Estudios Preliminares para la Remoción de Arsénico en Aguas Subterráneas Utilizando Métodos de Adsorción

La calidad del agua subterránea en estado natural está relacionada con las propiedades del suelo a través del cual fluye. El arsénico (As) es un elemento que resulta nocivo para la salud, tanto en concentraciones altas como en ingesta crónica en bajas concentra ciones. En esta investigación se estudiaron muestras de aguas subterráneas de la ciudad de Rafaela y Sunchales, las que poseen valores de arsénico superiores al límite establecido por el Código Alimentario Argentino (CAA). En la adsorción se utiliza un sólido para eliminar sustancias disueltas del agua. Con el fin de remover el As, se estudiaron diferentes adsorbentes tales como zeolita, bentonita, arcilla de La Rioja, suelo arcillo limoso de Santa Fe y arcilla de Misiones. Por su efectividad, se seleccionó la arcilla de Misiones y se trabajó con una columna compuesta por ésta y por arenas de filtración, obteniéndose una remoción de As aproximadamente de un 80 %

Políticas Culturales para una democracia participativa

Latinoamérica y nuestro país transitan un cambio de paradigma político, económico y social, que ubica al Estado no sólo al frente de las decisiones trascendentales de la sociedad sino que también lo implica en el modo de generar nuevas políticas públicas, entre ellas las culturales. Es en este contexto que la Educación Pública vuelve al centro de la escena y con esto una nueva posibilidad de repensar la Universidad como actor político-social trascendental. En este marco nace en el año 2008 el Ciclo Derecho a la Cultura de la UNC, que en el 2010 se constituirá como Programa. Este cristaliza una nueva forma de construir políticas culturales extensionistas desde la Universidad Pública. A decir: 1) Recupera iniciativas como el Programas Puntos de Cultura diseñado por el ministro de cultura brasileño Gilberto Gil, que luego fueron reconocidas por el parlamento del MERCOSUR y hoy se inician en países como Argentina, Peru y Uruguay. En este sentido, estas acciones no crean cultura, sino que fortalecen los procesos culturales existentes en diferentes comunidades; 2) Amplia la democratización del conocimiento y que reconoce la diversidad cultural, asumiendo un dialogo permanente con la sociedad; 3) Posiciona a la cultura como un derecho que se pone en juego en el espacio público del cual las políticas públicas deben promover y favorecer su pleno ejercicio de manera equitativa; 4) Considera a la universidad como un actor clave en la posibilidad de acceso y ejercicio de los derechos culturales; 5) Desarrolla acciones que articulan las diferentes dimensiones del Estado, instituciones y organizaciones de la sociedad civil; y, 6) Asume la transversalidad de la cultura en relación a otras cuestiones sociales, así como también la importancia de la participación y producción cultural en diferentes espacios, reconociendo trabajando con los procesos existentes. Como por ejemplo hospital infantil. Es así que entendemos la extensión como un todo integrado, asociado a una visión integral de los objetos de conocimiento. Estos últimos se construyen a partir del dialogo de saberes con los diferentes espacios territoriales con los que se articulan

ATRIBUTOS DE CALIDAD DEL GRANO Y LA SÉMOLA DE TRIGO CANDEAL CULTIVADO EN EL DEPARTAMENTO CAPITAL DE LA PROVINCIA DE LA PAMPA

Winter cereals are important in the agricultural production of the semi-arid central Pampas region and among them the most widespread is bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In this area, durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf) is not yet cultivated, although it is a crop with good performance for semi-arid zones. Grain and semolina industrial quality of four genotypes of wheat durum cultivated in the Capital department in the province of La Pampa, Argentina, under different nitrogen availability were analyzed. Field work was carried out with four genotypes: Bonaerense INTA Cariló, Ciccio, Buck Cristal and Concadoro and two levels of nitrogen availability in tillering and flowering. There were significant differences among cultivars in all studied characteristics. Nitrogen fertilization increased in some genotypes grain protein concentration and vitreousness. The percent of vitreousness and the yellow pigment content were low, and in the semolina dough there was a high loss of pigment due to the processing associated with the lipoxigenasa activity. Semolina had a high glutenin/gliadin ratio indicating that it would be strong gluten. These results showed that grain and semolina quality attributes were satisfactory although it is necessary to continue generating industrial quality information, evaluating the response of others cultivars particularly, chosen genotypes that allow the optimization of nitrogen fertilization in La Pampa province.Los cereales de invierno son importantes en la producción agropecuaria de la región semiárida pampeana central y dentro de ellos el más difundido es el trigo pan (Triticum aestivum L.). En esta zona no se cultiva aún el trigo candeal (Triticum durum Desf), aunque es un cultivo con buena performance para zonas semiáridas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la calidad industrial del grano y la sémola de cuatro genotipos de trigo candeal cultivados en el departamento Capital de la provincia de La Pampa, Argentina, bajo diferente disponibilidad de nitrógeno. Se trabajó a campo con cuatro genotipos: Bonaerense INTA Cariló, Ciccio, Buck Cristal y Concadoro y dos niveles de disponibilidad de nitrógeno en macollaje y floración. Se observó diferencias entre los genotipos en todas las variables estudiadas. La fertilización nitrogenada aumentó en algunos genotipos la concentración de proteína en grano y la vitreosidad. El porcentaje de vitreosidad y el contenido de pigmento amarillo fueron bajos y en la masa de sémola hubo una alta pérdida de pigmento por el procesamiento asociado a la actividad de la lipoxigenasa. La sémola tuvo una alta relación gluteninas/gliadinas, indicando que se trataría de un gluten fuerte. Estos resultados pusieron en evidencia que los atributos de calidad del grano y la sémola fueron satisfactorios, aunque es necesario continuar generando información de la calidad industrial, evaluando la respuesta de otros cultivares, particularmente eligiendo genotipos que permitan la optimización de la fertilización nitrogenada en la provincia de La Pampa

Atypical pathogens in hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia: A worldwide perspective

Background: Empirical antibiotic coverage for atypical pathogens in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) has long been debated, mainly because of a lack of epidemiological data. We aimed to assess both testing for atypical pathogens and their prevalence in hospitalized patients with CAP worldwide, especially in relation with disease severity. Methods: A secondary analysis of the GLIMP database, an international, multicentre, point-prevalence study of adult patients admitted for CAP in 222 hospitals across 6 continents in 2015, was performed. The study evaluated frequency of testing for atypical pathogens, including L. pneumophila, M. pneumoniae, C. pneumoniae, and their prevalence. Risk factors for testing and prevalence for atypical pathogens were assessed through univariate analysis. Results: Among 3702 CAP patients 1250 (33.8%) underwent at least one test for atypical pathogens. Testing varies greatly among countries and its frequency was higher in Europe than elsewhere (46.0% vs. 12.7%, respectively, p < 0.0001). Detection of L. pneumophila urinary antigen was the most common test performed worldwide (32.0%). Patients with severe CAP were less likely to be tested for both atypical pathogens considered together (30.5% vs. 35.0%, p = 0.009) and specifically for legionellosis (28.3% vs. 33.5%, p = 0.003) than the rest of the population. Similarly, L. pneumophila testing was lower in ICU patients. At least one atypical pathogen was isolated in 62 patients (4.7%), including M. pneumoniae (26/251 patients, 10.3%), L. pneumophila (30/1186 patients, 2.5%), and C. pneumoniae (8/228 patients, 3.5%). Patients with CAP due to atypical pathogens were significantly younger, showed less cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic comorbidities in comparison to adult patients hospitalized due to non-atypical pathogen CAP. Conclusions: Testing for atypical pathogens in patients admitted for CAP in poorly standardized in real life and does not mirror atypical prevalence in different settings. Further evidence on the impact of atypical pathogens, expecially in the low-income countries, is needed to guidelines implementation

Microbiological testing of adults hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia: An international study

This study aimed to describe real-life microbiological testing of adults hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and to assess concordance with the 2007 Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)/American Thoracic Society (ATS) and 2011 European Respiratory Society (ERS) CAP guidelines. This was a cohort study based on the Global Initiative for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Pneumonia (GLIMP) database, which contains point-prevalence data on adults hospitalised with CAP across 54 countries during 2015. In total, 3702 patients were included. Testing was performed in 3217 patients, and included blood culture (71.1%), sputum culture (61.8%), Legionella urinary antigen test (30.1%), pneumococcal urinary antigen test (30.0%), viral testing (14.9%), acute-phase serology (8.8%), bronchoalveolar lavage culture (8.4%) and pleural fluid culture (3.2%). A pathogen was detected in 1173 (36.5%) patients. Testing attitudes varied significantly according to geography and disease severity. Testing was concordant with IDSA/ATS and ERS guidelines in 16.7% and 23.9% of patients, respectively. IDSA/ATS concordance was higher in Europe than in North America (21.5% versus 9.8%; p<0.01), while ERS concordance was higher in North America than in Europe (33.5% versus 19.5%; p<0.01). Testing practices of adults hospitalised with CAP varied significantly by geography and disease severity. There was a wide discordance between real-life testing practices and IDSA/ATS/ERS guideline recommendations

Prevalence and etiology of community-acquired pneumonia in immunocompromised patients

Background. The correct management of immunocompromised patients with pneumonia is debated. We evaluated the prevalence, risk factors, and characteristics of immunocompromised patients coming from the community with pneumonia. Methods. We conducted a secondary analysis of an international, multicenter study enrolling adult patients coming from the community with pneumonia and hospitalized in 222 hospitals in 54 countries worldwide. Risk factors for immunocompromise included AIDS, aplastic anemia, asplenia, hematological cancer, chemotherapy, neutropenia, biological drug use, lung transplantation, chronic steroid use, and solid tumor. Results. At least 1 risk factor for immunocompromise was recorded in 18% of the 3702 patients enrolled. The prevalences of risk factors significantly differed across continents and countries, with chronic steroid use (45%), hematological cancer (25%), and chemotherapy (22%) the most common. Among immunocompromised patients, community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) pathogens were the most frequently identified, and prevalences did not differ from those in immunocompetent patients. Risk factors for immunocompromise were independently associated with neither Pseudomonas aeruginosa nor non\u2013community-acquired bacteria. Specific risk factors were independently associated with fungal infections (odds ratio for AIDS and hematological cancer, 15.10 and 4.65, respectively; both P = .001), mycobacterial infections (AIDS; P = .006), and viral infections other than influenza (hematological cancer, 5.49; P < .001). Conclusions. Our findings could be considered by clinicians in prescribing empiric antibiotic therapy for CAP in immunocompromised patients. Patients with AIDS and hematological cancer admitted with CAP may have higher prevalences of fungi, mycobacteria, and noninfluenza viruses

Epidemiology of intra-abdominal infection and sepsis in critically ill patients: “AbSeS”, a multinational observational cohort study and ESICM Trials Group Project

Purpose: To describe the epidemiology of intra-abdominal infection in an international cohort of ICU patients according to a new system that classifies cases according to setting of infection acquisition (community-acquired, early onset hospital-acquired, and late-onset hospital-acquired), anatomical disruption (absent or present with localized or diffuse peritonitis), and severity of disease expression (infection, sepsis, and septic shock). Methods: We performed a multicenter (n = 309), observational, epidemiological study including adult ICU patients diagnosed with intra-abdominal infection. Risk factors for mortality were assessed by logistic regression analysis. Results: The cohort included 2621 patients. Setting of infection acquisition was community-acquired in 31.6%, early onset hospital-acquired in 25%, and late-onset hospital-acquired in 43.4% of patients. Overall prevalence of antimicrobial resistance was 26.3% and difficult-to-treat resistant Gram-negative bacteria 4.3%, with great variation according to geographic region. No difference in prevalence of antimicrobial resistance was observed according to setting of infection acquisition. Overall mortality was 29.1%. Independent risk factors for mortality included late-onset hospital-acquired infection, diffuse peritonitis, sepsis, septic shock, older age, malnutrition, liver failure, congestive heart failure, antimicrobial resistance (either methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Gram-negative bacteria, or carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria) and source control failure evidenced by either the need for surgical revision or persistent inflammation. Conclusion: This multinational, heterogeneous cohort of ICU patients with intra-abdominal infection revealed that setting of infection acquisition, anatomical disruption, and severity of disease expression are disease-specific phenotypic characteristics associated with outcome, irrespective of the type of infection. Antimicrobial resistance is equally common in community-acquired as in hospital-acquired infection

Burden and risk factors for Pseudomonas aeruginosa community-acquired pneumonia:a Multinational Point Prevalence Study of Hospitalised Patients

Pseudornonas aeruginosa is a challenging bacterium to treat due to its intrinsic resistance to the antibiotics used most frequently in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Data about the global burden and risk factors associated with P. aeruginosa-CAP are limited. We assessed the multinational burden and specific risk factors associated with P. aeruginosa-CAP. We enrolled 3193 patients in 54 countries with confirmed diagnosis of CAP who underwent microbiological testing at admission. Prevalence was calculated according to the identification of P. aeruginosa. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for antibiotic-susceptible and antibiotic-resistant P. aeruginosa-CAP. The prevalence of P. aeruginosa and antibiotic-resistant P. aeruginosa-CAP was 4.2% and 2.0%, respectively. The rate of P. aeruginosa CAP in patients with prior infection/colonisation due to P. aeruginosa and at least one of the three independently associated chronic lung diseases (i.e. tracheostomy, bronchiectasis and/or very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) was 67%. In contrast, the rate of P. aeruginosa-CAP was 2% in patients without prior P. aeruginosa infection/colonisation and none of the selected chronic lung diseases. The multinational prevalence of P. aeruginosa-CAP is low. The risk factors identified in this study may guide healthcare professionals in deciding empirical antibiotic coverage for CAP patients

Supplement: "Localization and broadband follow-up of the gravitational-wave transient GW150914" (2016, ApJL, 826, L13)

This Supplement provides supporting material for Abbott et al. (2016a). We briefly summarize past electromagnetic (EM) follow-up efforts as well as the organization and policy of the current EM follow-up program. We compare the four probability sky maps produced for the gravitational-wave transient GW150914, and provide additional details of the EM follow-up observations that were performed in the different bands

Localization and broadband follow-up of the gravitational-wave transient GW150914

A gravitational-wave (GW) transient was identified in data recorded by the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) detectors on 2015 September 14. The event, initially designated G184098 and later given the name GW150914, is described in detail elsewhere. By prior arrangement, preliminary estimates of the time, significance, and sky location of the event were shared with 63 teams of observers covering radio, optical, near-infrared, X-ray, and gamma-ray wavelengths with ground- and space-based facilities. In this Letter we describe the low-latency analysis of the GW data and present the sky localization of the first observed compact binary merger. We summarize the follow-up observations reported by 25 teams via private Gamma-ray Coordinates Network circulars, giving an overview of the participating facilities, the GW sky localization coverage, the timeline, and depth of the observations. As this event turned out to be a binary black hole merger, there is little expectation of a detectable electromagnetic (EM) signature. Nevertheless, this first broadband campaign to search for a counterpart of an Advanced LIGO source represents a milestone and highlights the broad capabilities of the transient astronomy community and the observing strategies that have been developed to pursue neutron star binary merger events. Detailed investigations of the EM data and results of the EM follow-up campaign are being disseminated in papers by the individual teams