita aspectos relacionados con la mejora del trabajo individual, la autonomía del alumnado, la facilidad para el desarrollo de trabajos en equipo y colaborativos, la posibilidad de modificar y adaptar los métodos de evaluación y la interacción entre el profesorado y el alumnado. El objetivo de este trabajo es relatar cómo ha sido atravesar un proceso acelerado desde lo presencial a lo virtual, y su impacto positivo no sólo en el cuerpo docente sino también en los alumnos. El trabajo será abordado desde tres ejes: la importancia de la plataforma digital, la metodología llevada a cabo en las clases virtuales y la forma de evaluar a los alumnos. Concluimos que la pandemia aceleró un proceso que inexorablemente debía ocurrir y que nos llevó a replantearnos la forma de enseñar, acompañada por el uso de los TIC. En esta nueva modalidad el alumno asume un rol protagónico en el proceso de aprendizaje y el docente necesita disponer de nuevas herramientas para adaptarse. En tal sentido, resulta fundamental el apoyo de las instituciones con herramientas y formación continua.The new demands in higher education focus on improving the educational process. In this sense, the integration of ICT facilitates aspects related to the improvement of individual work, the autonomy of students, the ease of developing team and collaborative work, the possibility of modifying and adapting evaluation methods and the interaction between teachers and students. The objective of this work is to relate what it has been like to go through an accelerated process from the face-to-face to the virtual, and its positive impact not only on the teaching but also on the students. This work will be approached from three axes: the importance of the digital platform, the methodology carried out in the virtual classes and the way to evaluate the students. We conclude that the pandemic accelerated a process that inexorably had to occur and that led us to rethink the way of teaching, accompanied by the use of ICT. In this new modality the student assumes a leading role in the learning process and the teacher needs to have new tools to adapt. In this sense, the support of institutions with tools and continuous training is essential.Facultad de Informátic

Importance of virtual resources in pandemic times: The Analytical Chemistry I course at UNNOBA as a case study

Las nuevas exigencias en la educación superior se centran en la mejora del proceso educativo. En tal sentido, la integración de las TIC facilita aspectos relacionados con la mejora del trabajo individual, la autonomía del alumnado, la facilidad para el desarrollo de trabajos en equipo y colaborativos, la posibilidad de modificar y adaptar los métodos de evaluación y la interacción entre el profesorado y el alumnado.El objetivo de este trabajo es relatar cómo ha sido atravesar un proceso acelerado desde lo presencial a lo virtual, y su impacto positivo no sólo en el cuerpo docentesino también en los alumnos. El trabajo será abordado desde tres ejes: la importancia de la plataforma digital, la metodología llevada a cabo en las clases virtuales y la forma de evaluar a los alumnos.Concluimos que la pandemia aceleró un proceso que inexorablemente debía ocurrir y que nos llevó a replantearnos la forma de enseñar, acompañada por el uso de los TIC. En esta nueva modalidad el alumno asume un rol protagónico en el proceso de aprendizaje y el docente necesita disponer de nuevas herramientaspara adaptarse. En tal sentido, resulta fundamental el apoyo de las instituciones con herramientas y formación continua.The new demands in higher education focus on improving the educational process. In this sense, the integration of ICT facilitates aspects related to the improvement of individual work, the autonomy of students, the ease of developing team and collaborative work, the possibility of modifying and adapting evaluation methods and the interaction between teachers and students. The objective of this work is to relate what it has been like to go through an accelerated process from the face-to-face to the virtual, and its positive impact not only on the teaching but also on the students. This work will be approached from three axes: the importance of the digital platform, the methodology carried out in the virtual classes and the way to evaluate the students. We conclude that the pandemic accelerated a process that inexorably had to occur and that led us to rethink the way of teaching, accompanied by the use of ICT. In this new modality the student assumes a leading role in the learning process and the teacher needs to have new tools to adapt. In this sense, the support of institutions with tools and continuous training is essential.Fil: Crosetti, Valentina. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Caggiano, Claudia Gabriela. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Casella, Mónica Laura. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; Argentin

Modifiable risk factors associated with bronchiolitis

Background: We sought to clarify possibly modifiable risk factors related to pollution responsible for acute bronchiolitis in hospitalized infants. Methods: For this observational study, we recruited 213 consecutive infants with bronchiolitis (cases: median age: 2 months; age range: 0.5-12 months; boys: 55.4%) and 213 children aged <3 years (controls: median age: 12 months; age range: 0.5-36 months; boys: 54.5%) with a negative medical history for lower respiratory tract diseases hospitalized at 'Sapienza' University Rome and IRCCS Bambino Gesù Hospital. Infants' parents completed a standardized 53-item questionnaire seeking information on social-demographic and clinical characteristics, indoor pollution, eating habits and outdoor air pollution. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were run to assess the independent effect of risk factors, accounting for confounders and effect modifiers. Results: In the 213 hospitalized infants the questionnaire identified the following risk factors for acute bronchiolitis: breastfeeding 3/43 months (OR: 2.1, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2-3.6), presence of older siblings (OR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.7-4.7), 3/44 cohabitants (OR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-2.1), and using seed oil for cooking (OR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.2-2.6). Having renovated their home in the past 12 months and concurrently being exposed daily to smoking, involving more than 11 cigarettes and two or more smoking cohabitants, were more frequent factors in cases than in controls (p = 0.021 and 0.05), whereas self-estimated proximity to road and traffic was similar in the two groups. Conclusions: We identified several risk factors for acute bronchiolitis related to indoor and outdoor pollution, including inhaling cooking oil fumes. Having this information would help public health authorities draw up effective preventive measures - for example, teach mothers to avoid handling their child when they have a cold and eliminate exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke

VEXAS syndrome: a new paradigm for adult-onset monogenic autoinflammatory diseases

VEXAS (Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, Autoinflammatory, Somatic) syndrome is a recently described pathological entity. It is an acquired monogenic autoinflammatory disease caused by somatic mutations of the UBA1 gene in blood cells precursors; the gene encodes one of the two E1 enzyme isoforms that initiates ubiquitylation in cell's cytoplasm. VEXAS syndrome leads to systemic inflammation, with all organs and tissues potentially involved. The clinical picture may be extremely heterogenous, mimicking different other systemic rheumatologic entities coexisting with haematological disorders, especially myelodysplastic syndrome. This new disease represents a very intriguing clinical condition in several respects: it accounts for the paradigm of adult-onset monogenic autoinflammatory diseases determined by a genetic mosaicism resulting in the development of a challenging multiorgan inflammatory condition. Moreover, VEXAS syndrome is perhaps not an exceptionally rare condition and represents an example of a systemic genetic autoinflammatory disease drawing its origin in bone marrow disorders. VEXAS syndrome should be strongly considered in each adult patient with an unexplained systemic inflammatory condition, especially when recurrent fevers, neutrophilic dermatosis, relapsing polychondritis, ocular inflammation and other systemic inflammatory symptoms accompanying myelodysplastic syndrome or other haematological disorders. The syndrome deserves a multidisciplinary approach to reach the diagnosis and ensure the best management of a potentially very challenging condition. To quickly describe the clinical course, long-term outcomes, and the optimal management of this new syndrome it is essential to join forces internationally. To this end, the international AutoInflammatory Disease Alliance (AIDA) registry dedicated to VEXAS syndrome has been developed and is already active. © 2023, The Author(s)

Oxidation of glycerol with H2O2 on Pb-promoted Pd/γ-Al2O3 catalysts

A series of bimetallic Pd-Pb catalysts with a constant Pd content of 1 wt% and Pb/Pd atomic ratio from 0 to 1.6 supported on γ-Al2O3 were prepared and used for glycerol oxidation with H2O2 as the oxidizing agent at atmospheric pressure, 45℃ and pH=11. The morphology and dispersion of the catalysts were characterized by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The presence of an alloy phase in the bimetallic catalyst was detected by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Glycerol conversion obtained with the monometallic Pd catalyst was 19%, which was increased to 100% with the addition of Pb. The four bimetallic PdPb catalysts were able to oxidize glycerol to dihydroxyacetone (DIHA) and the selectivity to DIHA reached 59%, 58%, 34% and 25% for PdPb0.25, PdPb0.50, PdPb1.00 and PdPb1.60 catalysts, respectively.Facultad de Ciencias ExactasCentro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias AplicadasFacultad de Ingenierí

Hidrogenación en fase acuosa de compuestos carbonílicos derivados de la biomasa utilizando catalizadores de Ru soportados

El objetivo de este trabajo es obtener catalizadores que puedan ser utilizados en la hidrogenación en fase acuosa (APH) de compuestos derivados de la biomasa como el furfural y el trans-2 pentenal. Para ello se han preparado y caracterizado sistemas base de Ru soportado sobre C, Al₂O₃, ZrO₂ (15%)/γ-Al₂O₃, y ZrO₂. Fue posible hidrogenar el furfural a alcohol furfurílico y el trans-2 pentenal a pentanal y pentanol en condiciones de presión y temperatura moderada. La actividad de los catalizadores de Ru ensayados aumentó en el orden ZrO₂ < ZrO₂(15%)/γ-Al₂O₃ < γ-Al₂O₃< C lo cual concuerda con el incremento del área superficial de los mismos. El catalizador Ru/C fue el que presentó mayor velocidad inicial y conversión, tanto para el trans-2-pentenal como para el furfural, aunque fue el menos selectivo de los cuatro sistemas estudiados.The aim of this work is to obtain solid catalysts that could be used in the aqueous phase hydrogenation (APH) of biomass-derived compounds such as furfural and trans-2-pentenal. For this purpose, there have been prepared and characterized Ru-based systems supported on C, Al₂O₃, ZrO₂ (15%)/γ-Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂. It was possible to hydrogenate furfural to furfuryl alcohol and trans-2-pentenal to pentanal and pentanol in moderate conditions of pressure and temperature. The activity of the tested Ru catalysts increased in the following order: ZrO₂ < ZrO₂(15%)/γ-Al₂O₃ <γ-Al₂O₃ <C, which is consistent with the increased surface area of the catalysts. With the Ru/C catalyst the highest initial rate and conversion for both the trans-2 pentenal and furfural was obtained, although it was the least selective of the four systems studied.Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicada

Influencia del soporte en la hidrogenación en fase acuosa de mono- y disacáridos con catalizadores a base de rutenio

Catalizadores heterogéneos con tolerancia al agua son necesarios para hidrogenar los mono- y disacáridos derivados de la biomasa con el fin de obtener productos de alto valor agregado. Se eligieron zirconia y zirconia fosfatada (tanto másicas como dispersadas en alúmina) para preparar catalizadores de rutenio soportados. Los cuatro soportes (Z, PZ, Z-A y PZ-A) se sintetizaron por un método sol-gel y se caracterizaron por análisis superficial, SEM, DRX y TGA. Se prepararon catalizadores soportados con rutenio (3% en peso de contenido de Ru) por impregnación y se evaluaron en la hidrogenación de glucosa a sorbitol y xilosa a xilitol en condiciones de fase acuosa ambientalmente amigables. El mejor rendimiento se obtuvo con los catalizadores Ru/PZ-A. En la hidrogenación de glucosa, se alcanzó una conversión del 88%, siendo sorbitol el único producto. La xilosa se convirtió completamente en xilitol con el mismo catalizador. Por otra parte, se evaluó también la hidrogenación de celobiosa a sorbitol. El soporte de PZ-A no resultó lo suficientemente ácido para romper el enlace glicosídico C-O-C.Heterogeneous catalysts with tolerance to water are needed to hydrogenate biomass-derived monoand disaccharides in order to obtain high value-added products. Zirconia and phosphated zirconia (both bulk and alumina-supported) were chosen for preparing supported ruthenium catalysts. The four supports (Z, PZ, Z-A and PZ-A) were synthesized via sol-gel method and characterized by surface analysis, SEM, XRD and TGA. Ruthenium supported catalysts (3 wt% Ru content) were prepared by impregnation and evaluated in the hydrogenation of glucose to sorbitol and xylose to xylitol under green aqueous phase conditions. The best performance was obtained with the Ru/PZ-A catalysts. In the hydrogenation of glucose, an 88% conversion was achieved, being sorbitol the only product. Xylose was completely converted to xylitol with the same catalyst. On the other hand, hydrogenation of cellobiose to sorbitol was also evaluated. The PZ-A support was not acid enough to cleave the glycosidic C-O-C bond.Trabajo publicado en Álvarez, María E., Sandra G. Casuscelli, Mónica E. Crivello y Griselda A. Eimer (eds.). Actas del XX Congreso Argentino de Catálisis. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, Facultad Regional Córdoba, Buenos Aires, 2017.Facultad de Ciencias Exacta

Influencia del soporte en la hidrogenación en fase acuosa de mono- y disacáridos con catalizadores a base de rutenio

Catalizadores heterogéneos con tolerancia al agua son necesarios para hidrogenar los mono- y disacáridos derivados de la biomasa con el fin de obtener productos de alto valor agregado. Se eligieron zirconia y zirconia fosfatada (tanto másicas como dispersadas en alúmina) para preparar catalizadores de rutenio soportados. Los cuatro soportes (Z, PZ, Z-A y PZ-A) se sintetizaron por un método sol-gel y se caracterizaron por análisis superficial, SEM, DRX y TGA. Se prepararon catalizadores soportados con rutenio (3% en peso de contenido de Ru) por impregnación y se evaluaron en la hidrogenación de glucosa a sorbitol y xilosa a xilitol en condiciones de fase acuosa ambientalmente amigables. El mejor rendimiento se obtuvo con los catalizadores Ru/PZ-A. En la hidrogenación de glucosa, se alcanzó una conversión del 88%, siendo sorbitol el único producto. La xilosa se convirtió completamente en xilitol con el mismo catalizador. Por otra parte, se evaluó también la hidrogenación de celobiosa a sorbitol. El soporte de PZ-A no resultó lo suficientemente ácido para romper el enlace glicosídico C-O-C.Heterogeneous catalysts with tolerance to water are needed to hydrogenate biomass-derived monoand disaccharides in order to obtain high value-added products. Zirconia and phosphated zirconia (both bulk and alumina-supported) were chosen for preparing supported ruthenium catalysts. The four supports (Z, PZ, Z-A and PZ-A) were synthesized via sol-gel method and characterized by surface analysis, SEM, XRD and TGA. Ruthenium supported catalysts (3 wt% Ru content) were prepared by impregnation and evaluated in the hydrogenation of glucose to sorbitol and xylose to xylitol under green aqueous phase conditions. The best performance was obtained with the Ru/PZ-A catalysts. In the hydrogenation of glucose, an 88% conversion was achieved, being sorbitol the only product. Xylose was completely converted to xylitol with the same catalyst. On the other hand, hydrogenation of cellobiose to sorbitol was also evaluated. The PZ-A support was not acid enough to cleave the glycosidic C-O-C bond.Trabajo publicado en Álvarez, María E., Sandra G. Casuscelli, Mónica E. Crivello y Griselda A. Eimer (eds.). Actas del XX Congreso Argentino de Catálisis. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, Facultad Regional Córdoba, Buenos Aires, 2017.Facultad de Ciencias Exacta

Oxidation of glycerol with H2O2 on Pb-promoted Pd/γ-Al2O3 catalysts

A series of bimetallic Pd-Pb catalysts with a constant Pd content of 1 wt% and Pb/Pd atomic ratio from 0 to 1.6 supported on γ-Al2O3 were prepared and used for glycerol oxidation with H2O2 as the oxidizing agent at atmospheric pressure, 45℃ and pH=11. The morphology and dispersion of the catalysts were characterized by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The presence of an alloy phase in the bimetallic catalyst was detected by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Glycerol conversion obtained with the monometallic Pd catalyst was 19%, which was increased to 100% with the addition of Pb. The four bimetallic PdPb catalysts were able to oxidize glycerol to dihydroxyacetone (DIHA) and the selectivity to DIHA reached 59%, 58%, 34% and 25% for PdPb0.25, PdPb0.50, PdPb1.00 and PdPb1.60 catalysts, respectively.Facultad de Ciencias ExactasCentro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias AplicadasFacultad de Ingenierí

Development and Implementation of the AIDA International Registry for Patients with Non-Infectious Uveitis

Introduction: The aim of this paper is to point out the design, development and deployment of the AutoInflammatory Disease Alliance (AIDA) International Registry for paediatric and adult patients with non-infectious uveitis (NIU). Methods: This is a physician-driven, population- and electronic-based registry implemented for both retrospective and prospective collection of real-world demographics, clinical, laboratory, instrumental and socioeconomic data of patients with uveitis and other non-infectious inflammatory ocular diseases recruited through the AIDA Network. Data recruitment, based on the Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) tool, is thought to collect standardised information for real-life research and has been developed to change over time according to future scientific acquisitions and potentially communicate with other similar instruments. Security, data quality and data governance are cornerstones of this platform. Results: Ninety-five centres have been involved from 19 countries and four continents from 24&nbsp;March to 16&nbsp;November 2021. Forty-eight out of 95 have already obtained the approval from their local ethics committees. At present, the platform counts 259 users (95 principal investigators, 160 site investigators, 2 lead investigators, and 2 data managers). The AIDA Registry collects baseline and follow-up data using 3943 fields organised into 13 instruments, including patient's demographics, history, symptoms, trigger/risk factors, therapies and healthcare utilization for patients with NIU. Conclusions: The development of the AIDA Registry for patients with NIU will facilitate the collection of standardised data leading to real-world evidence and enabling international multicentre collaborative research through inclusion of patients and their families worldwide