Determinación de la elasticidad de la demanda alimenticia en Ecuador / Determining the elasticity of demand for food in Ecuador

Este trabajo presenta los resultados de un proyecto de investigación financiado por Sistema de Investigación y Desarrollo de la Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil (SINDE-UCSG), tiene como objetivo determinar la elasticidad de la demanda de alimentos en el Ecuador mediante el uso de técnicas estimativas, para poder generar una herramienta eficaz para el diseño de políticas públicas. Además determinar las posibles razones por las que puede variar la demanda de alimentos en el Ecuador, principalmente por la influencia del factor precio. La realidad social existente sugiere la cuantificación del comportamiento de los ecuatorianos ante el consumo de alimentos, con el objetivo de generar un insumo para la toma de decisiones a nivel de políticas públicas. AbstractThis paper presents the results of a research project funded by System of Research and Development of the Catholic University of Santiago de Guayaquil (SINDE - UCSG). It aims to determine the elasticity of demand for food in Ecuador using predictive techniques, to create an effective public policy design tool. A second aim is to identify possible reasons that can vary the demand for food in Ecuador, mainly through the influence of the price factor. The existing social reality suggests quantifying the behavior of Ecuadorians with regard to the consumption of food, in order to generate a source of information for decision-making at policy level

Does the ACE I/D polymorphism, alone or in combination with the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism, influence muscle power phenotypes in young, non-athletic adults?

We investigated the association of the angiotensin converting enzyme gene (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism, alone or in combination with the α-actinin-3 gene (ACTN3) R577X polymorphism, with jumping (vertical squat and counter-movement jump tests) and sprint ability (30 m dash) in non-athletic, healthy young adults [N = 281 (214 male), mean (SD) age 21 (2) years]. We did not observe any effect of the ACE I/D polymorphism on study phenotypes. We repeated the analyses separately in men and women and the results did not materially change. Likewise, the mean estimates of the study phenotypes were similar in subjects with the genotype combinations ACE II + ID and ACTN3 XX or ACE DD and ACTN3 RR + RX. We found no association between the ACE DD and ACTN3 RR + RX genotype combination and performance (≥90th of the sex-specific percentile). In summary, though the ACE I/D polymorphism is a strong candidate to modulate some exercise-related phenotypes or athletic performance status, this polymorphism, alone or in combination with the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism, does not seem to exert a major influence in the muscle ‘explosive’ power of young healthy adults, as assessed during multi-joint exercise tests

Comparación de evaluación microbiológica pre y post lavado de manos en estudiantes de salud en Ecuador

Proper hand hygiene is essential to prevent the spread of infections in healthcare settings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the handwashing technique in nursing students by microbiological hand culture before and after handwashing. The design was descriptive-cross-sectional with a population of 66 students of the microbiology course of the nursing career of a public university in the academic period 2022-2023. Data were obtained from a self-directed questionnaire consisting of 10 questions that was validated with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.83, to determine knowledge of the handwashing technique and its relationship with the number of bacterial colonies before and after handwashing. Participants were 77% n=51, with average ages of 21 years, a significant decrease in the number of colony-forming units was observed after handwashing by 62% less with respect for the number of colonies forming units. Regarding how many times they wash their hands per day, 75% n= 50 answered that more than three times a day, regarding the requirements for hygienic hand washing, 85% n=56 of participants report washing their hands and using soap in this procedure in the family environment, unlike when they evaluate a patient, this increases to 97% n=64. The questionnaire evidenced an adequate theoretical knowledge of the washing technique, contrasting these data at the time of taking the culture of their hands. The findings of this study highlight the importance of ongoing hand hygiene training for students in health careers and the need to implement improvement strategies.La higiene de manos adecuada es esencial para prevenir la propagación de infecciones en entornos de la atención sanitaria. El estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la técnica de lavado de manos en estudiantes de enfermería mediante el cultivo microbiológico de manos antes y después del lavado de manos. El diseño fue descriptivo-transversal con una población de 66 estudiantes del curso de microbiología de la carrera de enfermería de una universidad pública en el periodo académico 2022-2023. Los datos fueron obtenidos de un cuestionario autodirigido que constó de 10 preguntas que se validó con un alfa de Cronbach de 0,83, para determinar el conocimiento de la técnica de lavado de manos y su relación con el número de colonias de bacterias antes y después del lavado de manos. Los participantes fueron en un 77% n=51, con edades que promedian los 21 años, se observó una disminución significativa del número de unidades formadoras de colonias posterior al lavado de manos en un 62% menos con respecto a la primera toma donde se encontró un 100% de unidades formadoras de colonias de bacterias. Con respecto a cuantas veces se lavan las manos al día un 75% n= 50, respondió que más de tres veces al día, en lo referente a los requerimientos para un lavado higiénico de manos un 85% n=56 de participantes refieren lavarse las manos y usar jabón en este procedimiento en el entorno familiar a diferencia de cuando evalúan a un paciente esto aumenta a un 97% n=64. El cuestionario evidenció un adecuado conocimiento teórico de la técnica de lavado contrastándose estos datos al momento de realizar la toma de cultivo de sus manos. Los hallazgos de este estudio destacan la importancia de la capacitación continua en higiene de manos para los estudiantes de carreras de salud y la necesidad de implementar estrategias de mejora

The management of scabies outbreaks in residential care facilities for the elderly in England: a review of current health protection guidelines

Commonly thought of as a disease of poverty and overcrowding in resource poor settings globally, scabies is also an important public health issue in residential care facilities for the elderly (RCFE) in high income countries such as the United Kingdom [1–4]. We compared and contrasted current local Health Protection Team (HPT) guidelines for the management of scabies outbreaks in RCFE throughout England. We performed content analysis on twenty guidelines, and used this to create a quantitative report of their variation in key dimensions. Although the guidelines were generally consistent on issues such as the treatment protocols for individual patients, there was substantial variation in their recommendations regarding the prophylactic treatment of contacts, infection control measures and the roles and responsibilities of individual stakeholders. Most guidelines did not adequately address the logistical challenges associated with mass treatment in this setting. We conclude that the heterogeneous nature of the guidelines reviewed is an argument in favour of national guidelines being produced

The management of scabies outbreaks in residential care facilities for the elderly in England: a review of current health protection guidelines

Commonly thought of as a disease of poverty and overcrowding in resource-poor settings globally, scabies is also an important public health issue in residential care facilities for the elderly (RCFE) in high-income countries such as the UK. We compared and contrasted current local Health Protection Team (HPT) guidelines for the management of scabies outbreaks in RCFE throughout England. We performed content analysis on 20 guidelines, and used this to create a quantitative report of their variation in key dimensions. Although the guidelines were generally consistent on issues such as the treatment protocols for individual patients, there was substantial variation in their recommendations regarding the prophylactic treatment of contacts, infection control measures and the roles and responsibilities of individual stakeholders. Most guidelines did not adequately address the logistical challenges associated with mass treatment in this setting. We conclude that the heterogeneous nature of the guidelines reviewed is an argument in favour of national guidelines being produced

Enhancement of the antimicrobial properties of bacteriophage-K via stabilization using oil-in-water nano-emulsions

Bacteriophage therapy is a promising new treatment that may help overcome the threat posed by antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria, which are increasingly identified in hospitalized patients. The development of biocompatible and sustainable vehicles for incorporation of viable bacterial viruses into a wound dressing is a promising alternative. This article evaluates the antimicrobial efficacy of Bacteriophage K against Staphylococcus aureus over time, when stabilized and delivered via an oil-in-water nano-emulsion. Nano-emulsions were formulated via thermal phase inversion emulsification, and then bacterial growth was challenged with either native emulsion, or emulsion combined with Bacteriophage K. Bacteriophage infectivity, and the influence of storage time of the preparation, were assessed by turbidity measurements of bacterial samples. Newly prepared Bacteriophage K/nano-emulsion formulations have greater antimicrobial activity than freely suspended bacteriophage. The phage-loaded emulsions caused rapid and complete bacterial death of three different strains of S. aureus. The same effect was observed for preparations that were either stored at room temperature (18-20°C), or chilled at 4°C, for up to 10 days of storage. A response surface design of experiments was used to gain insight on the relative effects of the emulsion formulation on bacterial growth and phage lytic activity. More diluted emulsions had a less significant effect on bacterial growth, and diluted bacteriophage-emulsion preparations yielded greater antibacterial activity. The enhancement of bacteriophage activity when delivered via nano-emulsions is yet to be reported. This prompts further investigation into the use of these formulations for the development of novel anti-microbial wound management strategies

Using modeling tools for implementing feasible land use and nature conservation governance systems in small islands e The Pico Island (Azores) case-study

The present study deals with the development of systematic conservation planning as management instrument in small oceanic islands, ensuring open systems of governance, and able to integrate an informed and involved participation of the stakeholders. Marxan software was used to define management areas according a set of alternative land use scenarios considering different conservation and management paradigms. Modeled conservation zones were interpreted and compared with the existing protected areas allowing more fused information for future trade-outs and stakeholder's involvement. The results, allowing the identification of Target Management Units (TMU) based on the consideration of different development scenarios proved to be consistent with a feasible development of evaluation approaches able to support sound governance systems. Moreover, the detailed geographic identification of TMU seems to be able to support participated policies towards a more sustainable management of the entire islan

D2.4 - Final Bundle of Client-side Components

This document describes the final bundle of client-side components, including descriptions of their functionality, and links to their full designs and downloadable versions. This bundle aggregates only the WP2 assets. Other client-side assets not covered here will be addressed in the final WP3 deliverables. Those assets created and licenced as open software will be continuously improved and maintained by their creators until the end of the project (the task has been extended to month 48) and beyond. For a full description of the related server-side components, please refer to D2.2 - Final Bundle of Server-side Components.This study is part of the RAGE project. The RAGE project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 644187. This publication reflects only the author's view. The European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains