Detección de pseudomona aeruginosa y bacterias heterótrofas de aguas envasadas en botellas y bolsas destinadas al consumo humano, comercializadas en la ciudad de Managua en el período Diciembre 2014 a Enero 2015

El consumo del agua envasada ha aumentado durante la última década, no obstante, se desconoce la calidad que pueda ofrecer al consumidor. El objetivo del presente estudio, fue evaluar la calidad microbiológica del agua envasada en botellas y bolsas que se venden en la ciudad de Managua, con el fin de conocer la población bacteriana de las aguas envasadas. Se seleccionaron 10 marcas comerciales de agua envasada, obtenidas en distintos puntos de venta de la ciudad. El análisis microbiológico de NMP para pseudomona aeruginosa se realizó de acuerdo al Estándar método para análisis de aguas y aguas tratadas, 21th edición, la evaluación de aerobios heterótrofos se realizó según las normas COVENIN. El comportamiento del índice de NMP para Pseudomona aeruginosa fue de un 8% de las muestras arriba de lo establecido (1,2 NMP/100ml), cabe mencionar que esta incidencia fue de la misma empresa denominada como G, lo cual significa que dos botellas con “agua purificada” contenían dicha bacteria a evaluar. Los resultados obtenidos con respecto a las bacterias heterótrofas fueron alarmantes, ya que el 24% de las muestras sobrepasaron el rango de referencia según la COVENIN (100 UFC/100ml), que corresponden a 1 muestra de las marcas A y J, y las 5 muestras de las marcas F y G, las marcas no mencionadas no se contaron colonias de heterótrofos lo cual garantiza un buen proceso de purificació

Els Sismògrafs de l'Observatoria de Cartuja (Granada) : recuperació del «Macrosismògraf Cartuja»

The Cartuja observatory, in Granada, was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1902. Soon it was widespread known for its research in seismology. Special attention should be drawn to the different seismographs designed and built at the centre. This task spread for forty years and more than twenty different models arose from its workshop. They covered all faces of seismic recording: from big earthquakes to ambient noise and industrial vibrations and even pedagogical instruments. Cartuja observatory was the most important institute in Spain dealing with seismograph design and one of the leading centres in Europe. Its designs spread to different seismic observatories in Central and South America and to Italy. Almost all the instruments designed and built at the centre have been lost. But, recently, what is remaining of the last built seismograph in year 1949, the «Cartuja macroseismograph», was found. This instrument has been restored at the restoration workshop of the Tortosa School of Art and Design. Priority in the restoration has been given to didactical insight and some parts of the instrument have been built a new to allow a good understanding of how it was operated. Present work analyzes the importance of the seismographs built at the Cartuja Observatory, its influence in the development of the instrumental seismology and shows the results of the restoration of the «Cartuja macroseimograph»

Exemplo de vigilância entomológica contínua. Distribuição e monitorização das populações de mosquito tigre nos municípios de Cartagena e La Union em 2014

The entomological surveillance of tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), vector of diseases, was conducted in the municipalities of Cartagena and La Union for a full year using ovitraps. Vector distribution maps are provided for these municipalities; the mosquito’s expansion compared to 2013 is shown; areas of interest for its persistence over time are identified; the temporal variation of the populations is shown. As conclusion, a series of actions to control this invasive insect are proposed.Por medio de trampas de ovoposición (ovitraps) se realizó la vigilancia entomológica del mosquito tigre (Aedes albopictus), vector de enfermedades, en los términos municipales de Cartagena y La Unión durante un año completo. Se aportan mapas de distribución del vector en estos municipios; se muestra la expansión respecto a 2013; se identifican las zonas de mayor interés por su persistencia en el tiempo; se muestra la variación temporal de las poblaciones. Como conclusión, se proponen una serie de actuaciones para el control de este insecto invasor.Foi realizada uma vigilância entomológica do mosquito tigre (Aedes albopictus), vetor de doenças, através da utilização de armadinhas de ovos (ovitraps), nos municípios de Cartagena e La Union, durante todo um ano. São disponibilizados mapas de distribuição do vetor neste munícios; é observada a expansão em comparação a 2013; são identificadas áreas de interesse para a sua persistência ao longo do tempo; é mostrada a variação temporal das populações. Em conclusão, são propostas uma série de ações para o controle deste inseto invasivo

Development of a metric of aquatic invertebrates for volunteers (MAIV): a simple and friendly biotic metric to assess ecological quality of streams

Citizen science activities, involving local people in volunteer-supported and sustainable monitoring programs, are common. In this context, the objective of the present work was to develop a simple Metric of Aquatic Invertebrates for Volunteers (MAIV), including a user-friendly tool that can be easily accessed by volunteers, and to evaluate the e ciency of a volunteer monitoring program following an audit procedure. To obtain MAIV values, macroinvertebrate communities were reduced to 18 surrogate taxa, which represented an acceptable compromise between simplicity, e ciency, and reproducibility of the data, compared to the regular Water Framework Directive monitoring. When compared to results obtained with the National Classification System of Portugal, MAIV accurately detected moderate, poor, and bad ecological status. Thus, MAIV can be used by volunteers as a complement to the o cial monitoring program, as well as a prospective early warning tool for local problems related to ecological quality. Volunteers were students supervised by their teachers. Results obtained by volunteers were compared to results obtained by experts on macroinvertebrate identification to measure the e ciency of the procedure, by counting gains and losses on sorting, and identification. Characteristics of groups of volunteers (age and school level) did not influence significantly the e ciency of the procedure, and generally results of volunteers and experts matched.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

An Old Technique with A Promising Future: Recent Advances in the Use of Electrodeposition for Metal Recovery

Although the first published works on electrodeposition dates from more than one century ago (1905), the uses of this technique in the recovery of metals are attracting an increasing interest from the scientific community in the recent years. Moreover, the intense use of metals in electronics and the necessity to assure a second life of these devices in a context of circular economy, have increased the interest of the scientific community on electrodeposition, with almost 3000 works published per year nowadays. In this review, we aim to revise the most relevant and recent publications in the application of electrodeposition for metal recovery. These contributions have been classified into four main groups of approaches: (1) treatment and reuse of wastewater; (2) use of ionic liquids; (3) use of bio-electrochemical processes (microbial fuel cells and microbial electrolysis cells) and (4) integration of electrodeposition with other processes (bioleaching, adsorption, membrane processes, etc.). This would increase the awareness about the importance of the technology and would serve as a starting point for anyone that aims to start working in the field

Coupling of electrodialysis and bio-electrochemical systems for metal and energy recovery from acid mine drainage

BACKGROUND This work studied the treatment of a synthetic sphalerite acid mine drainage (AMD). The treatment was carried out by means of a previous concentration stage using electrodialysis, followed by electrodeposition using a bioelectrochemical system (BES). RESULTS The best concentration results were obtained when operating the electrodialysis at 8 V and at a diluate/concentrate volume ratio of 3. This treatment yielded a concentrate fraction of about 25% of the volume and a clear fraction of about 75% of the volume. The concentrated fraction was treated in a BES for the electrodeposition of the metal contained. By operating a microbial fuel cell (MFC), the spontaneous reactions took place and, in 2 days, all the Fe3+ was reduced to Fe2+; then, all the Cu2+ was electrodeposited as pure Cu0 in about 8 days. The maximum current density attained in this stage was 0.1 mA cm−2 and the maximum power was 0.05 W cm−2. Then, a subsequent operation of a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) allowed for the simultaneous recovery of the Fe2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, and Cd2+ as a mixed metal mass. CONCLUSION The electrodialysis yielded a clear effluent representing 75% of the total volume and a concentrated effluent accounting for 25%. It was possible to treat the concentrated effluent in an MFC, recovering pure Cu0 with a net electricity generation. The non-spontaneous metal reductions were subsequently accomplished by means of MEC, the electricity requirements being lower than those in the case of the raw AMD due to the higher mass transfer rate and the reduction of the Ohmic loses. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).ANTECEDENTES En este trabajo se estudió el tratamiento de un drenaje ácido de mina (DAM) sintético de esfalerita. El tratamiento se realizó mediante una etapa previa de concentración mediante electrodiálisis, seguida de electrodeposición mediante un sistema bioelectroquímico (BES). RESULTADOS Los mejores resultados de concentración se obtuvieron al operar la electrodiálisis a 8 V y a una relación de volumen diluido/concentrado de 3. Este tratamiento produjo una fracción concentrada de aproximadamente el 25% del volumen y una fracción clara de aproximadamente el 75% del volumen. La fracción concentrada se trató en una BES para la electrodeposición del metal contenido. Mediante el funcionamiento de una pila de combustible microbiana (MFC), se produjeron las reacciones espontáneas y, en 2 días, todo el Fe3+ se redujo a Fe2+; a continuación, todo el Cu2+ se electrodepositó como Cu0 puro en unos 8 días. La densidad de corriente máxima alcanzada en esta etapa fue de 0,1 mA cm-2 y la potencia máxima de 0,05 W cm-2. A continuación, una operación posterior de una célula de electrólisis microbiana (MEC) permitió la recuperación simultánea del Fe2+, Ni2+, Zn2+ y Cd2+ como masa metálica mixta. CONCLUSIÓN La electrodiálisis produjo un efluente claro que representaba el 75% del volumen total y un efluente concentrado que representaba el 25%. Fue posible tratar el efluente concentrado en una MFC, recuperando Cu0 puro con una generación neta de electricidad. Las reducciones no espontáneas de metales se realizaron posteriormente mediante MEC, siendo los requerimientos de electricidad menores que en el caso del AMD crudo debido a la mayor tasa de transferencia de masa y a la reducción de las pérdidas óhmicas. 2023 Sociedad de la Industria Química (SCI)

Matutinidad-vespertinidad y hábitos de sueño en adolescentes: diferencias de edad y sexo

Previous research has indicated the need to use large samples in different cultural contexts in order to clarify age and gender differences on morningness-eveningness and sleep habits. The goal of our research was to study the relationship between morningness-eveningness and sleep habits in a large sample of 2,649 adolescents between 12 and 16 years. The Morningness- Eveningness Scale for Children and an adaptation of the School Sleep Habits Survey measures were used. Results indicated a greater tendency toward eveningness with age and higher eveningness in 13- and 14-year-old girls. Older adolescents claimed later rising time on weekends, later bedtime and shorter sleep length, and greater social jetlag, weekend rise time delay, and weekend bedtime delay. Girls reported earlier rising time on weekdays, later rising time on weekends, longer sleep length on weekends, and greater social jetlag and weekend rising time delay. Lastly, evening oriented adolescents claimed later rising time and bedtime, shorter sleep length on weekdays but longer sleep duration on weekends, and greater social jetlag, weekend rising time delay, and weekend bedtime delay.Matutinidad-vespertinidad y hábitos de sueño en adolescentes: diferencias de edad y sexo. La investigación previa ha indicado la necesidad de usar muestras amplias en distintos contextos culturales para clarifi car las diferencias de edad y sexo en matutinidad-vespertinidad y hábitos de sueño. El objetivo de la investigación fue estudiar la relación entre la matutinidad-vespertinidad y los hábitos de sueño en una muestra amplia de 2.649 adolescentes entre 12 y 16 años. Se utilizó la escala Morningness-Eveningness Scale for Children y una adaptación del School Sleep Habits Survey. Los resultados indicaron una mayor tendencia hacia la vespertinidad con la edad y en las chicas de 13 y 14 años. Los adolescentes mayores tendían a levantarse más tarde el fi n de semana, acostarse más tarde y dormir menos, así como a un mayor jetlag social y retraso en la hora de levantarse y de acostarse. Las chicas tendían a levantarse antes entre semana y después el fi n de semana, dormían más el fin de semana y tenían un mayor jetlag social y retraso en la hora de levantarse. Finalmente, los vespertinos tendían a acostarse y levantarse más tarde, dormir menos entre semana y más el fi n de semana, así como a un mayor jetlag social y retraso en la hora de levantarse y de acostarse.Depto. de Psicología Social, del Trabajo y DiferencialFac. de PsicologíaTRUEMinisterio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN)Universidad Complutense de Madridpu

Effective integration of computational tools into Chemical Engineering studies at an international level

Current Higher Education students have grown up in a society characterized by the massive use of information technologies, which affects the way they expect to acquire new knowledge. In Chemical Engineering studies, in particular, traditional problem solving methods tend to bore students and, as a result, do not yield efficient learning. Fortunately, there exists a large list of software packages with specific Engineering application which, if properly used, may help create a better learning environment. Under the above premise, a project is being conducted, between 4 Higher Education institutions from 3 different countries (Spain, Portugal and Romania), on the effect that the integration of computational tools may exert on the students’ knowledge acquisition and predisposition to learn. We also aim to establish a comparative evaluation of the advantages and drawbacks of different computer software when facing typical Chemical Engineering problems. From our survey results and students’ comments we conclude that, in general, the new methodological approach engaged their interest more than the traditional one, and helped them gain knowledge on the working principles of simulations. Moreover, the use of computer software in the classroom is acknowledged by the great majority of the students as a key skill which may improve their employability prospects. M. García-Morales, coordinator of the project “La enseñanza de la Ingeniería Química en el Tercer Milenio: integración efectiva de herramientas computacionales” belonging to XXI Convocatoria de Proyectos de Innovación Docente, acknowledges Vicerrectorado de Innovación y Empleabilidad de la Universidad de Huelva for its financial support.Roman, C.; Delgado, MA.; Lemos, F.; Lemos, MA.; Ramirez, J.; Danila, A.; Garcia-Morales, M. (2020). Effective integration of computational tools into Chemical Engineering studies at an international level. En 6th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd'20). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. (30-05-2020):265-273. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAd20.2020.11031OCS26527330-05-202

Composición en ácidos grasos y contenidos de vitaminas A y E de la leche de cabra de la raza Payoya en sistemas de pastoreo arbustivo-mediterráneo

Apenas hay trabajos sobre el consumo de pastos arbustivo-mediterráneos y su relación con la calidad de los productos caprinos. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue estudiar el efecto del nivel de pastoreo sobre la calidad de la leche de cabras de raza Payoya. Se seleccionaron 16 explotaciones situadas en la Sierra de Cádiz. De enero a mayo se realizó una monitorización para caracterizar el manejo alimenticio. Según el porcentaje de necesidades energéticas cubiertas por el pastoreo (NEP), las explotaciones se clasificaron en tres grupos: alto, medio y bajo pastoreo. Mensualmente se recogieron muestras de leche de tanque y fueron analizados la composición de ácidos grasos (AG) y los contenidos en vitaminas A (retinol) y E (α- y β+γ-tocoferol). Los porcentajes de AG deseables nutricionalmente (α-linolénico, total n-3 PUFA) fueron significativamente mayores, mientras que el índice n-6/n-3 fue menor en el grupo de pastoreo alto en comparación con el grupo de pastoreo bajo. Para el grupo de pastoreo medio estos valores fueron intermedios. Además, se obtuvo una correlación positiva entre el NEP y los contenidos de varios AG n-3 y el total de n-3 (r=0,33), mientras que se obtuvo una correlación negativa con el índice n-6/n-3 (r=-0,45). Los contenidos en los isó- meros CLA estudiados no se vieron afectados por el nivel de pastoreo. No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre grupos para la suma de las formas β- y γ-tocoferol, ni para el retinol. En cambio, sí ha habido diferencias significativas para el contenido de α-tocoferol (177 μg/100 g - alto pastoreo; 132 μg/100 g - medio; 93 μg/100 g - bajo). Además, existió una correlación positiva entre el NEP y el contenido de α-tocoferol (r=0.42). En conclusión, el mayor nivel de pastoreo ha tenido un efecto positivo sobre la calidad de la leche, con mayores contenidos en algunos componentes funcionales (α-tocoferol; AG n-3)Information about consumption of Mediterranean bush pastures and its relationship to the quality of goat products in Andalusia (southern Spain) is scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of grazing level on fatty acid composition and vitamins A and E contents in milk of Payoya goats. 16 farms in the Sierra de Cádiz were selected and surveyed to characterize feeding systems from January to May. According to the percentage of energy needs covered by grazing (NEP), farms were classified into three groups: high, medium and low grazing. In this period, milk samples were monthly collected from the bulk tank and analyzed for fatty acids (FA) composition and vitamin A (retinol) and E (α- and β+γ-tocopherol) contents. Contents of the nutritionally desirable FA (α-linolenic, total n-3 PUFA) were significantly higher, while the n-6:n-3 ratio was lower in the high compared with the low grazing group, and with intermediate values in the medium group. In addition, a positive correlation was found between NEP and the contents of several n-3 FA and total n-3 (r=0.33), while a negative correlation was obtained with the n-6:n-3 ratio (r=-0.45). CLA isomers contents were not affected by the grazing level. Retinol and β+γ-tocopherol contents were not affected by the grazing level, whereas α-tocopherol content was higher in the high grazing group (177 μg/100 g for high grazing; 132 for medium; 93 for low). In addition, the NEP was positively correlated with the contents of α-tocopherol (r=0.42). In conclusion, the highest level of grazing had a positive effect on the quality of milk from Payoya breed, with higher amounts of some functional components (α-tocopherol; n-3 FA)

(S)TEM structural and compositional nanoanalyses of chemically synthesized glutathione-shelled nanoparticles

This work is focused on the characterization by transmission and scanning–transmission electron microscopy-related techniques of core–shell nanoparticles synthesized via chemical methods. Diferent semiconducting, pure metallic or oxide materials have been utilized as the core (cadmium telluride, gold, magnetite, or magnetite covered with gold) of the nanoparticle, while they have been, in all cases, functionalized by a thin amorphous glutathione layer, with the goal of using the nanoparticles in biomedical applications such as biomarkers, and computerized tomography and image magnetic resonance contrast agents. The results show that it is possible to visualize the glutathione layer using spectroscopic and imaging techniques, associated with electron microscopy (such as energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images), that this layer is present at the surfaces of all observed nanoparticles, and that it is no thicker than a few nanometers. Electron microscopy also revealed that the nanoparticles core is crystalline and, in average, around 5-nm size.Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness MAT2015-67354-R (Program “Plan I+D+i”, subprogram “Retos”)Spanish Ministry of Education and Culture Grants ICARO-173873Spanish Ministry of Education and Culture Grants FPU16-0438